The owner is a bit eccentric but is a nice guy. He's given me great deals before and you can find…read moreunique things there like large turtle shells, an adult tricycle, large paintings, mannequins, a dress form, etc. What I buy from him are picture frames, shelves, dolls, ect. His prices are reasonable and if you want a cheaper rate just ask him.

Totally disgusting in here. Randomly closes in the middle of the day, and the person working there…read more(the owner, I assume?) did not even greet me when I walked in. It's dirty and smelly inside, so I couldn't stay for longer than a couple of minutes before gagging. Take your money elsewhere.

We went here today in search of a desk, and sadly, didn't find one. Well, we did, but it kind of…read morehad a SOLD sticker hanging off it, and when we enquired as to whether it was actually sold (since the sticker looked old and was hanging on by a corner), no one seemed to know, or wanted to find out. We had a look around anyway, and this place is a hipster's paradise. Most of it is genuinely old, and slightly overpriced. I got two sewing patterns for $2 apiece (and they weren't even that great), and other op shops are selling them for around 50 cents each. We also grabbed a couple of spanners for $2 each, and I got some zips and piping for another $2. There is a large section of stuff that isn't secondhand and is brand new, and is extremely expensive. I saw a set of double bed sheets with foxes on them for $214. I know foxes are "in" right now, but seriously. Obviously very much taking advantage of the whole "vintage vibe" that people are loving right now, and good on them I guess, but I was looking for genuinely old, unfashionable secondhand stuff, and of that there just wasn't that much, sadly.

The coolest second hand and collectibles store in Auckland for sure. The mass size of this…read morewarehouse is amazing and full of everything from a Tonka truck for the kid to vintage surfboards that make the man cave look awesome. My first visit to J & D I spent over an hour and a half just wandering back and forth peering at peoples past belongings. I have purchased a beautiful vintage glass cake platter the kind that nana used to have, and a glass perfume spray bottle that opens up and allows you to fill it up with any scent you wish. Prices are not too pricey, so won't break the bank. If you love exploring antique stores give this a try you might find a painting that inspires you, or a vintage lounge suite to redecorate with? Staff are helpful however, usually only one person working the store. Be prepared for cool and cool is what you will get.

I love nothing better on a lazy Saturday afternoon than trawling through op-shops. I don't know why…read moreas I rarely buy anything, I just find the whole thing therapeutic...and a lot kinder on the wallet than doing the same thing in a mall. However, there's something about Paper Bag Princess that I just don't like. Actually there's a few things, but the main one is the smell. Yes, I know all op-shops have that same aroma but it just feels particularly pungent in here. Thing is, I wouldn't mind so much if the clothes were actually half-decent but they're not. I like how everything is nicely ordered (sections for dresses, sections for short-sleeved shirts etc) and colour blocked, so it's pretty easy to find stuff but every time I've been in here it just feels like there's nothing actually to be found, everything just kind of looks like stuff your nan threw out in 1973.

As a newbie to this city and with a backpackers wardrobe, this place is awesome for fashionistas…read moreon a budget. 10% off your purchase with student ID and loyalty cards. Really well organised shop. Nothing over $20 and blue tag items at 50% off. I just walked out with a gorgeous pair of high-heeled maroon booties for $15 They are an OP shop so portion of funds generally go to woman's campaigns. Staff are very nice

This has got to be my favourite place to shop. It's sinister. It's grubby. It's dangerous…read more (seriously you can snag your arm or leg on a dirty old metal thingy and get tetanus) but it's also enticing and exciting. The proprietor is a piece of work. I don't even know what I mean by that. Maybe I mean "a work of art" if that art is alternative, and an acquired taste. Don't go there. Leave all the treasures for me. Take cash!. Don't expect change! Don't expect small talk! Don't expect a friendly smile and warm handshake... but you just never know. PS You know how to haggle, right???

This is a small secondhand shop, packed (and I mean packed) with any kind of junk you can imagine…read more All kinds of electronic equipment, kitchen stuff, megaphones, ladders, blankets, old lightbulbs...the list goes on. Be prepared to pick your way over chairs and sodden blankets, and duck under hanging items to fully explore the shop. The guy working there is a little odd, but quite friendly. I bought a vintage sewing machine there after he let me test it out with an extension lead. As the sign says, there is no eftpos, so be aware.

It's so easy to walk right past the Red Cross shop on Karangahape Road, because it's really just a…read moredoorway and a sign, but it's totally worth keeping an eye out for it. Now I consider myself to be a pretty brave op-shopper, undeterred by unusual odours and willing to do the hard yards to find the bargains, but entering this shop does put me off slightly - it's a bit like squeezing into the hallway at your mad uncle's house; you never know what you might find, or what condition it'll be in. But, as I've found with most Red Cross shops, it pays dividends to the more intrepid shopper. In any case, everything is so cheap (especially for an op shop in the middle of town), you might as well be brave and shop shop shop for charity.

For me the Red Cross Op-shop on K'Rd is a symbol of hope. Not trying to get too deep about what the…read moreRed Cross do, I just mean that whenever I go in I'm always hopeful. Red Cross. They'll have what I'm looking for. Or if I'm just browsing, they'll have that unknown gem that's eluded me at all the other places. But I honestly don't think I've ever bought anything from the place. Years of roaming the narrow racks, and I'm yet to actually succeed at finding anything I want. And yet, the next time I'm in town, no doubt I'll be going past and think 'Ooh. Maybe I'll just pop in for a quick look. Maybe this time...' My theory: Everyone else is getting great deals here, and their enthusiasm for it has leaked onto me. So don't let my failures put you off, someone must be scoring some sweet threads from this shop...

Thrift shops can be a little hit and miss, but that's half the fun isn't it!? Call me tinny, but at…read moreNew Beginnings in Takapuna I always seem to HIT. An example of some recent hits.... Hit 1: A Chloe (YES CHLOE) trench coat. It cost me $30 (which yes, is a little steep for an op shop) but my, oh my, this coat is lovely. I wait, with anticipation for someone to stroke my coat and ask where it's from, just so I can explain the story. I'm practically a walking advert for the City Mission Hit 2: A beautiful eggshell blue daisy vase. It has prime position in my kitchen window and I've seen the neighbours giving it jealous stare downs as they pass. Back off - it's mine Hit 3: A flax back pack/bag. No, not like the one you tried to make as a 10 year old. This flax bag is the BOMB. It's secure and makes a perfect gym bag. No more smelly gym gear. I guess because it's a natural, breathable material, even wet towels come out of it smelling fresh. Hit 4: Of course, one of the biggest hits is that all the profits go straight back to the City Mission. It's great organisation and shopping at New Beginnings is perhaps the easiest (and most rewarding) was to support it

Staff were honestly so friendly and found 2 Tommy H. Polo's which were sold for $5!!!! Such a good…read moreprice and they were honestly nice enough I got a 50% off!! I found some Ralph Lauren's and even more famous brands and they were in good condition!! Would honestly highly recommend :)

This op shop would have to be in my list of top 3! I found out today that they were previously in…read morePonsonby, then K Road, now in Avondale, but looking for new premises again. I hope they don't move too far away where ever they go! The woman behind the counter has always been really friendly, chatty and helpful when I have been in. They have a long rack of children's clothes for those with youngsters, a decent range of men's wear (generally x-large though), lots of women's clothes, books in an organised fashion, some great crockery (I have bought some matching vases) and glassware. The best bit really is that it is the most affordable I have seen in Auckland. Not only do they have a $1 rack out the front with decent enough clothes, but they also have on offer 50C containers of clothes (children's and adults). It offers prices that most of us would expect to pay for second hand. This isn't me being stingy, this is me being practical - these charity second hand shops support the needy and they sell to those of us who struggle to fill a wardrobe with brand new clothes. Keep up the good work guys!

This place was charming and drew me in with a great window display. And there appeared to be a…read moregreat amount of inventory. Had I had more time, I would have perused the racks. Unfortunately, I was in a rush. But if you're in the neighborhood, check out Tatty's if you have time.

Tatty's really hits the mark between a great mix a secondhand designer gear and other,…read moreless-designer but unique pieces, often from overseas. It's a lovely place to pop in and have a rummage as there always seems to be lots new in, plus they play awesome music. I reckon the best buys are to be had down the back of the store, where there are racks of things squished close together. Perhaps people can't be bothered to shove them aside, or they don't have the upper arm strength, I'm not sure. But it always ends up being where I find the best goodies!

This shop is the superlative site for studendous high fashion bargains. I got a 4 thousand dollar…read morepair of Louboutin Daffodile stillettos for $20.00. In perfect shape. Not a scratch. I've never come out feeling disappointed, my wardrobe looks twice as sharp as it should do, and the money goes to the best cause known to humankind...looking after our fellow humans as they transition in to death...amongst other good and important things.

This little clothing boutique in the Britomart precinct really epitomizes the phrase 'cute as a…read morebutton'. Walking into this shop is like walking straight into the warm fluffy embrace of an elderly relative who only wears 'vintage' or 'one of a kind' daaaahlink, counterimposed with the hipster qualities of a much younger generation. In other words it is a rather weird mish-mash but I like it. Filled with vintage finds like exquisite beaded garments, pretty floaty things and accessories like jewellery and bags, it is a girlie haven. There are also one off labels like topshop scattered throughout. While prices are a little more than most secondhand or vintage stores, the pieces really are lovingly restored.

CouCou is a boutique in Britomart with a colourful, eclectic selection of garments on offer. These…read moreare a mix of vintage and new brands, such as Topshop, and are displayed in a tasteful manner around the shop, with other accessories such as scarves and shoes also available. CouCou is not what you would call cheap second-hand, however it is carefully curated and the garments are all of high quality, so I suppose you pay for what you get. Unfortunately I was slightly disappointed with CouCou's service, as although the shop assistants greeted me when I walked in, they seemed much more interested in talking amongst themselves than responding to my attempts to strike up a conversation. Kind of a pity for such a beautiful looking shop.