This shop really looks like the home of someone who has just moved in, but someone who has spent…read morehis entire life collecting stuff, and now he has just moved into a studio apartment in the city. It is seriously unorganised madness inside. Well actually that's unfair because most of the items do seem to be organised somewhat categorically. Anyway, it's a bizarre place that has quite a random selection of second hand goods for sale; from books, CD's and DVD's to artwork to other decorations, appliances to swords and basically anything else you can think of. The swords are so cool and there are heaps of them (actually they were the things that attracted me to the store in the first place). However, I can't help feeling that everything in here is a little bit expensive for second hand stuff; maybe this is because it's on Queen Street so the prices are bumped up a little.

First off, the owner here needs to rename the shop 'Uptown Secondhand Trade' - lower Queen =…read moredowntown, Aotea Square = midtown, K Road uptown - geddit?? Anyway, I digress... This is one of those shops where you just walk in sometimes and start making irrational purchases, totally off the cuff. There's all sorts of random, quirky, weird and wonderful stuff in here, and you just decide you need it! In previous visits I for example have developed a sudden need for various bags, satchels, watches and ceramics. There's lots of other stuff from there I'd like too but I can't quite justify it when there are so many things I actually need. At any rate, this is a great place for a peruse - sometimes you just can't quite believe the treasure you find here!

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.

This is an op shop. That's all there is to say on this one. It's as generic as they come. It sells…read moreclothes. It's pretty hit or miss. I think I've bought one thing from here ever, and I pop in every time I'm on K rd. Something about this place just doesn't quite sit well with me. I don't know what it is. I just don't get the feeling I normally get when I'm trawling through op shops from the Paper Bag Princess. Maybe it's the walls and the lights and the floors. It's all pretty sterile. That's probably it to be honest. It feel like and office or something. I dunno. Maybe it's better for girls.

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???

What more can you say about Super Trash, other than the following things:…read more 1. It's called Super Trash. 2. It looks like a kind of derelict world war two bunker. 3. It has the words "no eftpos" painted about the door in the kind of demented scrawl of a possessed child. It's the perfect place to go if you love masochistically trawling through dirty, dusty, rickety piles of other people's discarded crap. I am down with the cause. I once bought a ladder from Super Trash for a show I was doing. It was wooden and shitty and great. I was able to climb up and down that ladder every day for about three weeks and it didn't break. It was a friggen miracle. I love that ladder. It only cost twenty bucks.

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!

I like dropping into this op shop when I'm up in Three Lamps. In particular they always have a…read morelovely display of glassware and ornaments on the shelving either side of the counter - lots of crystal and cut glass that look great as a set but would also suit an eclectic vintage-style home or wedding/event. The central display is always well thought out and pretty, and for a second hand shop it's an enticing array. The staff are generally volunteers, and they'll always approach with a smile and ask if you need any help.

This is a wonderful little Hospice Shop. The layout is beautiful with all the items displayed in a…read moreway that ensures you want to take them home. I was completely captivated by the display window, which had a black and white theme with some funky outfits and some cool home decor stuff all well put together at the front window. Inside I was most impressed by the huge shelf of books stacked right to the top. If you're a bit of a bookworm like me head straight to the back and have a look through this collection! There's some top authors like Dan Brown and some smaller names hidden in there too. All the books looked to be in great condition and they were marked as half price! The most obvious reason I'm a fan of this place, however, is because it's for such a good cause. If you're the kind of person that feels guilty about spending money you will soon find out you cannot feel guilty spending a cent here as it all goes to such a good cause! And even though most of the people working here are volunteers, there's such a professional and fantastic vibe all the time. You can't go wrong.

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.