[Joolzr]

Hi all

We land in Auckland on the 22nd but haven't shipped our furniture. At the moment OH has a job for only a year and we've never visited NZ so thought we'd treat it like a working holiday and see how we settle.

Up shot is we'll need to buy beds, a sofa and a TV very quickly after we arrive- although we don't have a rental yet.

Obviously we dont want to spend a fortune, given that we may not be staying long term but getting stuff on trademe may be a bit time consuming for our first essentials.

Can anyone recommend any shops in Auckland? Or chains we can look out for?

Thanks

Julie

[jubjub]

We havent bought much furniture at all (bought all ours with us), but we did get a really good deal on a bed for DS from Big Save, they are a chain and have some good specials.

http://www.bigsave.co.nz/

they will negotiate on price too, its worth asking, even if they only do free delivery..

If you are shipping furniture, had you thought about hiring stuff until yours gets here? There are a couple of companies here that do that www.dtr.co.nz is who we used..

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Yup, we've used Big Save in Hamilton and found them to have a decent selection and happy to negotiate. Again, only bought a few small items really though.

[Ojai]

Big Save as well for bed and sofa. We talked them down 20% on our lounge suite. I got my TV off Trademe for a blushingly good price, and our other furniture we have been getting from second-hand shops and refinishing as needed. It's a good way to get heirloom quality furniture cheap.

Hiring would be a good option for temporary as well, and there are loads of serviced apartments around, which might be an overall savings.

[Tia Maria]

Head to Wairau Park if you are North Shore Way, its a rather unattractive out of town shopping strip. It has a Freedom furniture, which has a section of 'Sale' items that are often good value.

There are also lots of other shops, Harvey Normans, Dick Smiths, lots of smaller furniture stores etc etc

Its quite a good place as you can look at lots of shops in one go and find some pretty good bargains. And you can find most of your electrical, furniture and linen needs there.

There are also a couple of places to eat and a cinema if you need a break from shopping.

If you are buying a lot, do ask for their 'best price', as they will nearly always do a deal, especially as they know you could pop next door. The only place that didn't want to was Freedom, but they did give us some vouchers and free delivery, so still worth asking...

Most of the shops are on Link Drive and if you do a google search for 'Wairau Park' you will probably get links to shops there.

As I mentioned before, its not the most attractive or pleasant shopping experience but it is easy and has a good range.

Cheers

Tia

[chocolate cake]

The other option would be to look for a furnished rental, they're not as common but there are a few around.

[Joolzr]

Hi all

Thanks for the advice- we will check out that shopping center when we arrive. I've been looking at trade me for a while but the furnished rentals seem to be short term- usually six months. I dont want to keep moving as I think it' be unsettling and I absolutely hate packing. Also, if we like it, we may stay so it seems sensible to buy furniture. I guess I'll be spending a lot of time on the internet when i arrive...

Julie

[James 1077]

We got lots of our furniture from Target in Wairau Park. Large amounts of stuff on the floor and speedy delivery if you don't need to get it made for you.

Price was cheap (IKEA-esque for somethings) and the quality is pretty good.

[urban78]

Big Save and Target are great places for furniture.

We got a coffee table and couch from Target Botany Downs a while back and the staff were really helpful. Same goes for Big Save, and they seem to have regular sales :) When OH and I were shopping round for beds, the sales person at Big Save said delivery would be free if paid by cash or Eftpos too :yes

Jen