[fred]

Hi - I've been reading that the Kiwis like large dark furniture and that second-hand sells well. Can anyone tell me what type of shop sells this kind of furniture, and an idea of prices? Thinking of an oak Welsh Dresser, for instance. And what about old pine - is that the same?? Thinking of what you would want to take or what can be fairly easily replaced once there. Thanks.

[Gran]

Early Settler do a nice line in reproduction furniture, I think they get it made up in Malasia

[Moorf]

Old, original Welsh oak dresser? If so, bring it, you won't find anything like it here!

Please PLEASE someone correct me if I am wrong but I haven't seen any antique/old furniture shops in Chch.... and some of the second hand shops are just junk shops really.... having said that I think some stalls in Camden Market would go NUTS over the 60's retro stuff I've seen here in junk shops!!

[sanjivgoomer]

Hi,
Any suggestions about websites selling second hand furniture / other house hold goods (TV, fridge, microwave ovens etc)???
That would guide on what all to bring along and leave behind.
Regards
Sanjiv

[Dave & Sandra]

Sanjiv

There is a second hand web site where you can bid for items - like e-bay and it's here http://www.trademe.co.nz/

Sandra

[veronica]

the other one is the BUY SELL & EXCHANGE (equiv of LOOT or Exchange and Mart) website http://www.traderpoint.co.nz/

[sanjivgoomer]

Thanks a Ton, Sandra and Veronica,
This looks exciting.
Warm regards
Sanjiv

[Iain & Liz]

i agree with moorf nothing worth buying in secondhand shops just junk and most are really pricey.
we couldnt believe what people would sell and buy.
bring it with you if you can.

[jocalla]

Must comment on this subject!! We came here with nothing, and planned to furnish the house with secondhand like I have always done in the uk. Well how shocked I have been!! The quality is bad and to top it off, soooo expensive! Like others I couldn't believe the price they were asking for absolute **ap!! Hence ended up buying new
Joanne

[Iain & Liz]

you can buy new for what they are asking it's rubbish and its like the stuff you would find at the tip,that people throw away

[Karoline]

It is quite funny how my Kiwi was walking around in a Dutch dump shop.
He was looking at scratchy tables and worndown leathercouches as if they were gold!
cheers,
Karoline

[veronica]

The second hand shops are well overpriced but you can get some reasonable stuff thats not too dear in the Buy Sell & Exchange paper. This is mainly stuff sold by ordinary people. We've just bought a set of bunks for $150 that are selling for $475 new.

[Arlevien]

I will definitely be on the hunt for a second hand TV when I arrive . Something newish and a sony will be good. If anyone stumble into one. PM me.

[leslie]

cambridge is meant to be good for antiques (south of auckland - nice day out)

[Diny]

Cambridge is a real nice place, and yeah - some nice shops that sell 'older' stuff.

Being abit of an antique freak here in the UK, my ideas of antiques and NZ's idea of antiques are too different things. Although there are some nice pieces to be picked up in NZ, I would say they are more in the category of 'pre-loved' furniture (couldn't be more diplomatic if I tried). I know I sound abit like a stuffed shirt, but having second hand furniture referred to as 'antique' is one of my pet hates. :no

If anybody knows of any shops that sell my favourite solid oak items that date back at least 250 years please let me know. We're shipping over everything we own at the moment but I'd like to think we could keep adding to our collection without having to ship things over from the UK.

Diny

[leslie]

am remembering a lovely 'old' art deco wardrobe i bought there - definition flexible/ relative.. as anywhere - buyer beware!

i think of "age" by mode/ quality of manufacture more than anything so perhaps am more liberal than most ... its been decades since i bought new (other than transitionary ikea/ habitat) as its mostly just awful and over-priced. there is fab stuff to be had if you've a good eye and patience - even in nz

[sweetpea]

Stuff had an article on an irksome new law today, which may affect people who hope to resell some of the secondhand furniture, etc, they bring over. From what I gather, if you make more than $2000/year, you should be registering as a secondhand dealer starting in April. Bleh.

Law may force TradeMe addicts to become dealers
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3138073a11,00.html

[SoCal Gal]

I just looked at this thread, and here's my two-cents worth....I definitely agree about the second hand shops having icky stuff that is expensive!! We tried to get a table and a bed, a few other things at a couple of shops, it was awful, and awfully expensive. My husband ended up buying a couple of new plastic outdoor chairs for only a few dollars, and he got a piece of wood and some bricks for a small table, that's how disgusted he was with "used", it's not the same. But on the other hand, you can definitely buy a decent TV and DVD player new, great prices on electronics. Don't even get me started on refridgerators and washing machines, grrr!!

[Moorf]

Was told in an "antique" shop the other day (it was really a junk shop!) that 1970's furniture is "antique" :eek

Where on earth can I get my fix of old oak and copper pans?! :wah

[Carol]

ooh Moorf!!!!!!
I found THE most amazing shop in ChCh when I was there last year........I couldnt believe my eyes.
I even took the kids to meet the owner and asked him to show them the workshop out the back where he was lovingly restoring gorgeous old pieces of furniture......

Let me think awhile till I work out where I was.
:roll:

[Carol]

aaargh
I cant find the name of it.....

but I can give you directions!

We were staying at the "Camelot Motel" (interesting enough to see by itself!!) on Papanui Road in Merivale.

As you come out of the motel you turn left and the shop I'm talking about is only 100m from the motel.

As an aside there are some great eating places nearby too - in a little courtyard type of place. The chinese was exceptionally good.

It's also not far from the lovely park with the most amazing trees...we were there in autumn so it was particularly good.

If I remember the name I'll let you know.

[Moorf]

I'm sure I'll sniff it out Carol - sounds fab!

I've just spent an hour driving around 2nd hand shops and retail outlets...

Hmmm - 2nd hand - I'm not even going to BOTHER anymore, it's gross. Most "2nd hand shops" are more akin to architectural reclamation yards in the UK... great if you want an old claw foot bath but not if you are looking for furniture / soft furnishings / washing machines etc. I went to 2 electrical 2nd hand shops and they were selling 2yr old Fisher & Paykel fridge/freezers for just $120 less than they are new in the retail outlets!! :roll: It's a bit like Pak n Save where if you buy, for instance, the 200g pouch of coffee it isn't cheaper than buying 2 x 100g.. !!! Watch out!

Ended up at the Harvey Norman centre - by the overpass on Moorhouse - a cluster of homeware/furnishing and electrical stores. Most had good deals and anywhere you go will almost always offer you a year interest free (although one shop keeper said they don't advertise due to it restricting advertising other rates.. ). One store, can't remember which one, is doing no deposit, no interest and nothing to pay until Jan 2007... ok, they probably work in the costs of doing that deal into the product but it's convenient !!

Looks like a nice new lounge suite is going to cost approx $2500 - 3000. Fridge/Freezer c. $1400 (for a large freezer / fridge combination).

The rest we'll collect as we go along - we've made do before when renovating so I'm sure a couple of packing boxes for bedside tables won't bother us for the time being :laugh

[veronica]

hiya Moorf, forget the second hand shops and have a look in the buy sell exchange, we bought the two fridges for the backpackers out of there and they were about $300 / $350. The other option is to have a look on traderpoint or trademe on the net.

[Rob K]

I agree with Veronica about the Buy and Sell. We bought a buggy, a bike, and 2 car seats and all are in great condition. Check out the diary under "advertisements" on the University of Canterbury website. You might see some furniture and other things for sale (faculty staff moving overseas etc.).

Hope this helps,

Sandrine