Stores for furniture

[Hagabel]

Sorry lot of questions recently.

I am trying to check out prices of things online (furniture) in NZ so we can weigh up cost of buying there vs cost of shipping from the US. I am currently waiting on a couple of quotes from shipping companies.

What are stores that you would buy reasonable (not expensive) furniture at? I am looking at things like couches, love seats, beds, tables etc.

And what is a good electronics store? We know not to bother bringing any electronics except the laptop which is compatible.

Thanks again in advance.

[Duncan74]

Don't bother. The online 'catalogues' are useless and the prices bear no resemblance to what you'll pay. Sticker prices for all that stuff has no relevance to the price you pay. It's a total barter system over here. As a very very rough guide then sticker prices is 25% over what you pay, but that will vary widely from 10% to 50%. Having said all that, then furniture isn't cheap over here, so the general advice is to bring it all. Anything you don't want / need you'll be able to sell for quite a high price on TradeMe.

[Duncan74]

Furniture - Target, Harvey Norman, Big Save Furrniture, Smiths City.
Electrical - Harvey Norman, Noel Leeming (Bond&Bond is same company), Smiths City

[IanW99]

...
It's a total barter system over here.
...

Barter is a method of exchange by which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange, such as money

so let us into the secret, what goods or services are you providing

Ian

[Duncan74]

I stand there and talk to them until they give me the price I want. I suppose it's more blackmail than barter.......

Ok, so it's a haggling system.

[Janey]

choice is limited and often poor quality, also look at Freedom furniture, bring everything you can if it does not fit sell it on trade me

[Dell]

Though you often read here that it is cheaper to ship everything rather than buy NZ, I did some window shopping while in NZ last month. Like you, I was weighing the option of buying everything new in NZ.

I only checked Briscoes and Farmers and decided that if I was in no rush to fill the house with furniture, I could probably replace what I have for a comparable price to the U.S. except perhaps for mattresses. Even on sale they were pretty expensive. I also checked prices on everything from towels to teacups and finally decided to ship. My shipping quote is around US $9500, and I can't replace the contents of a 3 bedroom/2 bath house for that. A factor that weighed heavily in this decision is that all the furniture I saw looked very similar to what I see in NZ real estate photos of home interiors - not a huge variety. I've got some pretty funky pieces - some Mexican and some antiques that will be more unique in NZ.

[gypsy]

We moved to NZ in 2001 & bought most of my furnishings second hand 9with the exception of fridge, washing machine & TV) the fridge was rubbish Fisher Paykel replaved with good condition not new Bosch off Trademe for $400, TV packed up after 4 years & friend gave us unwanted one, washing machine (Maytag) was fantastic Paid $1,100 new sold on Trademe 8 years later for $625.

We are returning in September & apart from importing 2 brand new sofas from Ikea in Australia (because they are comfortable & there is no Ikea store in NZ) we will be buying the rest off Trademe.
I did take advtantage of the shop sales before I left & bought 800 thread count Egyptian sheet sets less 50%. Briscoes are quite good for everyday crockery have nice crystal wine glasses & often have great discounts.
Dell I am still using towels I bought from Cosco Reno NV in 1995, they are amazing I think they were $5 each & I was very dubious of their quality!

[Hagabel]

Thanks guys for all the great replies, as ever!!!

[dharder]

As said in other threads, I would bring everything. It is possible to find cheap stuff, but it is really cheap and in my experience won't last.

I miss the middle of the range stuff at affordable prices here. You can get expensive (and presumably quality) things, and the cheap trash, but not a whole lot in between. At least I'm still looking for that...

We brought everything, and I would bring everything again (and more) with hindsight, too.

Daniela