What to buy to take over?
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22
What to buy to take over?
Hi,
My wife and I are coming over next month, and we are shipping our house contents over. My question is we are bringing everything we can, but what would you recommend that we stock up on that's relatively cheap over here (England) compared to NZ. And I'm talking like clothes, trainers, electrical goods, or any other basic items that you think are silly prices over there??
Thanks for your time.
My wife and I are coming over next month, and we are shipping our house contents over. My question is we are bringing everything we can, but what would you recommend that we stock up on that's relatively cheap over here (England) compared to NZ. And I'm talking like clothes, trainers, electrical goods, or any other basic items that you think are silly prices over there??
Thanks for your time.
#2
Re: What to buy to take over?
Hi,
My wife and I are coming over next month, and we are shipping our house contents over. My question is we are bringing everything we can, but what would you recommend that we stock up on that's relatively cheap over here (England) compared to NZ. And I'm talking like clothes, trainers, electrical goods, or any other basic items that you think are silly prices over there??
Thanks for your time.
My wife and I are coming over next month, and we are shipping our house contents over. My question is we are bringing everything we can, but what would you recommend that we stock up on that's relatively cheap over here (England) compared to NZ. And I'm talking like clothes, trainers, electrical goods, or any other basic items that you think are silly prices over there??
Thanks for your time.
#3
Re: What to buy to take over?
It is silly really as you soon forget what is cheap and what is dear in UK. I would agree that the mobile phones are better in the UK. Make sure if you buy a vodafone you get it unlocked to work here. We only have vodafone with a sim card and telecom who don't have a sim card and telstra clear. For me personally I miss the M & S clothes although there are very nice ladies shops to buy that sort of stuff in it is not as good quality. I used to think linen was great in the UK but the thread count of sheets you can get here is great. Lots of Eqyptian Cotton stuff. Can be a but pricey though. Also a tip to remember is the size of beds in the UK are one size down here so a king size bed in the UK is a Queen here so if you need to stock up on sheets and duvet covers make sure you get the right size. We had a big super king bed in the UK and got super king duvet sets and sheets but here there are plain old King Size so that can get a bit confusing sometimes. I automatically reach for super king and realise that is a bigger size again!!
If you buy nice trainers there and have a favourite then bring more as they can get pricey here too for good quality ones.
There are a few English shops dotted around the country. Johnsons in Chch is a bit like Ronnie Barkers shop in Open All Hours, tins and tins of stuff on groaning shelves - I expect a lot of it will be out of date!! It is surprising how soon you forget what you used to eat and eat what is available. The one thing I don't like is only being able to buy fruit that is in season here. Not like all the exotic fruits available all year round in the UK in winter. We brought our TV and ended up giving it away to someone to play games on as even with Sky we could not get a picture only sound. We ended up buying a new one here, but saying that our flat screen portable TV that we brought with us works fine. Just need to put on NZ plugs for all your electrical stuff. I would say if there is any luxury you like buying in the UK then buy more as it will most likely be better quality. Hope I haven't rambled too much!!
If you buy nice trainers there and have a favourite then bring more as they can get pricey here too for good quality ones.
There are a few English shops dotted around the country. Johnsons in Chch is a bit like Ronnie Barkers shop in Open All Hours, tins and tins of stuff on groaning shelves - I expect a lot of it will be out of date!! It is surprising how soon you forget what you used to eat and eat what is available. The one thing I don't like is only being able to buy fruit that is in season here. Not like all the exotic fruits available all year round in the UK in winter. We brought our TV and ended up giving it away to someone to play games on as even with Sky we could not get a picture only sound. We ended up buying a new one here, but saying that our flat screen portable TV that we brought with us works fine. Just need to put on NZ plugs for all your electrical stuff. I would say if there is any luxury you like buying in the UK then buy more as it will most likely be better quality. Hope I haven't rambled too much!!
#4
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: What to buy to take over?
Buy lots of books if you enjoy reading, they are horrendously expensive. Also DVD's.
Shoes are expensive, so buy them in the UK.
Men's clothes shops are ok here but Mrs. V reliably informs me that shopping for women's clothes is a nightmare, especially if you're a size 14+. Awful styles & poor quality. From buying a new item of clothing every week in the UK, she now only buys something every 3 or 4 mths
Shoes are expensive, so buy them in the UK.
Men's clothes shops are ok here but Mrs. V reliably informs me that shopping for women's clothes is a nightmare, especially if you're a size 14+. Awful styles & poor quality. From buying a new item of clothing every week in the UK, she now only buys something every 3 or 4 mths
#5
Re: What to buy to take over?
Rotary washing line!!!!
I priced a new one the other day in Mitre 10, $347!!!!!!
Just about got over the shock. Anyone coming to Marlborough soon??????
I priced a new one the other day in Mitre 10, $347!!!!!!
Just about got over the shock. Anyone coming to Marlborough soon??????
#6
Re: What to buy to take over?
AA batteries. Bring millions of the little buggers. The ones we buy here can only power our kitchen clock for a few days, don't know why.
Also, remember to join your airmiles scheme if you can, we just got a free ipod and a digi camera from our recce with Qantas a few years back.
#7
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: What to buy to take over?
....or join your local kiwi library
AA batteries. Bring millions of the little buggers. The ones we buy here can only power our kitchen clock for a few days, don't know why.
Also, remember to join your airmiles scheme if you can, we just got a free ipod and a digi camera from our recce with Qantas a few years back.
AA batteries. Bring millions of the little buggers. The ones we buy here can only power our kitchen clock for a few days, don't know why.
Also, remember to join your airmiles scheme if you can, we just got a free ipod and a digi camera from our recce with Qantas a few years back.
#8
Re: What to buy to take over?
Best places for books as long as you don't mind 2nd hand are:
Op shops
Library sales
Garage sales
Fundraisers at the local community hall type thing
My wife is a compulsive 'book searcher' and has built up a library of well over 200 novels from the above for roughly 20c - $1 each.
I've gor 5 years worth of reading on my bookshelf alone!
(Never buy new I say)
Op shops
Library sales
Garage sales
Fundraisers at the local community hall type thing
My wife is a compulsive 'book searcher' and has built up a library of well over 200 novels from the above for roughly 20c - $1 each.
I've gor 5 years worth of reading on my bookshelf alone!
(Never buy new I say)
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: What to buy to take over?
Best places for books as long as you don't mind 2nd hand are:
Op shops
Library sales
Garage sales
Fundraisers at the local community hall type thing
My wife is a compulsive 'book searcher' and has built up a library of well over 200 novels from the above for roughly 20c - $1 each.
I've gor 5 years worth of reading on my bookshelf alone!
(Never buy new I say)
Op shops
Library sales
Garage sales
Fundraisers at the local community hall type thing
My wife is a compulsive 'book searcher' and has built up a library of well over 200 novels from the above for roughly 20c - $1 each.
I've gor 5 years worth of reading on my bookshelf alone!
(Never buy new I say)
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: What to buy to take over?
I don't spend that much Biddy, I hunt around for bargains/special offers & using Amazon is much cheaper even with the p&p (we still have a bank account in the UK so pay in £).
Occasionally parents send us the odd book.
Occasionally parents send us the odd book.
#13
Re: What to buy to take over?
Yes I would agree the price of books here is no laughing matter, they have gst @12.5% on them which does not help, I believe in Britain they are VAT exempt.
I am a collector of cook books and make the most amazing finds at school galas.
I believe buying them in from Amazon in the US can save money even when you take postage into account but I have not done it myself.
If you are a shopaholic you may struggle with life in NZ, I have had the disease beaten out of me and are now calm and serene, just enjoying the good weather but still working hard!
I am a collector of cook books and make the most amazing finds at school galas.
I believe buying them in from Amazon in the US can save money even when you take postage into account but I have not done it myself.
If you are a shopaholic you may struggle with life in NZ, I have had the disease beaten out of me and are now calm and serene, just enjoying the good weather but still working hard!
#14
Re: What to buy to take over?
Yes I would agree the price of books here is no laughing matter, they have gst @12.5% on them which does not help, I believe in Britain they are VAT exempt.
I am a collector of cook books and make the most amazing finds at school galas.
I believe buying them in from Amazon in the US can save money even when you take postage into account but I have not done it myself.
If you are a shopaholic you may struggle with life in NZ, I have had the disease beaten out of me and are now calm and serene, just enjoying the good weather but still working hard!
I am a collector of cook books and make the most amazing finds at school galas.
I believe buying them in from Amazon in the US can save money even when you take postage into account but I have not done it myself.
If you are a shopaholic you may struggle with life in NZ, I have had the disease beaten out of me and are now calm and serene, just enjoying the good weather but still working hard!
Lou
xxxxx
#15
Re: What to buy to take over?
I am a bit of a shopaholic. Never need anything I buy. (and can rarely afford it!!) I have been panic buying before we leave in October, anyone would think NZ don't have any shops lol!! I even bought a lovely new winter coat, despite having 3 already, and my hubby laughed and said you won't even get to wear it for a year so I sent it back!! I hope like you I get cured when i'm living Down Under!! Have stocked up on Asda duvet covers and towels, that sort of thing which is really cheap here.
Lou
xxxxx
Lou
xxxxx