When I was shopping in Coburg I took a wander through the aisles of this large discount shop. Along…read morewith the usual discount shop range of toys, kitchen ware and stationary this shop also has a lot of discount sweets and a few other groceries. It seems to specialize in cheap seasonal decorations. The window is currently full of Xmas decorations, last month it was Halloween and soon the Easter eggs will be filling the shop.

Have been here several times whilst doing the rounds of local bargain shops in the area, and it is…read morenow my first stop because they usually have a very good range of incense at cheap prices. Besides the incense, i've bought a few pieces of glassware, stationary, and cat products here because they have a good range of these that seems slightly better quality than the average imports. Very little in the way of hardware, electronics, or home maintenance compared to nearby stores, but i'm heading down there tonight to raid that excellent range of incense and buy a new drink bottle.

Bargain Depot is certainly an aptly named clearance outlet. Set up in the manner of Aldi stores,…read morethe wares are displayed in the boxes in which they were brought in, and left out in open topped isles. However, unlike Aldi, most of the brands are clearly recognisable as the same stocked at any other supermarket. For the most part everything is priced significantly lower than your standard supermarket, or about the same as if all the goods were on special all the time. For example, a solitary can of Red Bull will only set you back $1.50 and a big bag of chips comes in around the $2 mark. However, I'd recommend a close inspection of expiry and use by dates, as it has a whiff of NQR about it, given the whole "clearance" element. The stock extends beyond food goods, with most of the stuff you'd find at your local supermarket and/or discount centre covered in the various sections. Among the more exciting discoveries was a huge range of piñatas for $18 a pop at the back of the store, including one that's a mermaid. Pretty cool, hey?

A great place to pick up party supplies. A lot of confectionery including some harder to find…read moreAmerican products. Also, it's great for brand name cleaning products. The bargain depot has relatively easy parking in this part of Sydney Rd.

The Pines Variety Shop is one of the standouts when it comes to discount variety stores. This is…read morewhy: It has a large variety of stock. It has prices that are low. It is well presented. It doesn't smell. It is staffed by friendly and welcoming people. It is spacious without looking cavernous. It is clean, not dusty and everything is presented well. I know it doesn't sound like much but variety shops are so often cluttered messes with dust, bad smells and god knows what lurking in them. In this store you are guaranteed to find something you might like and be greeted with a smile. Stock aside, it is already a winner in my book. But, the stock here is pretty good too. They have a wide range of everything they carry, which includes: Pet toys. Party supplies. Stickers. Cards. Homewares. Stationery. And much more. I will definitely be returning when I need something in those categories.

As a shopping centre Epping Plaza serves its purpose, but it is hardly a place that I would…read morerecommend people go out of their way to visit, especially if they live in Dandenong, or Sydney. There isn't really all that much beyond it being one of those large regional shopping centres. It has all of the major stores (as well as a couple of little gems hidden away), a cinema, and an entertainment strip with restaurants (and a rather ordinary pub). The annoying thing I find about it, especially since I don't own a car, is the length of time it takes me to walk around it to get to the cinema (and home again) on a saturday evening (and late of a Friday night). Oh, and there is never a cab at the cab rank when you actually might need a cab, which is also incredibly annoying.

I can see someone else has already talked about this place but I go here a lot! I find it amazing!…read moreThe food courts. The stores! In the end you will be walking out broke!

Hi Everything is really good. Probably should give you a…read morefive star! However, just came to Outlet Kebab, ordered a lamb kebab combo, the lady touched everything with her bare hand! Rolled the bread wearing no gloves! When I asked ,' why don't you use gloves?' Her answer was, ' cuz no other kebab shop uses it!' Wonder is Subway opposites to it does the same thing! Hygiene is a big issue at Uni hill Factory outlet! Three star - all for amazing big shops with great affordable prices!

The largest (and only?) Nike factory outlet in Melbourne is the draw card for my visits. And they…read morehave great sales at this particular outlet, often having a period of time where there will be an additional % off the already considerably marked down items. There are heaps of shops here covering bedding, homewares, kids clothes and adult fashion. There are also cafes inthin the complex and the outlets are situated in among a little shopping precinct with more cafes and specialty shops (butchers, green grocer etc). The only downside is the one hour free street parking - never enough time!!

Stuff. Stuff everywhere. That's what you get at Hot Price Trading in Brunswick…read more There's yet to be an occasion where I walked into Hot Price and didn't come out with whatever specific good I was searching from, from headphones to kitchenware, arts and crafts supplies, clocks, picture frames, tea towels, umbrellas, card decks, stick on picture hooks, L and P plates, clocks, storage equipment and glitter. Pretty much any household or novelty item you'd ever need will be somewhere in this shop. Yet it's easy to be intimidated upon first inspection. There's only the faintest of logic to the store's organisation, and the expansive premises can make it seem like just a massive pile of random things, but if you ask for assistance the staff are always obliging and seem to know every niche and crevice of their stock. Also, common sense dictates that if you're looking for the highest quality or industry specific goods, it's probably better to go to elsewhere. Prices are all on the inexpensive side of average, and eftpos is available.

There is more than you would imagine in this large discount store from domestic cleaning products…read moreto art supplies, from the mundane to the kitsch. The store is the size of a small supermarket and there are endless shelves of inexpensive goods. I went here because needed a new easel for painting, a proper adjustable easel that will hold some large paintings. After pricing new easels at art supplies I realize that this was by far the cheapest place to buy and easel. Art materials are expensive and as a struggling artist I don't have a lot of money so being able to shop for materials at a discount store is a bonus. Along with a selection of easels and canvases, they also had some cheap Chinese oil paint. I decided to buy a tube of black paint as well because I couldn't see how you could go wrong making black paint.

This fashion boutique is at odds with the fast food options and local shopping strip staples…read more However it somehow fits in perfectly. This is the place to head if your after a South Yarra flavoured shopping experience but more down to earth and local. The Four Wicked Women clearly represent a range of sizes as sizes 8 to 18 are stocked here. This spacious and colourful shop entices you in for 'just a look' and then you happily leave arms adorned with bags! The staff are friendly and take the time to find exactly what your looking for. Four Wicked Women is no chain store and naturally the prices reflect this. This is the ideal place to visit if your after a beautiful dress for a wedding or the races, a unique clutch, well made bag or a stylish casual ensemble. Four Wicked Women has women's fashion in Macleod all sewn up!

From the owner: Come into our Macleod, VIC store to see our boutique range of stylish clothing and accessories…read morecatering to all women

What a hidden gem. Gorgeous donuts hidden away in a tiny…read moremilk bar. Flavours such as lemon, Nutella and custard. Fluffy sugary doughnuts with fillings- not your American style traditional donut. They are addictive, well priced and not too far from where I live! Dangerous!

There's a reason that this place is making big head lines. It's the delicious donuts. Mouth…read morewatering, soul soothing, waist expanding donuts. The range here is small but oh so sweet. This isn't one of our beloved Melbourne hipster donut stores. You won't find fresh new crisp design work or even a coffee menu. Jimmy's Place is an old school suburban milk bar in a very ethnic and multicultural area. Hipsters beware the locals here won't tolerate eye rolling and line pushing. So why trek out this far from your comfort zone? Nutella donuts. Yup I said it. This is where you'll find the famous Nutella donuts that the CBD crowd are going nuts for. At $3 a pop you'll want to buy them all. Ask Jimmy himself what flavours are on offer. He rarely has time to restock the small display cabinet before the donuts fly out the door. Flavours tried and tested- Nutella- delicious nutella to kill off any do-gooder diet. Warm in the microwave for 20seconds for a life changing experience Jam- ol' school jam donut. Can't go wrong here. Custard- a super smooth creamy custard. Perfect with a cup of coffee and a good book. Lemon meringue- A tart little minx. Sweet on top and all sneaky flavour hidden inside. There's occasionally a salted caramel floating around.

Greensborough Plaza is the poor cousin to it's relative neighbours Northland and Doncaster Shopping…read moreCentres. It bills itself as a major shopping centre for one. Wrong. Chadstone is major, unfortunately you GP are not. It is significantly smaller then nearby centres, so if you are after a bunch of chain stores with some department stores thrown in (you get either Kmart or Target) your shopping marathon would be better sated in one of the larger neighbours. However that said GP does well as a large local shopping centre. The Plaza can meet all your grocery needs and chain store requirements. The multilevel mall houses over 190 retailers yet the range is limited. This is not the place to head for anything with the word designer in it. The Plaza is best suited to local families and teenagers. The Hoyts Cinema's are small, dark and dingy and not all the major banks have a branch inside. As a teenager I spent hours after school and weekends scouring the Plaza for chain store bargains and just generally killing time. Greensborough Plaza lost me after I left high school and could drive. So my history pretty much sums the Plaza up. It is convenient and family friendly but does little to appeal to shoppers that have learnt to expect more.

Greensborough Plaza is smaller than your major shopping complexes, so really it's perfect for those…read moretimes when you don't want to have to walk kilometers around the complex to find what you need (number one reason as to why I hate Chadstone..) GP has all the neccessary stores, and it's a good central place for my friends from Melb's northern suburbs and I to catch up. It doesn't have all the major department stores, but it more than meets most peoples requirements.