As usual I love supporting independent local businesses and Videon is no exception. The reception…read morefrom the staff wasn't immediately warm but the guy working when we were there was really helpful and gave an excellent recommendation based on other films he overheard us discussing in the store. Which was helpful because I was trying to explain to my boyfriend that the movie 'Four Lions' is "funny, but not. It's not really funny at all, but it's, well, funny. Okay, so it's funny like 'In Bruges' is funny." Maybe my crap description for a good film was just too much for the guy but he recommended 'The Guard' which definitely lived up to the theme of bleak, dark humour. There is a $10 joining fee but don't let that put you off because you'll get far superior service compared to any chain video store. If you're lucky you can get street parking but there's on-site parking behind the shop. Just go up Valley Road and turn into the driveway just before the Countdown.

I miss Videon now it's moved from its iconic Art Deco building in Balmoral. But it's worth going a…read morebit further for - hell, even driving across Auckland for. This is possibly the only place in Auckland that has classic movies on DVD and if you are really old-school (and fruit loopin crazytown) you might even still be in the market to hire VHS tapes. Most of the new chain video rental places barely have the 80s classics so Videon is such a treasure. The people that work here, while sometimes a bit superior, really do know their stuff and because of that, their recommendations are usually right on the money. I know over the years there have been hard times and it would be devastating if Auckland ever lost Videon - they are our city's largest independent film library. Whatever twisted genre you're after they are bound to have it; Avant-Garde, Military, Directors' Cuts, obscure Festival flicks and so much more.

Now I really don't know anything about gaming, in fact I just leave other family members, however I…read moreoften am the one left to purchase the goods on order. So I have popped into EB Games once or twice with my family when we were looking for something like a game or accessory or to price up a Playstation, Xbox or similar. As I say, I'm no expert, but the New Lynn store stocks a good range of electronic games, new and used. They have loads of other stuff like head phones, IPhone and IPod cases, tablets and toys. Actually the clearance tables looked a little sparse on this day, perhaps there were having a stock take or something. The sales person was kind of helpful, but in a very relaxed way.

When I lived in town, RVB was a saviour for my insomnia!…read morePart game rental store, part gaming lounge, part bar, part nightclub, RVB is a great place to grab a few mates and while away the night blasting away in the 64 player gaming area, have a boogie on the dance floor, or get in a couple of hands of Texas Hold 'Em. With so much to do under one roof, I don't know how I mde it out alive... And not bankrupt!

Really good ebgames really suggest going also they have one of the most nicest employees called…read moreAaron

I buy books online because they are cheaper but every so often when I am in Newmarket I will come…read moreand take a look at what Book Barn has because it is a book bargain bonanza! My mum goes through books like crazy and I she picks up paperbacks here for around only $5 each which is so good. They have cook books too and for those who like to cook from a book and have a picture you can pick up some cheap ones here. I got a couple of vegetarian cookbooks a while back and some baking books for my mum, hard covers and all under $15 each. Sure the range is not huge but like all stores like this you don't expect it to be like Whitcoulls or anything. There is still a good variety and with stock that changes frequently a store to check out every once and a while.

It's almost ludicrous the amount we pay in New Zealand for books. If you are anything like me, you…read morewill have 3 or 4 books in you arms within the first five minutes of walking into a bookstore and have to sort through your stack via process of elimination. Book Barn has rows of books, all seemingly on special tables to save you the heartbreak of having to discard chosen books. Fantasy, cooking, kids (sadly not all three together), a great classics section in the gorgeous Collins Classics covers and plenty of murder thrillers. The genres are diverse and the reduction in retail price makes it economical. Run by a friendly couple, The Book Barn maybe the single best place in Auckland for cheap and contemporary books.