At first glance Fantastic Variety may look just like your average junk store. Well, it is that,…read moreplus a little bit more. I've managed to decorate my home with some pieces from there that I've also seen in more prestigious home wares shops like Provincial Home Living and Homeart. The beauty is because the shop isn't pretty, and because the stock is just stacked together in bulk, you'll get the same item at Fantastic Variety for half the price. Last week I was pleased to pick up some bamboo sticks of different lengths and sizes to go into a large wooden vase that's been empty in my living room for about six months. The same pieces were at Homeart and would have cost me $10 more for the same amount. They've also currently got some lovely French pieces; old hat boxes and war style letter boxes with French art and war stamps printed on them. To accompany the collection, French Bordeaux clocks of assorted sizes are also in stock. From $10 to $20, similar decorative clocks are available at Provincial Home living for more than double the cost. And unlike most cheap rip offs, these collections at Fantastic Variety are pretty good, to the naked eye at least you can hardly tell the difference and they'll make your space look just as effective, particularly if you're decorating on a budget. Some of my other fave items here are the assorted varieties of Japanese hanging lanterns, as well as bamboo door runners. My husband has a unique collection of islander wooden masks, and the lanterns and door runner have really added to the effectiveness of our 'tribal room'. Since relocating to a bigger premises within the centre, I've noticed the range in store getting more stylish and of higher quality. The store owners have also gotten a lot better at merchandising their best stuff and so you can see the value of some of their pieces in the window displays which have been quite fetching of late. So, if you're in the mood for some interior decorating on a budget, check out Fantastic Variety first. The window displays might even give you some good ideas and at least you'll be able to cost compare if you do go elsewhere.

As far as junk shops go, this is as good as it gets. It's not so much the range, because it stocks…read morethe same usual amount of 90% useless shit, most of it over-stacked on to the aisle floors. Although, I have found them fantastic for kids arts and crafts, from the usual cheap staplers, glues, pencils, paper - to wool and other materials, sparkly stick on thingy-mi-jigs, and bulk bags of all of that crap in one to make it easier for your dear self. Not to mention the cheap as chips costume jewellery. My daughter has LOVED it here. I love it more for Mary's cheery little Greek helper; a lovely old bubbly man who's enthusiasm and zest for life is infectious. He genuinely loves talking to people and he is by far the best customer service person I've met in a long time... the beauty is he isn't even trying. The first time I went here I tried to pay with EFT, it's one thing they don't have. Because he could see my daughter had grown attached to the hoop I was buying her, he let me take it with us while we went to get cash. AMAZING! He even guessed how pregnant I was, came close to the date I gave birth and guessed my unborn child would be a boy, which he is. It's just so darn nice to walk into a store and have someone work there who is really enjoying what they do, enjoys people and almost makes you feel like one of the family. Whenever I'm in the area I can't help but pop in and be made cheerful for the day, if not the week, by this delightful gentleman. Good for cheap kitchenware such as platters, mixing and salad bowls and individual cutlery pieces if you're in need of a top up. Also scored a great faux leather tote bag for $15, it was fake but it didn't look too bad, and allowed me to save for the D&G beauty I treasure I now.

This shop has everything from pet care to toys to tools and a fantastic lolly section…read more Plenty of greeting cards cheap craft supplies and fantastic decorations. Especially Xmas decorations! If you need something you can probably find it here and far cheaper than you would elsewhere. The staff are always friendly and I stop in here whenever I need something.

The Holeproof factories provide great value for money, sale or no sale their prices are cheap all…read moreyear round.They stock all the common brands such as Bonds, Berlei, Triumph, Perla and and have a wide range and variety to chose from. The staff are always friendly and easy accommodating when you are looking for a size or need help with a particular fit.

This is your typical junk shop, laden with 70% useless crap, overstocked to the point that if you…read moreare in a wheelchair, have a pram, or are even slightly overweight you've no chance of getting through the narrow, messy aisles. Crazy Bargains has managed to help me out with a few nick knacks at great prices. I found them particularly useful last Christmas, large rolls of gift wrap, bulk cards and cheap gifts for those people you have to buy for but can't be stuffed spending much money on them. They were also fantastic for really affordable, and adorable Xmas decorations. For kids arts and crafts, and even some homewares like some of the vase collections, as well as a beautiful assortment of decorative treasure boxes now in stock. So as junky as this junk shop is, they're are treasures to be found, you'll just have to put up with the absolute rudeness of the owner and sales staff, who don't give a shit if you're a customer. I saw the owner almost come to fists with a customer at Christmas over the price of a birdcage!!

WARNING - AVOID THIS STORE! Despite the cheap variety items…read morein this store you may find useful, some products are so cheaply made that they "Do not" do what the product is supposed to do - This is breaking consumer law. There's also a problem with not honouring return policies that are also breaking Australian consumer law. They have "No Return Policies" and avoid giving out the store owners name. This store is a scam - and will be under investigation!

I love Chicci! This shop allows me to feel part of the style savvy Melbourne crowd without breaking…read moremy bank. And they've just made my day today with a trench purchase from the Winter discount rack. I've gone all freaking winter without a classic black trench coat, my old one was frustratingly fluffy and sadly unwearable no matter how many times it was washed or dry cleaned. And getting suckered into buying other treats for myself if I went looking for a trench coat but couldn't find one didn't help my situation. So, halfway through winter and after a long tweed and soft cashmere splurge, I put a restriction on purchasing an essential black jacket until the 2012 winter season. And then today, walking in to grab some things quickly from Coles, I doubled back when I thought I saw a 2011 season, long, black cotton jacket with military buttons for $35. I wasn't seeing things so I've snaffled it up and it now has pride of place in my wardrobe. How lucky was I that the last one in stock was a size 6! I've also bought other bargains from here before, like a pair of dark denim jeans with bright stitching for $20. They've got a large collection of very tiny cocktail dresses for the short and skinny of us. Some of them are Pretty Woman style but if you're going along to one of the Spring Racing Carnival events you might be able to pick up a cheap treat here, which if dressed up with some dazzling accessories could be a winner in the fashion stakes!

G Bags, G Bags, I love G Bags!! I bagged (get it?!) the absolute bargain of the century here and…read morewould like to sing the praises of this glorious store from bag heaven. Being the Imelda Marcos of bags my obsession with these beautiful but often expensive accessories has had to be curbed slightly since the arrival of my second child. Not being able to avoid the rush of the look and feel of them, one recent day I couldn't help but stop and admire the assortment of Guess, D & G and Chanel beauties on a front display at G Bags. It was a camel coloured, tote style Dolce and Gabbana shoulder piece that took my breath away and stole my heart. Picking it up and holding it against me I suddenly realised why my children felt the urge to throw a tantrum when they didn't get what they wanted. Daring to take a peek at the price with one eye closed I thought I was dreaming when I saw $59.90 on the tag. Looking again with both eyes it was definitely right, but surely a printed mistake? Not daring to get my hopes up, I approached the sales assistant who happily informed me that yes, it most certainly was $59.90. Oh the joy, the exquisite feeling of spoiling myself with the most beautiful bag known to man without the torturous sense of guilt of spending so much money on something so trivial. So if you're short of coin don't dig through your purse, go get a new one for a pretty penny at G BAGS!!

I'm a fan of cheap fashion accessory stores, such as Diva and the like, places you can go to…read moreaccessorise your look for less. Which is needed in this age of social gatherings and outings, races and cocktails. We cannot possibly accessorise with Tiffany's each and every time! I'm a fan of cheap, but not of looking cheap and unfortunately with Sabrina's you'll get cheap chic rather than sheek chic. They do get an extra star from me for helping me out once with a $5 pair of sunnies when I sat on mine. They weren't so bad, they're still wearable but most of all they were there when I needed them!

An excellent toy clearance warehouse…read more This place is fantastic, from their great layout to their abundant stock of every kind of toy imaginable, from current to past season stock at heavily discount prices. The large warehouse is stocked to the roof along its walls with everything from baby toys to puzzles and board games to play gym slides. Many trestle tables and dump bins fill the floor. There is so much to look at and all with handy price stickers attached to the items. The store has an indoor trolley rack (you will need a trolley) and there is enough room to push a stroller around. The warehouse isn't heated, except for what looks like an airplane engine, blowing blue fire towards the cashier. Which is good for them, because it feels almost colder inside the building that out. Do not underestimate the vastness of this place, you could easily spend an hour here, so maybe rug up? All in all, this is an excellent store. I love it and I couldn't find fault if I tried. Just the best assortment of toys, so long as you aren't looking for the newest range (although sometimes they are here too, hard to guess). A godsend for busy parents, because it's all in one place and well laid out and well priced. Check it out, you will not be disappointed...(Game of Thrones Monopoly, come on, who doesn't want that!!!??)

They knowingly sell products that are faulty. When I went back to let them know that something I…read morehad bought was faulty their response was that other customers had told them but that they continued to sell them because "some are, some aren't". They said that they often have other products that are faulty and that they can't open every box to test them all. If they know that something they are selling is faulty or potentially faulty then it is against consumer law to continue to sell it without informing the customer of this risk. This is a shell organisation without any proper management to contact. Avoid them at all costs.

I've been really bummed by the lack of quality op shops/charity stores around the Northern suburbs…read more There's nothing I love better than trawling through glorious vintage clothing, antique furnishings and quirky homewares at an awesome op shop. Which is why I'm ecstatic about this Vinnies in Glenroy! Great fashion for cheap cheap CHEAP! I've bagged some designer bargains recently including a pair of Guess Jeans for myself and black Calvin Klein pants for my husband. I probably love it here most for the home furnishings and eccentric homewares and antiques. They have a massive range of really cheap, furniture in good condition including desks, tables and chairs, cupboards and shelving. Take the time to check out the beautiful assortment of heritage glassware. A real gem of a find!

I enjoy op shopping here! I have found some lovely dresses and all reasonably priced. Plus the…read morestaff are friendly. There is lots to choose from!