Wantirna Mall is pretty crummy. It's very old and the buildings all look quite dated. Most have…read morebeen spruced up on the inside and had big shiny signs put up overhead but it doesn't hide the signs of disrepair and age. When I last visited there were renovations happening to the walkways around the shops. It looked like they might be widening them but I never see many people there so it seemed a bit odd. There are plenty of shops to make this place entertaining for an hour or so and there is a decent selection of cafes and restaurants to choose from. I like the op shop here as the staff are just fantastic and the stock is pretty decent. There is ample parking and you will always manage to find a spot.

I think Jess below is from Torak…read more This is litrally the best mall in Melbourne. It has everything you need CHEAPER than the supermarkets and FAR better quality. The best mall I've ever had the privilidge to go to. I rave about it on Facebook and some of my friends come from 20 minutes away to shop here as it's faster than going to Westfield and better quality produce. I've never been this lucky every, this place has everything from supermarket, to butcher, to grocer, to music shop, 3 atms, a gym thai, chinese, italian and indian resturant, a party shop, two chemists.... cafes, tax accountants... and it's old style... the way all shops should be!! Takes just minutes to get everything, and you can always get a park. If you're not happy shopping here, you're not happy shopping anywhere.

Having been given facelift after facelift, and with more planned for the near future, Eastland is…read moreslowly enveloping the whole of Ringwood into one huge shopping complex. In terms of entertainment and dining, the upper level has a Hoyts Cinema, Pancake Parlour, and trendy restaurant named Balsamic on offer. If you're after clothes, there are tonnes of small stores through out and staples like Kmart, Myer and Big W are all inside. JB Hi-Fi is on the ground floor, and a Safeway for those who need to grab some groceries while out shopping. A huge food court offers a good range of cuisine, and although it's smaller than the neighbouring Knox City, there's not as many repeats, so to say.

This place is a bit of a funny little shopping centre. It's like Knox's little brother, and it's…read moredesperate to grow up to be just like dad (Chadstone). I really hope they give up trying to be a massive super-mall like those other two, because they aren't as enjoyable as they were when they were the size that Eastland is now. For god's sake, stop developing the place. Everything you could reasonably need can be found here. I really like this place quite a bit, and it's a pity that I don't live that little bit closer.

Agreed, this place is a great place to go if you know what you are looking for. I often come to…read moreBrand Smart for one of two things: Bed Linen, Laura Ashley, Adairs or Sheridan (sale prices) Gift Purchases, Oroton, Witner, CK. The Oroton warehouse is a great place to shop for gift ideas. They have some of the latest stock that only just goes on sale and some times they have massive savings like 50% already reduced prices. You have the potential to pick up some great leather goods for less than half the price. I would recommend this store to anyone who is looking for a bargain but doesn't want to deal with the massive crowds and cant be bothered circling a car-park for a spot. This place seems almost undiscovered.

This is a little factory outlet warehouse that isn't really comparable to places as large as DFO;…read morebut it doesn't make it any worse. Brand smart is a relatively quite place, to me it feel like a forgotten place. This said- I still come here because I know I can find what I'm looking for. BrandSmart offers a good range of brands including esprit, footlocker, oroton, bendon, laura Ashley, poltix, sheridon and royal doulton-just to name a few. This is a good place to come if you just want some personal alone time, to wonder around and shop aimlessly. There's no sense of rush or excitement here, just a relaxing place where you might find a few good bargains along the way. There are over 400 free car spaces here, which make it all the more stress free.

Forest Hill Chase is never really springs to mind when I think of shopping centers. Located in the…read moretiny suburb of Forest Hill, I came here once and was pleasantly surprised at the center. It was clean and new-ish, it didn't feel like one of those old and forgotten places that nobody ever goes to. That said, it was relatively quite in the center- but it certainly didn't feel forgotten. Forest Hill doesn't have a huge variety of fashion stores, there are still a few goodies here though (such as Myer). Forest hill also have a Hoyts cinema and AMF bowling/M9 laser strike. My favorite thing about this place is the fact that there is a TGIF here! I think I would come back if I ever wanted to just wonder aimlessly through a center, without feeling rushed or buzzed like I do at Chadstone. Would also come here just for TGI and Hoyts.

Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre is somewhere I drop into if I am passing by, but it is not…read moresomewhere I tend to go to on purpose. While it is fairly big and there have been a lot of upgrades recently, the atmosphere here is pretty non-existant and I don't enjoy myself. One good thing about the centre is that there are over 3500 free car spaces without restrictions. These are spread all around and under the centre itself. The centre has 3 levels with the topmost (and smallest) being the best. This is the newest part of the centre and has been designed to be a bit of an entertainment hub. It features Hoyts Cinemas, TGI Fridays, Nandos, Timezone, Rebel Sport, The Chase Hotel and JB Hi Fi to name a few. Despite being the biggest hit of the centre, it still doesn't get very busy up there. The centre is never really busy so if you don't like crowds then this place is perfect for you in every way! The average shopper tends to be a bit older although most of the shops seem suited to younger shoppers. There are a heap of taxis that wait just outside the food court. Bizarrely they are often there during the middle of the day. Bigger, rival centres don't have this service so this is a definite plus.

It's gone now ;'{ I loved it more than my own life. It was where I got everything cheap. There may…read morehave been bootleg items but most things were really good quality. The staff were really nice. 15 or so years of the best products under $2. RIP. You will be missed

Although most of these stores can be the same in terms of their range of goods, I have shopped here…read moreat $2 Hot Potatoes a fair few times now. This is where I pick up a cheap toy for the dog, with a section of inexpensive chew toys available, ready and waiting for your puppy to chew to pieces. Most are good quality, and I've found that even though long hours have been spent trying to destroy them, the toys hold up really well. As an avid believer in a good costume party, I've also hit this store up for bit and pieces for costumes. They stock a small range of wigs, dress ups and accessories and as they usually don't last the night, its good to not have to pay too much for these bits. I also have picked up sunglasses form these guys and my current $7 sunnies have lasted me almost a year...whether they are actually UV resistant is anyone's guess, however for $7 I cant complain.

I went in here a few weeks ago, and was surprised with the amount of Variety they had available. As…read moreyou would expect in a $2.00 store, everything is cheap, but like most $2 shops nowadays, that little 'plus' planted on the end means anything goes. I had been looking for clear suit bags for about a week, and just because I was passing by. I ended up walking out with half a dozen bits and pieces, things I had forgotten I even needed. The owner was a great laugh, joking with everyone in the shop.

The Discount Clearance Centre on Mahoneys road just opposite Forest Hill Chase is huge. They have a…read morelarge range of privately sourced stock that is on sale for generously discounted prices. While I was there I saw almost twenty couches, beds, bicylces, a few coffee tables and a variety of home decor items. It seems to be a family run business and they are so new to the area that they are yet to set up a phone line. The people I spoke to there were absolutely lovely and were super helpful when it came to answering my questions. Whilst they are still setting up, I can hedge a bet that this store is going to be quite good. Stock changes regularly and they have a sale board out the front where they write up a bargain of the day. Keep your eyes peeled on this one.

Given the demographics of Doncaster and surrounding burbs it doesn't come as a huge surprise that…read morethis store is constantly filled with high-end secondhand stock. Located a couple of K's behind the big mall this store offers a surprisingly awesome level of selection. With seven donation bins waiting patiently out the front and a whole basement full of stock this gives you some idea of their level of turnover. There are several racks devoted wholly to designer clothing and retro/costume racks with actual vintage pieces. Don't get too excited though, the staff know their stuff and price the stock accordingly. It's still cheaper than looking for vintage pieces around Collingwood/Fitzroy but don't expect back of the church shop prices. There is a huge selection of kids clothing, bric a brac, sports equipment and electrical goods. There is also A LOT of vinyl, I found Carly Simon and ELO without even trying. So if you're up for the drive (public transport is almost impossible) Doncaster Salvos is worth a visit.

Costco really is for the smart shopper People tend to get…read morewound up with the bulk buying which usually equals more than it would cost buying on special at a regular supermarket (in saying that I do buy 6mths worth of soap to save the embarrassment bulk buying it at coles haha). Some things you will find quite cheap and other bulk loads over priced so stay calm and use your head. It all depends on days and times Avoid Thursday to Sunday and try avoid mealtimes.. It's all fun to go see, special event times is crazy and I love seeing it all.

Costco is Costco. You're getting the same experience at any of their stores. If you think this will…read morereplace your weekly shop and save you bucket loads then you're doing it wrong. Unfortunately, still being a fairly new location there are a lot of gawkers and people who thought it would be a good idea to bring their small kids along for a family outing. Getting around the store during busy times will be a real pain until people figure this out. Parking on the lower level of the carpark usually works out slightly easier. Don't bother queuing for the elevator. It's quicker to take the ramp than fight the people who have bought two items and apparently lost the use of their legs doing so, resorting to a shopping cart the size of tasmania instead. Just watch out for the people who can't figure out how to walk on the left.

If you want to get a good slice of living in a certain suburb, look no further than their local op…read moreshop. Unlike those that become chains and spread their good everywhere, the true locals can almost appear like some sort of time capsule. One thing I've started doing is going through the music and book collections more and more. I think maybe this gives a very different insight into the place. The Epilepsy Op Shop, located on South Parade near Blackburn Station, is one such op shop. The ladies behind the counter are courteous and friendly, and while you may have to speak up they can tell you all about the bits and pieces in here. The clothes are more fashion suited for women, with their flowing skirts and floral prints. My girlfriend managed to come across quite a few winners here, though the clothes I get for myself have more of a novelty value.. There's a lot of craft pieces - buttons, zippers and more - towards the back for those looking to adapt their own pieces from the clothes they buy, and the small range of furniture taking up the remaining space is hit and miss.