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.

Videon is a legendary DVD and game hire store located on Dominion Road in Mt Eden…read more Videon is the place to go if you're looking for slightly off-beat films, or movies that were never blockbuster hits. Videon also has a great selection of foreign and anime films, as well as old TV shows. As a child Videon was my local rental store and I can't begin to imagine how many hours I spent in there pouring of the titles and pleading with my parents to let me get more than one movie. I still head to Videon regularly despite no longer living in the area, as it really is the best place to find classic or quirky movies. The only unfortunate thing about Videon today is that is used to be located down the Balmoral end of Dominion round in a much bigger store. This of course meant they had a far bigger selection to choose from, however that's not to take away from what they have now. It's incredible - check it out! Bonus: The staff have worked their forever and basically know what they stock off the top of their head. They're fantastic!

This is a great video store. If you are looking to buy ex-rental DVDs they always have a really…read moregood selection, and great prices especially if you are buying more than one. Only one down side is the parking. Because of the pizza shop next door the parking can be pretty busy around dinner time, and the location so close to a busy roundabout can make it difficult to get out when traffic is busy. Friendly helpful staff and a good selection of videos make this a great store to stop by.

This is my local video shop and I love it. Situated right between a bakery and a bottle store, you…read morecould say it's exactly where it needs to be for a great night. Or day. That's a great thing about this Civic Video, they never judge. I can rock up midday on a weekday, when it's sunny, and they won't tell me how much of a loser I look. They always have the newest releases right on time, and if you're waiting for something in particular just let them know and they'll call you when it gets in. The staff are friendly, relaxed and extremely knowledgeable. They are more than happy to suggest something If you're not quite sure what you want. You can also buy drinks, lollies, chocolate, popcorn and ice creams at the counter. In this day of downloading movies, I still find I really nice to head up the road to hire a movie, and this is a great place to do it.

United Video has been my local video rental store for many years now. It was a weekend saviour for…read moremy siblings and after a long Saturday of sports; mum would bring us here and we'd go bonkers finding new movies to watch that night. Years later, I still love going there. They still have an awesome range of classic and old school movies should the mood ever strike, and they take up most of the store. I know almost nothing about gaming but they seem to have quite a large selection of games for most consoles (they've converted what used to be their massive new releases section years ago into the gaming area). You can also hire out Singstar mics and things like that- pretty good for that impromptu karaoke night in! United Video has really stepped their game up with their snacks though. On top of their ice cream freezer and fridges of drinks, they've got even more popcorn, chocolate and American candy available. It may be a little bit pricier than popping over to the supermarket, but its not a huge difference and extremely convenient if you're just keen to gab a couple DVDs and get straight home. I hope they start to extend their television season section- they've got some gems there already (Gilmore Girls, Friends, Alias) so I'm hoping they'll be adding a few more over time.

Very quick response to my online query, and superb customer service…read more Excellent if you are looking to browse for a telescope in Auckland in a physical store!

Brought a Wolverine Film to Digital converter $310 and got charged an extra $7.75 for credit card…read morefee. Not happy as I could have brought through the website on my credit card with no fee and the annoying thing was I was going to buy through the website but instead wasted my petrol driving there. Bad form! Not happy, also no signage to warn people about the charge either.

Noel Leeming in Newmarket is a spacious store, that stocks a wide range of technology/gaming and…read moreelectrical appliances and/or equipment. I had a great experience recently, when I popped into the Noel Leeming store, trying to find a XBOX 360 game, having sold out in other outlets and they had one!!! All the staff were helpful, ascertained where the product was, communicated really well and then offered to get the item for me, while I wait! Fantastic customer service! They are a 'one stop shop' really selling smart phones, tablets, TVs, DVDs, fridges, kitchen appliances, everything I think. Great sales too!

In my opinion, the single greatest bookshop in Auckland and I'm loath to tell anyone about it…read more Brazzers jokes will not be tolerated. I'm secretly happy this place isn't open often and it used to be the highlight of my morning run, where I could disappear for an hour in unkempt literature luxury. Leather bound books with gilded edges and embossed titles everywhere. That musty, bookish smell. This shop is the epitome of the TV series Black Books. If you have seen the show you, will know the chaotic, wonderful displays and service to expect. If you haven't seen it, you don't deserve to know and will never fully appreciate this place. (This store is opened sporadically on the whims of the owner.)

Have you ever seen the British sitcom Black Books starring Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran? Because it…read morewill give you a far better idea of what this place is like than anything I could write. For those of you who haven't seen it, imagine the stock of several normal-sized seconhand bookshops all crammed in to one room. Organise the books less around subject or the alphabet and more around the concept of the pile, and then use those piles to prop up other piles. It's incredible. There are treasures here, if you can find them. The biggest downside about Brazier's, and for me this is a fatal flaw, is that the owner and his friends smoke inside the shop. Firstly, books are very flammable. Secondly, they absorb smells and retain them forever, so a smoked-over book is a smoked-over book forever. Thirdly, it's a very small and poorly-ventilated shop and it reeks of cigarettes and I can feel lumps growing through my lungs just going past the door. I like books but I'm not willing to die a slow, timorous death to find them. Sorry.

It's been a while since my last visit. It seems that a major renovation is going on at the moment…read more I must admit the I was on the cinema side only, did not visit the warehouse side of this visit. Will have to come back in the New Year and see how the revamp went, it used to be one of my favourite places to shop !!!

Botany Town Centre is by far and away one of the best malls in Auckland. With it's wonderful, open…read morelayout filled with greenery, fountains and even its very own hobbit hole, Botany has a great, outdoor ambience that I've never seen equalled by another mall. I'd say the only downside would be when it rains, but even then, there's an indoor part of the mall to enjoy. Hoyts Cinemas is convieniently located above the food court, so on a rainy day, there's no need to brave the elements to walk between places. Containing all the top clothing, jewellery, appliance, homeware and professional service stores, most of the time you don't need to go anywhere else. Be wary of prices though, as occasionally, better deals are found elsewhere. In terms of just heading out for dinner or a coffee, it's an ideal place to be.