Salvation Army

This branch of the Sallies is notable because of two things: it usually has a decent range of furniture and isn’t crazily priced, and it also has a really great books section, including some rare and first edition books. Apart from this, of course it has your usual range of op shops items: unexceptional clothes, shoes with worn down heels, mismatching crockery, overpriced costume jewellery etc. I have found the staff here sometimes a little bit unhelpful, which is a bit unfortunate, but when you’re able to buy a pretty decent table here for $ 40, I can put up with a bit of off-​handedness in the service.

Each Salvation Army has it’s «specialisation,» and for this one it’s obviously books and furniture. The shop is split into three parts — a mediocre clothing section, a back room with furniture, art and other assorted big items, and a seperate book room. They constantly rotate their stock, bringing in great titles, and the guy who sorts the books actually seems to know his stuff. This can be a bit annoying because you don’t quite have the chance of finding something rare as you can at other Salvation Armies, as any interesting items are put in a glass case and sold off at a higher price. Although, when I say ‘higher price,” it’s still far cheaper then buying books from any other bookstore I’ve ever been to. Well worth a visit, especially if you are already in the area.

I don’t think ‘megastore’ is a technical term, but nevertheless this is the Salvation Army equivalent of that. The focus is less on clothes that at some of the other, smaller places, but that’s fine considering the wealth of furniture on offer. As someone who lives in a flat the idea of buying new furniture is laughable, and although Trade Me is pretty good there’s a lot to be said for seeing an item up close and in person before you buy it.
Additionally — or perhaps even primarily, if your values are anything like mine — they have a good selection of books. Salvation Army bookshelves are never expensive but they’re often a mixed bag, sometimes leaning a bit heavily towards the Danielle Steel /​Marian Keyes end of the spectrum. A place like this is good though because of its scale — there’s enough of a range that if you’re willing to trawl you’ll probably find something.

This particular Salvation Army is my choice for furniture and home décor second hand. A few weeks ago I saw a gorgeous lounge suite that had cushions that could fold up (great for owners of a furry cat that leaves his fur everywhere he goes). It was also long enough to sleep a guest, still in great condition and had plush dark red fabric. But silly me hesitated and left it for more than 24 hours to think about and of course such a good deal was snapped up by the next day.
I have been back in since hoping of another super great find but alas not just yet. I have bought cushions and large pieces of fabric though. Out the back there is several shelves and containers that stock curtains, cushions, bed linen and off cuts of fabric.
They also have a room dedicated to books for all the book worms out there. Clothing is on permanent specials it seems, and it is popular, crowds of folk have been in the place when I have visited.

This is a great Salvation Army to get furniture and home ware, but not so great for clothes. My sister managed to get a whole bunch of kids books from here that she could use in her class room, as well as colourful baskets and knick knacks, so teachers get in quick. I got a really cool lamp shade from here that was in perfect condition; there’s a whole section out the back packed with home ware, from kitchenware to lamps and lampshades, as well as furniture including full lounge suites and dining tables. There’s always heaps of parking because it’s in a complex, and they are super, super cheap. Love it.