Got some spare time these summer holidays? What better thing to do than go hunting - for that ultimate bargain.
If you are looking for special soemthing , some affordable furniture, another piece for the collection or you're doing a spot of interior decorating, Dunedin has a good number of second-hand goods businesses through which to rummmage. Debbie Porteous looks into the state of the second-hand trade.
"Look what I've found!" It's the cry of the successful bargain hunter.
Second-hand shopping successes are something on which to dine out for days, even months, sometimes years. Yes, the tale of the favourite thrift-store find is hard to get over.
Although some people might find the allure of thrift shops difficult to understand, for the hunter it's innate.
And for those with the desire, or the need, a treasure trove of second-hand goods is available in Dunedin.
With the student population n'er raising an eyebrow at the thought of used items - in fact, demanding them, so they can resell them, or do worse, at the end of each year- it is a constantly changing offering.
Thrifty consumers can find bargains galore, and those wanting or needing to furnish a house can do so without breaking the bank, and even in reasonable style.
Second-hand dealers say they think second-hand shopping will be around for the ages.
"You can't satisfy the urge for the hunt and, even though there was talk of Trade Me coming along and ruining everything, you can't beat walking into the shop, seeing something, touching it, inspecting it, knowing what you are getting," Neville Herd, from Arkwright Traders, says.
Dunedin store owners say they have not been affected by the economic downturn, which one might think would bode well for second-hand retailers.
Sales are the same as ever, Mr Herd says.
For a time, there was a trend of people heading to auctions, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to get a real bargain at auctions these days.
There is still a significant number of regular customers, including people who call in every second day or so, to see if anything new is in stock, Mr Herd says.
"It's all part of the hunt."
Sheryl Clarkson, at AA Traders, says the key to a good second-hand business is having an eye for things that are different and might appeal to people, as well as having top-notch customer service, being good to your good clients and being open to negotiation.
"I think people appreciate that."
And thrift is still swift and the Dunedin community is apparently as generous as ever.
At ReStore, which raises money for Habitat for Humanity and the Malcam charitable trust, donations constantly flow in, as do buyers.
On any given day of the week the store buzzes with shoppers, with the lead-up to Christmas and the student year particularly busy for the centre.
One thing most Dunedin second-hand goods stores have noticed is the impact of the Christchurch earthquake, with families coming in needing whole houseloads of goods.
Dressers, shelves, bedding and kitchenware have been flying out the door.
One retailer said it was so sad to see families coming in with terrible stories, she had to leave the store one day.
In King Edward St, Bev Huakau has seen quite a few Christchurch refugees come through her store, Bev's Place, which is in a series of shops beside each other.
The majority of sales there are furniture and frame art.
In one shop, she has knick-knacks, clothing, housewares, and cheaper furniture, and next door antiques and higher quality furniture. Along in another store, she stocks whiteware and budget furniture, for people who have the need, but perhaps not the money to afford better quality second-hand items.
You have to appeal to the different markets, she says, although she clearly loves the antique pieces, many of which have a provenance she can recite.
A lot of her business comes from foot traffic, families walking children to and from school, and families in need, seeking out particular items.
She finds the school holidays to be particularly quiet periods.
Antique stores have been hit by the weak economy in the same way other retailers have, according to Sue Todd.
Mrs Todd owns Sue Todd Antiques & Collectables in Stuart St, as well as a store in Mosgiel, and says sales have stayed even over the past few years, but not increased, as one would expect business to year on year.
The shop moved from Princes St to Stuart St two years ago and Mrs Todd has been dealing antiques for nine years.
The store has remained stable, but business is generally quiet, she says.
"There's a general lack of movement - even less people on the street - but you just have to be aware of that, and act accordingly."
Usually the retail season picks up around October each year, but was about a month late this year, because of the Rugby World Cup, which was not so good for business.
While summer brings cruise ships to Dunedin, that does not boost Mrs Todd's business much, because of the difficulties cruise passengers have with transporting larger items.
"Some of them like the jewellery, but there's not much in it really."
She doesn't envisage antiques losing their appeal. People are still spending money on them, either as a one-off purchase or a special event. Probably less often they are buying antique items as an investment, although there are still the clients who are looking for particular items.
"I have a good basic clientele; even some people who might only buy one thing a year, but it's a decent thing."
Mrs Todd says she does not buy with clients in mind - rather she buys things that appeal to her.
She suggests people buy something they like and something they will enjoy living with.
