Prices for stash in NZ?
Steve & Allyson
this is my first post in here. I really enjoy reading all of your posts, on
topic or off.
I'm 35 and I live in Auckland, NZ with my husband Steve who is in the Navy
and my 12 year old son James. We have an American Cocker Spaniel called
Holly Pickles. We are also "guided" by two cats who kindly let us live here
with them in return for food. I have been doing needlework since I was a
young girl. I have done knitting, embroidery, latchhook rug making,
crochet, hummel and xstich and I enjoy it all. I'd like to try lots of
other things too but time seems to run away with me. I love to sew and
worked in a sewing factory for 7 years which was great as I learned a lot of
tricks of the trade. I have also just started dabbling in decorative folk
art painting which I really enjoy.
Now that winter is approaching I would like to gather together lots of stash
and I was wondering if anyone in the group would know how the prices for
needlework goodies (of any type) in NZ compare to other countries? Do
people from NZ find it cheaper to purchase online from other countries, plus
pay postage, than they do to buy it from stores here? I haven't looked into
it in great detail but it just seems that needlework kits I've seen online
from overseas look cheaper than they are here, but then with added postage
on I'm not sure how it would compare in the end. I haven't seen any here in
the stores exactly the same as the ones online either so I can't compare
exact prices. Does anyone have any idea? Thanks in advance :)
Ally in NZ
Alex Coles
By the time you factor in postage (especially if it's from the US, or
airmail) it probably works out about the same. If you're going to buy
from overseas, find a retailer that will charge you actual shipping
costs only. I do order bits and pieces from the US, but generally
goodies and tools you can't get here (once you start looking there's
all sorts of interesting things out there!). Beads and specialty
threads generally work out a little bit cheaper getting them from the
US (on the slooooooow boat). And with the exchange rates (especially
with the US) bouncing round all the time, you never really know if
you've saved any money until the deed is already done. Practice stash
enhancement both here AND in the outside world is my motto.
--
Alex (also in Auckland)
WIPs: TW's Millennium, TW's Camelot Sampler, The Stargazer, Miniature
Rug
Steve & Allyson <chub...@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:8espis$10$1...@news.ihug.co.nz...
Jo Fisher
I couldn't find here in Aus from a well know online x-stitch store. The
charts came to $8 and they wanted to charge me $15 for the postage.
What a rip off!!!
Jo
LL314158
>I couldn't find here in Aus from a well know online x-stitch store. The
>charts came to $8 and they wanted to charge me $15 for the postage.
>
>What a rip off!!!
>
>Jo
>
>Alex Coles wrote:
>>
>> Hi Ally
>>
>> By the time you factor in postage (especially if it's from the US, or
>> airmail) it probably works out about the same. If you're going to buy
>> from overseas, find a retailer that will charge you actual shipping
>> costs only.
>>>>>>>
Have you all tried the CROSS STITCH AUCTION.. Lots the people there will
sell out of US.. I have sold to a lot of countries out of US..& have no problem
with doing so.. I have the packages weighed at the POST OFFICE & only charge
what they tell me it costs. nothing extra for envelopes or cardboard pieces....
I try to always send the items I ship small package.. the shipping is cheaper
that way..
check out the auction. I am sure you will be happy with the outcome.. LL
ps.. check out the ones under username SCARLETT .. those are mine...lol...
bar...@amathusia.co.uk
If you're checking our other websites in general Ally, it's worth
making sure that the shipping charges are reasonable .... as that can
really make a huge difference!
I'm in the Uk and don't really know how our stash prices compare
generally with NZ, but we do have many NZ stitchers ordering from
Amathusia at http://www.amathusia.co.uk So I suppose that means we
must be fairly competitive with other suppliers.
The way it works ..... people take a look at our designs and if
anything takes their eye, then they just email me and I send them
pricing details in their own currency. BTW to NZ the shipping charge
with us is NZ$6.36
Cheers and all the best
Bee
Barbara Skelton
Amathusia Needlecraft Designs
http://www.amathusia.co.uk
In article <8espis$10$1...@news.ihug.co.nz>,
"Steve & Allyson" <chub...@ihug.co.nz> wrote:
> Hi there, my name is Ally. I've been lurking here for approx. 6
months now,
> this is my first post in here. I really enjoy reading all of your
posts, on
> topic or off.
>
> I'm 35 and I live in Auckland, NZ with my husband Steve who is in the
Navy
> and my 12 year old son James. We have an American Cocker Spaniel
called
> Holly Pickles. We are also "guided" by two cats who kindly let us
live here
> with them in return for food. I have been doing needlework since I
was a
> young girl. I have done knitting, embroidery, latchhook rug making,
> crochet, hummel and xstich and I enjoy it all. I'd like to try lots
of
> other things too but time seems to run away with me. I love to sew
and
> worked in a sewing factory for 7 years which was great as I learned a
lot of
> tricks of the trade. I have also just started dabbling in decorative
folk
> art painting which I really enjoy.
>
> Now that winter is approaching I would like to gather together lots
of stash
> and I was wondering if anyone in the group would know how the prices
for
> needlework goodies (of any type) in NZ compare to other countries? Do
> people from NZ find it cheaper to purchase online from other
countries, plus
> pay postage, than they do to buy it from stores here? I haven't
looked into
> it in great detail but it just seems that needlework kits I've seen
online
> from overseas look cheaper than they are here, but then with added
postage
> on I'm not sure how it would compare in the end. I haven't seen any
here in
> the stores exactly the same as the ones online either so I can't
compare
> exact prices. Does anyone have any idea? Thanks in advance :)
>
> Ally in NZ
>
>
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Michelle Donald
Well I shop in a few places - as Lesley from Chch will mention if I
don't, I am also known as one of the Evil Twins, from the
encouragement given by me and my cyber firned Pauline, to others to
buy things and the messages posted her a couple of years ago when
Pauline and I had more time than nowadays.
I live in Sydney but have been in NZ a lot - married a Kiwi, I find
generally your charts are cheaper than ours. Linen seems to be more
expensive - but only a little bit. I note the US prices are much
higher than ours for linen.
Some shops have sales bins - a good place to collect stash. Like La
Chataliene had a moving sale - you might find a few bargains in the
new location. They are at Mt Eden - now let me find the new address...
336 Dominion Rd
On Line I find Nordic Needle in the US has some good things not
available here - gadgets and the like. You might want to get there
catalogue (it is free)
Though with the $ changes it isnt quite so attractive as it used to
be.
Over here there is a shop that has a sale every May - usually 20% off
all fabrics - now that is a time to shop for them - even things
ordered and not in stock are discounted. They do mail order - sadly
they arnt on the net - but calls are so cheap from NZ now and they are
open 7 days so you could call on the weekend.
If you need fabric you might want to give them a call
Victoria House Needlecraft
Hume Highway
Mittagong 2575
Lastly there is oz-stitch a Australian and NZ mailing list to arrange
get togethers and share local info - if you want to know more and meet
a few more Aucklanders too - see the URL in my sig...
On Fri, 5 May 2000 09:24:13 +1200, "Steve & Allyson"
<chub...@ihug.co.nz> wrote:
BFN
OOROO
Michelle
Northern Beaches
Sydney, Australia
and sometime Oz-stitch Admin person
http://www.crosswinds.net/~ozstitch/index.html
Lesley Isaac
Lucky you in Auckland with a nice choice of stores like La Chat in Mt
Eden, The Embroiderer and Paulines to name but a few. I think there is
a good mail order one in Silverdale too if my memory serves me right.
I have often been tempted to buy from the US but our dollar is so
"sad" it is really just not worth the hassle most of the time.
Needlecraft in Palmerston are great for buying on line and find my
own LNS pretty obliging too. I have found Needlecraft to be quick to
answer queries and have had no problems with their service at all so I
would recommend them highly. If you haven't visited them they are at:
http://www.needlecraft.co.nz/embroidery.html
BTW Michelle & Pauline's (AKA Evil Twins) store choices are well worth
considering
if you go across the ditch.
HTH
Rgds
Lesley
Ally wrote - Snipped slightly :-)
> On Fri, 5 May 2000 09:24:13 +1200, "Steve & Allyson"
> <chub...@ihug.co.nz> wrote:
>
> >Hi there, my name is Ally. I've been lurking here for approx. 6
months now,
> >this is my first post in here. I really enjoy reading all of your
posts, on
> >topic or off.
> >
Steve & Allyson
Thanks to everyone who replied to my post. I found the tips really helpful.
I've been busy this week visiting a few of the shops mentioned, they're
great! I also happened across one in Birkenhead called "The Embroiderer"
which had some beautiful things.
I was wondering if anyone has shopped at Ikes Emporium (just up from
"Paulines")? They have floss in there for 6 for $2. I *think* it was "red
heart" brand. Just wondering if anyone has bought any of that and if so
what they thought of it.
Regards
Ally
Auckland, NZ
Lesley Isaac
I used to love going to Ike's when we lived in Auckland - a veritable
Alladins Cave and often found some nice trims and sewing notions at
outrageously cheap prices. A friend had tried the heart brand floss
but thought it wasn't the best - frayed etc. OK for the kids to use
for friendship bracelets and other craft but IHHO not recommended for
stitching masterpieces :-) I used to love visiting Starbick for
coffee after my stash enhancement at Paulines <homesick for Auckland -
sigh>
Lesley
In Christchurch
Steve & Allyson <chub...@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:8fte1f$s6g$1...@news.ihug.co.nz...
Liz Marley
sites. I have since found a couple of good stores which will charge
only for the postage used, or for a fixed sum for everyone plus
additional postage. Mail me if you want the details; don't want to be
sending out unwanted advertising!
Liz
Jo Fisher wrote:
>
> I agree that postage is a huge charge. I wanted to order 2 charts that
> I couldn't find here in Aus from a well know online x-stitch store. The
> charts came to $8 and they wanted to charge me $15 for the postage.
>
> What a rip off!!!
>
> Jo
>
> Alex Coles wrote:
> >
> > Hi Ally
> >
> > By the time you factor in postage (especially if it's from the US, or
> > airmail) it probably works out about the same. If you're going to buy
> > from overseas, find a retailer that will charge you actual shipping
Nan Evelyn
news:39247109...@indigo8.freeserve.co.uk...
> I had the same problem in the UK when I first looked at US online
> sites. I have since found a couple of good stores which will charge
> only for the postage used, or for a fixed sum for everyone plus
> additional postage. Mail me if you want the details; don't want to be
> sending out unwanted advertising!
Don't worry, Liz. The advertising that is verboten on a newsgroup is what's
done by the seller, not the happy customer. Recommendations by unaffiliated
stitchers of good places to buy things are always, always, always welcome
here!
Nan Evelyn
Steve & Allyson
I couldn't believe the prices at Ikes! And so many different things there
to buy. Thanks for the tip about the heart brand floss, just my luck it
wouldn't be any good LOL. Just wondering if you knew that Paulines was on
the web? I didn't know until today when I accidentally came across it. URL
is:
http://www.paulines-embroidery.co.nz/
I hope that relieves your homesickness for Auckland a tad :)
Regards
Ally
Auckland, NZ
Cathe Ray
I have some idea what's availabe there vs. here that I wouldn't
have otherwise. Most charts in the US are in the $6-10 range,
DMC/Anchor floss anywhere from $.30-$.60 a skein. Given that the
exchange rate is currently about NZ$1.00 to US$.50, it does mean
you'll pay a bit more even within NZ than you would within the US
for things not made in AUS or NZ.
But even in the best shop I found on the South Island (Broomfields
in Christchurch) there wasn't the selection you find in many US
shops. That's not to say the selection was poor, it was quite
nice in many respects, but the breadth of what's availabe in the
US didn't seem to be stocked there. It's very expensive to do
that so I understand why it doesn't happen.
Do look for shops in the US that charge actual postage (we do that
for all orders, domestic or international) and you won't find it
that awful.
I found several things in NZ that I want to carry in my shop and
this week we just got our first shipment of the overdyed threads
from Craft Supplies (perle size 5, 8 & 12). It was great to see
several NZ produced threads while I was there and I hope we can
pick up more of them.
Cathe
--
Cathe A. Ray
ca...@needlestack.com
Needle In A Haystack 1340 Park Street, Alameda, CA 94501
shop web site http://www.needlestack.com/
personal web site http://www.murder.com/cathe/