1857 days ago

The Benefits of Buying Locally

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Hamilton

Want to put your money where your heart is? Locally made products come with a whole lot of benefits - typically higher quality and greater attention to detail being in the top two.

The face behind the product had a dream of starting up on their own, knew in their heart of hearts it was a great product (or service) and believed it could help others. So, they took some risks, took over the dining table, made lots of mistakes, thought about the business day and night - but always kept going. Here are some decent reasons to shop local...

Boosting the local economy: Seventy per cent of all NZ Enterprises are sole traders. That's a big number. But purchasing locally doesn't just build an economic future for small businesses, it’s an economic confidence that spills out into other areas in life and the community.

Customer service: Buy locally and you are sure to receive a customer service above the ordinary. Plus, it's always reassuring to know you can call a local number if somethings amiss or not quite right.

Feel good factor: Knowing that your money lands in the lap of a local business with integrity and passion creates that lovely feel-good factor. You can see the love in the product, the packaging, the personal notes.

Customised goods = meeting consumer needs: More often than not you are talking to the maker directly so selecting a specific colour or changing out something is more likely to happen.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

Image
More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?

Image
Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
  • 76.2% Inside!
    76.2% Complete
  • 23.8% On top!
    23.8% Complete
1066 votes
J
1 day ago

Mr Minit in Chartwell: Be wary

Jenny from Hillcrest

Hi all,
Just sharing my experience. I had the battery for my car key replaced in March 2025 at Mr. Minit in Chartwell. I was given a one‑year warranty, which seemed impressive at the time.

However, the battery stopped working early Mar 26. With the warranty card, I brought the key back to have it checked and replaced. What I didn’t realise was that the battery was *not* actually replaced. He only tested it with a meter. When I asked whether he had replaced the battery, he said “yes,” but that wasn’t true. He then said he had tested the battery level and there was no need to replace it. When I asked to see the meter, it showed the battery was in the green zone which means it was ok.

I was then advised that I might need to replace the entire key unit. I asked whether he had properly troubleshot the issue to confirm it was the battery and not the key itself. His reply was that he normally doesn’t do that, but I was a “special case.” That means, the warranty card was a misrepresentation and there was no real intention of replacing the battery when it was faulty.

After he finally replaced the battery with a new one, my key worked perfectly again.

**Lesson learned:**
Make sure you take a photo of your warranty card. I feel like the warranty is mostly for show — if I had lost it, I would have been charged another $20+ for a battery. Worst still, I would have to pay more to change the key unit unnecessarily.

Make sure you witness that they replace your old battery with a new one if it's still under warranty.

9 days ago

Got more greens than you know what to do with? 🥦🌱🥕

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Whether it’s a courgette takeover or a feijoa frenzy, don’t let those garden gems go to waste!

Our suggestion to you: Did you know you can grate and freeze excess courgettes to use in chocolate cake later? It sounds a bit dodgy, but it makes the cake incredibly moist ... and hey, it counts as a serving of veg, right? 🍫

What’s your go-to move for a bumper harvest? Drop your best "glut" recipes or preservation hacks in the comments below! 👇

Image