We visited several floating floor retailers in Northern Adelaide on the hunt for 'the perfect floor'. We found AAA Professional Floors to offer great service without trying to hard sell us on a specific product, instead presenting us with the facts and differences between the various options while letting us make up our own mind with regards to a flooring choice - something you don't see often in larger retail where the income is based on sales commissions.

We have not yet placed a large order for a floating floor as yet but have bought a sample pack after loaning several single samples. This point alone is a welcomed difference to many other competing floating floor businesses around the area.

The showroom in Gilles Plains is smaller than average but the demo floors are laid in such a way to make the best use of space. You'll hear none of "I'll have to ask the manager" here, because you'll be speaking with the owner/manager, whether that is on the phone, by email or in the showroom.

AAA Professional Floors lives up to the AAA standard.

Approximate cost: $52

Our sewerage drains became blocked on a Friday night, so we ended up ringing around for a plumber. Calling this business resulted in no answer initially, so we began ringing other plumbers. H2O Plumbing & Electrical returned the called back a few minutes later, without any mention of what company they work for. With ringing multiple plumbers, this caused a bit of confusion with who the caller was!

We were advised that there would be an afterhours charge for unblocking a drain past business hours - fair enough, so we booked the plumber in for a time during business hours of the following day (meanwhile suspending use of bath/shower, washing machine and toilet flushing as much as possible).

The next morning, two plumbers arrived and did unblock our sewer drain as requested however the price we were asked to pay for this was over $500, despite the plumbers only being here for 30 minutes. Their website advertises clearing of blocked drains from $99, with no callout fee, so I consider their rate to be an a rip off.

Competing plumbers often work by themselves, assisted only with their unblocking gear. What need is the second plumber other than an excuse to inflate the service charge? If it weren't for the fact that a different more local plumber had their unblocking equipment in for servicing (a plumber we've used in past) we would not have called H2O Plumbing & Electrical in the first place. In fact the last time we used this other local plumber, they charged us less than one third of what H2O Plumbing & Electrical charged.

Needless to say we will not be employing H2O Plumbing & Electrical again due to their outrageous service charges, of which do not really match up with what is written on their website. The plumbing service is good, but business practices and value for money are poor.

Approximate cost: $500

The Para Hills Community Club offer a great quality dining experience with great tasting meals and well stocked self-serve salad and hot vegetable bar included in the price of all bistro meals. The lunch time specials board always has something for $10.90 (price may change at a later date) and that too includes the salad & veg bar. Price and choices of the standard menu are also great. My favourite? The Angus Beef Schnitzel - they are so so yummy! The only downside is when there are no tables available, which does happen particularly on long weekends. My advise? Be sure to book!

Approximate cost: $10.90

This is the only Australian-based survey/shopping-based website I know of where you are guaranteed to get at least something in return for your time, even if you happened to be "screened out" from a survey. Using reward partners will certainly speed up the rate of earning points to redeem for something of monetary value but it is possible to get enough points for a $100 cash out every 2 years with absolutely no shopping or purchase necessary. Who could pass up "free money"?

Definitely consider using MyOpinions along side RewardsCentral, as these two brands together make up what was once EmailCash. MyOpinions points can be transferred without fee to RewardsCentral, although points from RewardsCentral cannot be transferred to MyOpinions.

Approximate cost: $0

Very knowledgeable staff willing to personally demo camera equipment and allow customer to handle before purchase. Staff are able to offer accurate descriptions when asked and weigh up different models based on the customer's needs.

Price of camera equipment is not the cheapest around however where possible they are willing to beat a lower price plus generously allow an exchange of camera should the initial choice not perform to customer expectations.

Approximate cost: $749

This business mainly deals with servicing computers (virus removal a key offering) and custom systems. They do offer to order individual parts like internal hard drives. Prices of the parts are very reasonable and have previously been lower than some other near by competing computer repair businesses.

This branch offers a very high quality service with overnight delivery available on parts in many cases if not already in stock. Occasionally pricing on processors and motherboards are a little higher than average but the service makes up for it. Also they are one of the cheapest places locally for purchasing blank optical media and dvd cases.

Golden Rooster offer the usual options you'd expect from a Chicken shop - Hot Chicken, Cold Chicken, Hot Packs, Dim Sims, Hash Browns, Hot Chips - but the quality is superb.

I frequently consume a 1/4 Chicken Hot Pack once a week which comes a great tasting, moist Chicken leg, peas & carrots with rich tasting gravy, plus hot crunchy and beautifully seasoned hot chips. Yum!!

The only negative is that I don't live close enough to be able to walk down there! ;)

Approximate cost: $10

Tarocash sell their own men's smart casual clothing - complete with Tarocash branded buttons! ;)

I was after a shirt that was comfortable but smart, something with a dark colour that would look good with or without a blazer. The service was good with the staff recommending good choices and offering their honest feedback on what matched and what didn't.

Compared to 'regular' casual, prices are a little steep compared to department store shirts however the shirt is made of comfortable material without compromising on the 'smart' factor. In the end I left with one shirt and a tie (that they recommended goes with the shirt) which I think looks great together!

Approximate cost: $130

Roman's new budget menu is the very best value. A little cheaper than the franchise alternative but with a much higher quality and taste - and the money stays with a local business! More than one person eating? Get their normal-range pizzas which has enough to topping to fill even the biggest of appetites.

Approximate cost: $5