Honestly I buy in bulk from here:

https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/?gc...EaAswWEALw_wcB

Brand names, very cheap, especially if you buy a stack. They have regular promotions where shipping is free or 2 for 1 deals on brand name strings, which is great for Aussie customers.

Customer service is excellent, usually get a handwritten thank you in each order and often they give you stickers/picks and other bits and pieces as a sweetener. The only draw back is that delivery is usually around 14-21 days.

I mean $5.50 for a pack of Ernie balls is like 1/3 of what I'd pay for them locally.

Elixir are a bit less than half price at about $12 a pack.

All are cheaper if you buy in 3 packs. Bass strings less than half of what I'd pay locally.

I support my local bandland as much as possible and purchase a lot of odds and ends from there, even strings if I'm out, but for value for money you can't beat online. Which is a shame.