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Shopping in Brazil is an adventure in itself. If you don’t like to haggle over prices, don’t shop in Brazil! This is a true bargain hunter’s paradise! Finding the best places to shop and the items to look for are the challenge. Please find below this shopper’s best recommendations.

If musical instruments are of interest, then the place to go is Mercado Modelo. The quality varies greatly, but the discerning shopper can find unique, handcrafted musical instruments made not just for show, but for playing as well. Percussion instruments are the most popular by far and include traditional favorites like berimbas, abataques, bongos, timbaus, cuicas, congas and djembes. Master craftsmen create these beautiful instruments and while they are pricier than others, they are much less expensive than European or American instruments.

The Manaus Market is in the heart of the Amazon region and shopping for quality hammocks are the best bet. One can buy a less expensive version for use on a boat trip, but to bring home one of these local favorites it is important to look for the quality pieces. Hammocks are for sale all over, but local kiosks can have extraordinarily good quality products on display. On an average, the price is about $25 US for a great hammock to bring home as a reminder of your trip. They are strong, versatile, and generally made for two. Remember, this is Brazil!

The Great Mall at Barra is a must for quality Brazilian handicrafts and specialty items. The quality is much higher than the products offered by the street vendors. Located in Salvador da Bahia, this mall offers Brazilian jewels, clothes, and handicrafts galore.

In Niteroi it is a must to visit a quilt store. These establishments are clean, friendly and the clerks speak English. The best places are right near the ferry landing. The quilts are a blaze of color depicting Brazilian themes and portray their culture and diverse background in a pleasing manner. The quality of the cotton and fabrics is superb and the discerning shopper can find a treasure just around every corner.

In Rio De Janeiro try to avoid the throngs of tourist vendors and head for the local markets. Finding your favorite football ( soccer ) jersey is easy and bikinis are sold everywhere. If you buy one of these Brazilian thong bikinis you also may need to purchase an extra beach towel for a cover-up!

Finally, for the artist in your group, shopping in Parati is a must. Local artists display their paintings and sculptures on every corner and the charming atmosphere makes it easy to depart with a little US cash to remember the experience.

Brazil shopping is as much about the experience as it is about the purchase. Enjoy!

When it comes to fashion jewelry the sources are endless. The internet is replete with offers from all over the world and it is difficult to differentiate the good offers from the bad. Domestic U.S. companies have also deluged the internet with offers and deals. How can you determine the best way to purchase these items with the correct mix of quality, value and price? If you are looking to buy just a few items then it really is simply a matter of taste. However, if you need a good quantity of fashion jewelry then one option is to join a pre-selected buying group to make a trip direct to China.

There is a fashion jewelry show the week of April 25th in Hong Kong that provides a great opportunity to garner the items you need at dramatically reduced prices. The very best way to participate in one of these shows and to guarantee your admittance into the show is to join a federation of buyers through a buying group. One such suggestion is to contact Naroka, a world renowned consulting firm and international sourcing group.

The idea is to match small businesses and allow better buying power by consolidating all the purchases through a central source. This allows for the best possible price at smaller volumes. This collective buying power forces the factories to deal with a much more important customer and guarantees a much better price.

This method of buying requires simply a promise to buy at least $400 of merchandise without any additional fees of costs. The jewelry is inspected and guaranteed for quality and this alleviates a major worry about the workmanship. Prospective buyers are asked to sign a commitment letter promising to buy the minimum and payment is expected at the time of purchase. All prices include shipment to the United States.

So, if you are looking for a way to buy great fashion jewelry at the best prices, this method of purchasing can save you headaches and a great deal of money. Good luck and Happy Shopping!