The gorgeous classic culture of its particular focus on aesthetics and the island implies that locally made handicrafts and art are everywhere. Goods from across Indonesia and Asia can be seen at low rates. At the same time, decades of cosmopolitan visitors have contributed to a flourishing fashion scene, as Bali is a tourist centre.
The price of living is low, and so is the shopping price, letting the wise traveller enjoy the very best of all worlds without breaking the bank. Shopping malls offer fixed costs which you are not allowed to bargain for. Yet, markets and stores offer you various prices, which makes the best prices possible for those who have bargaining skills.
Even the most high-end goods will probably be much less costly than what you’d pay anywhere else, such as in Europe, Australia, Korea, Japan. Silverwork, handicraft, paintings and artwork, fashion & clothes, furniture and decor items, organic additives and essences, coffee, fabric… you name it.
Planning Ahead
It is wise to plan a little about which Bali has to offer when it comes to shopping and find out. Get a feeling of what you would like to carry with you. Tourists realize that a bit late just how far of a shoppers paradise it is. They buy what they enjoy and see, visit two or three streets and arrive.
But as soon as they get to a bit of sightseeing, they realize the real size of what Bali has to offer you. Decoration and furniture are all stunning and will remind one. Items can be easily bought and get them packaged and shipped.
With numerous shopping options in every quality and style, visitors won’t have the ability to buy everything. So must keep in mind some of those “must-have” things that make a trip to Bali a whole.
For gifts, smaller souvenirs, and improvements to your house, metal and wooden handicrafts and paintings can’t be overcome. These come in all sizes and shapes. So, the idea would be to attend a shop or marketplace and navigate around. For drinks, a bag of Balinese java that is powerful is premium coffees from Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi, or even the kopi luwak, is worth purchasing. Those who like more powerful drinks can buy a bottle of brem (palm wine) or arak (grain), both of which pack a punch.
Beach lovers will be wise to buy beach sarongs that come in thousands of designs and colours for only a few dollars (5-10 US$ mostly). Clothing, for example, safari shirts and udeng headdresses and kebaya dresses for girls are also excellent buys. Bali is also known for amusing t-shirts, frequently featuring cartoons by local artists. These can be seen both in souvenir stores and the streets of Kuta, along with budget surf wear and “designer” clothing. In Legian, Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud, you will see hundreds of shops selling beautifully designed accessories and clothes from local and international designers. Of course not to forget that the well-known global brands such as Mango, Zara opened outlets in malls and the department stores.
Obviously, in Bali, you can buy in surf shops of any brand which you may know. Super branded stores, Oakley, is fun to encounter. Along the primary road of Jalan Sunset, mega surf outlet factory stores can be found by you with items in tons.
Textiles from around Indonesia, like batik prints and woven fabric, are readily accessible and are essential for shoppers who won’t visit the rest of Indonesia. Silver jewellery from designs is sold at shockingly low rates. At the same time, furniture in ebony, mahogany, and teak can be bought at a fraction of the cost in other countries.
Tips on Shopping
Money and Credit Cards
To start with, credit cards are accepted, but money purchases would be the standard in shops and bargain places. Larger stores which do take them will generally expect you to cover 2.5% to 3% for processing charge. This is the fee that the credit card businesses charge the seller for processing the payment. Carry cash if you do not need to cover this additional percentage.
Check the Quality
Be sure to check the quality of the products which you are buying. Request other travellers or local people if you aren’t sure how to tell whether something is of excellent quality. Indonesians are very interested in the tips that enable low-quality products to be passed off as the actual thing. This goes for prices, which can vary considerably. Ask people the very exact questions to have a feel for what the price ought to be.
Bargaining
Another point is that when it comes to bargaining, it’s ideal to be friendly. Don’t get angry, and don’t make jokes. You might get in an argument and will get nowhere. Keep in mind that prices in certain tourist areas could be twice or triple of the average speed, so start low and await the seller to come down to a rate that you prefer. Leave the shop if this does not work. In the situation when the seller wants to make a deal, they might provide you with a low price. In the end, the seller tells you there is no bargaining, actually after a couple of attempts. When a shop has price tags, no bargaining would be potential, and pushing on the low price will force you to look rude. Follow these methods and dive into the shopping heaven that is the island of Bali!
Planning to visit Bali soon with your loved ones? Find out more about Bali and Indonesia by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.