Stores, Malls or Markets in Indonesia

This shop was recommended to us by our travel agent as being the best place to buy dvds and cds. Not only did it have an extensive range, but great service and prices. We bought all our dvds and cds from here, as it was also very close to where we stayed, at the Melasti.

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Batik, the local handcraft, is sold everywhere. It is wise to sell it in a shop outside the touristic area. In the Bimasakti Batik in Imogiri (the tourist you will pay much more than in a normal street, because the batik is ment for foreigners.

What to buy: A batik sarung (for women) is 1,80 - 2 meter long and 1,15 wide, it is just one big piece. The printed ones are very cheap, about 30.000-50.000 Rp. You can also sell a batik piece of fabric, at a store where the sell fabrics. Then you have to stitch the ends yourself. They also sell mixed fabrics, cotton with synthetics, they are warmer to wear.
Handpainted batik is much more expensive, and the handwoven sarungs also.
If you like silk: in 2008 I payed 200.000 Rp. for a nature-silk sarung. That's about 15 euro. Ask for "sutra" in a fabricstore ("toko kain").
A sarung for men, a "kain batu", is much smaller and stitched as a bag without a bottem. You must step in it.

* shops where they sell mobile phones
* streetvendors who sell telephoncards

What to buy: * Indonesian chip for your mobile phone in case you want to be able to call cheap with your friends who are travelling with you

* "Simpati" is recommended for most places

* the money you have for calling / sending sms is called: "pulsa"
* a mobile phone is called: "sellular"

Ask if they can install it on your phone first! (most of them can, but sometime you have to pay a little bit for that)

What to pay: In 2008: 10.000 Rp.

If you want to shop the way the locals do, go to Manga Dua. It's a massive complex of buildings, set on both sides of the road and each is packed full of small shops selling everything you can think of, a bit like an indoor market. If you can't buy it there, they don't make it! Don't expect to find genuine designer goods, it's all fake but some of the quality is very good. DVD's are a good buy, and they will play them so you can see the they work.

But be prepared to haggle hard (with a smile), as they are less inclined to drop the price when they see a foreigner! Even so, there are some great bargains to be had. Just don't go during ramadan, as it's so packed you can't move! And give yourself plenty of time there, this place is a huge rabbit warren full of goodies.

If you are an exporter
or doing some kind of
business in Indonesia,
you’ll eventually learn that
not all suppliers are created equal.

Some will make endless promises,
collect your money and
once things are shipped,
you’re in for a BIG surprise.

One such supplier is,
Moesson Antik.
Or lets say Mr. Heijsttek.
Don’t get me worng,
this guy does have some
very interesting antiques
and is passionate about
his collected items.
But if you are doing business
with him as an agent,
be extremely careful.

He does not always keep his word.
And by the time you realize it,
it may be too late.

And yes, you can try calling him
to chase him down,
but eventually he’ll ignore your calls
and never respond.

So, if you plan to buy from him,
make it an item or two,
from one of his several shops on the street.
But don’t get into filling containers with his stuff.

It may cost you in the end.

Try one of the other antique shops located in Indonesia.
Yellow Pages

What to buy: Single items, but definately, don't go filling a container with this guy!!!

You can buy various kind Indonesian souvenir originated from various kind Indonesian regions at Sarinah Department Store

What to buy: There are so many Indonesian souvenir you can buy at this Department Store, Traditional handycrafts, ceramics, paintings, silverware, gems stone, insects and butterflies in a frame, wood puppets, angklung music instruments, Batik dress for ladies and gents, T Shirts, hand bags, travel bags, etc

What to pay: As much as you can, pay in cash or by credit cards, in indonesian rupiah or in dollar/any foreign currencies

PlazaINDONESIA is an exclusive shopping mall where one can find almost everythings, electronic gadgets such as digital camera, vcd player, handycam, mp3, mp4, computer. One also can find Brand name boutiQues with international designer names such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Versace etc. Plaza Indonesia also wellknown with its food vaganza, Hard Rock Cafe, Local and International Cuisine, Bread Talk, Coffee Bean etc

What to buy: You can buy almost everything: digital camera, handycam, fashionable boutiQues, cosmetics, Perfumes, Mobile Phones, Memory cards etc.

What to pay: It was on your pocket money, you can pay cash or credit cards, local currency or international curreencies

This place is located on the way from Nusa Dua to Ubud, in Gianyar. They have beautiful jewllery pieces as well as special beads you can buy. Their prices are less expensive than in most jewllery places. You can also see them working and making the gorgeous pieces. I bought a lot of things here! To go there, give the address to your driver or guide and ask him to take you there.