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-   -   Shopping in Morocco (https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/shopping-in-morocco-1657523/)

soods Aug 30th, 2018 01:16 PM

Shopping in Morocco
 
Hi, if anyone has purchases a pouff, can you please tell me how you got it home??

Also, any suggestions on purse buying in Fes. Either near the tanneries or a private store.

Lastly, I understand that there are some craftsmen who make beautiful silver jewelry. Anyone buy anything and where? We will be driving all over the country for 2 weeks, so I can shop anywhere!

thanks

MmePerdu Aug 30th, 2018 03:14 PM

Yes, I have a pouf I bought at the government crafts store in Marrakech. It has a zipper on the bottom for purposes of stuffing them and unstuffing. I usually send purchases home in the mail unless it’s a last stop, in which case I buy a sturdy cheap bag and bring them home with me. Whichever I did with the pouf (mailed I think) it packed relatively flat with the stuffing removed and an upholstery shop re-stuffed it for me at home.

TimCullis Aug 31st, 2018 03:19 AM

The worst place to buy will be close to the tanneries. A pouffe is one of the easiest things to take home as it takes up practically zero space. It should be empty when you buy it, just lay it in your case and pack things into and around it. Over the years I've bought dozens home.

You can get inexpensive pouffes from 100-120 dh which are essentially a light cream undyed colour with bright decorations. I prefer the single colour dyed ones with incisioned decoration which might be 130-160 dh.

The best place for silver is supposed to be Tiznit which is some way south of Agadir, a second good place for all types of jewelry is Taroudannt.

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Silver Passion in Tiznit For The Silver Festival

soods Aug 31st, 2018 05:20 PM

Thanks Tim. I understand there are different qualities in the pouf leather. Is the a way for a novice like me to be able to tell one of quality?

TimCullis Sep 1st, 2018 02:26 AM

I would check the thickness of the leather and quality of any decorations, but otherwise I think any pouffe will be fit for purpose.

MmePerdu Sep 1st, 2018 06:11 AM

Also consider the quality of the tanning. Cheap leather often has a strong smell. Shop around before you buy also keeping this less obvious factor in mind.

TimCullis Sep 1st, 2018 11:21 PM

To be fair, most North African leather has a strong smell which is not surprising given it's been tanned in pigeon poo and urine. The difference in odour might have more to do with how new the leather was as the smell dissipates over time.

It can be hastened by various techniques—packing it in newspaper to absorb the smell—cleaning with a mix of water and distilled white vinegar—sprinkle with baking soda and leave for 24 hours—use Febreze (but only on the inside).

williamsmith7202 Aug 13th, 2024 11:56 AM

Hi there! Bringing a pouf home can be a bit tricky, but many people find it helpful to use a combination of packaging and a sturdy bag. Some opt for shipping it directly from the store if that's an option.

For purse shopping in Fes, you might want to explore the area near the tanneries where you can find a variety of options, or check out some private stores in the medina for unique finds. Both options offer a great selection of handcrafted items.

Regarding silver jewelry, Fes is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship. You can find beautiful pieces at local markets or specialized jewelry shops. The medina and surrounding areas have many skilled artisans.

For a comprehensive guide on shopping in Morocco, including tips on where to find unique items like poufs, purses, and silver jewelry, you might want to check out a Morocco shopping ebook. It can offer valuable insights and help you make the most of your shopping experience during your travels.

Happy shopping and enjoy your trip!
You can know more on the website- Moroccanzest

TimCullis Aug 15th, 2024 05:38 AM

Moroccanzest has been spamming the Tripadvisor forum for the last two weeks and we have so far managed to get the moderators to remove all the posts.

As you can see from the so-called 'advice' above, it is so generic as to be useless. Clearly William Smith (unlikely to be a real name) joined Fodors just in order to post this spam. Please ignore the post.


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