100 Things to Love About Brazil (Part 7 of 10)

61. Change in Candy

Due to the absence of a one cent coin, in order to round the total to a convenient denomination, a purchase may end up costing a few cents more or a few less.  A shortage of all denominations of small change results in coins often being substituted with candy.

62. Prepaid Cell Phones

The majority of Brazilians use prepaid cell phone chips.  A person buys a chip from a particular carrier and then puts a certain amount of credit on the phone.  One of the first questions someone asks when adding another person's phone number is what carrier they have.  Calling from one carrier over another could be the different between a few cents and a few dollars.  A big selling feature on a phone in Brazil is that it holds more than one chip, allowing someone to make calls from multiple carriers, thus saving money.  Phone costs per month can be quite inexpensive (under $15), as long as one is careful to call within the same carrier. 

63. Cash Discount

If you are willing to pay for something with cash instead of a putting it on a credit card, it's worth asking for a discount.  Many times you will receive a discount of 10-20%.    

64. Payment Options

It seems that every purchase from a car to a t-shirt includes a payment plan option.  In fact, many times the default price is automatically divided into payments and includes interest.  This interest is separate from the interest the credit card charges.  So, if you choose the payment option, you could be paying for that t-shirt for the next 8 months!  If you choose to pay all at once, you can typically save quite a bit of money.    

  65.  Warehouse Stores

Found in large cities across Brazil, many warehouse stores sell in bulk, but also give the option of buying individuals items.  The customer has the option of buying a single item at one price, or buying multiple for a discounted price.  For instance, if you buy one bottle of ketchup, the price is R$5.90 each, but if you buy 4 or more, the price drops to R$5.25 apiece.

   

66. Bargaining

Brazil offers many opportunities to test out your bargaining skills.  Fortunately, vendors in Brazil tend to be significantly less pushy than those found in other countries.  Whether at the weekly farmers' market or negotiating with a street vendor, the first price is only a starting point.  But bargaining isn't limited to the market.  Nearly every place you shop, from the furniture store to the pharmacy, it doesn't hurt to ask for a discount.  Even at hospitals, bills can be reduced by a few hundred dollars simply by negotiating.
   

67. No Sales Tax

Although many goods are heavily taxed, there is no sales tax added at the cash register.  So the price you see is the price you pay.

68. Tipping Not Expected

Tipping is always a nice gesture, but in Brazil it's rare to leave a tip on the table at a restaurant.  Some fancier establishments are starting to put a gratuity charge on the bill, but at most places, a tip is not expected.

69. Bill Pay

Almost every bill in Brazil can be paid at the bank.  In addition to banks, there are also some stores that also will process bill payments.  Another unusual place that accepts bill payments is the state run lottery store.  

70. Buying Water and Propane

Need water or has your stove run out of propane gas?  Just pick up the phone and someone will deliver it right to your door.  If you're a frequent customer, you might even get a brinde or freebie such as a calendar, magnet, dish towel, key chain, or even a bottle of dish soap.