A few months ago we told you about an amazing platform called Grabr, where travelers can get paid to shop for people while they’re overseas and bring home hard-to-find goods for a sweet delivery fee. A brilliant concept since everytime I head overseas it seems like my family and friends make me shop for them anyway! May as well get paid! Shop for authentic world products.

Though our post really only focused on using the platform from a travelers point of view – why Grabr is fantastic for travelers looking for an added sense of adventure, some extra cash, and a chance to meet new people. We didn’t really touch on the fact that it’s fantastic marketplace if you’re a shopper too!

And by “shopper”, I mean someone searching for hard-to-find goods from an exotic corner of the globe. Authentic goods you can’t get internationally. Perhaps something handcrafted that you saw on a trip to Africa and are kicking yourself for not having brought home. International shopping.

Theoretically, you should be able to order anything from anywhere in the world and have it delivered regardless of where you’re located, at a fair price, and without having to wait a month for it to arrive. But that’s not the way the world works. Though this is changing with Grabr!

Find something you love regardless of where it is in the world, create a grab (that’s what they call orders), choose your favorite traveler, and wait for the delivery! This is a crowd-shipping service as opposed to a traditional online marketplace, so you can literally order anything you want – the products you can order through Grabr aren’t limited to what’s in a catalog.

This way too, you can support local artisans and communities who may not have access to an online marketplace and you have assurance that your money is going directly to the artisan who created it.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are some ideas for cool products around the world that you can order with Grabr.

Outback Crocodile Hat – Australia

You’re not going to find a quality handcrafted Australian-made outback hat made from crocodile leather anywhere else in the world.

The Australian saltwater crocodile leather is the finest grade of leather among the 27 crocodile species around the world. Ever since crocodile leather skin began to be used for handbags, fashion, wallets, belts and accessories, the top fashion companies from Europe were sourcing their leather from Australian saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) to make their exclusive designer products. How to get around international shipping costs.

This is a luxury product with the finest grade of leather created by master craftsmen here in Australia.

You’re not going to find a quality handcrafted Australian-made outback hat made from crocodile leather anywhere else in the world.

You’re not going to find a quality handcrafted Australian-made outback hat made from crocodile leather anywhere else in the world.

African Art

Want something authentic from Africa to hang in your living room? Have a traveler pick it up for you! That could mean anything from tribal hand carvings to Nigerian masks. International shipping alternatives.

Masks are important elements in the art of many African nations, along with human figures, often highly stylized. There are a vast variety of styles, often varying within the same context of origin depending on the use of the object, but wide regional trends are apparent. Masks in particular are or were often made for religious ceremonies. Shopping around the world.

A boy in Africa covers his face with a hand carved mask.

African painting

Venetian Masquerade Masks

There’s only one place in the world for masquerade masks, and that’s Venice. Though if you’re not heading to Italy any time soon, place a grab and have a traveler pick one up for you! Shopping when you travel

Masks have always been an important feature of the Venetian carnival, an annual festival, held in Venice, Italy. Venetian masks can be made of leather, porcelain or using the original glass technique.

The original masks were rather simple in design, decoration, and often had a symbolic and practical function. Nowadays, most Italian masks are made with the application of gesso and gold leaf and are hand-painted using natural feathers and gems to decorate. Support this historical craftsmanship particular to the city of Venice. Best shopping for travelers.

There’s only one place in the world for masquerade masks, and that’s Venice. Though if you’re not heading to Italy any time soon, place a grab and have a traveler pick one up for you!

There’s only one place in the world for masquerade masks, and that’s Venice. Though if you’re not heading to Italy any time soon, place a grab and have a traveler pick one up for you!

Handmade Hammock – Thailand

The best hammocks are handwoven, but you don’t need to be traveling through Asia to get your hands on one now that you can order via Grabr.

Find a traveler heading through Thailand and have them pick up a hammock for you. The Mlabri were nearly wiped out in the mid 20th century, when the teak forests that were their home were cut down for decorative wood. But they have begun a slow resurgence by turning to their traditional weaving skills as a source of sustainable income for their community.

This hanging hideaway is hand woven from three miles of soft, acrylic cord–an intensive process which takes six to seven days to complete. Its rich color palette is inspired by volcanic lava flowing down into the ocean. A comfy retreat for a solo lounger, this hammock is woven extra wide so that two people can soak in the sun side by side. It is designed to support a combined weight up to 400 pounds, and comes with its own, handy tote bag made from repurposed nylon. How to get stuff shipped from overseas

Bolivian Frazada

Bolivian frazadas are crafted from sheep’s wool, and are hand woven and hand spun as blankets or rugs. They are used to protect against the  high altitude cold and have boldly confident colour statements with distinctive striped patterns. These are are perhaps the last remnants of traditional hand weaving still thriving in the central Andes. Best overseas shopping

La Paz is an ideal place to buy these; the streets throughout the city are full of textile shops run by local women. If you have time, explore the side streets and local markets, though those short on time can head straight to the Witches’ Market (Mercado de Heciceria) that is on Linares and Jimenes streets.

Bolivian frasadas are crafted from sheep’s wool, and are hand woven and hand spun as blankets or rugs.

Bolivian frasadas are crafted from sheep’s wool, and are hand woven and hand spun as blankets or rugs.

Start Using Grabr

Using Grabr you can shop for literally anything from anywhere in the world and have it delivered regardless of where you’re located, at a fair price, and without having to wait a month for it to arrive. Shop with grabr.

Start your free Grabr account for opportunities to shop for hard-to-find products from exotic corners of the globe. It literally only takes a few seconds to begin; you can quickly sign in with your Facebook account or login with your email address. Get hard to find items from around the world online.

In the top right-hand corner of the screen is a button to “Start Your Order”, and you can then either enter an item manually with screenshots, or quickly paste a link. Follow the prompts and insert details of what you’re looking for, when you want it by and where to find it. You then set how much you’re willing to pay as a travelers reward/delivery fee – the higher the reward the sooner you will receive your item! Find a traveler to bring me shopping.

Grabr technology makes the transactions safe and secure. Once an offer has been accepted, the system automatically places the payment on hold until the grab has been delivered and confirmed by the shopper. Once delivery confirmation takes place, the system releases the payment to the traveler.

You can also search their shop and be inspired by items you can buy from all over the world! When you find something you like Grabr will connect you with a traveler who can deliver it. Travelers delivering shopping.

Start Shopping

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Grabr is a place where you can shop for hard-to-find goods from an exotic corner of the globe. Authentic goods you can’t get internationally. Perhaps something handcrafted that you saw on a trip to Africa and are kicking yourself for not having brought home.

Grabr is a place where you can shop for hard-to-find goods from an exotic corner of the globe. Authentic goods you can’t get internationally. Perhaps something handcrafted that you saw on a trip to Africa and are kicking yourself for not having brought home.

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging since 2007, with the main aim of inspiring others to embark on their own worldwide adventure. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

Follow their journey on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

Photo credits: Nigerian masks in feature photo by Andrew Moore. Ndebele Village, Mpumalanga, South Africa, by South African Tourism. African painting by Markus Reinhardt. Venetian Masks in Shopfront by Lee & Chantelle McArthur. Blue Venetian Masks by Salvatore Gerace. Bolivian frasadas by Vincent Poulissen. Pinterest image of a traditional performer from Futuna island, Vanuatu by Graham Crumb for Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

This post was completed in our capacity as Brand Ambassadors for Grabr.