What is the "Panama-hat overpricing and quality misrepresentation" scam in Cuenca?

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Accepted Answer

Cuenca is the commercial heart of the toquilla-straw 'Panama hat' trade, and shops and stalls sell coarse Grade-3 tourist hats, or imports from elsewhere, while implying they are fine handwoven Montecristi-grade pieces. Because weave fineness causes huge legitimate price swings, tourists are talked into paying premium prices for low-grade hats. Learn the basics: finer, denser weaves cost more; check the rosette at the crown and the tightness of the weave; a true superfino is extremely fine. Buy from a reputable workshop/museum shop such as the Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla, compare several sellers, and don't accept 'genuine Montecristi' claims at face value.

Other Tourist Scams in Cuenca

Panama-hat overpricing and quality misrepresentation

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