Where do they get those wonderful toys?

[RPGPundit]

Yes, in theory. Though in practice either is very difficult.

RPGPundit

[Malleus Arianorum]

That's my take on it too -- before game starts you can't buy exalted powers or items with an 8 or 16 point trait. After the game starts you can just ask for it when it's time to upgrade your character.
   First choice: Exalted damage sword 8 pt total (+4)
Take badstuff: Hell yeah
Then the GM works it into the story that you now have an 8 pt sword. I like to give the example of Corwin's sword.
 
At the start of the game, Corwin has no sword

• . Then Random gives him a sword [1]. Then the sword is silver and dispatches Wier with ease [2]. Then he remembers that the sword was forged near the Pattern at Kolvir [4]. Then he mentions that the sword contains an image of the Pattern [8]. And wonders if it's an actual part of the pattern itself [16]. Finaly, it's suggested that the Pattern is merely a portion of Corwin's blade [32].

So... in a sense any player in my game that buys an item, is buying an item with 32 pt qualities, they just haven't discovered it yet. As a real life, right now example, two of my players bought weapons and have spoken extensively about how they can hardly wait to upgrade them. Their character portraits are [mumble mumble] some dude wearing boots[/mumble mumble] AND BRANDISHING A SWORD OF POWER!!!
 
So I came up with exciting backstories for each sword. If they pay the points the sword's awesome powers will begin to manifest. If they do the legwork, they'll figure out the backstory. If they do both, they'll have knowledge AND power. And I mean serious 32 point power here.
 
On the other hand, if they do neither, they'll have functional 4 point pig stickers.