Shopping in Italy

Old Aug 25th, 2004, 03:21 PM
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Shopping in Italy

Can anyone recommend a shop in Italy (will be visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, and Amalfi) that I could find a good price on a Louis Vuitton and Gucci handbag as well as a nice pair of designer shoes?

Thanks,

Nicole
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 03:24 PM
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How about the LV and Gucci stores themselves right on the Via Condotti?
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 03:24 PM
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...in Rome.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 03:30 PM
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Semi-helpful advice ....

Before you leave (the USA?) check the local prices on the versions of bags you like.

Then, when you are in a store in italy, do the math and determine if you can buy it for less back home, especially with border patrol tax collectors involved.

With exchange rates, it might be cheaper to buy back home, but that leaves you without the fun of saying, "Oh, this? Just a little something I picked up at a darling shop in Venice."

Beware of fakes -- and at genuien stores, discounts are, I understand, rare on LV and Gucci.

BAK
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 03:40 PM
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Interesting, thank you both. I guess I was under the impression BAK that I would get some great deals on handbags and shoes...hmm.

Thanks.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 03:53 PM
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As BAK says, it's unlikely you'll find "great deals" at the LV or Gucci shops in Italy. Check out the prices first in the US and decide whether they're cheaper in Italy. You probably will be buying enough to get VAT refund, which may make it cheaper to buy in Italy.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 03:57 PM
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Definitely keep in mind the VAT !
that has made quite a few purchases much easier to swallow for me
Esp. when that "credit" comes through on one's credit card !!
If you need any info on how to do this, ask here .
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 04:01 PM
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The prices over there aren't always cheaper than in the States. I bought a shirt at the Emporio Armani store in Rome and paid over 40 euros for it, when I found a similar style at my local Armani Exchange on sale for $25.

Additionally, purses almost ALWAYS can be purchased for less here in the States than in Europe. Try www.i-globalmall.com, they have alll designer items and when they have sales (20% off or more) the price can't be beat! I bought my Prada from them for $329 - same exact one I saw in Milano for 550 euros.

Likewise in Tuscany, I suggest shopping at the local UPIM department stores and see what items they have for sale. I have bought several items from this store and have saved a lot of money on gifts, souvenirs, etc.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 04:14 PM
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THanks all. nanb, what is the VAT? Please explain. Thanks.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 04:14 PM
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UPIM doens't sell Gucci or LV. It is a mid-range department store chain which can be roughly compared to Monoprix in Paris, Marks and Spencers maybe...
On the other hand Rinascente shopping centres sometimes carry italian and french griffes. There is a Rinascente store in Rome, on Via del Corso near Piazza Colonna. There is also COIN which carries similar stuff as Rinascente.
Here is where you can look for beautiful shoes stores: Via del Corso, Via Condotti, Via Frattina, Via Nazionale, Via Cola di Rienzo. There is a Ramirez shoe store on Via Appia near Piazza san Giovanni. I think there is Ferragamo on Via Condotti.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 04:18 PM
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Hi Batuffolina....I wasn't suggesting UPIM had designer wares, I have just enjoyed shopping there for nice quality gifts and souvenirs to bring back to the States. There are certainly many designer shops to go to in Italy, however, in my experience, I can often get better prices for the same item in the States.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 04:21 PM
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If you go to Tuscany keep in mind the their outlet stores or in other bit city look out for "Stokkisti" store, where usually you can find designer pieces of last season at discounted prices...Usually the selection is limited but the prices are wonderful.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 04:33 PM
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To answer nicoleg's question, VAT = Value Added Tax. If you're traveling to Italy from a non-EU country, you are entitled to get the VAT back, provided that you take the purchased goods back with you to your non-EU home country. However, there is a minimum purchase price in order to get the VAT back, and for Italy, I think it's around € 150 or so.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 05:22 PM
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nicoleg-
yk is correct in what it is.
Now, how you go about collecting it-
I am almost sure any store you spend more than 155 Euro (for italy) must fill out this form with you.
not all stores are eager to do so, as it takes time.
but that is not your problem.
I have gotten my VAT back on handbags, but especially on gold jewelry , where the savings can be substantial!

If you spend at least the above amount, tell the sales person you would like to have the paperwork filled out for the VAT Reufun.
You will need your passport to do so, as this information is put onto the form.

the store will fill all the paperwork out for you. and provide you with an envelop to mail it in.

Now, the nezxt step is done whenyou leave Europe for the states.
if you are flying directly from Italy to the States, you do this at the italian airport .
But, if you are flying , let's say from italy ,with a stop over in London, then you must deal with this step in london.

At every airport there is a customs /VAT area, where you take your form from the store, and the goods you purchased
(you must show the purchased item, not check it through in your luggage)
You show your form and the item, the person will stamp your form for you.
You then can either mail it from the airport or mail it upon your return hoime.
You have THREE months from leaving Europe to do so.

Then , usually for italy, in about three months you will receive a credit back on your credit card statement.

I hope I did not make it totally confusing for you , or intimidating,
I have done it at least three times , and it sounds harder than it is.

But, it is definitely worth it if you are spending hundreds, if not thousand or so on purchases.

and, it makes you feel as if you actually got something ON SALE

But, again, as others have mentioned, make sure you have a general idea of US prices in your head too.

if I totally confused you- let me know, either here or at [email protected] and I will try to "do better"

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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 05:34 PM
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nanb,

This is wonderful, I never knew..I feel completely ignorant as I have traveled to Australia and Europe previously, spend a lot of $$ and never knew this existed. Thank you soooo much, I appreciate all of your help with this process. I agree, now I will not feel as guilty purchasing some nice Italian goods
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 09:43 PM
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Nicole,
Almost all is true! You can usually find a better price in the states providing your city has a Gucci our Dior my favorite!!! Neiman Marcus has great sales after X-mas. Although I agree there is something that makes a purchase special where you purchased it! You will find the best selection in Rome!!! In addition, models or selection most likely not found in the States.There are also several other designers maybe unknown in America. It's nice to have a unique piece or different than the norm. You can buy a Gucci or LV anywhere basically. It's kind of nice to have someone say hey that's nice who makes it or where did you get it?
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 11:38 PM
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Regarding the VAT refund, the store must be affiliated with the "Tax Free" program and should have a decal in the window. Not all stores are affiliated so check before making your purchase.
Especially on purchases from gold shops I have heard about the store owners offering a 16% discount off the total purchase price (or whatever the equivalent to the VAT refund is) in exchange for not filing the VAT refund form (probably asking for cash payment). This must be some sort of tax evasion scam on the store's part. Take the discount and then demand the VAT back.
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 06:29 AM
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a possibly useful website for shopping in italy... http://www.made-in-italy.com/
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 03:16 PM
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Nicoleg,you are4 welocme.
all countries have a different Euro amount that you must spend though, so that is a good thing to know before hand.
and, yes, the store must be affiliated with one the the VAT refund programs.
but, I think most of the upscale ones are. I know Furla is, and the jewelry store I shop at is affiliated.
(Capuano -on Via Veneto)
Have fun oin Italy!
I love to be there , even if I do not shop
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 04:05 PM
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I have shopped all over Italy and don't recall any shop employee filling out my VAT forms. I always did that myself. Is this something new?

I was just in Prague a month ago and I filled out my own VAT forms. Had to have my VAT forms stamped at Prague Airport. Was told they must be stamped before I left Czech Republic, not Frankfurt, Germany where I had connecting flight. I am almost positive this was listed on my VAT form.

I have flown from Italy to London to New York many times and always had to have my VAT form stamped in Italy. Is this something new, nanb????

The only time I had VAT forms stamped in another country was when I flew Iberia from Lisbon to Madrid to New York. This is because you go through passport control/Customs in Madrid when you fly Iberia from Portugal.

Gucci, JP TOD, and Ferragamo have traditionally always been cheaper in Italy than in the US. However, with the devalued American dollar, I can't say this is now true.

A few years ago I bought shoes at JP TOD on Capri, and they were $100 cheaper than the EXACT same pair at Barneys. I can say the same about shoes and coats I bought at Ferragamo on Via Tornabuoni in Florence.

A nice street to buy reasonably priced shoes in Florence is Via Calzaiuoli, near the Duomo.

I was in Buenos Aires last year. Hermes and Louis Vuitton products were EXACTLY the same as in the US, even with the devalued Argentine peso. Prices at Louis Vuitton is HK are exactly the same at those in New York.

Im very lucky that I don't have to buy Louis Vuitton. My grandmother left me all her Louis Vuitton luggage (plus two Goyard steamers) when she died.

Cheers,
John G.
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