Visiting Gucci and Prada boutiques

Old Aug 3rd, 2001, 05:22 PM
  #1  
xxxxx
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Visiting Gucci and Prada boutiques

My friend just return from Italy and just loved it.However, she did tell me that she felt a bit uncomfortable visiting the Gucci and Prada boutiques in Rome . She is a plus size woman (size 16) and although she was not hoping to buy clothes there because her size is not available there she did intended to purchase accessories. The people working there looked at her in manner that made her feel very uncomfortable. Has anyone felt like this or has been treated or looked at "different" due to appearance at any of the mentioned boutiques??? I am also a plus size woman and would love to purchase accesories at good prices next time I am in Rome or Florence, but if that is the attitude towards some clients I think that would discourage me from entering these places. This is not a troll I am just want to know if some of you out there have gone through such experience and save me an "emabarrasing" moment. Thanks.
 
Old Aug 3rd, 2001, 05:39 PM
  #2  
lori
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She just maybe the one that is only conscious about her "appearance". Who can blame her when there are hardly any size 16 women in Italy.
 
Old Aug 3rd, 2001, 05:46 PM
  #3  
Surlok
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xxxxx,

Yes, it might happen, but your friend surely took a blasé attitude, which is very common in trendy boutiques, where the sales women usually treat you with distance, or with a presumable "superior" attitude, than something else, or something related to you or your friend because of her size. I guess the same happens in New York, Paris, or even Rodeo Drive. You just need to learn to not take it as something personal, and once you do it, it won't bother you. Just ask to see what you want, check it as much as you want, buy it if you want, and if it doesn't please you, say Ciao, grazie, and leave.

Surlok
 
Old Aug 3rd, 2001, 05:50 PM
  #4  
Surlok
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Sorry, Lori, you're wrong! There are 16 size women in Italy. Had you been there, or to any Rinascente store, or even Marina Rinaldi's, you would know that there are plus sizes in Italy.

Surlok
 
Old Aug 3rd, 2001, 06:03 PM
  #5  
Natalie
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xxxxx,
Sales associates working at this type of boutiques always tend to act in this manner. I live in NYC and I have sales people treated me with distance and I am not a plus size woman. I have shopped at Gucci and Prada boutiques in Italy and Europe and have gotten the same attitude as in NYC. Some of the sales associates are nice, some are not.

However, usually sales associates in those type of stores expect (they have an attitude) people to dress nicely, be classy, and be in shape (thin). Also, there are few (if none) plus size women in Italy, so the sales women your friend encountered might have been unaccustomed to seeing a plus size woman, and therefore were surprised.

Just act polite, request what you want, act like you belong, and give a little bit of attitude back to them, and you will not have a problem. After all, you are a customer and their job to sell the clothes or accessories to you no matter who you are.
 
Old Aug 3rd, 2001, 08:12 PM
  #6  
Jon
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I've never gotten a surley attitude from anyone in such stores, nor have I ever found "good prices" in them. While these stores often offer a selection that's not readily available in the US, you shouldn't expect to find their merchandise at reduced prices. In fact, many designers' wares are cheaper when found in the US. (In my experience, Burberry and Gucci are 2 examples).
j.
 
Old Aug 4th, 2001, 02:42 PM
  #7  
helen
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I just love to shop for accesories. On my last trip to Italy I purchased 3 purses, 2 in florence and one in Rome. I stay away from Gucci and the Prada shops becuase I know that accesories can be EXPENSIVE. On my next trip to Italy in December I would like to purchase something at Gucci or Prada but how much should I expect to pay for a tote or nice leather backpack?
 
Old Aug 4th, 2001, 03:04 PM
  #8  
Surlok
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Helen,

If you want to buy a Prada product at a less expensive price, there's a Prada outlet near Florence.

Go search on Dolce Vita, the address is posted there.

Surlok
 
Old Aug 4th, 2001, 03:44 PM
  #9  
Surlok
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Here is the web address:

http://www.dolcevita.it/outlets/region/toscana.html

Surlok
 
Old Aug 4th, 2001, 04:58 PM
  #10  
helen
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Thanks for the info. Surlok but what would be the approximate price of handbag at Gucci or Prada?? Thanks!!
 
Old Aug 4th, 2001, 05:52 PM
  #11  
Surlok
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I'don't exactly recall how much we paid, but I think that my daughter bought one for about 200,000 lire, and I bought a big Prada bag, nylon made, for about 300.000 lire. It was a little less than 180 dollars by the time, I guess. We paid about 30% to 40% less than the Prada store prices.

Surlok
 
Old Aug 4th, 2001, 07:18 PM
  #12  
madge
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I have also wondered about the prices at these places. I am heading to Italy on a ten day tour with Globus and one of my grand kids has asked for a handbag and a wallet from the Gucci boutique. This will be her birhtday present.How much money will I end up spending approximately? I would like to have an idea to know how much more money I should take. I don't know what the value of the dollar is at this time. Thank you much in advance.
 
Old Aug 4th, 2001, 07:35 PM
  #13  
Surlok
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My advise is that you don't stick with one brand/designer in Italy. I bought a wallet in Venice, is neither Prada or Gucci, but Missoni, another good Italian designer. It was on sale and I bought it by, I guess, 20 dollars. A Prada, not in the outlet, but in a Prada Boutique, or a Gucci, would have cost me as much as twice, at least.

So, use your common sense. This Prada bag I bought has been quite useful, but were its price 300 dollars, I wouldn't have bought it. It's way too much, and you're not paying for the merchandise itself, but for the marketing, and this shall be at least 70% of the final price.

Keep your eyes open, and you'll find beautiful bags, purses, belts, shoes, nearly everything that is leather made in Italy, at very good prices if compared to the same product and standards in the US, but you have to be smart shoppers.

Surlok

 
Old Aug 5th, 2001, 09:29 AM
  #14  
Andy
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In the US, the leather PRADA doctor bag- the most popular cost $1000.00
THis will just give you a shoot-for price--I advise calling the Prada store in NYC before you go to get prices on their microfiber bags and leather bags--then you will know if you're getting a deal.
 
Old Aug 5th, 2001, 12:41 PM
  #15  
Anita
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Message:

If you want a microfiber bag they start at $350-400 USD. When I was in Spain last year I was able to pick up a leather and microfiber for under $300 and this year I will be visiting their store in Paris and see what they are charging there. The american dollar is so high, that you really are getting a bargain, but I would compare prices before you leave on your trip, so you will know whether or not your getting a bargain. Good luck!!
 
Old Aug 5th, 2001, 06:55 PM
  #16  
Madge
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Thanks to everyone who has replied. I will find out the US prices first and then compare once I am in Italy. Thanks to everyone.
 
Old Aug 6th, 2001, 03:08 PM
  #17  
Blair
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Is there a difference in the quality of materials and craftsmanship that goes into a gucci handbag and a non brand handbag purchased from a street vendor in Florence?? I ask becuase I did purchase a beautiful leather purse from a street vendor for abot 40.00 and to me appareantly there is no difference. I guess what I would like to know if it is worth paying ten times more for a purse?? If it is, I may start saving before my next trip to purchase a Gucci. Thanks/
 
Old Aug 6th, 2001, 06:58 PM
  #18  
PradaFan
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I visited Prada & Gucci boutiques in NYC and other capitals of the world.
At least in Europe I could buy something, in NYC they never had your size on hot items... until one of regulars was coming in and immediately received that exact size I asked for.
Sometimes the regular didn't like it and seing my interest passed the item to me. This way I came into posession of several prized items. Now that Prada is not that exclusive anymore, or due to economic conditions you can getyour hands on their shoes and with discount too. However the attitude is still there. And one tip: when shopping in upscale boutiques you have to be dressed accordingly - no sneakers, white socks, and gap t-shirts, for that you WILL get a dirty look. Unless you don't care.
 
Old Aug 6th, 2001, 08:34 PM
  #19  
Alex
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First of all, Americans need to eat less. Europeans think we over indulge as it is. Nonetheless, how many fat people we possess. No wonder the look!!! Although the real story is these people that work at Gucci and Prada are just that" people that work at Gucci and Prada with attitudes and make very little compared to the people that afford their wears. I happen to own several Gucci articles of clothing and no big deal!! the shoes fit like a glove and well worth the money. My wife swears by the Gucci purse. I personally think they are way over priced. Prada in general is complete crap!!!! I think anyone to pay $400-750 for a platic purse needs to have there head examined. The other question regarding outlets in Florence both Gucci and Prada have outlets although leather goods are pretty irregular. My advice is to buy Gucci and Prada in Italy or France. The franc and lire are low to the good old dollar and you get TVA "tax back" at the airport when you leave europe. That is really the only way you can save money. We were just in Barcelona in May my wife bought a purse at the Gucci boutique 120.00 less than in Scottsdale plus the savings of 7.25% tax on a $500.00 purchase. So yes you can save money and a lot of the time find accessories that you don't see in the States.
 

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