Discount Shopping in Rome
 

I am travelling to Rome in a few weeks with my wife and teenage daughters. Last summer, we went to NYC and my daughters had a great time buying knock off purses on Canal Street. One of their friends said there is a similar street in Rome.

Is there a version of Canal Street in Rome?

Thank you

At the risk of splitting hairs, purchasing counterfeit goods is not "discount shopping", but to each his own.

There are usually characters hawking knock off bags at various spots along the Tiber. I also recall open air vendors displaying similar wares in the streets between the Trevi fountain and Via del Corso (along Via d. Muratte).

Be forewarned, however, that the Rome police seem to close these "illegal" sellers up much more often than in NY. We witnessed a couple police crackdowns in Rome a few years ago. So, if by chance you happen to be dealing with the guys when there's a raid, you could lose the money you're spending without getting the goods.

I thought you could get fined for taking a fake Italian item out of Italy.

SeaUrchin, I don't know about getting fined when taking a fake Italian brand out of Italy but I have read several times that the Italian government is starting to crack down on the buying of these knockoff items due to the heavy demands from Italian design companies.

There were some articles a few months ago about people in Venice getting fined at the time they made their purchases. One Canadian woman was fined 2500euro or something around that amount.

And I have read the police in Rome are starting to do the same.

beau, I understand there is an outlet shopping mall south of Rome. Your hotel or the tourist agency should have the information. Or you could go onto Google and research it.

There is a big difference between shopping at a discount outlet and buying knockoff's from a sidewalk peddler. The first is legal and you are buying authentic brands although they may be a year old design or seconds. That is a legal purchase. The knockoff's are just that, and certainly not quality. And is illegal.

So if you and your family do buy knockoffs and you get caught and fined and least you have been forewarned.

Have a wonderful time in Rome.