Hi all -<BR><BR>I'm heading to Florence in two weeks - spur of the moment trip, just decided to go yesterday. My question: Are the prices for Prada and Gucci in Florence really that much better in Italy than in the States? Any suggestions on where the best place to purchase top designer goods in Florence?<BR>

Gucci and Prada are on the chic Via Tornabuoni. Ferragamo, Hogan, and other designer shops are nearby. The last time I was in Florence, it was January Sale time so the prices on everything had been slashed. However, I did buy a pair of shoes at Ferragamo that weren't on sale, and I saw the same pair at Barney's Madison Ave. and they were $100 more. Tod's on Capri are also MUCH cheaper than in the US. My mother bought a Ferre purse in Rome last September and it was $125 more in NYC. So, I would say, yes, prices are cheaper for Italian-made goods in Italy. However, if you think you are going to get a $400 Gucci bag for $35, you are sadly mistaken.

<BR>Mu Gucci bag from Paris was less that the US so it has to be less in Italy!<BR><BR>Have fun shopping!

yes,they really are better.Anyway I suggest you to go to the Prada and Gucci outlets.They are 30 minutes from Florence.Just in case you don't want to rent a car,I contacted Mr.Cammilli and he offered me a great service of transportation to the outlets.I remind you his email:[email protected]

WHO is Mr Cammilli?

Figure you are saving your local sales tax, import duty and mall mark up if you buy in Europe. Gucci is about 1/2 off Us prices. BUT SAVE MORE BY USING YOUR VAT DISCOUNT!!!What is that????&gt;&gt;&gt;research!! By the way, Prada ballistic nylon bags are made in Cnina (no matter what the Italians say)in a several hundred dollar bag is about $10-$20 in X'ian on street market shelves. (the cheapest I saw from a friend who just returned was $4.00 (four US $) for one we saw in the local boutique mall!<BR>Yea, for sure!<BR>Wait until SARS is conquered before shopping there and carefully check out the stateside and European offerings before you go to make sure you are getting a good comparison.

Correction, that would be CHINA...oops!

We were'nt impressed with either outlet on price or selection. It's a waste of time. Trust me.

You can save more money with the VAT discount.<BR>This means that if you bring your passport with you while you shop and spend more than 125 Euro in one shop, they will give you back something like 18-19% of the tax you paid at the store. To get the refund, you can go to a &quot;Global Refund&quot; desk which are located in airports, city centers, and at boarders. When you leave the country with your UNUSED merchandise, show the reciepts and the form that you filled out when you bought the stuff (every decent store has them) they will give you your refund.<BR>Easy and worth it. Otherwise, yes even without the extra VAT discount, Italian names cost less here. I always say that &quot;I can afford Armani in Italy, but not in New York!&quot;.<BR>Hope this helps.<BR>Melissa

There was an article written on the Prada Outlet near Florence several years ago by a reporter for the New York Times. She concurs with Truthordare that the outlet was a waste of time. It seems you can find the same dated merchandise on marked down at places like Century 21, Sim's, or Daffy's. She also said you could do just as well by hitting a sale at Saks or Bergdorf Goodman.

I went to the Prada outlet in September 01 and thought it was great. I bought Prada purses and shoes that were literally less than 25% of what they were costing at Neiman Marcus. I also bought some Helmut Lang clothing and my husband bought two pairs of shoes. I still love my Prada shoes that I bought for $25. The outlet also carries Helmut Lang, and Miu Miu. The store was very neat and organized (not like Loheman's) and I'd go back in a heart beat. Maybe, like most outlets, it's just hit or miss. My vote is to go if you have the time.

We drove from Florence to the Prada outlet last spring, and basically thought it was a waste of time too. Came away feeling quite disappointed, especially when spending all the time getting there and returning (getting lost in *both directions).

The bag that I want from Gucci is an olive green canvas with brown leather straps and little pockets on the outside, it is so cool looking and it costs $650-at Saks Fifth Avenu

OK- I agree, teh prices in Italy are a lot better. I have bought a ton of items at the boutiquws in Florence and the outlets. I bought a bag I saw at Saks for $1,100 for $700 in Florence. <BR><BR>I did wonderful at the outlets. They are hit and miss though. They get new shipments all the time, and also tehy replenish the shelves a few times a day. Some of the items at the outets are fabulous. I got a leather camel bag for $125 at Prada outlet. (it would have sold for 6 times the price at home). At Gucci outlet, I got a bag for less than half of what I saw it in the states, and some great shoes for under $200.

<BR>Hmmm ~ so it would almost be reasonable to fly to Italy in order to get a better price on a bag~I have to mention this to my husband, see if he sees it my way