bargaining

It's worth a try. After all the worst that can happen is they say "no".

It depends on what stores you are talking about of course. Designer stores and the type, no, but I doubt you are asking about those. Stores right near the marketssometimes. In the markets in Florence I stopped in some of the leather shops (leather jackets and the such). I wasn't even trying to bargain with the salesman, just kept saying "no thank you" to the prices he mentioned. I forget where it started, maybe around 180 euro, and by the time I walked out the door it was down to 100 euro. If I had been trying to actually bargain, I could have gotten it lower. So in those onesyes! Others, I cannot guarantee.

Yes I agree with the above. When it's like Chanel store, of course Im not going to offer or expect a negotiation. But with other in-door shops, I usually let them make them first move. All the shops behind the San Lorenzo market in Florence were eager to bargain, but they always took the initiative. When I was in a jelwery shop on Ponte Vecchio, the owner took off almost 30 euros if I would pay in cash, and another owner is a purse shop in the streets by the Accademia offered a discount if we'd each buy a purse. So I just try to be balanced, and keep my eyes and ears open.

Here's my advice: If you want to try it in an indoor store, do this: Ask what the price is and then make a pained face and say, sadly "Oh, too much" with an apologetic smile. Start to walk away from that item. If they don't respond, you know they don't bargain and you haven't insulted them. But if they start to engage with you about the price, you know the game is on. What you don't want to do is start off by saying "I'll give you 50 euros for that blouse." That could be insulting. Let them indicate if they want to bargain or not. Happy travels.

On my last trip to Italy, I very nicely bargained in both the outdoor market in Florence and also in a few shops in the hill towns. HOW one bargains, I think, is very important. In the outdoor market, it's truly a game....make an offer, there will be a counter, and then another offer, etc. Do NOT pay full price in the outdoor market for anything....seriously. For inside stores, regardless of location, if not marked, I would ask the price, and then do the "math" for conversion to dollars. Then stating how much I loved the item, but it would cost me XX% more because of how low our dollar is. Every time I've experienced the shopkeeper make a comment of understanding and either make a lower price offer, or it would open the door for me to VERY NICELY ask, "can you do any better on the price...(adding again how much I love the item). It really does pay, though, to know what similar items are priced in other stores....alabaster vases varied widely in price (even for the exact same one). Then at the end of the exchange (or during), I would tell the shopkeeper how I really wanted to buy from them.....because (they are so nice) (their shop is so pretty), etc. Photos often made, etc. And, it goes without saying, ALWAYS begin any conversation with any shopkeeper or vendor with a little Italian (no matter how poorly you speak the language)....at least the hellos, good day, etc. (then at this point I have to change to English, but I always tell them how beautiful their country/town, etc. is People are people and kindness pays. Don't forget the thank you (in Italian) and the good day or good evening afterward.