We will be staying in Florence and are considering going to the Gucci outlet. Has anyone done this? Is it worth it, and what is the easiest, most cost-effective way to get there and back?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
That has come up here only once before, here's that discussion of that:http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/26716/outletsthe-mall-and-florence.html
Posted by
OP
La Jolla, CA, USA
39 posts
Thanks. I've been to Florence before and loved it. I definitely plan to shop at the local stores, but I am also a big label whore at heart so I love Gucci and D&G, etc. The link seemed to take me to some advertising for tours of the outlets. I don't really need that. I am wondering if anyone who goes to Italy intending to buy Gucci has gone to the outlet, if it's that much cheaper and not just stocked with purple suede that doesn't sell, and if anyone has suggestions on taxi, bus, etc. It looks like from their site there is a bus but I'm wondering the cost? If anyone can help give me some feedback, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!!
Posted by
Fredericksburg, VA, USA
409 posts
Last year on a rainy day, we went to an outlet mall near Chiusi right off the A1. We didn't see any bargains....maybe by Italian standards, but not by ours. (Found a great gelato / cappucino place, though!).
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Are there truly ANY bargains left in Western Europe with the US Dollar at such a dismal disadvantage???
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Tim, it's a good question. After adding 40% to the euro price you pay for the "bargain", I wonder (40% is today's interbank rate + 2 - 3%). If you can't get a comparable item here, that's a reason to buy it there. But whether you're getting a "bargain" after you add 40% is questionable.