Leaving in 2 days :)! "Negotiating" question

In Florence I bought a beautiful soft-sided briefcase that I use every day and saved about 40E. This was in a bricks-and-mortar store, so my experience is that you CAN negotiate. What I did is first visit several stores and the open air mall to get an idea of what was available and the prices. You'll get a sense of the features (in my case, clasps, pockets, handles, straps, etc) so you know what you want. I have the sense that being a more informed buyer helps; without having to "negotiate" simply being able to ask about various features and comparing what they have communicates that you've visited other stores and that you'll probably be visiting more after them unless they persuade you to buy. 2 places offered me a discount as I was leaving, and the place I bought it also did after I said I was going to think about it.

You can also ask at smaller stores if there is a discount if you pay in cash. Once your item is above 25E or so they sometimes will knock something off.

In Italy be aware that you can get a VAT refund if you purchase 155E or more of goods eligible for the refund at a single store. Be sure to get a price before you mention anything about VAT so the "discount" isn't just the VAT. In my case they took the VAT off the price I paid and gave me a form. At the airport I brought the item to the customs desk, they stamped my form, and then I dropped it in the nearest post box (postage was prepaid on the envelope). The form has your credit card number on it and the copy the store sends in is matched up; if you don't turn it in then Italy will charge you the VAT to my understanding. In some other cases you may pay the VAT and then get a claim form stamped at the airport to collect a refund. See http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/vat.htm

How's your Italian? That would be my first question for anyone who wants to ask for a discount or "negotiate" in Italy.

It is usually only for market type places and street vendors. Brick and mortar stores have overhead to meet and I've never found them too willing to bargain. Try the campo di fiori markets if you wish to haggle.

Donna

I successfully haggled with hotels this past June...and it worked. I knocked about 300 Euro off my rooms.

It depends on the store and what you're trying to buy.

As an example, Florence is known for leather goods. Many of the stores will "come down in price." If they see you're interested but think it's too expensive--and are willing to walk away--they might make a better deal--"just for you."

BTW--most people in the U.S. don't realize that even here, on higher priced items, larger stores will sometimes come down on price.

The key, in both places, is never offer a lower price. (That's fine at market stalls but never in "real" stores.) Let them know you're interested but it's a little too expensive for you. If the price was a little lower, you might be able to do it. What you've just told them is that you're interested if they come down in price. If they are a store that negotiates, they may make you a better deal. If not, negotiating is not their policy.

Don't do this on lower priced items.You'll be wasting their time.

One frequently successful tactic is that if you offer to buy two of the items, you can get a deal.

Negotiating in brick-and-mortar stores rarely works because sales clerks almost never have the authority to change prices. But if you're dealing with the owner, it's a different story. If it's a small store, ask if the person you're speaking to is the owner.

If you're shopping in heavily touristed areas, don't worry if you don't speak Italian. With rare exceptions, they'll speak English. Remember that millions of English-speaking tourists descend on Italy every year.

Millions of tourists descend on Italy each year but not all are English speaking. In fact, I suggest most are not.

Thanks All! I HATE haggling and do not wish to do it at all but also don't want to pay "full" price for something that is assumed will be sold for less to savvy travelers. I assumed as much with larger stores but just wanted to clarify.

You can perhaps negotiate in a small store when dealing directly with the owner, especially if you are buying things like art or antiques, but I wouldn't dream of going into a chain department store or a mall and trying to negotiate over the price. Just not done......

The perfect technique is given above. Tell them it's just a little too much. "Troppo caro" is the Italian phrase for "too expensive". You can smile, scrunch your face a little and say the phrase while shaking your head. Look like you're really considering buying it. Italy is all about drama, so don't pass up this chance to be an actor. :-)

just returned from Italy. Many major sales going on at brick/mortar stores so no need to haggle.