We are currently in Florence and have been looking at leather goods. It's a bit overwhelming. We want items of quality so have avoided the market stalls. We did visit the Leather School but nothing really caught our attention. We were in a shop that said they would take the 12% tax off but isn' the VAT 22%? Is it reasonable to expect a shop to to take the VAT off a large purchases of more than €155? Any help or recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you!
Posted by
Los Angeles
305 posts
I got a lovely jacket off the sale rack last October at Buti at 54 Lugarno degli Acciaiuoli. Just down from the Ponte Vecchio. They did not charge the VAT tax but I had to drop off the paperwork at the airport or it would have been charged to my credit card. Some places wanted to charge the VAT but you would get it refunded once the paperwork was returned. Never heard of 12% being charged either the whole VAT being charged with a return or not all depending on the paperwork.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia
44 posts
Thanks so much for helping me understand it all. I thought it odd when they said 12% tax off.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Some stores also have stalls, usually in front of the store or nearby.
Posted by
45 posts
Cash is often a way to bargain and get discounts. My best leather Florentine finds have always come from just wandering around the market stalls and stores some are attached to and seeing what grabs me....and then what I can bargain it down to with cash. Maybe this is a case where it helps to speak Italian or maybe not, I just know that I've never done it in English. There is quality in the market, it's just often inside, and you have to truly look. I'm sorry I can't help with the VAT thing since I usually avoid such things with cash, but large purchases are generally discounted for sure......I hope you find the leather that makes you happy!
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I bought a nice leather jacket at Massimo Leather on Borgo la Noce, a block from the Central Market. Quality was very good, and I thought the price I paid for that quality was quite reasonable. They also had a large selection of handbags, and fluent English is spoken by the owner and his staff. Not sure how VAT was handled as I didn't pursue a VAT refund.
Posted by
Happy Valley, PA
672 posts
Another recommendation for Massimo Leather! My daughter had shopped there when she did a study abroad in Florence several years ago, and suggested that we stop in when we were in Florence this past March. We both ended up buying leather jackets. They altered mine (sleeves) in one hour (!) and made one to order for my daughter, which they shipped to her about 10 days later. Massimo and his colleagues are very friendly and knowledgeable. The coats were very well made, fit impeccably, and were reasonably priced.
Posted by
278 posts
I just bought my second Cellerini bag at their Florence store on May 6 during our second trip to Florence. I can vouch for the exceptional quality and attention to detail they put into their bags and other items they make. Prices are slightly better but comparable to the leather school. I have bags from both places and they are similar in quality but I prefer the Cellerini for the details and finish of the interiors. you get a choice of the color you want the inside to be as well as exterior. The leather school did not offer that.
http://www.cellerini.it/en/category/womens-bags/
addy
Via del Sole 9, 50123 Firenze – ITALY
Tel. +39 055 282533