First Trip to Italy

I have an upcoming trip to Italy in September, 2007. Cortona, Rome and
Milan are the areas where I will be.
I have been reading the information on this board and have not seen a
discussion of when or where it may be appropriate to bargain on the
price of things.
Some friends have mentioned that it is acceptable to ask if a price is
negotiable or they have indicated that some stores have signage that
declares the prices are firm.
Could someone advise if this is something that is done as a mater of
course or is it unusual and considered rude.
Thanks


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jtc

On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:25:31 GMT, "jtc" wrote:

I have an upcoming trip to Italy in September, 2007. Cortona, Rome and
Milan are the areas where I will be.
I have been reading the information on this board and have not seen a
discussion of when or where it may be appropriate to bargain on the
price of things.
Some friends have mentioned that it is acceptable to ask if a price is
negotiable or they have indicated that some stores have signage that
declares the prices are firm.
Could someone advise if this is something that is done as a mater of
course or is it unusual and considered rude.

The only place where prices may be negotiable would be at street
markets. Definitely not in shops. The most you might be able to ask in
a shop is whether there's a discount if you buy two or more of the
same thing.

Be careful at street markets not to buy things with fake designer
labels. This is considered a crime in Italy, and the buyer as well as
the seller can get a big fine. It doesn't happen often, but the law
considers that someone who buys a Gucci bag from a sidewalk vendor
knows very well that it's a fake.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup

B wrote:

On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:25:31 GMT, "jtc" wrote:

Some friends have mentioned that it is acceptable to ask if a price is
negotiable or they have indicated that some stores have signage that
declares the prices are firm.
Could someone advise if this is something that is done as a mater of
course or is it unusual and considered rude.

The only place where prices may be negotiable would be at street
markets. Definitely not in shops. The most you might be able to ask in
a shop is whether there's a discount if you buy two or more of the
same thing.

Herself is not by habit a haggler. But in Venice the devil whispered
in her ear and she haggled over the price of a dress. She won, getting
the dress at the price she had decided on, a reduction of about 25% on
the ticket price. The vendor showed great grace in giving her a free
Burano lace kerchief with it (of course the kerchief was factory-made,
but so what?).

I am sure that Barbara will confirm that haggling in Venice is not the
done thing. Perhaps it was the surprise element that led to her
success.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
My travel writing: http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/

On 2007-06-22 08:46:38 -0700, B said:

On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:25:31 GMT, "jtc" wrote:

I have an upcoming trip to Italy in September, 2007. Cortona, Rome and
Milan are the areas where I will be.
I have been reading the information on this board and have not seen a
discussion of when or where it may be appropriate to bargain on the
price of things.
Some friends have mentioned that it is acceptable to ask if a price is
negotiable or they have indicated that some stores have signage that
declares the prices are firm.
Could someone advise if this is something that is done as a mater of
course or is it unusual and considered rude.

The only place where prices may be negotiable would be at street
markets. Definitely not in shops.

I had a an interesting experience in one of the very pricey mens
boutiques at the Rome airport. I was whiling away time waiting and
snooping. I saw a jacket by E. Zegna for 600 Euro. Very spiffy white
linen, a bit shop soiled I looked, hesitated, looked again, wandered
away. I returned and the shop assistant pounced and began reducing the
price. I pointed out the dust stains on the shoulders and tried it
on,nonetheless. Finally the price was 250 Euro, without my asking for a
thing. Other than that, years ago I got a discount on color fillm.
bill

On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:48:32 +0100, Padraig Breathnach
wrote:

B wrote:

On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:25:31 GMT, "jtc" wrote:

Some friends have mentioned that it is acceptable to ask if a price is
negotiable or they have indicated that some stores have signage that
declares the prices are firm.
Could someone advise if this is something that is done as a mater of
course or is it unusual and considered rude.

The only place where prices may be negotiable would be at street
markets. Definitely not in shops. The most you might be able to ask in
a shop is whether there's a discount if you buy two or more of the
same thing.

Herself is not by habit a haggler. But in Venice the devil whispered
in her ear and she haggled over the price of a dress. She won, getting
the dress at the price she had decided on, a reduction of about 25% on
the ticket price. The vendor showed great grace in giving her a free
Burano lace kerchief with it (of course the kerchief was factory-made,
but so what?).

I am sure that Barbara will confirm that haggling in Venice is not the
done thing. Perhaps it was the surprise element that led to her
success.

Probably it was her overwhelming charm.

--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup

On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:48:32 +0100, Padraig Breathnach
wrote:

Herself is not by habit a haggler. But in Venice the devil whispered
in her ear and she haggled over the price of a dress. She won, getting
the dress at the price she had decided on, a reduction of about 25% on
the ticket price. The vendor showed great grace in giving her a free
Burano lace kerchief with it (of course the kerchief was factory-made,
but so what?).

I am sure that Barbara will confirm that haggling in Venice is not the
done thing. Perhaps it was the surprise element that led to her
success.

We were recently in a small town in Tuscany which is known for its
handblown crystal. I went into a shop while Marcello stayed outside to
watch the grass grow. I came out with a small purchase, not handblown,
but a little vase that cost 8 euro.

I told Marcello that I had seen a beautiful handblown vase inside that
was going for 700 euro. (This much was true.) Marcello said, Allora?
(well?). Then the devil whispered in *my* ear and I said , "They let
me have it for 500."
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup

Hi !!

Best of luck for your upcoming trip to Italy.

I am from India, and whenever you would like to visit India, i would
be happy to help you out. i have started a small travel agency for
some of my friends and family friends living abroad. I get quotes from
all the best travel agents in India and gets best discount from them
and pass it on.

I have made this small information site that you can check out.

http://directtourindia.googlepages.com

and check out India in images

Since there is no foreign agent involved, and you can book directly
from India, so you can save 10 to 30 % of the tour cost that you will
get from an agent in your country.


I have not been to Italy, i would be happy if you post me your photos
and experience there.


Best wishes again.


Kamal

On Jun 22, 9:25 am, "jtc" wrote:
I have an upcoming trip to Italy in September, 2007. Cortona, Rome and
Milan are the areas where I will be.
I have been reading the information on this board and have not seen a
discussion of when or where it may be appropriate to bargain on the
price of things.


Generally you should assume prices are fixed. There are very rare
cases where bargaining might be possible and appropriate - such as at
a street market or for a major purchase at an art gallery or antiques
shop. Hotel rates are normally fixed, but some cheap hotels will cut
you a deal in low season (i.e. not September) or if you are bringing a
large group.

Some friends have mentioned that it is acceptable to ask if a price is
negotiable or they have indicated that some stores have signage that
declares the prices are firm.


I've seen signs like that in Mexico. You don't see those signs in
Europe - it's assumed.

B wrote:

On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:48:32 +0100, Padraig Breathnach
wrote:

Herself is not by habit a haggler. But in Venice the devil whispered
in her ear and she haggled over the price of a dress. She won, getting
the dress at the price she had decided on, a reduction of about 25% on
the ticket price. The vendor showed great grace in giving her a free
Burano lace kerchief with it (of course the kerchief was factory-made,
but so what?).

I am sure that Barbara will confirm that haggling in Venice is not the
done thing. Perhaps it was the surprise element that led to her
success.

Probably it was her overwhelming charm.

Maybe it was her obvious need.

In fact, she was not sure how much she liked it or wanted it, and
setting a price in her own mind was her way to let fate resolve her
dilemma.

She is now happy that she has it.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
My travel writing: http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/

Make credence recognised that on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:25:31 GMT, "jtc"
has scripted:

I have an upcoming trip to Italy in September, 2007. Cortona, Rome and
Milan are the areas where I will be.
I have been reading the information on this board and have not seen a
discussion of when or where it may be appropriate to bargain on the
price of things.
Some friends have mentioned that it is acceptable to ask if a price is
negotiable or they have indicated that some stores have signage that
declares the prices are firm.
Could someone advise if this is something that is done as a mater of
course or is it unusual and considered rude.

It's not common to bargain in Italy, but then it won't hurt to ask!

"é trattabile?" means "Is it negotiable?", and might well just work. I
would never try it in a store though. It should be limited to one of
the many markets around where you can usually pick up a bargain. My
wardrobe is filled with bargains from markets. They belong to my wife
of course...
--
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DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
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