Shopping

Rome Shopping

About Rome Shopping

Rome shopping is part of the fun, no matter what your budget. If you're bent on buying, you're sure to find something that suits your fancy and your pocketbook. If you have something specific in mind, like Missoni or Benetton knitwear, Bruno Magli shoes, or Laura Biagiotti perfume, make a note of prices before you leave home, so you'll know whether you're getting a bargain by buying it in Italy. The best buys here are still leather goods of all kinds -- from gloves to bags to jackets -- and silk goods and knitwear. Boutique fashions may be slightly less expensive in Rome than in the United States.

Some worthy old prints and minor antiques can be found in the city's interesting little shops, and full-fledged collectors can rely on the prestigious reputations of some of Italy's top antiques dealers. Genuine Italian handicrafts aren't so easy to find in these days of Asian imports, but some shops stock pottery and handwoven textiles made in Italy . Designer perfumes, from Versace to Armani to Moschino, may be a little cheaper here, but don't buy them in the designer boutiques; instead, look for them in the large profumerie (perfume and cosmetics stores), where you may be able to get a discount simply by asking for the prezzo scontato (discount price).

Rome has few department stores. The classiest are the two Rinascente stores and the three main Coin stores. They have welcome desks, multilingual guides, and tax-free refund desks. They are open all day and may be open on Sunday, too.

Rome Shopping Tips

Opening Hours

Shops are generally open from 9 or 9:30 to early afternoon and from 3:30 or 4 to 7 or 7:30 -- or 8 in summer. There's a tendency for shops in central districts to stay open all day, and hours are becoming more flexible throughout the city. Remember that although department stores are open Sundays, many stores are not, though this is changing, too, especially in the city center. With the exception of food stores, most stores also close for Rome shopping on Monday morning from September to mid-June and Saturday afternoon from mid-June through August.

Sizing It Up

When doing your Rome shopping remember that Italian sizes are not uniform, so always try on clothing before buying, and measure gift items. Children's sizes are all over the place, and though they usually go by age, they are calibrated to Italian children. (Average size-per-age standards vary from country to country.) Check washing instruction labels on all garments (often in English as well as Italian); many are not washable, and those that are may not be preshrunk. Glove sizes are universal. In any case, remember that Italian stores generally will not give refunds and often cannot exchange goods because of limited stock.

Counterfeits

The Prada, Gucci, Fendi, and Vuitton bags sold by sidewalk vendors are fakes. An underground network organizes the illegal manufacture, distribution, and sale of these seemingly perfect counterfeits of stylish status symbols. Both manufacturers and

vendors are always one jump ahead of the police. If an incredibly good buy in a name-brand product of any kind is proposed to you, examine the goods carefully. Reliable stores sell at the prices indicated by the manufacturers -- so any enormous discount is suspect.

Duty-Free Shopping

Value-added tax (IVA) is 20% on clothing and luxury goods, but it is already included in the amount on the price tag of consumer goods. If you are not a resident of the European Union, you may be eligible, under certain conditions, for a refund of this tax on goods purchased here -- Tax-Free for Tourists VAT tax refunds are available at most large stores for purchases of more than EUR155.

Shipping

Always take your purchases with you: having them shipped home from the shop may cause major delays and grief. The mail is partly to blame; the cavalier attitude of some shop owners compounds the problem, especially if you have to correspond with them about why your package hasn't arrived. If circumstances are such that you can't take your goods with you, and if the shop seems reliable, get a written statement of what is being shipped and when and how it will be sent. It's wise when shipping to pay with a credit card.

Sales

Saldi (end-of-season sales) can mean real bargains in clothing and accessories. The main sale periods are January 6 through February and late July to mid-September. Most stores adopt a no-exchange, no-return policy for sale goods. At other times of year, a liquidazione sign indicates a close-out sale, but take a hard look at the goods; they may be bottom-of-the-barrel.