outlet shopping in florence at the mall

(Florence, Italy).  Outlet shopping isn't for everyone, but I love it!  The hunt for a good deal is positively invigorating!  I admit it's usually a pain to get to the outlets as they are always inexplicably far.  In addition, it takes time and patience to carefully sort through the deals amidst the throngs of shoppers and stand in line to pay.  But at the end of the day, when I gaze upon all my purchases and count all my savings - it's totally worth it!  It's even better while traveling because I can justify my purchases even more - hey, I'm on vacation!


I only had one chance to go to the outlets on this trip to Italy and I chose to go to the Mall outside of Florence.  The drive from Greve in Chianti was about 45 minutes because we got a bit lost and had to take a slight detour.  But once we arrived, it was easy to find parking and start shopping.

The main attractions at the Mall are probably Prada* and Gucci.  I actually found the quality at Gucci a tad lacking.  The leather just didn't feel that good.  Prada, on the other hand, was amazing but the lines were crazy. They also have a odd system for shopping, as follows:

• When you enter, they give you a number.  
• Once you have decided what you want to buy, you give the number to the salesperson.  The salesperson will take all your goods to the back and give you back the piece of paper with your number.
• You stand in one of the many lines - for a long, long time.
• When it's your turn, they take your number to find your goods, which have been fully packaged and wrapped.  (Unfortunately, every single shopper wanted them to reopen each package before they paid ... argh.)

 I'm not sure why they decided on this horrible system, but it is a waste of time and also doesn't allow you much of a chance to browse since you are too worried about getting in line.  Very odd.  It doesn't help that there are busloads of asian tourists here rendering the lines almost unbearable.  Almost.... 

There are about 20+ stores.  I think my favorites were:

• Prada* - huge store, great selection, very good deals - probably 30-50% off of US prices
• Tod's/Hogan* - great selection, very good deals on bags and shoes - probably 30-40% off of US prices
• Yves Saint Laurent* - not a large selection but the quality of the items were exquisite, decent deals - but 50% off of $7000 is still $3500...
• Salvatore Ferragamo* - nice selection, good deals  
• Valentino* - small selection but beautiful items, decent deals

Other good stores included Tom Ford* and Dior*.

However, I did not enjoy Moschino which actually had items (especially shoes) that were made in China.  Who goes to Italy to buy goods made in China? 

There is a decent food court where you can grab a bite to eat.  The lines to the bathrooms however are ridiculous.  I would recommend eating at the restaurant on the 2nd level - they have another bathroom that isn't as crowded.

There is actually a Tax Refund Office on the premises.  In case you don't know, if you are not a citizen of the EU you are entitled to get part of the taxes (about 10%) that are built into the retail prices for some purchases.  Usually each purchase has to be over 150 euros, etc., for them to offer a VAT refund.  At the Mall, the Tax Refund Office will provide you the VAT refund- but only in CASH.  You are still required to get the forms stamped at customs at the airport and mail them.  If you don't return the stamped forms, they will charge your credit card for the amount of the refund plus a penalty for the cash refunds.  Tip:  Have your passport OR a copy of your passport when you shop, so you can complete your VAT refund forms at the point of sale.

While I'd like to say that this refund business goes without a hitch, in my experience it's a little bit hit or miss.  In my previous trips, I've been able to get the VAT refund relatively easily for most of my purchases, but there have been times they claimed the form wasn't complete and they would refuse to credit my credit card with the refund.  

On this trip, I received the cash refund in advance and then got all my forms stamped and put it in the mailbox at the airport.  A month after my return, they are now claiming I didn't turn in the forms so they are charging me for the refund and a penalty.  (boo!)  It's not like I can prove I mailed in the forms.  I guess a "tip" for the future is to take a picture of the forms before you put them in the mailbox but who does that???  seriously.  Anyways, it's almost pointless to try to argue with the tax authorities in Italy.  I almost suspect it's a scam of some sort.


Fortunately I loved all my purchases - with or without the VAT refund - and they are still actually good deals regardless of the lack of refund.   I'm hoping in a few months or so they will "find" my forms and credit me back.  Granted they will only credit me the refund and not the penalty, but at least it'll be something.  I'll update this blog if that happens.

(update 9/2/2014 - I noticed that I received some credits from the Global Tax Refund on my credit card.  I guess they "found" my tax forms after all.  The annoying thing is they charged my credit card for the refund plus a penalty, but when they made the adjustment credit, they didn't credit back the "penalty" (about 10%).  But some refund is better than no refund.  

I think in the future, I will just do the VAT refunds at the airport when I'm leaving Europe, instead of doing it during my trip.  I think the delay between my actual purchases and submitting the forms caused them to think that I didn't do the forms.)

*recommended