Originally Posted by frankytalia
We do have two medium sized factory outlets within 20 minutes reach; Castelli Romani on the Via Pontina (one of the exits on the G.R.A. peripherical highway) and on the highway A1 south to Napoli at exit Valmontone there's Fashion District. Tax free is available and get about 12% off the marked price (sales tax is always included to the price shown)
I thought VAT was more like 20%. You can get that refunded when leaving the country, but only for items bought at "tax-refund" stores.
Actually, you can usually bargain the final price at individually owned stores. Make up some story like you are about to leave for the airport in 1 hour and have that much cash left, which you really wouldn't like to bring back to the US. Think about 10-15% discount from tag price and, above all, act graciously. Nothing worse than giving them the impression that you think you are in a souk or something like that.