Originally Posted by thesaints
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.
Yes VAT is 20% on most things but "Europe Tax Free Shopping" and "Centax", who administer the program, take a commission variable depending upon the amount of the purchase and you will get between 10-15% back.
Bargaining is not very diffused, they are probably used to it but don't expect that much success (I mean in stores, not in markets or on the street of course).