Shopping and buying in Italy

Prices vary between chains: Lidl, Eurospin, Penny, Aldi and Décò are economical, Conad, Coop and Carrefour mid-range, and Esselunga and organic food chains more expensive.

• Weekly markets carry fruit, vegetables, cheese and clothes at low prices, and are held on a fixed day of the week in every district, so ask where.
• For local products find them at a Mercato Contadino or Km 0.
• In small shops one greets on entering and the customer asks the seller, and in bakeries and butchers you wait your turn by taking a number.
• Put fruit and vegetables in the bag and weigh them yourself in the supermarket and stick the price label.
• And bags are paid a few cents, so bring your reusable bag.
• And compare the price per kilo (prezzo al kg), not the pack price.

Most shops accept cards and payment apps, and small shops and markets often accept cash, and some set a minimum for card payment.

• When you pay the seller must hand you a scontrino, that is a fiscal receipt, a legal obligation that the Guardia di Finanza may check, so keep it on leaving.
• For warranty and returns you need it. Prices are displayed inclusive of IVA.
• And chains offer free loyalty cards (tessera fedeltà) that give you points and discounts, so request them after checking their conditions.
• And be careful with fake 3x2 offers, and compare the previous price.
• In tourist markets bargaining may be possible but do not bargain in supermarkets and shops with fixed prices.

Official sales (saldi) are held twice a year: the winter ones start at the beginning of January (often the first Saturday after Epiphany or the first week of January), and the summer ones at the beginning of July, and each region sets the exact date.

• They last about sixty days with reductions between twenty and seventy percent.
• The shop must display the original price, the reduction and the new price.
• And your warranty rights remain fully in place on reduced goods if they have a defect, but returning because you do not like it is not legally binding unless the shop agrees.
• And other sale seasons include Black Friday in November, and offers on electronics.
• And make sure to compare prices before buying via websites and avoid impulse buying.

Under the consumer code (Codice del Consumo) goods carry a legal warranty (garanzia legale) of two years from delivery for original defects: you have the right to repair or replacement free of charge, then a price reduction or refund if that is impossible.

• You must inform the seller within two months of discovering the defect.
• In online or phone buying you have a right of recesso, that is withdrawal within fourteen days of receipt without justification, with a refund of the amount, and you may bear the return cost.
• Some goods such as perishable food and made-to-order goods are excepted.
• Keep your receipt and correspondence.
• In a dispute ask for help from consumer associations (Altroconsumo, Adiconsum and Codacons) or the European Consumer Centre (ECC Italia), and it may be settled by mediation free of charge.

Halal meat (carne halal) can be found in halal butchers and in immigrant neighbourhoods in big cities, and some big supermarkets have halal sections, and Arab, Turkish, Pakistani and Bangladeshi grocery stores provide foods from your countries.

• Read the label (etichetta) for ingredients, since some products may contain gelatine, alcohol or pork derivatives.
• And products senza glutine, biologico and vegano are common.
• Names such as prosciutto, salami, pancetta and lardo mean pork, and strutto is pig fat found in some pastries, and tiramisu and pralines may contain alcohol.
• Ask the seller or waiter.
• And do not hesitate to ask about ingredients since this is familiar and accepted.

How long is the legal warranty on goods?