The Signature
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Discount Shopping season begins in Italy By Alberto Lunetta
NAS Sigonella Public Affairs Attention all bargain hunters! Italy’s winter “stagione di saldi” or discount season kicked off last week! Every year in Italy, there are two government-regulated periods for such a special sale. This period will last through the end of March. The next discount season will kick off in the late summer, so it’s time to take advantage of vendite promozionali (promotional prices), sconti or saldi (discounts). Every time a new promotional campaign begins, the Italy Consumers’ Association warn shoppers against “drastically cut” prices and suggests a few golden rules to score the “best deals.” Keep these tips in mind to avoid getting ripped off! First off, be wary of any discounts higher than sixty percent from the everyday price. Consumer Associations officials warn that a small number of unfair retailers may try to sell worn or damaged items as “promotional sales.” Be sure to scrutinize the stitching and look for signs of wear if you see a deal too good to be true. As for the return policy during the discount season, defective merchandise can be exchanged or returned as usual. Always keep your scontrino (receipt) or your return could be denied. Avoid stores displaying a sign which reads: “la merce venduta non si cambia” (purchased merchandise cannot be returned) or “all sales are final.” By Italian law, you have the right to be refunded or exchange any defective clothing item within two months. With that being said, once you buy something and later you don’t like it anymore, you cannot get your
Satisfy It’s sconti (sales) time in Italy. Shoppers can find great bargains but keep in mind a few tips to avoid rip-offs. (Photo by https://www.altoadigeinnovazione.it/ )
money back just because you don’t like it anymore. Personal taste is not a legitimate reason to exchange an item. Retailers are only obligated to exchange the item only if defective. So just because you have second thoughts about that new dress or you bought the wrong pair of sneakers for your child does not mean it is an obligation for storeowners to refund or exchange. If they do refund you, realize that it is just a courtesy. If you have questions, try to ask about the store’s policy before you buy! Additionally, stores must show the initial prezzo (price) and the reduced price on tags, both in numbers and in percentage. So be sure to check that the tag has all the required information to avoid a rip-off. Check different shops to compare prices. Lastly, be aware that you can use the standard forms of payment while shopping at sales. If some stores display signs saying “non si accettano carte di credito e bancomat” (credit cards and ATM cards are not accepted) or the sales clerk tells you the same
thing regarding the sales items yet they have a card machine and usually accept it, it’s best to just walk away. While you’re in search of big bargains, make sure you keep in mind some tips suggested by all the Italian Consumer Associations to avoid rip-offs. Good luck with your Italian shopping!
Saint Sebastian Festival to be held in Acireale on JAN 20
“Evviva Sam Mastianu! Evviva lu rizzareddu, Vàddatilu quant’è beddu, li miraculi ca fa” (Long live Saint Sebastian! Long live the curly-headed, look at his beauty and the miracles he performs). This ancient prayer demonstrates that that reverence to San Sebastiano (Saint Sebastian) is deeply embedded in the religious history of Acireale, an elegant town in the Catania province. Every year, thousands of pilgrims and tourists swarms the streets of the historic center to show love and respect to their celestial patron. Despite being just the town’s compatrono (co-patron saint) along with Santa Venera, whose festival is "ITALIAN NEWS" continued on Page 13
