How to Shop in Venice - Venice: A Travel Guide to Murano Glass, Carnival Masks, Gondolas, Lace, Paper and More - page 10

When buying handmade, traditional wares, price and quality do not always correlate. In
other words, a high price does not necessarily mean high quality, and a low price does not
necessarily mean that the item is less valuable. Value depends on what you buy and from
whom, and this is especially true in a tourist-filled city like Venice. The high-traffic tourist
streets command high prices for everything, no matter what the quality. Pay attention to
your surroundings; if most of the shops on the street cater to international tourists, your risk
of overpaying for a lower-quality item is high. Instead, head to the quieter, less frequented
artisan quarters of town like Dorsoduro and San Polo, known for their authentic makers but
not for major tourist attractions.