Can’t get a hot stamp in Rome?

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MooMooVT

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Aug 26, 2017
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I’m in Rome and Milan this week. I wanted to get my passport case hot stamped with the colosseum stamp. The sales rep looked at me like I’m crazy. She had no idea what I was talking about.

Am I missing something? Do I not know the password or secret handshake? Does anyone have any info? Heading to Milan on Monday and I’ll try again there. But I’m back in Rome after that and really wanted the Colosseum stamp to commemorate my trip.

Thanks!
 
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Maybe try to bribe them :D It is Italy afterall :D

On the serious note, did you show her a pic? I wouldn't be surprised if — again — for the holiday season, they would have hired a bunch of temps who literally have no idea about super basic stuff.
 
Maybe try to bribe them :biggrin: It is Italy afterall :biggrin:

On the serious note, did you show her a pic? I wouldn't be surprised if — again — for the holiday season, they would have hired a bunch of temps who literally have no idea about super basic stuff.
Good idea! She allegedly asked another associate but I remain unconvinced. I’ll check out the Milan store and ask them about any secret Rome handshakes 😂
 
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Update: I was able to get the Duomo stamp on a luggage tag. Galleria Vittorio practically contacted the CIA to confirm I own a product that’s allowed to purchase a luggage tag 🤣 After I was confirmed worthy, they told me they don’t have the stamp - I have to go to Via Bagutta location to get the stamp. (I bought the luggage tag at GV so I didn’t have to repeat the strip search at Via Bagutta)

That said, they refused to stamp my passport. They said they don’t stamp those because it doesn’t come out well and it’s already customized (mon mono). Not sure what that has to do with anything… That said, I can see the Duomo spires losing definition on the passport cover leather vs the Colosseum.

Anyhoo - I’ll try the Rome location again when we’re back later this week.
 

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Update: I was able to get the Duomo stamp on a luggage tag. Galleria Vittorio practically contacted the CIA to confirm I own a product that’s allowed to purchase a luggage tag 🤣 After I was confirmed worthy, they told me they don’t have the stamp - I have to go to Via Bagutta location to get the stamp. (I bought the luggage tag at GV so I didn’t have to repeat the strip search at Via Bagutta)

That said, they refused to stamp my passport. They said they don’t stamp those because it doesn’t come out well and it’s already customized (mon mono). Not sure what that has to do with anything… That said, I can see the Duomo spires losing definition on the passport cover leather vs the Colosseum.

Anyhoo - I’ll try the Rome location again when we’re back later this week.
It looks beautiful!

That is so weird that they said they don't stamp passport holders, when they clearly stamped mine. I wish I could remember which store I went to, it was last July 2022.
 
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It looks beautiful!

That is so weird that they said they don't stamp passport holders, when they clearly stamped mine. I wish I could remember which store I went to, it was last July 2022.
Thank you!

Yeah, it really felt like an excuse. And at the end she trailed off on the “it’s already customized”. I said to my husband, if I came in asking for the passport stamp only, they probably would have done it. But since I asked for both, they chose one.

I’m going to see about the FCO stamp on my passport cover when I’m at the airport then I’ll make an appointment for the next time I’ll be in Rome - get everything sorted out in advance one way or another.
 
So given my experience in Milan - the Galleria Vittorio LV didn’t have the Duomo hot stamp - the other location did… I’m starting to think the Via Condotti LV in Rome in fact doesn’t have the stamp - but one of the smaller locations will. Going to try the Via Tritone and Piazza di San Lorenzo locations and see if I can solve this mystery.

I feel like this has become a challenge I need to conquer more than I need/want the hot stamp 🤣
 
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SECOND UPDATE:

Success!! The trick is to go to the Via Tritone location.

I walked in, asked if they heat stamp at this location (it’s smaller and in a “mall” style location so I wasn’t sure). They do. Do they have the Colosseum stamp? They do! Can I get it on my passport cover? You can!

She suggested we could go up to the 6th floor cafe and walk up to the 7th floor terrace while she stamps. It was lovely! We had a spritz then collected my prize!

And I guess the moral of the story is the “main” locations don’t seem to have the city stamps. At least in Rome and Milan. I may go for an FCO stamp if I have time at the airport.

Thanks for everyone’s support during my insane quest!
 

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Update: I was able to get the Duomo stamp on a luggage tag. Galleria Vittorio practically contacted the CIA to confirm I own a product that’s allowed to purchase a luggage tag 🤣 After I was confirmed worthy, they told me they don’t have the stamp - I have to go to Via Bagutta location to get the stamp. (I bought the luggage tag at GV so I didn’t have to repeat the strip search at Via Bagutta)

That said, they refused to stamp my passport. They said they don’t stamp those because it doesn’t come out well and it’s already customized (mon mono). Not sure what that has to do with anything… That said, I can see the Duomo spires losing definition on the passport cover leather vs the Colosseum.

Anyhoo - I’ll try the Rome location again when we’re back later this week.
Do you think or know if they grill you about the tag when you bring in one with you? Or only if you want to buy one? (I know that's a no-no for mere plebs without purchase history)
 
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Do you think or know if they grill you about the tag when you bring in one with you? Or only if you want to buy one? (I know that's a no-no for mere plebs without purchase history)
Good question! I’m not really sure but I suspect no problem if you walk in with your own tag. I do have a tag I meant to take with me but I forgot it so that’s why I purchased one.
 
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SECOND UPDATE:

Success!! The trick is to go to the Via Tritone location.

I walked in, asked if they heat stamp at this location (it’s smaller and in a “mall” style location so I wasn’t sure). They do. Do they have the Colosseum stamp? They do! Can I get it on my passport cover? You can!

She suggested we could go up to the 6th floor cafe and walk up to the 7th floor terrace while she stamps. It was lovely! We had a spritz then collected my prize!

And I guess the moral of the story is the “main” locations don’t seem to have the city stamps. At least in Rome and Milan. I may go for an FCO stamp if I have time at the airport.

Thanks for everyone’s support during my insane quest!
This is one of the best Colosseum stamps I've seen. Since the paint is a little less strong on the two sides, it literally makes it look 3D. I envy you.
 
SECOND UPDATE:

Success!! The trick is to go to the Via Tritone location.

I walked in, asked if they heat stamp at this location (it’s smaller and in a “mall” style location so I wasn’t sure). They do. Do they have the Colosseum stamp? They do! Can I get it on my passport cover? You can!

She suggested we could go up to the 6th floor cafe and walk up to the 7th floor terrace while she stamps. It was lovely! We had a spritz then collected my prize!

And I guess the moral of the story is the “main” locations don’t seem to have the city stamps. At least in Rome and Milan. I may go for an FCO stamp if I have time at the airport.

Thanks for everyone’s support during my insane quest!
So glad you got it done. It looks awesome!
 
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