This just posted in the weelòy newsletter from Buongiorno Venezia:

Do not buy from illegal street vendors. We have, in the past, warned readers that this parallel market is controlled by criminals and is fought by the local and international police and that buyers risk fines if they buy the contraband, copycat goods. Now, according to research by the Guardia di Finanza (the national police force that specialises in the regulation of businesses), we have learned that three cities in the Veneto region (Venice, Padua, and Verona) are the primary locations where street vendors -- mainly from Africa -- try to sell illegal replicas made in China.

Nan is right. Don't buy counterfeit goods from the vendors selling purses, belts, and whatnot on the street. You risk fines of up to 10,000 euro if police spot you (this applies throughout Italy).

I would advise giving them wide berth in general. There have been a couple of high-profile cases this past year in Venice of people being knocked to the ground and injured when purse sellers run away after police appear on the scene.

And last year, I had a very unpleasant encounter with a purse seller. I was walking down a busy street that was packed with people, close to Piazza San Marco. The street's walking area was essentially halved because of the long line of purse sellers, with their wares displayed on sheets. I was in a big hurry and was immensely frustrated by the crowds and purse sellers blocking the streets, and then I got stuck behind a particularly slow tour group (and not slow in a good way!). I passed between two of purse-display sheets to bypass the group, walking on "the purse sellers' side" if you will, and then back onto the "pedestrian side." I didn't disturb anyone or touch their goods. One of the purse sellers punched me in the arm and yelled at me. He didn't hit me hard, but it was really intimidating. I yelled back, but later wished I had called the police. Not that that would have done much...