These items available in Delhi?

cutekim

I'm arriving with a friend in Delhi in December and would like to know if I can buy these things in Delhi cheaper than buying them in Canada, and if they are easy to find:

1) insect repellent with at least 35% deet
2) a long thin chain (to lock our backpacks on the train)
3) a swiss army style knife
4) cool sparkly pencils (to give to a school in Bangalore)

Thanks! Kim

shanshas

Yes you can buy all of these items in Delhi. (And in most of the smaller towns as well.)

And Yes, they should all be cheaper in India than in Canada.

cutekim

Great! Thanks for your help shanshas!
Kim

Midnite Toker

Hi Kim!

Look carefully when you buy the Swiss Army knife - some awful copies in Paharganj which look like they will fall apart after you peel one apple. Better stuff in town (one or two hardware shop in the Connaught circle).

A security chain can be bought directly outside New Delhi station (men with chains and locks draped over a board), but you should bargain hard with these guys. A lighter alternative (cheaper, too) is to buy a dog lead chain from the same hardware stores you'll find quality knives stocked.

Insect repellent and pencils can be acquired without even leaving the Main Bazaar in Paharganj.

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cutekim

Hey there MT, long time no talk!
Thanks for the tips - I'll look in hardware shops! Any idea on how much I should pay for one? Do hardware stores have set prices?
I think I'll go for a lighter and cheaper dog chain! Someone in Hyderabad told me she thinks they are Rs100 at tops (the ones in the airport she meant). Does this sound right?
I'll be sure to check out Paharganj. We're going to buy some Canadian decorated pencils/pens here at the Dollar Store, but they are really expensive so we won't get too many to give kids. We'll have to look in India for the rest.
The Canadian girl in Hyd told me she doesn't think we'll need any repellent at all, but another friend says there are "quite a few mosquitos" and your travel tips which I just read (thank you - I'm surprised to hear travel books don't talk about that stuff - that's crazy!) indicated they were bothersome so I don't want to get bit since we aren't taking malaria stuff. I'm getting a net in Bangkok since I want to have it upon arrival.
I still have a email or two of yours to respond to! Later, Kim

Look carefully when you buy the Swiss Army knife - some awful copies in Paharganj which look like they will fall apart after you peel one apple. Better stuff in town (one or two hardware shop in the Connaught circle).

A security chain can be bought directly outside New Delhi station (men with chains and locks draped over a board), but you should bargain hard with these guys. A lighter alternative (cheaper, too) is to buy a dog lead chain from the same hardware stores you'll find quality knives stocked.

Insect repellent and pencils can be acquired without even leaving the Main Bazaar in Paharganj.

Midnite Toker

I always have my trusty Forester Swarmi (Swiss Army - geddit?) knife with me when I get to India, so I wouldn't know about the price.
However, one hundred rupees sounds a bit high for a dog chain - probably about half that if you don't get something really long.

As to the bargaining, I have found most shops that offer non-tourist stuff have fixed prices. You can never be entirely sure, but after a day or two in India you'll have enough of a feel to be able to play it by ear a bit.

Repellent will be useful if you want to sit outside after dusk, or if you have a hotel or visit somewhere near standing water.
I never take malarial meds. in India, but then I suffered from a bout of vivax malaria (the most common and least dangerous form, still not so lovely) fifteen years ago, and have some resistance. [Incidentally, I got the malaria while I was in Indonesia when taking all the recommended meds.!] So yes, get the repellent and use a net - it's the best protection against the disease and the nuisance of mosquitoes. Don't forget some thin cord to string up your net.

Perhaps the children might like a hint of Canada with the pencils - a bit of wrapping paper or funky stickers from home will make your gift a bit more special...

Hear from you soon?

cutekim

Those little girls are so cute!!! Where did you get them? Thanks for the reply - we're now going to try and buy a dog chain in Bangkok cuz we forgot we'll need it for the hostel there first! Some friends of mine there can help us probably. Yah, I have 2 friends who went to different countries in Africa taking the malaria pills and both of them still got malaria!! We're bringing some twine/cord - thanks! I bought 5 of those BIG pencils with "I love Canada" all over them today with our province flags just for fun to give the kids in the families we are staying with, but stickers are a great idea! I wonder if I can buy these in India? Quite expensive here, considering how long they last! Later, Kim