Consumer goods prices

Lexicon · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:06

We will be moving to Hyderabad in mid Feb (myself and my wife) and my employer will pay for a container of "personal effects" to be shipped from the UK. What about things like toasters, kettles - small appliances. Does anybody know - would it be cheaper to buy in the UK or India? (as I am not paying for the transportation)

Also anyone got any recommendations as to the best local bank account?

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:17

Kitchen appliances are much cheaper in India than Europe. A company from Netherlands - Philips - markets the largest selling brand of toasters, juicers, blenders and the like. Some British brands are available as well.
Many foreign banks have a presence in India, located mainly in the larger cities like Hyderabad. Some reputed Indian banks include HDFC and ICICI. State Bank of India is the largest bank in India.

Lexicon · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:19

Thanks Sanjay ... that has saved a bit of space for something else in the container.

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:30

About that "best" bank bit, Citibank has a branch in Hyderabad, right near Begumpet airport.
Website: http://www.online.citibank.co.in/
Citibank is an American bank, and I'm not quite sure how popular it is in UK.

Lexicon · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:38

I haven't really come across them in the UK, but picking up on what you said about major UK banks points me in the direction of HSBC who are major in the UK and seem to be big in India as well.

Nick-H · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:41

Will they pay to ship it back again? That might be the decider!

You can set up home far cheaper in India, and probably have have change out of the shipping cost (but as you're not paying that...).

But you will probably not find those gadgets that you spent ages choosing and shopping for; you won't find the choice; and many luxury items such as LCD or plasma TVs will be much more expensive.

Watch out for the customs duty aspect though...

Nick-H · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:44

I like UTI bank.

Watch out for the nationalised banks such as the various 'State Banks...' --- they can be hives of inefficiency.

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:46

Check out: http://www.hsbc.co.in/1/2/homepage

HSBC Hyderabad branch:

Uma Plaza, Road No.1, Banjara Hills (Nagarjuna Hills), Hyderabad 500 082
Hyderabad
Andhra Pradesh
South
Tel: [91] (40) 2335 8686 Fax: [91] (40) 2335 8300

Nick-H · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:48

I think what is wanted here is a personal recommendation, not just viewing a website.

Which bank do you use, Sanjay, and are you happy with the service?

I am very happy with UTI --- so far.

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:53

HDFC, but its gotten too crowded. I have an account with UTI as well and I like it better.

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:56

Some public sector banks are not so bad as you suggest, Nick.
Punjab National and Allahabad bank are quite efficient.

Lexicon · Jan 2nd, 2007, 22:32

Indeed the personal recommenation is the best bit ... and it sounds like UTI have the vote. Any problems with the Internet banking from UTI?

By the way I apologise for mixing topics in the same thread, but yes - they will indeed pay for return shipping two years hence.

Nick-H · Jan 2nd, 2007, 23:06

The UTI internet banking is ok. Not as polished as might be found in UK, but it works, and does what is needed.

If you are prepared to keep enough in your current account (called a savings account here), you become a 'priority' customer --- and just about everything from a cash withdrawal to investment advice will be sent to your door

.

Sanjay... I was put off the state banks by an IMer who had an account at one. He went to exchange some UK pounds to Rupees and it took them three hours! The last one I had reason to visit was also very, very busy. Glad to know they're not all bad.

Actually, UTI is ultimately government-owned, but it seems to be run along a nice mix of private-sector efficiency and public-sector service.

Lexicon... another thing I forgot to mention is the toll that the Indian climate might take on your belongings. Maybe think twice before bringing the fine wooden antiques?

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 2nd, 2007, 23:09

The Business Today-KPMG Survey published in the leading Indian business magazine Business Today has named HDFC Bank "Best Bank in India" for the third consecutive year in 2005.

The Asset magazine named HDFC Bank "Best Cash Management Bank" and "Best Trade Finance Bank" in India, in 2006.

Subjective opinions may be fine, but it is solid data like this on which banks are built.
I'll stick with HDFC, even though my branch does get a little crowded these days.

Marky · Jan 2nd, 2007, 23:09

anyone know if I can pick up a Canon A640 digital camera cheaply in Delhi?

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:06	#1
Lexicon Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 26	Consumer goods prices We will be moving to Hyderabad in mid Feb (myself and my wife) and my employer will pay for a container of "personal effects" to be shipped from the UK. What about things like toasters, kettles - small appliances. Does anybody know - would it be cheaper to buy in the UK or India? (as I am not paying for the transportation) Also anyone got any recommendations as to the best local bank account?

Jan 2nd, 2007, 23:09	#15
Marky Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 98	anyone know if I can pick up a Canon A640 digital camera cheaply in Delhi? __________________ Arriving in Delhi on March 7th 2007, hopefully I won't miss too many Man Utd matches on the way to the title. Blogging my journey at: http://markledger.blogspot.com

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Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:17	#2
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,351	Kitchen appliances are much cheaper in India than Europe. A company from Netherlands - Philips - markets the largest selling brand of toasters, juicers, blenders and the like. Some British brands are available as well. Many foreign banks have a presence in India, located mainly in the larger cities like Hyderabad. Some reputed Indian banks include HDFC and ICICI. State Bank of India is the largest bank in India.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:19	#3
Lexicon Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 26	Thanks Sanjay ... that has saved a bit of space for something else in the container.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:30	#4
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,351	About that "best" bank bit, Citibank has a branch in Hyderabad, right near Begumpet airport. Website: http://www.online.citibank.co.in/ Citibank is an American bank, and I'm not quite sure how popular it is in UK.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:38	#5
Lexicon Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 26	I haven't really come across them in the UK, but picking up on what you said about major UK banks points me in the direction of HSBC who are major in the UK and seem to be big in India as well.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:41	#6
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	Will they pay to ship it back again? That might be the decider! You can set up home far cheaper in India, and probably have have change out of the shipping cost (but as you're not paying that...). But you will probably not find those gadgets that you spent ages choosing and shopping for; you won't find the choice; and many luxury items such as LCD or plasma TVs will be much more expensive. Watch out for the customs duty aspect though...

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:44	#7
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	I like UTI bank. Watch out for the nationalised banks such as the various 'State Banks...' --- they can be hives of inefficiency.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:46	#8
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,351	Check out: http://www.hsbc.co.in/1/2/homepage HSBC Hyderabad branch: Uma Plaza, Road No.1, Banjara Hills (Nagarjuna Hills), Hyderabad 500 082 Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh South Tel: [91] (40) 2335 8686 Fax: [91] (40) 2335 8300

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:48	#9
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	I think what is wanted here is a personal recommendation, not just viewing a website. Which bank do you use, Sanjay, and are you happy with the service? I am very happy with UTI --- so far.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:53	#10
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,351	HDFC, but its gotten too crowded. I have an account with UTI as well and I like it better.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 21:56	#11
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,351	Some public sector banks are not so bad as you suggest, Nick. Punjab National and Allahabad bank are quite efficient.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 22:32	#12
Lexicon Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 26	Indeed the personal recommenation is the best bit ... and it sounds like UTI have the vote. Any problems with the Internet banking from UTI? By the way I apologise for mixing topics in the same thread, but yes - they will indeed pay for return shipping two years hence.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 23:06	#13
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	The UTI internet banking is ok. Not as polished as might be found in UK, but it works, and does what is needed. If you are prepared to keep enough in your current account (called a savings account here), you become a 'priority' customer --- and just about everything from a cash withdrawal to investment advice will be sent to your door . Sanjay... I was put off the state banks by an IMer who had an account at one. He went to exchange some UK pounds to Rupees and it took them three hours! The last one I had reason to visit was also very, very busy. Glad to know they're not all bad. Actually, UTI is ultimately government-owned, but it seems to be run along a nice mix of private-sector efficiency and public-sector service. Lexicon... another thing I forgot to mention is the toll that the Indian climate might take on your belongings. Maybe think twice before bringing the fine wooden antiques?