Shopping Advice

Modes of advertising in India are not what we are used to. You can’t just go look in the Yellow Pages for whatever it is you are looking for. Almost all marketing is done by the referral system, especially with tourists. Their promotion costs go to the person who refers the tourist, not to print advertising, etc. You will be taken to shops, and if you buy anything, the travel agent or driver will get a cut. At first, I was opposed to this, but I have since learned it is the accepted way of business everywhere. You really can’t avoid it. You can just say no, or you can negotiate for what interests you. The best thing to do is to have a budget and buy moderately until you have seen more selection, then you will understand what is available, and its cost. Some of the best salespeople I have ever encountered are Indians. They are hard to resist. Also, it’s a good idea to tell your driver what markets you want to go to, instead of just letting him take you. You will be taken to lovely places, lovely stores, lovely merchandise well displayed, but with lovely prices. Take a look at things, but find a normal market. My advice is to do some research before you go, so you know what kind of things interest you, and which markets you can find them in. Negotiation is an absolute must. You will never get the better end of the deal with an Indian merchant, but you can always get a reasonable deal, with a little haggling.

Shopping in Kashmir

Kashmiri handcrafts are some of the best in the world.  If someone takes you to a shop, or if you go from a houseboat, you can expect to pay 20%-30% more. Whoever brings you will receive that much in commission. That is their method of doing business, but it is very expensive for the buyer if you don't know how to buy.When you are in Kashmir, be sure to call the shop first, and ask them to come get you. If you don't have a specific shop in mind, walk around the shopping districts, visit stores and price merchandise, but go alone. You will be in a far better negotiating position if they don't have to pay someone else for bringing you. Buying Kashmiri handcrafts in Goa is easier. There are many stores with Kashmiri handcrafts, in every town in Goa. The trick there is to buy from an honest and dependable dealer.  There are still "guides" that want to take you to Kashmiri shops, but you can easily go by yourself. "Guides" also receive a commission if they bring you in the store, so after you have done your shopping research for what you want to buy, always go into the shop alone. You will get the best price because of the immense competition.

Shipping Advice

These businesses deal with individual buyers, small businesses,and large businesses, and are happy to ship your purchases back to the US. They ship using carriers like DHL and Federal Express. Shipping costs is a negotiable item. I would suggest asking the business to help pay the shipping expenses. Customs in the US are usually non-existent, or cheap, depending on what and how much you send. Handcrafts are mostly customs exempt. It is better to send 2-3 small shipments that can pass for “gifts," rather than one large shipment that will surely get scrutinized by US Customs. This is based on personal experiences, sadly.

Moving Money into and around India

Traveling and doing business in India requires you to have money. Move your money into and around India, safe, easy, comfortable, and affordable. Using the ATM machine is the easiest way to get money. There are lots of these machines all over India, and most of the time, they work. You receive the best exchange rate for the day, and you don't pay a commission to someone to change money. Buying with cash will get you the best price for almost everything. Travelers' checks are almost extinct. Credit card purchases add onto the merchants' costs. Merchant faces light up when they see cash, and they are much more willing to negotiate a better price. If you need to send money to India from the US, I find it easy to use my India bank account and have the money electronically transferred from my US account into my Indian bank account. This service is free with many banks. I use HDFC Bank. Open a NRI (non- resident Indian) account with $100, or 4000 rupees, and money can be sent to accounts in all banks in India. You can also send money to your favorite Indian charity without transfer charges. Check out their website at http://www.hdfcbank.com.