Looks like I may have to go to both Mumbai and Bangelore next month to recruit staff for positions my firm is off-shoring.

I have heard that you can have hand-tailored suits and shirts made in these cities, relatively inexpensively - - - very similiar to HK.

I was hoping someone might be able to give me a lead on a tailor.

Also, what can I expect to find in terms of 'bargains' while in India. I'm not really interested in pirated/knock-offs goods but would like to get gold or silver jewelery? Small rugs? ????

Thanks in advance!

Michael

 

Mumbai...you can find alot of places for tailored shirts. issue will be pricing, they will see you as a foreigner and charge more than the locals

its relatively inexpensive though, 10-15 for tailored shirts...brand name as well

tailored suits will be under 100, depending on who you go to could be like 50-60

 

http://www.tshirthell.com/store/prod...?productid=592

 

Check out The Raymond Shop <www.raymondindia.com>...the one I usually go to is in Ernakulam (Kerala) and the taylor there, a guy named Prabhu, is fantastic. I don't know anyone specific at the Bangalore stores, and unfortunately I've never been to Mumbai (except the airport), but the store itself has an unparalleled reputation.

If you're not Indian, take a local with you. And also, take a suit which as a cut/design that you like--they will take your measurements, but to get the cut and style the way you like it, it's best if they have a sample to copy--they can duplicate anything you bring them.

I think the style in India right now is a shorter suit jacket than we Westerners are used to. I didn't bring a suit with me last time and I ended up with a couple suit jackets that I thought were too short. Still, those suits never fail to get lots of compliments.

Good luck!

~jimmy

 

^^^ EXACTLY.

Bring a suit with you and they'll copy it 100%. You'll be able to get top quality threads for next to nothing. I've purchased quite a few things there on the cheap, primarily in Pune (abt 2.5 hrs from Mumbai).

Man I'm jealous of you going to both Mumbai and Banglore. You HAVE to hit the bars out there. You'll have a blast and your money goes a loooooooong way there. YOu'll feel like a king. Plus (if you're not married) you'll hookup with some mighty fine piece there too .

Also, try to have a porter or an Indian who works for your company do the transactions solo (if you're having stuff copied). The tailors have two sets of prices for IDM and USDM .

Some more tips...WHen in Mumbai, for clothes- troll the shops on Linking Road (Shoppers Stop) and Breach Candy/Warden Rd. For gold go to the Dahder/BB area. NOte, the gold has a HEAVY color to it since it's primarily 24K, try to find the 18s or 20s.. Many people find the 24K color to be a bit too gawdy.

Sorry can't help you with Banglore.

 

Thanks for your responses.

Not being Indian, I will be sure to engage our 'local' host in both cities to help with the pricing.

I have to agree on the women, some of the most beautiful - - - unfortunatley, I don't think my wife would appreciate, so I'll just have to 'shop, but not buy'.

I am looking forward to the trip. Explore some different food and drink. Experience the culture. I'm hoping to stay an extra week and travel. A waste to go half-way around the globe and stay 3.5 days.

Michael

 

^^ Good luck, have a safe trip and have a lot of fun.

Some caveats:

-DON'T drink the water there. Make sure you only drink bottled water. I even go to the extent of brushing my teeth with bottled water. Amoebic dysentery is no fun.

-DON'T eat any of the road-side stall foods. They'll smell FANTASTIC, but fight the urge.

-DON'T eat any uncooked vegetables. (Read water advice above)

-Be sure to have a driver arranged to pick you up. Don't use the taxi guys that'll solicit you the second you get off the plane. They'll try to take advantage of you. If you don't have arranged drivers. Talk to the police for advice on finding the certified taxi stand.

-When you leave India, tip one guy to see you to the front of the line. A couple hundred rupees is a TON to them, but for you it will translate to 2-4 bucks. ($1us = 44.9Rup)

-When travelling within India, be sure to use an A/C car (there's a premium for them). Make sure the windows stay shut. Unfortunately, India suffers from severe air pollution from commercial traffic(Mumbai primarily, shouldn't be a prob in Banglore).

 

[QUOTE=kadeshpa,Mar 11 2006, 10:59 AM]^^ Good luck, have a safe trip and have a lot of fun.

Some caveats:

-DON'T drink the water there.