Thread: Shock in Russia!

Hi peeps, I just need to know a few details please.
It was my girlfriends daughters birthday the other week, and because I missed it I feel very bad, so I want to get something very special, I have this idea that she would love a Playstation like the ones her friends use, but I was wanting to get her the Playstation 2, but I was wanting to buy it in England so it would be a nice surprise for her...................ALSO, it will be my girlsfriends birthday next month as well, as she plays the piano (she wants one!) I obviously cant take a bloomin great piano on the plane for obvious reasons! I was thinking of buying her I nice Yamaha keyboard, I will also get her this from England as well. What I really need to know is about the power supplies in Russia, what are they and what kind of adaptors will I need to buy to connect an English plug to the Russian Mains?
Your advice will be greatly appreciated thanx all

Russia got 220V and 50 Hz, the plug looks similar to this:



As far as I remember, the plugs in England look different, you need to buy an adapter.

But, I would highly recommend to buy Yamaha in Moscow or in another big city, they should be available there. In this case you will not have any adaptors problems. And for the keyboard it would be better to buy it together with the user, she would know better what she need, I had a nice keyboard, I bought for my son on garage sale, just as a toy (he is too little), but when my friend's girlfriend, who is professional piano player tryed it, she dislike it, not enough keys.

So, just take some small souvenirs, I would advice, and buy the gifts there.

Go to a travel supply store and check out the section where they keep the transformers and plug adapters. I don't know what voltage your electronic presents run on but if they are the same as the voltage in Russia you will only need a plug adaptor. My computer and mobile phone are dual voltage but I need a transformer for my printer. I also bought a surge protector in Moscow because the electricity output can be a lot less reliable on a regular basis there. If you can't find what you need in England you will find a super warehouse of electric items and supplies at Gorbushka in Moscow.

Are you also gonna bring a TV to go with the PS2? I'm not even sure the encoding is compatible. Buy it all in Russia and save yourself the trouble of picking bits and pieces of what'll be left of them at Sheremetievo...

TV's (different encoding from America) are the same price in Moscow as they are in the US. Many electronics are comparable in price but computers and cameras are a lot more expensive in Russia. Best plan is to check the Russian prices online before you buy.

Her TV might not be compatible with the PS2 from UK. So even if PS2 is more expensive in Moscow, LM will have to buy it, since the one from UK might not work at all. At least it has to be verified in advance. I sent an Xbox game to my son in Australia, and what do you know - it was not running, so much for the Common-stupid-wealth.

Best bet then is Gorbushka. They have everything electronic at a good price.

No, the PS from Britain will be compatible with tellies in Russia.

If the TV is not ancient, should be compatible. UK uses PAL system, Russia - SECAM, but all TV older then 10 years got decoders PAL/SECAM, so that should not be a problem.

Thanks people,
I had an idea that her TV would be ok as she has just bought herself a new TV and DVD (which she sent back because it was the wrong colour....typical woman!) Actually, I was even toying on the idea of something a bit novel for her, I saw the other day on EBAY, a 'roll up' piano.............yes you read it right, a piano that rolls up and can fit into her bag..............she can have music wherever she goes! it is incredible, it has something like 128 sounds, its midi compatible...so you can plug it into the PC.........what do you think?

Who knows what your gf is going to like. My bet she'll like anything. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, isn't it the saying?

What I really want to do is get her something that will really blow her mind (in a nice way that is) any suggestions? She plays the piano, and sings, and very intelligent as well..............makes a change because many girls I have dated in the UK were bloody thick!

Then act normal, not like a sugar daddy and you'll be fine.

sugar daddy??? I am only 4 years older than her!lol and I just want to surprise her thats all, she already has a good job anyway.

Buy her a REALLY nice peice of jewelry and tickets to the opera. But the tickets alone will probably set you back more than all of the electronic toys.

luvmonsta, I can see you're not much of a luv monster if you think showering a woman with presents is a good idea. it's a bad idea. you're heading for the 'nice guy' label here, mate. take a shag merchant's advice, luvmonsta - don't splash out on women.

Originally Posted by JB

Buy her a REALLY nice peice of jewelry and tickets to the opera. But the tickets alone will probably set you back more than all of the electronic toys.

JB, as if we men have a clue what a REALLY nice piece of jewellery is.

Try this www.tiffany.com

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

luvmonsta, I can see you're not much of a luv monster if you think showering a woman with presents is a good idea. it's a bad idea. you're heading for the 'nice guy' label here, mate. take a shag merchant's advice, luvmonsta - don't splash out on women.

Why not if money is no subject?

VM is CHEAP,CHEAP,CHEAP! He thinks his elderly bum is a babe magnet