Help me find an electrical chord in Shanghai
 

So here's the problem. My beloved Olympus camera won't charge over USB, and the charger that comes with it will only take a two PIN mains connection apparently called a Kepple (I really do learn something new every day). Here's an example from the Amazon UK web site:



I'm in the Putuo district, parked in a hotel room above a Line 13 stop. I think my options are:

• Friend and his wife have one (they think they might, but I've told them not to tear their house apart looking for it).
• Someone here recommends a convenient shop I can walk to (with a photo on my smartphone) and say "give me this" (or just smile and point).
• Or someone here can give me a link on Alibaba - my friends wife can order one for me.

Any takers from our assembled experts? Not a huge problem - I also have my Sony full frame camera with me (but sans flash gun, bullet proofing and world class weather sealing), so can survive.

I would go to concierge in your hotel and ask them to either a) order it online on their phones and you pay them, or b) recommend an electrical store. Ideally, get them to call the shop to explain what you're looking for. Do NOT just take a photo of what you're looking for. Instead, ask the concierge to write a note saying you are looking for the charger cable for X camera. Then take the note and the actual camera with you to the ship.

The key thing that honestly, confused me, is that it seems at first that you are just looking for a plug adapter by showing that link. But it seems you are actually looking for the charging cable thingy. I would hazard that many people when you show them that picture might think the same.

tb

My electronics market of choice these days happens to be stone's throw from Hanzhong Rd Stn, exit 1, which is on Line 13 (as well as 1 and 12). And, I know one merchant there who always does me right (I simply have her contact saved as "phone lady"). In fact, if you message me on Wechat, I could add you to a group, and she could presumably send a cable to you based on your photo. That having been said, going to Hanzhong Rd yourself wouldn't be a bad idea because it has great access to all of downtown (i.e. one of the most useful subway stations in the entire city).

Seems I've done a good job of confusing everyone :-/. Once I showed my friend the actual charging unit and said "I need a mains cable to stick in there." he took it and the batteries home and located a cable. They are now charging back at his place. Phew.