Comments on Getting down to it: The Fatigue of Being Switched On

Hey Minoo! Thanks a lot for writing. that's fantas...

2010-01-29T14:53:27.212+05:30

Hey Minoo! Thanks a lot for writing. that's fantastic that I picked out my clothes from your mind! I wish more people felt that way, and I'm glad that you do :)

Anaka, I guess I ve told you this when I visited...

2010-01-29T14:31:24.820+05:30

Anaka,

I guess I ve told you this when I visited your store recently, nevertheless let me put it out here in writing again.
I have always had a picture in my mind of clothes that would suit me best and my work line. Rem? I am a Mechanical Engineer. My work requires me to shuttle between factory sites and my posh looking admin centre. I have been on the look out for comfortable, stylish and elegant clothes that befits my profession, travelling and ground work.
All this clothes hunting paid off when I finally got to know your store. Boy am i glad, for Brasstacks exists!
Its like I gave you the picture that I had in my mind!
I really appreciate the clothes,service and warmth.

Of course I do remember you! Nisha Thomas, right? ...

2010-01-19T08:08:51.775+05:30

Of course I do remember you! Nisha Thomas, right? So if you've seen worse does it mean I'm nice or not that bad compared to how bad people can get? :) Just kidding..
I'd be happy to make "Mallipoo" for you anytime. Let me know when you are visiting next and we can meet at the store.

hey Anaka, Im not sure you rem me..i was with C...

2010-01-18T18:28:45.241+05:30

hey Anaka,
Im not sure you rem me..i was with City info, Chennai about 2 yrs back and you had just opened the store and i did an interview with you... anyways..i think you are one of the most easiest and nicest persons to deal with..trust me ive seen worse:)
I was in India 2 months back and i so badly wanted 2 come visit Brass Tacks..unfortunately i was too tied up with other things and hence my 3 day trip to chennai went by in a jiffy.
i still have that image of your top 'mallipoo' in my mind. It was so so pretty. i hope that you can make it for me someday.
Good luck..love ur winter collection

Anonymous: Thank you for the lovely compliments! A...

2010-01-18T08:18:24.721+05:30

Anonymous: Thank you for the lovely compliments! Amidst all the criticism, hearing someone like you makes all the work worth it!

Anrosh: yes some customers do have my number, but very very few people misuse it. I give out my number to customers who want to coordinate with me and come to the store when I am there. Calling the store and then someone at the store calling me and then me saying I'm busy and then calling the customers, etc would be too much back and forth. I *think* one thing that happens when I am at the store, being friendly and polite, is that the distinction between store owner and friend gets blurred. I am fine with that because I have made one really good friend through the store and it's fun to meet new and interesting people. But it gets annoying when I have to asnwer calls and text messages on a holiday, for questions that they could easily ask the store (like "do you have this ivory trouser in my size at the store right now"). For some reason I don't mind emails that carry the same question because then I can just reply whenever I'm at my computer.

Sorry to make this such a long reply, but I also think that studying the culture here would show you how that personal relationship goes a long way here- something that is rarely done in the US. Here some stores send their customers gifts for Diwali, call them to wish them for New Years, and so on. It helps customers relate to you better I guess- people here don't want a strictly business shop that forgets about you the second you leave the store.

Malavika: I'm so happy you love the dress!! Thanks for your post, and if you really want to read my original post send me an email and I'll send you a copy :) I'm too scared to post it on here.

Dear Anaka, I meant to email you personally, but a...

2010-01-18T04:50:05.518+05:30

Dear Anaka,
I meant to email you personally, but after reading this particular post I thought Id just say what I have to say here.
The Epiphyte dress finally reached me over the Christmas hols after travelling halfway around the world...and boy was it worth all the trouble of emailing back and forth! Truly beautiful. Something as lovely and thoughtful as your dress would have cost me an arm and leg here. Worth every penny.
Unfortunately...it didnt fit. Put it down to lots of drinking and eating over the holidays. Needless to say I was devastated!
But...with the new year and a resolution to get the pounds off, I kept the dress out as motivation. So yesterday after 2 weeks of working out and eating carefully...I fit into it!!! Yahoo!! Now I just need someplace to wear it to.
Sorry to all the other readers for a rather long, rambling and perhaps too much information post. Just wanted to say that the clothes in Brass Tacks are unique and lovely and I cant wait to see what you do next.
Keep up the good work! And Id like to see that post about snarky customers.

Malavika

i am surprised to hear that customers have your c...

2010-01-17T23:40:29.440+05:30

i am surprised to hear that customers have your cell phone no !

i am sure that the store has a phone and they can leave their messages there and you can return the call later - won't that work?

laying some ground rules in terms of communication could really help. and it also keeps everything clear - when and what.

hey anaka....i know life could get tough sometimes...

2010-01-17T19:57:38.253+05:30

hey anaka....i know life could get tough sometimes ..but the key in us is to keep it running and challenge it saying - if the going gets tough , the tough gets going !!! i can completely emote ur state .
personally , i feel brass tracks has amazing collection of clothes ,modernised yet subtle and raw ...i love the fittings ur design offer .....hats off to young designers like u to take a step forward and share ur designs , firstly ...keep it rocking !!!! let the problems know ,you are difficult !!!