Part 1 : Year 1991.
It was just a few weeks since I started Akshay Silvers in Saibaba colony considered to be a suburb of Coimbatore. The show room with a stylish decor and very brightly lit exteriors was an eye-catcher to the evening walkers and the veritable shopping crowd of the adjacent residential area.
That Friday, I had wanted to go out with my wife for a wedding reception. It was around 8 pm. Two lovely ladies walked in the showroom. I had not yet enrolled any helper as yet. So excited by the customer's elite outlook positioned myself behind the counter with my newly acquired "pleasing smile”
They were looking for something to gift in a wedding reception. The new simmering articles looked inviting to them. I was just learning how to weigh them on a physical balance and then calculate the price based on the day's board rate.
By the time the entire showcase was on the counter I noticed the time is 9.45. my wife was waiting at home. They had appreciated every article I showed and very liberal in giving me the complements for the ensemble.
Just then, one of their husband arrived to pick them up. The lovely ladies said it was Ashtami tithe today and that they have liked my collection, they will come back soon.
Part 2 : Year 2004
It was just now that I have made a sea change in my career. My new creations were being appreciated in the market and I was yet to overcome the whelming I got by being featured in Outlook magazine cover story.
My wife and I were giving our final folds to the newly arrived designs and were packing to leave when this lovely lady escorted by her driver entered the store. Reluctantly I welcomed her. She had plans to buy a few good dresses for her maiden travel to Singapore.
I showed her one that would look good for her age; she said the XYZ store gives her good discounts
I showed her another one; she said the ABC store always offered her 30%discounts
She asked me to show more , I did one more and she said that the EFG store would even bring and show her at home and collect payment from her office.
She asked to show more, I said I am done and that I have no interest in showing more as she would not like my collections. She said do you know who I am; I am the judge at the sales tax office. I took all the dresses in the counter and gave it to my wife to pack and put them back on the racks.
Sensing what is going on she asked me why I was clearing the desk. I said sorry ma'am I do not have the required credentials to cater to you. What would you like, tea or coffee?
She started reasoning with me while my wife was stone surprised on my reaction, but I had decided.
While I do not have any feel for the customer I chose to loose, the two ladies who actually did ragging to a 19 year old late evening became my best customers and have introduced many high profile clients that made my silver shop famous and successful.
