“Here? When did this mall open?” Feng Yu parked his car along the roadside, attracting the stares of many people. It was not because these people recognized the brand of his car, but it was because everybody in that era envied those who could afford a car.
Feng Yu raised his head up and look at the mall. It seemed big and was a modernized integrated mall. But in this era, most of the malls were integrated malls. It was rare to see malls selling only a particular type of products.
“It is not this mall. We are going to the shop at the back.” Tian Lei alighted from the car and brought Feng Yu to a nearby street.
Gome Electronics?!
Feng Yu opened his eyes wide. There were US products in China now? That means Huang Guangyu had started his retail chain? Feng Yu had still wanted to use Wind and Rain Electronics to set up a chain of electrical appliances retail shops next year. But now, he was too late.
“Let’s go in. Why are you standing at the entrance?” Tian Lei gave Feng Yu a push. Why was he in a daze?
“Ah…… Let’s go in and take a look.”
“Welcome.”
A group of salesgirls warmly welcomed them the moment they entered the shop, and one of them walked over. The rest continued to stand at the entrance waiting for customers.
Wow, Huang Guangyu really knows about customer service!
Although the staffs at the shop did not give the customers, a “feels like home” feeling, but they do make the customers feel welcomed. Hmmm… if those salesgirls could greet in unison, “Welcome Sir……” it will feel better!
“Where are the Walkmans?”
“Please follow me. This is the counter for Walkman. If you have any questions, you can ask our counter staffs. I hope you will enjoy your time shopping here.” The salesgirl brought them to a counter and then walked back to the entrance.
Feng Yu discovered that all the staffs in this shop were smiling and it seems that they had received specialized training on customer service.
Huang Guangyu was really capable! No wonder he became a billionaire at such a young age in Feng Yu’s previous life!
“Let me take a look at that Aiwa Walkman.” Tian Lei pointed to the newest model of Aiwa Walkman.
Huh? Tian Lei wanted to buy Walkman?
“I thought you seldom listen to music?” Feng Yu asked curiously.
“I am buying for Qingqing. She can use it to learn English.” Tian Lei smiled.
Dang! This Tian Lei was willing to spend to please his girlfriend. This Walkman model was the latest model, and it was much smaller than the older models. This was the first of the super slim series. The price tag for this Walkman was equivalent to an average person’s one-month salary!
“Lao Si, come and try it. How is the sound quality?” Tian Lei passed the earphones to Feng Yu.
Feng Yu looked at Tian Lei. Do you even need high sound quality to learn English?
“The sound quality is good, but it is not considered the best. At most, it is above average. The selling point for this model is the size. It is small and could be easily carried around. The exterior casing is made from metal, and it is more durable. The minus points of this model are the lack of LCD display and use more battery.”
Feng Yu casually pointed out the pros and cons of this model. Not only Tian Lei, but even the counter staff was also shocked.
This young man was too professional. He also owns one of this model?
“Sir, your friend is right. But he did not mention one thing. This Walkman is Aiwa’s latest model, and Aiwa is the world’s largest Walkman company. There is also a 3-months warranty. If there are any problems with the Walkman within 7 days of purchase, we can do a one-for-one exchange.”
This aftersales service would attract those customers who had doubts. This was an expensive item and customers would be afraid if the product were faulty. But this was the Aiwa brand, and there should not be any problems with the quality.
“Can this be cheaper?” Tian Lei asked.
“Sir, ours is fixed price, and our prices are already lower than other shops. You can check out the other shops first. I cannot give any discount. But I can give you tow batteries as free gifts.” All purchases will come with free batteries. This was the rule set by Huang Guangyu. But coming from the counter staff, the customers will feel that they had gotten a fantastic deal.
Tian Lei looked at Feng Yu, and Feng Yu whispered to him: “This price should be the cheapest in the whole City. I know the distributor of Aiwa Walkman. If you can wait for a few days, I will help you buy this model from him. You will be able to save about 20 RMB more.”
Gome Electronics prices were already very low. It was because they ordered in large quantity from Beijing’s distributor. Although the distributor will get a cut, Gome Electronics cost was lower than others. Even if they maintain the same profit margin as others, their retail prices will still be the lowest.
Tian Lei looked at Feng Yu surprised. Feng Yu knew Aiwa’s distributor? But after some considerations, he decided not to wait. He had promised Qingqing that he will give her a Walkman tomorrow. If he waited for 2 days, he would have broken his promise.
Feng Yu had also thought of giving Tian Lei a Walkman. But if he gave Tian Lei a Walkman, he would have to give to the rest of his dormitory friends one each. Then what about the rest of his classmates?
Feng Yu decided not to give out Walkman to his friends. This was because no matter how many Walkman he gave out, someone will be unhappy and speak ill of him. Furthermore, Tian Lei’s family was considered well-to-do. He has a sister who works in Guangdong, and her job pays her highly.
Feng Yu also could not call the Beijing distributor and ask him to deliver a Walkman to him.
Tian Lei paid for the Walkman, and they left. Feng Yu turned back and looked at this shop. He thought if he should look for Huang Guangyu to see if he could invest in him.
It was time for Tai Hua Trading’s distributors to sign next year’s contract with Tai Hua Trading. Feng Yu could single out Gome Electronics and let them be one of the distributors. The rest of the distributors still have the motorcycles and vehicles contracts, so they should not be affected much. Feng Yu only needs to deal with the Beijing distributor. Gome Electronics shops were mainly located in Beijing.
Feng Yu thought that Tian Lei will leave after buying the Walkman. But Tian Lei dragged Feng Yu towards another street.
“What else do you want to buy?” Feng Yu looked at Tian Lei. Tian Lei should not have too much money left. What else does he want to buy?
“I am not buying. I just want to take a look. The weather is getting colder. I will decide if I want to buy after Lunar New Year.”
What product was Tian Lei talking about? What has it got to do with the cold weather?
Feng Yu raised his head and saw the signage — Songjiang Motorcycles Authorised Seller!
Tian Lei wants to buy motorcycles?
“Are the both of you looking for motorcycles? Come in and look. Our Songjiang Motorcycles are the bestselling motorcycles in China. Look at this exterior design. You will surely feel good when you ride it. Current, there are two models, Songjiang 1st Generation, you can also call it Songjiang 125. The other model is Songjiang 2nd Generation, also known as Songjiang 100. I will recommend you this Songjiang 100 model. The speed is only slightly slower, but it is cheaper by a few thousand.”
The shop owner starts to introduce the motorcycles when he saw customers going into the shop.
Feng Yu looked at Tian Lei and asked: “You like this brand?”
“Of course. Look at how beautiful this Songjiang Motorcycle is. I heard that the suspensions are the best in China.” Tian Lei was already drooling when he looked at those motorcycles.
“You are absolutely right! Songjiang Motorcycles’ suspensions use the technologies from the former Soviet Union. It is the most advanced suspension in the world!” The shop owner said.
Feng Yu rubbed his nose. Did Tian Lei find out about my business? How come all the product he was looking at today belongs to me?
“You sure you want to buy this brand of motorcycles?” Feng Yu asked Tian Lei again.
“I am not buying now. But I might buy one Songjiang Motorcycle before May next year. What’s wrong?”
Feng Yu moved closer to Tian Lei and said softly: “My company is selling for this brand.”
Translator’s notes: Huang Guangyu is a self-made Chinese billionaire who was jailed by the Chinese Government. You can read about him in the links below and decide for yourselves.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huang_Guangyu
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/18/huang-guangyu-gome-jailed
