After examining the package for a while, Simon was finally convinced of its value.
Both the iPod and IDS have many details to examine, but what's frustrating is that, whether in terms of appearance or functionality, the iPod more accurately addresses user needs than Sony.
For example, five hours of battery life, hidden buttons, and a more minimalist appearance.
"Look what this is?" Mike examined the iPod's packaging.
The iPod brand is owned by a small, unknown company, but its shipping address is listed as China.
Simon searched for more product information on Amazon and, after some investigation, finally came to a conclusion.
“The manufacturer of this thing is Longteng Electronics,” Simon said, staring at the name “Longteng” with a bitter look. “Their products traveled overseas, changed their packaging, and then went online on Amazon.”
Longteng Group previously engaged in a price war with Sony and Wanjia VCD, as both sides are old rivals.
"During the VCD price war, they bribed consumers with pirated discs and quickly seized the market. We worked hard to make products, but this project was almost ruined by them."
Seeing Longteng reminded Simon of the fear he felt when he was dominated by Longteng back then.
“Chen Dong, the person in charge of Longteng, is someone who doesn’t play by the rules,” Mike said, looking at the iPod that had been dismantled into pieces. “Although Longteng has been banned from the European and American markets, they still haven’t given up and keep testing the waters.”
"This iPod is just that Longteng repackaged it, put it in a legal shell, and listed it on Amazon."
Simon is a product manager, so his focus is more on the product itself.
“Sony dominates the high-end electronics market, and the initial investment in its products is very high. If they engage in a price war with Longteng, they will definitely suffer losses,” Simon warned.
Mike stroked his mustache, a sly glint in his deep eyes. "Who said we were going to have a price war with them?"
"I can't control what's going on at the Japanese headquarters, but in our Europe and America region, it's not difficult to get Longteng under our control."
Simon didn't understand and asked, "What do you mean? Are you going to report this to the market regulators?"
He picked up the iPod and waved it in his hand. "The brand owner is a company in the Cayman Islands, and the legal representative of the company is not Chen Dong. Can the regulatory authorities do anything about it?"
Mike squinted. "It's all up to human effort."
Shortly thereafter, market regulators in North America and Europe received reports that Longteng Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. was circumventing market entry restrictions by creating offshore companies and holding cross-shareholdings.
While Longteng is far away in China, beyond their reach, the Amazon, under their supervision, is not so easily escaped.
Amazon removed iPod products from its platform within a single day.
During the pre-sale phase of the iPod, many young people in Europe and America followed the trend and ordered the MP3 player online. However, after receiving the money, the company took the product off the shelves.
Unaware of the facts, people began attacking iPod on community forums, denouncing it as a fraudulent company.
"My $399, I don't understand why I would risk buying an iPod!"
"Just buy Sony, Sony is a big company, it won't go bankrupt!"
"It's been taken off the shelves, it's really been taken off the shelves, I was only a day late."
"Give me my money back! You liar!"
Overnight, the iPod became the target of public criticism, with netizens launching attacks on iPod fans in Europe and America, accusing them of taking money from iPod to speak well of them.
As public opinion intensified, Sony became smug, believing that it had cut off Longteng's path with a single phone call, which was far more sophisticated than the previous price war.
"Headquarters issued an official letter, assigning our European and American operations office the task of brand promotion," Mike said, holding the letter with a broad smile. "This means that our European and American operations will become the focus of this project's operation."
Simon nodded. "This is a sign of the headquarters' trust in us."
“While the iPod is struggling, we must quickly seize the market,” Mike called his secretary and instructed, “Pass the word that I need to call an emergency department meeting.”
"OK."
The iPod was attacked without warning; Amazon, such a successful channel, was shut down.
Chen Dong sat in his office, his face looking very grim.
"After our product was removed from Amazon, there were a lot of angry comments on both the Longteng Electronics Forum and the Sony Forum. Some of them were clearly not iPod users, but just stirring up trouble online."
Anne had been talking to Amazon for two hours, but they wouldn't budge an inch. She was exhausted from talking so much and didn't want to say another word.
Ma Guoliang frowned. "My shell company is also on the regulatory blacklist. I had someone check it out, and it was reported by someone from Sony."
They racked their brains and finally came up with a way to circumvent the entry restrictions imposed by Europe and the United States.
I never expected that after all my efforts, I couldn't even last two months.
"Set up another company?" Ma Guoliang asked cautiously.
Chen Dong and Annie shook their heads in unison. Chen Dong explained, "This isn't a solution. We can't just change our storefront every time someone reports us."
"Besides, only by using our Longteng name can the product create a brand effect."
Sony has a long-standing feud with Longteng, and an even deeper grudge with the European and American markets. With the Freemasons entangled in their affairs, it seems unlikely that they can lift the ban on entry into Europe and America without paying huge fines.
"How have overseas netizens reacted?" Chen Dong asked Wang An.
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