After the saleswoman finished speaking, she led them to a few Jeeps and stopped them. Judging from the appearance, there were only two models. She said, "These two Jeeps are priced differently, between 20,000 and 36,000 yuan. What price range are you looking for?"
Dong Qing said, "Buying a car isn't easy. Let's buy a better one. Which model is 36,000 yuan?"
The saleswoman said, "This is the model in front of you. Why don't you get in and try it out?"
Dong Qing said, "Okay."
Dong Qing and his wife got into the car, started the engine, and drove towards the test track.
This test track is very large; it's actually four basketball courts that used to be at the school.
Dong Qing drove around twice before returning to his original spot. After getting out of the car, the saleswoman asked, "What do you think of this car? Would you like it?"
Dong Qing said, "This car is nice, but the price of 36,000 is a bit high. Can you offer a discount?"
The sales assistant said, "The price of 36,000 is set by the boss, and I have no say in it. The boss is not here. You should come back another day and talk to him in person. I really can't make this decision."
That's how it was with big-ticket items back then; the price was whatever the boss set, and the staff really had no say in the price.
“My father isn’t here, but he can negotiate with me. As long as the price difference isn’t too significant, I can make the decision.”
A girl said from behind.
After hearing this, Dong Qing felt that the voice sounded very familiar. Could it be her?
Dong Qing and his wife turned around at the same time. He hadn't misheard; the girl was indeed his high school classmate, Li Churan. Li Yuzhu and she had also met once at a coffee shop when Li Churan first met Gu Yurou, the company manager. She asked, "Churan, it's you! Does your family own this car dealership?"
Only then did Li Churan realize that it was Dong Qing and his wife.
"Oh, it's you two. You remarried yesterday and bought a car today." Li Churan paused for a moment and said, "It's my father's car dealership. Are you planning to buy this Jeep?"
Dong Qing simply replied, "Yes."
Li Churan said, "Jeeps are too low-end. We have a used luxury sedan here, would you like it?"
Dong Qing said, "I'm open to considering it as long as the car is in good condition."
Li Churan said, "Two years ago, a customer bought a Santana sedan from us. The full price was 300,000 yuan, but he only paid 150,000 yuan at the time."
His company went bankrupt at the end of last year and he was unable to pay the remaining 150,000 yuan. In early summer this year, we forcibly repossessed the car.
Used cars are hard to sell. I've been driving this car since I bought it. I used to have another car, but I don't really need it anymore. It's only just past its break-in period. If you're willing to take it, I can sell it to you.
Even though it was a used car, it was still a Santana sedan, which was many times more luxurious than a Jeep. During the toughest times of starting his business, having a used Santana was already a blessing. Dongqing said, "Okay, take me there to see it."
Li Churan led them to the backyard, opened a garage door, and inside was a red Santana sedan.
This car is almost brand new and looks very nice.
Li Churan asked Dong Qing to take the car out for a test drive. He drove it around the test track a few times, then came back, got out, and said, "This car is really good; I'll take it."
Li Churan said, "The owner of this car paid 150,000 yuan at the time and I gave him a receipt, but not a formal invoice. So the car hasn't been registered yet; it only has a temporary license plate. In other words, the car hasn't been officially sold and doesn't need to be transferred. When I issue you the invoice, I'll issue it at the original price. You just need to pay the difference."
In those days, there was no such thing as paying a down payment or taking out a loan to buy a car. You would pay a deposit first and then drive the car away. In reality, it was a private negotiation between the customer and the boss. The customer would pay the balance and then receive a formal invoice. Without a formal invoice, the car could not be registered or licensed.
However, the customer also needs to get a temporary license plate, otherwise the car cannot be driven on the road. The car dealership carries the invoice and helps the customer get a temporary license plate. Then the customer takes the invoice back and leaves it with the dealership. The invoice will be returned to the customer when the final payment is made. So the car has not been officially registered yet.
However, all the agreements have a repayment deadline and are not subject to indefinite delays. If the car owner is unable to repay the final payment by then, the car will be taken back unconditionally.
The timeframe is generally not long, usually around a year. The length of time depends on the amount of the initial payment made by the customer when picking up the car; a larger initial payment will result in a longer timeframe.
For example, if you only pay a down payment of 50,000 yuan, and the car is worn out after three to five years, who will buy the old car back if the customer has financial problems? No matter what, business people will not get themselves into trouble.
If you only pay 50,000 yuan when you pick up the car, you will have to renew the fee at least six months later. If you don't renew the fee, they will take the car back immediately.
In those days, many business transactions were conducted privately. No matter what a boss did, he would always have a backup plan for himself, otherwise he would be the one who suffered the loss in the end.
Of course, there are no rules for private transactions. The so-called rules are all negotiated between the customer and the boss. It's all about who is willing to sell and who is willing to buy.
For example, when selling cars, each car can be worth tens or hundreds of thousands of yuan. You can choose not to do business with that customer, but you can't get yourself into a trap.
The total price was 300,000 yuan, but the customer only paid 150,000 yuan. That is to say, there was still a difference of 150,000 yuan. Dong Qing could drive the car away after paying another 150,000 yuan.
He said, "Okay, I'll take this car. I'll make up the 150,000 yuan difference for you."
Li Churan said, "This is the price others are willing to pay. If you want this car, I can't make money off you. Just give me 130,000 yuan. At this price, I won't make a profit or a loss. It's just a used car; as long as I can sell it, that's fine."
Li Churan's asking price was indeed not profitable, and Dong Qing didn't argue about it. Doing business in this era is not easy, and he couldn't let her not make a penny. In the end, at Li Churan's insistence, he paid her 140,000 yuan.
Even so, this car was sold at a steal; a sedan that's just past its break-in period, you really can't find it for this price anywhere else.
He can afford a new car, but he has too many expenses and can't afford to spend money recklessly. Buying a used car might seem a bit beneath him, but it's very practical.
Before leaving, Li Churan said, "A few days ago, my grandfather asked me to go to your house to find you. Of course, it was also my father's idea, but I haven't had time to go."
My grandfather is very optimistic about your Sucun Wholesale Market project. He intends for my father to invest in your company. Would you be willing to visit my home sometime to discuss the specifics of this project with my grandfather and father?
It's not easy to easily trust someone. Dong Qing built such a large business in just over a year. Many people may not think highly of him, and many are waiting to see him fail. But people with a business mind don't think that way.
Li Churan's grandfather is 66 years old this year. He grew up doing business with his father during the Republic of China era and was a remarkable businessman at the time.
Later, he buried all the silver dollars in his backyard. Otherwise, his son Li Tao wouldn't have gotten off to such a fast start after the reform and opening up. It was all thanks to the old man's financial support and help to his son.
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