“Okay, let’s sell it at your price! By the way, have you found the employees? Do you need us to provide dormitories? Have you given them any pre-employment training?” Zhao Zhenzhu asked.
“We’ve found them. They’re a few unemployed young people, three women and three men, all locals. We can let them go home to stay; we won’t provide food or lodging. How about pre-employment training? I don’t know anything about that! Isn’t it just collecting money and selling goods?” Qian Rukun scratched the back of his head and said.
Qian Rukun felt that a monthly salary of 25 was already very high.
It's just selling goods, not tiring at all.
If Zhao Zhenzhu hadn't mentioned a three-month probationary period at 25 yuan per month, followed by 30 yuan afterward, Qian Rukun would have thought that even at 20 yuan a month, plenty of people would be eager to do the job.
Qian Rukun originally thought he was fully prepared and could open for business at any time.
Zhao Zhenzhu's question made Qian Rukun feel uneasy.
“I’ve noticed that staff at state-run department stores often treat customers with a stern, impersonal attitude. Our staff can’t be like that. Customers are God; they’re the ones giving us their money. When customers ask us questions, our staff must be patient, enthusiastic, and attentive,” Zhao Zhenzhu said.
“Sister-in-law, I told those staff members that they have to smile at customers and not argue with them. Otherwise, they’ll be docked pay, and if they keep doing it, they’ll be fired,” Qian Rukun said.
Qian Rukun breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he had said something like that to some of the staff when he was setting up the goods yesterday; otherwise, if Zhao Zhenzhu had asked him about it today, Qian Rukun really wouldn't have known what to say.
“Okay, let’s open tomorrow!” Zhao Zhenzhu agreed.
The next day happened to be Sunday.
At nine o'clock in the morning, two thousand firecrackers were hung at the entrance of Hongxing Electrical Appliance Store, marking its opening.
At first, the people who entered the mall were mainly attracted by the sound of firecrackers; there weren't many.
At first, everyone entered with the intention of just browsing around.
Upon entering, everyone was stunned when a staff member told them that none of the appliances here required a ticket.
A few quick-thinking individuals rushed home to get their money.
And so, with friends and family calling out to each other, the mall was packed with people in less than an hour.
"Comrade, I need a television set."
"Comrade, I need two watches."
"Comrade, I need a tape recorder."
······
Several staff members in the mall were almost overwhelmed by the crowd.
Luckily, Qian Rukun was quick-witted. He pulled out a megaphone, climbed onto the table, and shouted, "Those buying TVs, line up here! Those buying tape recorders, line up there! And this middle line is for digital watches. Don't rush, don't panic, there's plenty of stock, everyone will be able to buy one..."
As soon as Qian Rukun spoke, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and lined up on their own.
Soon, Qian Rukun was proven wrong.
The black and white televisions that cost 520 yuan each sold out.
At this time, the television screen was black and white, and only a few channels could be received.
Zhao Zhenzhu thought that color TVs would be available in a few years. Once color TVs were available, who would still watch black and white TVs?
It's an item that will be obsolete in a few years, and it's a bit pricey.
A black and white television costs 370 yuan to purchase, but Zhao Zhenzhu and her team sell it for 520 yuan, barely achieving a gross profit margin of 40%.
Therefore, Zhao Zhenzhu only took five hundred television sets this time.
Zhao Zhenzhu originally thought that these 500 television sets should be able to sell for at least three or four months.
I didn't expect that it would be sold out in just half a day after it was put on display.
Those at the back of the line grumbled and cursed, saying Qian Rukun was unethical.
They lied to them, saying there was plenty of stock, but it sold out in less than two hours. Isn't that a lie?
Some clever customers asked Qian Rukun if they could pay a deposit first and then pick up the goods at Hongxing Electrical Appliances Store when they were in stock.
Qian Rukun could only say that he would go to the purchasing staff to ask right away and would be able to give everyone an answer later.
Zhao Zhenzhu was still a little confused when she received Qian Rukun's call.
Zhao Zhenzhu returned to Beijing yesterday.
Zhou Bingchen went home last night.
The couple, having been apart for a short time, were even more excited than newlyweds, fooling around all night until dawn before Zhao Zhenzhu finally fell asleep. When she woke up, it was already noon.
"Sister-in-law, the TVs are sold out. Customers are asking when we'll have more," Qian Rukun said.
"What did you say? The TVs are sold out?" Zhao Zhenzhu thought she had misheard.
If it weren't for the date clearly displayed on the calendar watch under her pillow, Zhao Zhenzhu would have almost thought she had slept for several days.
Five hundred television sets sold out in less than half a day?
This news shocked Zhao Zhenzhu.
"Yes! Sold out. Everyone was buying like crazy, like it was free. Sister-in-law, some customers even insisted on paying a deposit, saying they could just let us know when the goods were back in stock. Should I accept the deposit or not? When will the next batch arrive?" Qian Rukun asked.
"Wait a minute." After hanging up the phone, Zhao Zhenzhu hurriedly called Guangzhou.
It takes more than two days to travel from Beijing to Guangzhou. Zhao Zhenzhu had just returned from Guangzhou, and she really didn't want to make the trip there immediately.
It's a pity that while she has quite a few color TVs in her space, she doesn't actually have a black and white TV.
After the call connected, Zhao Zhenzhu asked Director Wen of the TV factory in Guangzhou if she could wire the payment and the factory would help ship the goods to Beijing.
Factory Director Wen readily agreed. He would ship the goods to Zhao Zhenzhu immediately upon receiving payment.
Zhao Zhenzhu was overjoyed.
She seems to have found a way to be lazy.
After replying to Qian Rukun, Zhao Zhenzhu followed the same procedure, calling several other manufacturers in Guangzhou and negotiating with them to help with the subsequent delivery.
After hanging up the phone, Zhao Zhenzhu went downstairs to find Zhou Bingchen.
Zhou Bingchen had just come out of Zhou Jin's study when he saw Zhao Zhenzhu. He asked, "Zhenzhu, are you hungry? Zhang Ma made osmanthus cakes today. Let me get you a few pieces to tide you over."
Zhao Zhenzhu rubbed her flat stomach, which was full of hunger, and nodded.
If Zhou Bingchen hadn't said anything, Zhao Zhenzhu wouldn't have realized it. But once he did, Zhao Zhenzhu felt like she had such a good appetite that she could eat a whole cow.
While Zhao Zhenzhu was eating osmanthus cake, Zhang Ma made her a bowl of sliced meat noodles. Two fried eggs were poached on top, and a small handful of bright green scallions were sprinkled on top. It looked delicious.
After the noodles were served, Zhao Zhenzhu didn't have time to say anything. She buried her head in the bowl and ate it all up.
After finishing her noodles and drinking the soup, Zhao Zhenzhu touched her slightly protruding belly and felt as if she had come back to life.
"Zhou Bingchen, come with me for a walk in the yard?" Zhao Zhenzhu said, tugging at Zhou Bingchen's sleeve.
“Okay.” Zhou Bingchen smiled.
Zhou Bingchen originally intended to have a serious talk with Zhao Zhenzhu today, and Zhao Zhenzhu's suggestion was exactly what Zhou Bingchen wanted to hear.
Zhou Jin's proposal a few days ago to establish a special forces unit has been approved by higher authorities after some discussion and research.
Zhou Jin did not conceal Zhou Bingchen's contributions.
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