Ji Kaizhong was of medium build, wore gold-rimmed glasses, and had a refined and scholarly demeanor.
She had very dark circles under her eyes and a pale complexion, which made her look preoccupied.
Chen Zhuyu was very outgoing; while tying the goods up with rope, she asked:
"Boss Ji, does exporting mean selling domestic goods abroad? Our country's products are so cheap, while US dollars and British pounds are so expensive. Can we make a profit?"
Ji Kai remained calm and, in response to Chen Zhuyu's incessant chatter, replied patiently:
"It is precisely because our country's goods are cheap that we have a price advantage when shipping them abroad."
In Vancouver, there are also businesses that sell small commodities like buttons to overseas supermarket chains.
You earn one cent for each button, but you can make money as long as you have a large quantity.
Seeing that he was speaking somewhat absentmindedly and looking worried, Chu Yu asked him if he was unwell. If he was unwell, he could go to Quan'an Hospital for a checkup. Ji Kai refused, but this did open up a floodgate of conversation for him.
“I’m fine physically, but there’s been a business problem. We received a tablecloth order last month, and the fabric was already printed and dyed, but the overseas buyer suddenly broke the contract because he complained that our tablecloths were different from his pictures.”
This batch of fabric was made by Ji Kai using foreign machines. The production process was very meticulous. The fabric is water-resistant, heat-resistant, and not easily deformed or shrunken. It would be outstanding in any country. The customer could not find any flaws in the quality. In the end, he even said that the pattern of the fabric was different.
The patterns are all made according to the template, cut from the same mold, and the textures are indistinguishable. How could they be different?
“I prepared a lot of fabric for this order, and now the fabric is all piled up in the warehouse. The problem is that this batch of goods is made with foreigners’ perspectives, and Chinese people don’t buy it at all. I’m so worried that I can’t sleep well. I plan to go to department stores or supply and marketing cooperatives in the north to see if I can sell the fabric.”
In the early 1980s, the aesthetics of Chinese people were completely different from those abroad. If goods that could not be sold in an open port city like Vancouver could not be sold in the north, they would be even harder to sell.
"Wasn't a contract signed back then?" Chu Yu asked.
In business, contracts are essential. Contracts must be precise down to the smallest detail, and it's also important to learn how to avoid legal risks. This is Chu Yu's advice based on experience.
"No."
The reform and opening up has only been going on for a few years. Export orders have only been around for the past year or two, and Ji's experience is not enough for him to avoid risks. He doesn't have the concept of signing contracts; he's still using the same methods he used when he was in the clothing and fabric business: the other party pays a deposit, issues a receipt, and then they start cutting materials and working!
People always say that foreigners are trustworthy, right?
We thought there wouldn't be any problems, but problems did arise.
If the US dollar order is converted to local currency, he will lose tens of thousands of dollars!
He had finally managed to save up some money over the years, and now it was all gone. How could he not be anxious?
This is indeed a tricky matter. Even if a contract had been signed, there's no guarantee that the other party would fulfill it. The most urgent task is to sell the goods. If the foreign customers don't want them, we can only sell them to domestic customers.
But how much is a wooden table worth in China?
Shu Aiguo only charged 15 yuan for the integrated bookcase he made for Mr. Chen, the owner of the glass shop. If he set up a store and added some rent, he could sell it for 20 yuan at most.
The tablecloth needs to be made large; a two- or three-meter tablecloth will cost more than ten yuan, which is almost the price of the table itself.
Those who buy tablecloths are mostly housewives. Women can spend more than ten yuan on a piece of clothing, but they are rarely willing to spend more than ten yuan on a tablecloth.
In an era when even basic needs like food and clothing were not guaranteed, thrifty women would spend every penny wisely. In the eyes of most housewives, tablecloths were something that could be saved, and few people were willing to pay for a higher quality of life.
Ji Kai's batch of tablecloths is indeed not selling well.
However, Chu Yu still encouraged him:
"As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining, and Mr. Ji, you will surely overcome this crisis as well."
After chatting with her for a while, Boss Ji felt much better, and his expression was no longer as gloomy as before.
"Thank you. This is my contact information. If you ever go into the tablecloth or fabric business, feel free to contact me. I can offer you some advice."
Chu Yu smiled and accepted the business card.
As soon as Ji Kai left, Shen Zhuyu put her arm around her.
"Chu Yu, it's rare for you to come to Quan'an. Today, I'll treat you to Quan'an's most famous chicken soup! Our Quan'an chicken soup is delicious and healthy. It's especially good for women before their period."
Chu Yu and Shen Zhuyu had only met twice, and their relationship wasn't exactly solid, but Chu Yu felt very comfortable with Shen Zhuyu. They also had similar tastes. If it weren't for the guests waiting to pick up their clothes, Chu Yu would have really wanted to have a meal with her.
"Maybe next time, I have things to do when I get back."
Shen Zhuyu was a little disappointed. She didn't have many friends, but she hit it off with Chu Yu at first sight.
Chu Yu is well-informed, has a keen eye, and is open-minded. Shen Zhuyu has just come from the erotic magazine business to the clothing industry, so there are bound to be things she doesn't understand. Rather than spending money to learn from experience, she might as well ask Chu Yu for advice directly.
A meal only costs a few dollars; if you can get a few useful words out of her, then the money is well spent.
She tugged at Chu Yu's arm and acted coquettishly:
"Then remember to call me next time you go to Wenzhou or Guangzhou. Don't leave me behind."
Chu Yu agreed.
Dai Donglin gave her the car keys. This man was a clean freak; he had just cleaned the car and made it spotless, even washing the floor mats, which smelled of fresh laundry detergent.
Chu Yu guessed that he was not used to people eating in his car. He had seen him eating happily earlier and thought he didn't mind.
Chu Yu sat in his car for an hour before Dai Donglin finally arrived.
"Have you picked up the goods?"
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
