"This cashmere sweater is really good quality, it feels so soft and comfortable," Wang Aixiang couldn't help but praise. "Sister, it must not be cheap, right?"
Chen Lishu nodded. "This time I plan to go for a high-end route, pricing it at fifty."
Wang Aixiang gasped. "Fifty? Good heavens, just this inner velvet shirt is more expensive than an outer coat? Will it sell?"
With Wang Aixiang thinking this way, Chen Lishu could already foresee that others would have the same idea. However, the target audience this time was not the general public.
"Aixing Jie, you have a sewing machine at home. Work a little harder these two days, take some time to make two shirts, one for men and one for women, and then have them worn by the models along with the cashmere sweaters."
To sell at a good price, you need to make people feel they are getting their money's worth, and presentation is also crucial.
Wang Aixiang nodded. "Okay, I'll start working on it tonight."
Over the next two days, Wang Aixiang finished the shirts and, following Chen Lishu's instructions, styled them and displayed them on mannequins in the most prominent position of the shop window.
However, things did not go as planned. While many people inquired about the clothing, they all turned away upon hearing the price. In three days, only one item was sold, which was worse than the wool coats, of which over a dozen were sold. The shop had never encountered such a situation before. Wang Aixiang was so anxious that her lips blistered and her voice became hoarse.
Those were over a thousand cashmere sweaters, costing more than thirty thousand yuan. If they were stuck with them, it would be a complete disaster.
"Why don't we sell them at a lower price? After all, it's not a small amount. It doesn't matter if we earn less."
As soon as she spotted Chen Lishu, she eagerly recounted the shop's situation and her own thoughts.
"Aixing Jie, the price definitely cannot be lowered. Do you know that a similar garment like this would sell for at least sixty to seventy yuan in big cities? Our quality and style are not inferior to theirs. Besides, even if we lower the price, how much can we reduce it by? The cost alone is nearly thirty yuan. Those who can afford fifty and think it's worth it will buy it. If they think it's expensive and don't want to buy, they'll still find thirty yuan expensive."
"But, I've only sold one piece these past few days."
"This is only temporary. I've also been considering this issue for the past two days. I'll take two sample pieces to the Overseas Chinese Store later to try our luck."
The reason Chinese people find things expensive is due to the income levels and consumption habits of the majority. However, foreigners are different. The prerequisite for going abroad is having money, and they also pay more attention to quality.
Watching Chen Lishu leave with two cashmere sweaters, Wang Aixiang was somewhat pessimistic, as the price she had set was too high. But then she thought, if it were really sold at thirty as Chen Lishu suggested, would she herself buy it? Probably not.
Chen Lishu put the cashmere sweaters into her shoulder bag and walked to the Overseas Chinese Store. Two hostesses stood at the entrance. They were called hostesses, but in reality, they were gatekeepers. Without a remittance card or passport, one was not allowed to enter.
Chen Lishu looked around and then walked directly towards a thin middle-aged man not far away.
"Comrade, do you need a remittance card?" Zhao Xingwang, seeing Chen Lishu walking directly towards him, immediately spoke enthusiastically.
Chen Lishu took out twenty cents and handed it over. "I'll rent it for half an hour."
Zhao Xingwang's smile showed some difficulty. "Comrade, I haven't rented it at this price before. It's at least thirty cents."
"We're acquaintances, and I've used it before."
Although he had no impression of Chen Lishu at all, Zhao Xingwang's smile became even more enthusiastic. "Acquaintances naturally get a better price. Twenty cents it is. Remember to find me next time you rent a card. My name is Zhao Xingwang."
"Certainly." Chen Lishu took the card with a smile and turned to enter the Overseas Chinese Store.
With the beginning of the reform and opening up, international relations had eased considerably compared to before. As soon as Chen Lishu entered the Overseas Chinese Store, she could feel it. Not only were there more overseas Chinese, but foreigners had also noticeably increased.
Chen Lishu first went to the counter selling cashmere sweaters and inquired carefully about the price and quality. She found that the styles and quality were similar to the cashmere sweaters she had, and they were sold here for sixty to seventy yuan.
With a clear understanding, Chen Lishu began to scout for targets.
Out of the staff's sight, Chen Lishu called out to two men with blonde hair and blue eyes. She first greeted them politely in English. Hearing their English reply, she then smiled and asked, "Gentlemen, would you like a cashmere sweater? It only costs fifty yuan RMB."
The other party raised an eyebrow, their eyes showing interest. "Only fifty yuan?"
Chen Lishu nodded. "I brought a sample, I can show you." Saying this, she moved a few steps towards the staircase area, using it for cover, and took out a gray cashmere sweater.
After looking at the sample and quality, the two men nodded and indicated they would buy two.
"Turn left after you go outside, walk straight down this road, and at the second intersection, go in. About a ten-minute walk from there is a clothing store called 'Shuse'. I own it. I'll write you a note. Since you are the first international friends to visit, I will give you a five percent discount."
Chen Lishu quickly took out paper and a pen, wrote a few simple sentences for Wang Aixiang to understand, and then wrote her own name before handing it to the two men.
Hearing about the discount, the two men were very pleasantly surprised. They took the note and turned to leave the store.
Fearing that someone might notice, Chen Lishu quickly went to the second floor. She did the same thing and successfully attracted two more customers. Fortunately, she had learned Japanese as a second language, and before leaving, she successfully persuaded two Japanese people to go to the store.
"I didn't expect you to be so punctual." Zhao Xingwang had started timing himself. With two minutes left, Chen Lishu returned the remittance card as agreed.
"Do you usually work here? Can you communicate in simple terms in most languages?"
Zhao Xingwang chuckled sheepishly. "I only know a little Russian. For others, it's just simple greetings. Hello, Hey! Konnichiwa..."
Listening to his clumsy pronunciation, Chen Lishu quickly stopped him. "How much do you earn a day renting cards here?"
Zhao Xingwang immediately became alert. He had overheard her speaking a few words with two Japanese people when she came out of the Overseas Chinese Store. Knowing foreign languages was very advantageous in this line of work. If she came to compete with him, he would have no business.
Thinking this, Zhao Xingwang slapped his thigh and sighed. "Alas, I'm just earning a hard-earned living. Honestly, if I had any other prospects, I wouldn't come here to suffer. You have no idea how hard it is to do this job. It's as hot as a dog in the dog days of summer, and even more unbearable in the dead of winter..."
"Don't worry, I'm not here to steal your business." Chen Lishu saw his thoughts and smiled. "I have a way to make money. For every successful deal, I'll give you a commission of fifty cents. Do you want it?"
What? Not to steal his job, but to introduce him to work? Zhao Xingwang blinked his eyes, and after realizing what she meant, he immediately nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, what work is it?"