Chapter 58: The Big Order
Zhang Zhaodi anxiously asked, "Where is that big customer now?"
Chun E laughed, "Auntie, don’t worry, he can’t run away. That big customer is a traveling merchant currently staying at the inn. As long as you nod, I’ll go invite him over immediately."
"Nod, nod, of course we nod. We still need to trouble the lady boss to introduce us," Zhang Zhaodi said.
"No rush," Chun E said, "Let’s first go inside and check last time’s Silver Coin carefully."
Chun E took out a box, inside which were several Silver Ingots.
Those Silver Ingots looked exactly the same, truly delightful to behold.
Su Yaoguang had been the Champion Scholar’s wife in her past life, exhausting herself managing the household. No matter how much money she earned, Xiao Yanci managed to spend it all, leading to her obsession with Silver.
Now, looking at these complete Silver Ingots, she wished she could kiss each one and spend the rest of her life embracing them. But to avoid scaring Zhang Zhaodi, she had already restrained herself.
"It’s the first time I’ve seen such large Silver Ingots," Zhang Zhaodi said, touching the Silver Ingots over and over. "Jing’er, you touch them too."
Jiang Jing touched the Silver Ingots, smiling, and said, "Godmother, we’ll earn more Silver Ingots in the future, and you can hug them to sleep then."
"Sister Chun’e, did that big customer mention how much more goods he needs?" Su Yaoguang asked.
"He didn’t say, but the fact that he bought all the stock in one go shows he’s wealthy. He insists on meeting you; it can’t just be for ten or eight boxes of goods."
Su Yaoguang closed the box, handed it to Zhang Zhaodi, and said to Chun E, "Then please help me invite him over; let’s discuss this business deal today. If it’s successful, Sister Chun’e gets a share of the profits."
"Wait here for a while," Chun E said, "I’ll go find him now."
The mother and daughter stayed to drink tea and rest while Chun E went out to find that big customer.
Chun E didn’t close the shop, which led to more customers coming in. Su Yaoguang played the role of temporary assistant and sold quite a bit of Chun E’s remaining stock. When Chun E returned with a middle-aged man, she saw that her shop was full of customers, and those who left showed satisfied smiles, clearly pleased with today’s shopping.
"I was only away for half an hour, and you sold so many clothes for me," Chun E held Su Yaoguang’s hand, "Truly, you are my blessing, indeed a rare one."
"Sister Chun’e, you’re making me blush," Su Yaoguang said shyly.
"Boss Li, this is the young owner I mentioned who makes cosmetic items. I don’t need to introduce further; you should trust her skills by now, right?" Chun E said, turning back.
Boss Li smiled with satisfaction, "Indeed, she is impressive for her age. I’m curious, how did the young owner manage to sell so much?"
"Chun E’s goods are nice, so naturally, they’re easy to sell," said Su Yaoguang.
Chun E felt guilty.
This girl was lying without a script; it was precisely because her stock was outdated and dull that there were hardly any customers, and she almost had to close down. It wasn’t until she met Su Yaoguang and saw her skill in matching items that her business revived. She had never seen so many customers in her shop since opening.
Chun E glanced at the clothes in the store.
They were the same stock, yet in her hands, they had become treasures. Later, she had to ask for her advice; once she mastered the knack, business could truly flourish.
"Boss Li, what kind of business do you do?" Su Yaoguang asked proactively.
Boss Li stroked his short mustache, smiling, "I run a theater. Our performers need a large quantity of cosmetics. Your products sell well; I tried them myself and knew they’re good, so I want to buy more. This time, I’ll need thirty large bottles of each type; how soon can you deliver?"
"For such a large order, it’ll take twenty days," Su Yaoguang said, "Is your place far? If time is tight, we might not be able to take such a large order."
"We can take it, why not?" Zhang Zhaodi winked at Su Yaoguang, "Of course we can take it. If we hurry, we can take it on, can’t we?"
Zhang Zhaodi didn’t want a lucrative deal to slip away.
A large bottle of face cream can sell for two taels of silver, thirty bottles would be sixty taels. Eyebrow powder doesn’t sell for that much, big bottles sell for five hundred cents, which is fifteen taels. Not to mention there are three or four types of face creams, only two types of eyebrow powders have been made so far, and there are also eye powders, rouges, fragrant powders, decorative items, lipsticks, and perfumes, etc.
If Boss Li really orders thirty bottles of each type, it could sell for several hundred taels of silver. This is no ordinary big order. If we take it, with some thrift, we could live comfortably for ten years.
"Twenty days it is, I can wait," Boss Li said with a smile.
"If that’s the case, then let’s start with a deposit and write up the order. For such a large order, we’ll need quite a bit in costs; how about an eighty tael deposit? What do you think?"
"Sure," Boss Li readily agreed.
"Boss Li, you’re so straightforward. In business, people like you are our favorites. No wonder your business is flourishing; a big boss truly stands out," Zhang Zhaodi said, flattering him.
After signing the order, they escorted Boss Li out.
"Lady Boss, I really don’t know how to thank you," Zhang Zhaodi said with a smile, "You say my daughter is your blessing, but you’re our great benefactor."
"Don’t say it like that; your products are good, so even without me, you wouldn’t earn less," Chun E said, holding Su Yaoguang’s hand, "Sister, now that your affairs are settled, it’s my turn to ask for your advice. How did you attract so many customers just now? Teach me, sister."
"First of all, the goods are certainly good, there’s no falsehood in that. We matched these items together, so customers like them, and there’ll be no shortage of business. Secondly, make sure customers feel like they’re getting a good deal. For one item, it’s the original price; for two, it’s an 80% discount; for three, it’s 70%. Of course, not too low, otherwise, there won’t be any profit. Also, offer small gifts, like small handkerchiefs, small shoes, and socks... Next time, I’ll make some samples of eyebrow powder or face cream for you to use as gifts."
"That won’t do. Your items are expensive; it would be too much to give them away for free," Chun E quickly declined.
"I’m not giving them away for free. If they like using them, won’t they come back to buy more? That’s how we find new customers," Su Yaoguang said, "Business is business, and one’s intelligence is vital for success. Sister, don’t worry about me making bad deals; I can endure hardship, but not losses."
Chun E was amused by her.
"Sister, your mind is sharp; I was thinking the wrong way."
"By the way, here is a bottle of scar removal cream," Su Yaoguang took out a face cream, "You mentioned last time that your cousin’s marriage changed due to her facial scars. This is formulated for customers with scar-prone skin; let her try it out. We’ve tested it; the results are quite good. Think of this as a thank-you gift for you, sister; no charge."