Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 285 Sales Hindered

After examining it, Li Dafei was completely amazed by the quality of this bag of sugar; it was far superior to most of the sugar he had ever seen.

Before Wang Fucheng could speak, Li Dafei eagerly asked:

"How much do you plan to sell this sugar for per bag?"

After organizing his thoughts, Wang Fucheng said:

"This bag of white sugar weighs about half a pound, and I plan to sell it for four cents a bag."

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

It should be noted that the sugar currently sold by supply and marketing cooperatives is basically only 70 cents per pound, which means that Wang Fucheng's wholesale price is actually higher than the selling price of other sugar.

However, Wang Fucheng did not think his asking price was high. After all, the quality of the product was there, and it would be truly unfair to Dapeng Sugar Factory to price it the same as other white sugar.

However, given the high price, Wang Fucheng worried that Li Dafei might find it difficult to accept, so he immediately suggested a compromise:

"Director Li, I know that the price of our factory's white sugar is high, but our factory's products also have the quality that corresponds to the price."

"How about this, you put my product on the shelves for a week, at a price of 50 cents a pack. If it outsells other white sugar, then it has the right to stay."

"If it can't outsell other white sugars, then it naturally doesn't deserve to stay."

"Not only that, I'll give you all the white sugar that was sent earlier for free."

Faced with a high price, favorable terms, and Liu Guodong's influence, Li Dafei hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing.

It wasn't just because he had confidence in Dapeng Sugar Factory's products, but also because agreeing to Wang Fucheng's conditions would not cause him any loss.

After hesitating for a moment, he still advised, "Captain Wang, why don't you set the price at 45 cents?"

"If the price is reduced by five cents, the sales volume of white sugar should increase significantly."

Five cents may not seem like much, but considering current purchasing power, it can still be a key factor influencing people's choices.

Wang Fucheng shook his head slightly and rejected Li Dafei's seemingly reasonable suggestion, saying:

"If I intended to lower the price, I wouldn't sell it at such a high price."

"I will prove with facts that the white sugar from our Dapeng Sugar Factory is worth this price."

With a sigh, Li Dafei decided not to say anything more. It's hard to persuade a damn fool with kind words. He had said what he needed to say, and it was Wang Fucheng's problem if he didn't listen.

I don't know where he got his confidence from, but he actually thought that this sugar would definitely sell well.

Quality is quality, but price can often override quality.

The rest was much simpler. Soon, Wang Fucheng delivered the first batch of white sugar, a total of one hundred bags, to the shelves of the supply and marketing cooperative.

Wang Fucheng handed Li Dafei a slip of paper with the factory's phone number written on it and said with a smile:
"Director Li, if you need delivery, just call this number."

He smiled and accepted the phone number, but immediately threw it into the trash can. He felt that he would never call Wang Fucheng to ask for more goods.

……

Now that the goods are on the shelves, all that's left to do is wait and see how Dapeng Sugar performs, and whether it can surprise everyone with its strength.

However, things turned out to be somewhat unexpected. Despite having higher quality Dapeng white sugar, and with a price that matched its quality perfectly, no one bought it.

Two whole days passed, but not a single bag of Dapeng white sugar was sold at the supply and marketing cooperative. This result was a huge slap in the face for Wang Fucheng.

Wang Fucheng was so devastated by the harsh reality that he fell ill and lay helplessly in bed.

Even so, he still couldn't quite understand it, and he would mutter to himself whenever he had a spare moment:
"How is this possible? I've tasted Dapeng white sugar myself, and its quality is absolutely worthy of its flavor. Why can't it be sold?"

He had high hopes for Dapeng white sugar, but only got this result. How could he be satisfied?
Wang Yong was deeply worried, but even after racking his brains, he couldn't think of a way to solve the current predicament.

Price reduction?

If Dapeng Sugar were to lower its price to the same level as other white sugar, it could still make a profit, but its pursuit of quality would become a complete joke.

The money he invested in packaging, trademarks, and quality was laughably wasted.

Frowning, Wang Yong paced back and forth in his office, completely baffled.

In the end, he decided to visit Wang Chengpeng with a gift.

The future of Dapeng Sugar Factory is related to the future of the entire Wangjia Village, and even if he is disliked by Wang Chengpeng, he must make this trip.

Wang Yong was a frequent visitor to Wang Chengpeng's house. Even the guard dogs ignored him and turned to lie down and rest.

Upon seeing Wang Chengpeng, Wang Yong immediately cried out for help:
"Master, help! You're the only one who can save Dapeng Sugar Factory and Wangjia Village right now."

Without waiting for Wang Chengpeng to ask, he told Wang Chengpeng about the sales setbacks.

Wang Chengpeng shook his head slightly, sighed, and said:

“Since you intend to pursue a quality-oriented approach, your first choice should be a more economically prosperous place like Shanghe City, rather than Hetian Town.”

"Once we establish a reputation in Shanghe City, more people will be willing to accept Dapeng white sugar."

Wang Yong nodded obediently and said, "In fact, we had thought of this plan before, but we simply don't have the ability to deliver the goods to the Shanghe City Supply and Marketing Cooperative for sale."

"The reason why the supply and marketing cooperative in Hetian Town accepted our products was thanks to Director Liu's connections."

"I believe that Dapeng white sugar has quality that matches its price, and I also believe that people will be impressed by the quality of Dapeng white sugar after buying it."

"But the current situation is that we haven't been able to sell a single bag, so there's nothing else to say."

Wang Chengpeng put down the book in his hand and thought to himself that Wang Yong was still too young. Although he had a lot of drive, he didn't think things through completely.

The simplest example is the packaging, like the packaging of Dapeng white sugar.

How can he attract customers if he didn't even write a single advertising slogan for such a prime advertising space?

After all that, it turns out Wang Chengpeng is the one who has to clean up this mess. If he had just helped out a little in the early stages, we could have avoided this embarrassing situation.

After a moment's thought, Wang Chengpeng offered a feasible method, saying:

"If no one's buying, that's simple, just lower the price." Wang Yong really didn't understand Wang Chengpeng's words and asked with a puzzled look:

“Master, didn’t you say that Dapeng white sugar is going to take the high-end route, so we can’t lower the price?”

"Moreover, packaging equipment and such are all costs. If the price is low, our factory will have no profit."

Looking at Wang Yong with a disappointed expression, Wang Chengpeng sighed and said:
"Price reduction is necessary, but how to reduce prices is an art."

"Of course we can't directly lower the price, but we can use the launch of a new product as a pretext to temporarily offer a discounted price, adjusting the price to four cents a pack."

"Dapeng white sugar, which originally cost 50 cents a pack, is now only 40 cents! Everyone come and see, come and buy!"

"Once everyone recognizes the quality of Dapeng white sugar, the promotional period for the new product launch will be over, and it will be natural to restore the original price."

Listening to Wang Chengpeng's words, especially those highly enticing advertising slogans, Wang Yong's eyes were filled with excitement, and his gaze toward Wang Chengpeng was filled with admiration.

He always felt that Wang Chengpeng was much smarter than him. What was obviously a difficult problem was a small problem that he could easily solve.

Following Wang Chengpeng's advice, while it cannot guarantee that Dapeng white sugar will definitely dominate the market, it can open up sales channels and avoid the current embarrassing situation.

Before Wang Yong could say anything, Wang Chengpeng pointed to the empty packaging of Dapeng White Sugar and asked:
"Look here, doesn't it feel like something's missing?"

Scratching his head, Wang Yong really couldn't understand what Wang Chengpeng meant, so he could only bite the bullet and ask:
"Master, don't try to play games with me. You don't know that I've always been this dim-witted."

"Just tell me directly, and I'll do as you say. I trust that my master's instructions are definitely correct."

Wang Chengpeng suddenly felt very tired. He was just trying to find a way for Wangjia Village to develop, but he ended up getting himself involved.

Unfortunately, he has already invested so much, and now it's no use ignoring Dapeng Sugar Factory.

Thinking of this, Wang Chengpeng sighed and said, "This place is so empty, don't you think we should print something here?"

"The characteristic of our Dapeng white sugar is that it has a mellow, rich, and pure taste, and is far sweeter than other white sugars."

"One pack is better than two packs!"

"What do you think people will think after seeing Dapeng White Sugar if we add this sentence here?"

Is one pack better than two packs?

Wang Yong suddenly had a brilliant idea, as if the clouds had parted and the sun was shining through, instantly dispelling the gloom in his heart.

If he saw a bag of white sugar like this, he would definitely do a quick mental calculation.

Dapeng white sugar costs 50 cents for half a pound, which is equivalent to one dollar per pound. However, one bag is better than two bags, meaning it is actually only equivalent to 50 cents per pound.

Other types of white sugar may seem like they come in larger quantities, but they cost seven or eight cents per pound, so the choice should be quite obvious.

Even if people don't agree with the claim that one pack of Dapeng white sugar is "better than two packs", as long as the advertising slogan exists, people will always be curious.

It's not impossible that I might buy a small pack to test whether it's really that effective.

Once someone tries it, Dapeng white sugar can gain a reputation for its excellent quality and open up the market.

Even if we take a step back and add that statement, Dapeng white sugar would never have fallen to the point where it couldn't sell a single bag for several days.

After figuring out the key point, Wang Yong jumped up in surprise and showered him with praise, saying:

"Master, you are simply a genius, to have such wonderful ideas."

"Luckily, we only printed it as a trial before and only made three thousand packaging bags. We can add what you just said to the new packaging bags."

"As for the 3,000 bags of Dapeng white sugar in the old packaging, they will not go to waste. They can be used as promotional products to open up the market at a cost price of 40 cents per bag."

Wang Yong wasn't entirely stupid; he immediately applied the same logic to other situations and made use of the three thousand bags of sugar, truly making the most of everything.

The new packaging of Dapeng white sugar is also a good way to differentiate it from the old packaging, making the two-cent "price increase" more acceptable to everyone.

After all, ordinary people don't care whether you're running a promotion or not; they'll only see that you've actually raised prices.

Seeing that Wang Yong didn't even bother to drink his tea and was about to turn around to resolve the crisis lingering over the Dapeng Sugar Factory, Wang Chengpeng stopped him again and said:

"Wait a moment, I'll get you a brocade pouch."

"When you really have no other choice, open the brocade pouch and follow the instructions inside. I believe the problem will be solved quickly."

"This is also a test for you. I hope you won't need the secret formula I gave you. This would also show that you are strong enough to take control of the Dapeng Sugar Factory."

The so-called "secret pouch" was very simple—just a small, tightly tied bag. The real key was the note Wang Chengpeng had placed inside, and its contents:

"Go to Director Song Wenxin of the Shanghe City Supply and Marketing Cooperative for help. If anyone asks, just say that Wang Chengpeng sent you."

If Wang Chengpeng were to ask Song Wenxin for help, the sales problem of Dapeng white sugar would be a piece of cake, not worth mentioning, and would be solved in a way that was like a complete game of cat and mouse.

But Wang Chengpeng did not want things to have come to this point.

First, the Dapeng Sugar Factory is not in that crisis yet.

Secondly, if Wang Yong is unable to solve problems independently, it will be difficult for him to lead Dapeng Sugar Factory to go further.

Wang Chengpeng is still in Wangjia Village. If he goes to university, how will Dapeng Sugar Factory deal with itself?
Does this mean that every time they encounter a problem, they have to travel thousands of miles to seek help from Wang Chengpeng? If so, Dapeng Sugar Factory might as well just go bankrupt.

Don't say that Wang Chengpeng was able to solve the problem only with Song Wenxin's help. If he can get Song Wenxin to help him, isn't that his own ability?
If Wang Yong had the same skills, he would be able to lead Dapeng Sugar Factory to become bigger and stronger.

Thinking this, Wang Chengpeng folded the note neatly and carefully stuffed it into the brocade pouch.

Before handing the brocade pouch to Wang Yong, Wang Chengpeng solemnly instructed him:
"While this solution may solve your problem, it also undermines your abilities."

"If possible, I hope you will not use this brocade pouch."

"Of course, if things really get to the point of no return, this plan should still be used."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng waved his hand, signaling Wang Yong to leave on his own.

As time goes by, the news of the resumption of the national college entrance examination will soon be released, and it will be time to make another move, to raise the banner that belongs to him!

(End of this chapter)