Chapter 828 Product Consultation
In order to make this product well, Guo Tao spent a lot of money to design , and also referred to some similar products currently available abroad.
As one of the first cities to be opened in modern Chinese history, Shanghai has many classic Western buildings and furniture in the old concession area. As time goes by, although these are full of traces of time, many details still retain some of the unique exquisiteness of the past.
Needless to say, if you look closely at the doors and windows of some old houses, you will find that the furniture hardware used on these doors and windows is extremely exquisite and solid. Even after nearly a hundred years, they are still amazing. Whether in terms of design or practicality, they are simply not comparable to the accessories produced and sold by some hardware factories now.
Based on these, Guo Tao developed two major series in furniture hardware. One series is the traditional furniture hardware products that are currently popular abroad, mainly featuring novel shapes, wide product applications and low prices.
The other series is the retro series, which refers to some previous high-end furniture hardware products, using the highest quality materials, such as pure copper, gold plating, silver plating and other material craftsmanship, coupled with gorgeous and simple design.
The first series focuses on sales volume and competes with domestic and foreign products in price advantage. The second series focuses on product heritage and wins with quality and design. Even if the price is lower than similar foreign products, it still has advantages in labor and materials because it is produced domestically, and the profit is much higher.
Guo Tao launched these two series after careful consideration. Judging from the current sales, the former is obviously selling well. Although the retro series has attracted many people, the sales are very unsatisfactory because of its high price.
At this trade fair, Guo Tao mainly promotes the retro series. He hopes to obtain overseas orders at the trade fair and promote this series of products .
Because it is a small enterprise, there are only three people including Guo Tao participating in the exhibition this time. Among them, Tan Li is a temporary college student working as a translator.
On the first day, Guo Tao and Xiao Zhang took the printed brochures and started to solicit customers and negotiate cooperation. After two consecutive days, they did get some orders. Unfortunately, these orders were basically for popular furniture and hardware products. Although many people looked at the retro series that Guo Tao had high hopes for, he didn't sign a single order.
"Master, I think we should adjust the exhibits? How about putting the vintage samples to the side and the trendy products in the main position?"
Seeing that the trade fair was already halfway through, Xiao Zhang couldn't help but make a suggestion to Guo Tao.
Xiao Zhang's suggestion made Guo Tao hesitate. Just as Xiao Zhang said, the retro series was the core exhibit in the exhibition area. Although it attracted many visitors, most of them just came to look. When asked about the price, most people shook their heads, thinking that the price was too expensive and not worth it at all.
Although a few people did not say it, their expressions showed the same thing. As the exhibition was halfway through, if things continued like this, not only would the retro series not get any orders, but it would also affect the sales of ordinary products.
"Let's wait for two more days and decide later..." Guo Tao thought about it but still felt unwilling. Among these products, the retro series consumed the most of his energy. Moreover, the manufacturing and production of the retro series products far exceeded ordinary products in terms of craftsmanship and materials. In particular, the materials used were quite solid. How could such a good thing be sold at a low price?
Good wine needs no bush. Guo Tao believes that good things will eventually find someone who knows them. 100 ordinary customers are not as good as one good customer. If Guo Tao just wanted to attract foreign customers by sales like ordinary manufacturers and get orders, he would not have to spend a lot of time and energy on this retro series.
Song Yuanchao and Guo Tao said that if a company's products want to be prosperous, it must have its own unique flagship product that is different from other companies, and this product must be refined and strong, and it must be something that others do not have. Only in this way can the company develop.
Guo Tao quite agrees with this argument, and it is for this reason that he chose the retro series. But now the facts make Guo Tao a little confused, and he begins to wonder if he made a wrong decision?
Another day passed, and the regular products received three more orders on this day. Although the order amount was not large, it was still good for Guo Tao's small factory. Unfortunately, there was still no progress in the retro series products. From the beginning to now, it has been a complete failure.
There is still half an hour before the closing time today. The flow of people in the exhibition area has decreased a lot. Most of the foreign businessmen who came to visit the exhibition have already left. Except for a few foreign businessmen who are rushing to negotiate and sign contracts, the exhibition area no longer allows any more businessmen to enter.
"Get ready, we'll close the stall later." Guo Tao sighed, picked up the Nestle coffee bottle filled with tea in front of him, took a sip of tea, and screwed the lid on.
Xiao Zhang responded and began to organize the information and samples in the exhibition area. However, Tan Li still stood there without moving. She felt that since Guo Tao had paid to hire her, she had to abide by the working hours. Now it was not closing time yet, so it would not be too late to organize things after the time came.
Guo Tao nodded slightly, feeling very satisfied with this girl. Since she was hired as a translator, Tan Li has been performing very well from before the exhibition until now. Although Tan Li was a little unfamiliar and shy when communicating with foreign businessmen at the beginning, she made rapid progress. In less than half a day, she overcame her psychological problems and became proactive.
Moreover, Tan Li's English is very good. Although she is only a sophomore, her fluent English has helped Guo Tao a lot. Tan Li has been learning and improving at work these days. She didn't know much about some professional vocabulary at first, but she has a strong learning ability. With the help of a dictionary and communication with customers, she quickly mastered these professional vocabulary and now has no problem at work.
"Miss, can you give me a copy of your product information?" At this moment, a fifty-year-old foreign man with gray hair came to Guo Tao's exhibition area. His eyes stayed on the exhibits in their exhibition area, and then he asked Tan Li with a smile.
"Of course no problem." Tan Li smiled and nodded, handed the prepared materials and manuals to the other party, and took the initiative to explain to the other party.
Tan Li has been doing this kind of work these days, and now she is already familiar with it. Listening to Tan Li's introduction and carefully looking at the information and manuals in his hands, the old man nodded slightly, and then asked Tan Li a question.
Tan Li was stunned, and looked at Guo Tao who was not far away, then said to the old man: "Sir, please wait a moment, I will ask my boss to communicate with you, okay?"
"Of course!" The old man shrugged and gestured.
Tan Li asked the old man to sit down first, then poured him a glass of water. Then she trotted to Guo Tao and whispered something to him.
Guo Tao was stunned at first, then he stood up and looked at the old man who was sitting not far away and looking at the documents.
"Are you telling the truth?"
"Yes, this gentleman said that he is very interested in our retro series and wants to discuss the order with us." Tan Li replied quickly.
A hint of joy appeared on Guo Tao's face. Guo Tao hurriedly took Tan Li towards the other party. When he got close, he took the initiative to greet the old man.
"Hello sir, this is Mr. Guo Tao, the general manager of our company."
Tan Li introduced Guo Tao's identity to the old man. Guo Tao took out his business card and handed it to him with both hands, while asking the other party what his name was.
"Kirk, Wilbert Kirk." Kirk replied with a smile, took Guo Tao's business card, took a look at it, then took out an exquisite metal business card holder from his pocket, took out a business card from it and gave it to Guo Tao.
Guo Tao took the business card. It was very plain, without any fancy things on it. There was only a company abbreviation and Wilbert Koch's name. Guo Tao was not good at English, and even if he knew English, he could not tell what company the abbreviation represented.
After getting to know each other, Kok asked directly about Guo Tao's company's retro series products and asked some professional questions. After listening to Tan Li's translation, Guo Tao began to introduce their products to Kok, and at Kok's request, he took out a few exhibits for him to see.
Kirk picked up the exhibit and looked at it carefully. After examining it inside and out for a long time, he asked Guo Tao a question.
"Mr. Cork asked if these exhibits could be sold to him?" Tan Li said to Guo Tao.
Guo Tao was stunned and looked at Ke Ke with an inquiring look. Ke Ke smiled and explained. Tan Li, the translator, told Guo Tao that Ke Ke wanted to test their product after buying it to see if it was as described in the introduction. Of course, Guo Tao could refuse. But if Guo Tao agreed, he would be very grateful.
Guo Tao thought about it and did not refuse, and directly quoted the prices of several exhibits to Cork. After listening, Cork said OK, and then readily took out the money to buy them.
Kirk stood up and shook hands with Guo Tao, then said with a smile that that was it for today. He would have someone test their product as soon as possible. If the test was satisfactory, he would visit Guo Tao again to discuss the details.
Guo Tao expressed his understanding, and then politely sent the old man Kok away. After Kok left, Xiao Zhang at the side could not help but say, "Master, is this foreigner here to take advantage? Looking for an excuse to buy a few samples? It seems weird no matter how you look at it. We don't have many samples. If one is missing, there will be none left. If there are more people like this, what will we put on the booth in the next few days?"
Guo Tao waved his hand and said disapprovingly: "It's okay. Anyway, we haven't received any orders for the retro series so far. Didn't you say before that you wanted to adjust the proportion of the exhibits on the booth? It's not a loss to sell a few samples now. What if the other party really has some intentions later?"
"That's not necessarily true. Who can say for sure? I think this foreigner is here to take advantage ." Xiao Zhang still doubted the other party's purpose and shook his head.
Guo Tao smiled and did not argue with him anymore. It was already closing time for the day. Guo Tao asked Xiao Zhang and Tan Li to pack up their things, and then left the exhibition area together.
