Taobao stores in 2004 were definitely a new thing, as Taobao had only been established for a year.
Any new thing, when it first appeared, would attract a group of early adopters.
Especially these internet companies, when they first launched, were accompanied by various discounts or even paid money for promotions.
In the current environment, opening a store on Taobao was quite easy.
"It's open, but I don't know how to operate it. I just registered a store, and there's nothing in it,"
Zhang Xupeng replied while playing on the computer.
"Did you register it under the company's name?"
"Yes, why?"
Tan Jincheng slapped his forehead:
"My bad for not being clear. Don't register it under the company's name, use a personal name instead."
In the early days of internet shopping, it seemed like there was no need to pay taxes, and opening a store under a company's name made the tax situation very ambiguous, with no clear way to handle it.
He vaguely remembered that the Taobao website had preferential tax policies for a long time, and opening a store under a personal name should be better.
Jinpeng Trading would dispose of the surplus stock at a low price to the Taobao store, and the Taobao store would be responsible for sales, selling as much or as little as fate allowed.
If luck was good, this Taobao store might bring some surprises.
Because there were only over two months left until Alipay officially launched at the end of the year, and after Alipay launched, the internet would usher in a major development opportunity.
"Whose ID card should we use? Yours or mine? I can just re-register one, this thing is pretty simple,"
Zhang Xupeng interrupted Tan Jincheng's thoughts.
"Let's use your mother's and my mother's. They can split the money earned evenly. From now on, this store will be like our pocket money for them."
He didn't know what the future held, but currently, it definitely wouldn't make much money, so calling it pocket money was appropriate.
"Alright, then I'll make a call and ask my mom for her ID card number."
"Okay, I'll ask too. When I go home next month, I'll just apply for a commercial registration."
With that, the two separately called their mothers.
The last time Tan Jincheng called was when he first arrived in Yangcheng, and he hadn't called since returning.
Today's internet, whether for registering social accounts or operating stores like Taobao shops, is very convenient.
Of course, this convenience refers to compliance, as the process is still quite tedious, far from the one-click registration with a mobile number in later generations.
Easily setting up the store, following the store opening guidelines, they uploaded photos and set prices step by step.
The four clothing items used photos taken for a previous brochure, without human models.
The page was quite rough, to say the least, but Tan Jincheng couldn't be bothered with it.
"Later, you can find an agency to recruit a clerk, or ask Sister Li if she knows anyone, who can help us be the Taobao store's customer service when there's nothing else to do."
"Okay, but with a price of 59 yuan, will anyone really want it? Isn't that a bit too much?"
"Too much? We offer free shipping in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, so they don't have to pay postage,"
Tan Jincheng said with a smile.
In years when the express delivery industry was not yet so developed, the concept of free shipping in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai was not yet very popular, but since later generations placed such importance on free shipping, it must have its merits.
There was an exaggerated saying in later generations that items without free shipping weren't even considered.
Tan Jincheng himself preferred to choose products with free shipping when shopping online.
Although the express delivery industry was not as developed as in later generations, and postage would be a bit more expensive, a pricing of 59 yuan would definitely be profitable.
The Taobao store was just an impromptu venture, used to dispose of surplus stock, so earning more or less was all a matter of fate.
"Too much? I think your heart is black. With an ex-factory price of less than 10 yuan and a maximum cost of 20 yuan including postage, you're selling it for 59 yuan. Isn't that too much?"
"And also, recruiting a clerk who will also help you as Taobao customer service, you're definitely acting like a capitalist."
"No, I am a people's entrepreneur,"
Tan Jincheng said seriously.
"Oh, come on. What's a suitable salary for a clerk?"
"Besides adding social insurance contributions, the rest should be at market price. Clerks are easy to recruit."
It's not a technical position, so there's no need to offer too high a salary, especially for a high-turnover profession like a clerk.
Employees can be given some preferential treatment in terms of benefits, but do not be a trailblazer in terms of salary in the same industry, unless it's for some relatively scarce positions.
"Alright, I'll go ask Sister Li first. Do you have anything to do this afternoon?"
"This afternoon, I'll go to the factory to check on Old Zhang's production progress. Oh, by the way, I won't give you that ten thousand yuan for now; I'm going home next month."
"You can use it for now, I don't really have anywhere to spend money. But you have to bring me some gifts when you go home."
"No problem, I'll buy some welcome gifts for my younger sister too."
"Just because you say it's a younger sister doesn't make it a younger sister. Are you a god or something? What if it's a younger brother?"
"It definitely is. The doctor already hinted at it, there won't be a mistake."
"Alright, alright, they weren't wrong when they called you a capitalist. You're even proactively asking for gifts from me."
With that, Zhang Xupeng went out to find Li Yanning, while Tan Jincheng continued to study the Taobao store page.
In the afternoon, the two went to Zhang Haiping's factory together.
Tan Jincheng could clearly feel that Zhang Haiping was much more enthusiastic than before.
Although he still called him
"Xiao Tan, Xiao Tan".
To be upgraded to General Manager Tan, he still needed to work harder!
Zhang Haiping was filled with emotion regarding Tan Jincheng's return.
In less than half a month, Tan Jincheng had placed orders worth 570,000 yuan with his factory.
Not only had the 80,000 yuan payment for the first batch arrived in full, but the subsequent large orders also received 50% advance payments on time.
This was the first time Zhang Haiping had encountered such a prompt-paying client.
After half a month, Zhang Haiping also realized that although Jinpeng Trading was said to be a partnership between Tan and Zhang, Tan Jincheng was actually in charge.
As for the young Zhang Xupeng, he seemed more like a logistics general manager, acting wherever Tan Jincheng pointed.
This made Zhang Haiping curious about Tan Jincheng's family background.
Although Zhang Xupeng had always said that both of them came from ordinary families, Zhang Haiping somewhat didn't believe it.
Starting a company at such a young age, having the capability to attend the Canton Fair, and paying so promptly—if there wasn't some family wealth supporting him, which family would allow their child to spend money like this?
"Xiao Tan, don't worry, we will definitely rush out your goods with guaranteed quality and quantity in half a month. You see, we are now fully focused on your goods. I've already distributed the original orders to other factories to help. If it's still not enough, I'll hire a few more people."
"That's good. The production period for this batch is quite tight. There are still other processes later, so we can't delay shipment."
"Don't worry about this. We keep our word; whatever time we say, we'll stick to it,"
Zhang Haiping promised, patting his chest.
He then added:
"Don't leave tonight with Xiao Zhang. I'll host a welcoming dinner for you."
This almost brought Tan Jincheng to tears.
It wasn't easy!
He had been here several times, and besides getting a cup of tea the very first time, that old man hadn't even offered a single cigarette.
This time, he actually proactively invited him to dinner!
(End of Chapter)
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