Chapter 290: Opposition
Chapter 290: Opposition
After Jill and her group left, with no outsiders present and only the shipyard workers remaining, Jiang Xia seized the opportunity to suggest to Factory Director Zhou that they increase the prices of the Kent ring clasps and the new ship anchors.
"The Kent rings we produce are better than those from Country D, so the price should be higher than theirs," Jiang Xia proposed.
Factory Director Zhou countered, "You get what you pay for. Good products will always find buyers. Foreign countries have advanced engines and refrigeration technology; look at how much they charge for those."
Jiang Xia responded, "I understand that the shipyard aims to win with competitive pricing, but this isn't a long-term strategy. Now that we have more advanced technology than foreign countries, this product should be priced higher than theirs. Otherwise, we'll only make foreign businessmen look down on our Kent rings and our shipbuilding skills. Our shipyard can not only compete on price but also on technology."
After their earlier discussion, Factory Director Zhou realized that the price of the Kent rings needed to be increased. He asked, "How much do you think each Kent ring should be sold for?"
Jiang Xia knew that the shipyard imported Kent rings from Country D at a cost of one thousand US dollars each, and even at that high price, they were often at the mercy of their foreign suppliers.
She replied, "I think the pricing should be situation-based. For foreign businessmen who are not ordering ships but only purchasing Kent rings, the price should not be lower than one thousand and one hundred US dollars each. Of course, during the Huizhui Conference, we can offer a discount to promote the market, for example, the original price of one thousand and one hundred US dollars each, and during the conference, it can be one thousand and seventy-eight US dollars each. For those who order ships, the Kent rings can be cheaper. As for the specific price, Factory Director Zhou can discuss it with everyone; you are more familiar with the details."
Jiang Xia glanced at the other shipyard workers.
Not lower than one thousand and one hundred US dollars each? Did Comrade Jiang Xia think these Kent rings were made of gold? One of the shipworkers couldn't help but blurt out, "One thousand and one hundred US dollars each, that's one hundred US dollars more expensive than Country D's. Those foreign businessmen come to our shipyard to order ships because they want a good deal. With such high prices, who would still buy our Kent rings? They'll definitely choose Country D's Kent rings!"
The shipyard's accountant also spoke up, "One thousand and one hundred US dollars each is too expensive. A ship of several tens of thousands of tons uses quite a few Kent rings, and if we calculate it this way, the price of a ship will be significantly higher. Everyone will choose Country D's Kent rings."
Another shipworker shook his head, "That's right, the price is too high! We have no advantage! The purpose of producing these Kent rings is to save on foreign exchange, and now that we have these rings, we can not only save on foreign exchange but also make our ships more competitive. We have the hope of securing more orders with quality products at affordable prices! If the price of the Kent rings is higher than Country D's, what advantage do we have? Everyone will choose Country D's Kent rings, and we won't even save on foreign exchange!"
"That's right! Now, when foreigners come to order ships, they specifically ask for Country D's Kent rings! We've finally made Kent rings better than Country D's, and with such a significant advantage, we can attract foreign businessmen to order ships! But if our Kent rings are priced higher than Country D's, where's the advantage?"
"I know Comrade Jiang Xia is eloquent and has managed to secure tens of millions in orders for our shipyard. But Comrade Jiang Xia doesn't work at our shipyard every day to sell ships! After the Huizhui Conference, we won't have Comrade Jiang Xia's skills. If the prices are too high, who will still come to our shipyard to order ships? So, I think the price of these Kent rings shouldn't be set too high. It's best to stick with the price we discussed earlier!"
Seeing everyone's opposition, Jiang Xia said, "I understand that affordable prices can lead to more sales, but sometimes, high prices for good products will attract more attention and even draw more people out of curiosity. That's the power of branding..."
Jiang Xia explained in detail why sometimes, the higher the price of a product, the more it attracts buyers.
The newly produced Kent rings at the shipyard were visibly superior to those from Country D, and Jiang Xia believed it was the perfect opportunity to set a higher price and establish a reputation.
Only then would people wonder why they were so expensive!
With more curious people, more would come to seek out the product, and customers would naturally follow.
Only after coming here did they realize that their Kent Ring was indeed better than D Country's!
If they make a name for themselves, more people will come, and the orders will follow!
Why do so many people desire luxury goods? If they can't afford it, they buy knock-offs? This is a mindset of yearning for fame.
Jiang Xia felt that this Kent Ring from the shipyard was the Hermes of Kent Rings.
They absolutely must not sell it cheaply; they should use a high price to attract customers.
Moreover, the shipyard currently has an advantage in welding technology, so they should seize this opportunity to make a name for themselves.
However, the shipyard has its own considerations, and seeing that everyone had a look of disagreement after Jiang Xia spoke so much, she decided to stop.
Although others disagreed, Jiang Xia's words truly resonated with Factory Director Zhou, who was in charge of the shipyard! He and his team of engineers had been working tirelessly to improve shipbuilding technology. What was the purpose of their efforts?
Their team of dozens had worked day and night to produce the Kent Ring and research welding technology. Why? They hoped that the ships of Huo Guo would be recognized worldwide for their technology, not just for their low prices.
Perhaps they were used to attracting foreign businessmen with low prices, and considering that importing Kent Rings from D Country incurred tariffs, they thought they could sell their Kent Rings at a slightly lower price.
But this was wrong! Why should such a good Kent Ring be sold so cheaply? How can a good product be cheaper than an inferior one?
Fortunately, Jiang Xia brought the first batch of customers, secured the order, and increased the price. Otherwise, they would have downgraded such a good Kent Ring!
Factory Director Zhou said, "I think Comrade Xia is right! We need to reconsider the pricing of the Kent Ring. Good things won't go unwanted! Advanced products should have advanced value. We're not just selling ships; we're selling our ships to build a reputation! If we don't seize the opportunity to make a name for ourselves when we have good technology, when will we? We can't always give people the impression that we're selling cheap goods."
Factory Director Zhou admired Jiang Xia with a glance, never expecting this young lady to have such long-term vision and such a grand perspective at her age.
Other shipyard employees: "..."
Had Factory Director Zhou been charmed by Comrade Jiang Xia?
Seeing that Factory Director Zhou had agreed, someone spoke up, "We can increase the price, but not too much!"
Factory Director Zhou shook his head. "Increasing it by a small amount is not worth it! Let's follow Jiang Xia's suggestion. For customers who only order the Kent Ring and not the ships, the price will be one hundred and ten US dollars each. For customers who order ships, it will be one thousand and seventy-eight US dollars each, and for large orders, it will also be one thousand and seventy-eight US dollars each. Any objections?"
Another deputy director of the shipyard, Deputy Director Chen, still thought it was impractical. With such a high price, even if someone bought it, there wouldn't be many.
Moreover, Jiang Xia was just a part-time translator. She should focus on translation and not interfere with the pricing of the ships.
That's a matter for the leadership! What does it have to do with her?
Both Factory Director Zhou and Deputy Director Xu valued her, but did she consider herself a leader?
Deputy Director Chen said, "I still think this price is too high and unreasonable. I'm afraid not many people will order at this price. How about this! If Comrade Jiang Xia can secure a million-dollar order for the Kent Ring at the price she suggested today, proving that the Kent Ring can be sold at a high price, then we'll keep this price! Otherwise, let's stick to the pricing we discussed earlier."
A million-dollar order for the Kent Ring?
How many Kent Rings would they need to sell?
Most importantly, the Kent Ring was famous in D Country, and Huo Guo had just started producing it. It was unlikely that many foreign businessmen would come to the Huizhui Conference to buy the Kent Ring.
It's like a vegetable seller going to a fruit market to sell ten thousand pounds of vegetables and expecting to sell them all in one day!
It's impossible to sell them all!
Other staff members said, "Sure! If we can secure a million-dollar order, it proves that our Kent Ring can be sold at a high price, and I have no objections!"
"In that case, I have no objections either!"
Everyone looked at Jiang Xia.
(End of Chapter)
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