2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 34 Free Shipping in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai

In 2004, Taobao stores were definitely a novelty, as Taobao itself had only been established for a year.

When any new thing first appears, there will always be a group of people who dare to be the first to try it.

Especially these internet companies, when they first went online, they were accompanied by all sorts of discounts or even paid promotions.

In the current environment, opening a store on Taobao is quite easy.

"It's open, but I don't know how to set it up, so I just registered a shop there. There's nothing there yet," Zhang Xupeng replied while playing on his computer.

"Did you register it under a company name?"

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

Tan Jincheng slapped his forehead: "It's my fault for not being clear. Don't register under the company name, register under your personal name."

In the early days of online shopping, it seemed that no taxes were required. However, when opening a store under a company name, the tax implications were very unclear, and it was unclear how to handle the situation.

I vaguely remember that for a long time, Taobao had a preferential tax policy, so it was probably better to open a store under an individual's name.

Jinpeng Trading processes its surplus stock at a low price and then sells it to Taobao shops, which in turn handle the sales, with the volume of sales depending on luck.

If you're lucky, this Taobao shop might bring you some surprises.

With just over two months until Alipay's official launch at the end of the year, the internet will usher in a major development opportunity after its launch.

"Whose ID should I use? Yours or mine? I can just register a new one. It's pretty simple." Zhang Xupeng interrupted Tan Jincheng's thoughts.

“Use your mom’s and my mom’s money, and they can split the profits equally. From now on, this shop will be our allowance for them.”

I don't know what will happen in the future, but right now I definitely won't earn much money; it's more like pocket money.

"Okay, then I'll make a call and ask for my mom's ID number."

"Yes, I'll ask too. I can just go and re-register the business when I go home next month."

After saying that, the two of them called their respective mothers. Tan Jincheng had last called his mother when he first arrived in Guangzhou, and he hadn't called her since he returned.

Nowadays, the internet makes it incredibly convenient to register social media accounts or operate a business like a Taobao shop.

Of course, this convenience refers to compliance; the process is still quite cumbersome, far less convenient than the one-click registration with a mobile phone number that came with later generations.

Setting up the store was a breeze. Following the store opening guide, I uploaded photos and set prices step by step. The four clothing items used photos from when I shot the promotional brochure, without any human models.

The page was rather rough, but Tan Jincheng didn't care.

"Later, you can find another agency to hire a clerk, or ask Sister Li if she knows anyone who can help us with customer service for the Taobao store when they don't have much free time."

"Okay, but with your price of 59 yuan, do you really think anyone will want it? You're ripping people off!"

"Is it dark? We offer free shipping within the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai area, so you don't need to pay for postage," Tan Jincheng said with a smile.

In the years when the express delivery industry was not so developed, the concept of free shipping in the Yangtze River Delta region was not very popular, but the fact that free shipping is now so important must have its merits.

A rather exaggerated claim from later generations is that they wouldn't even consider anything that didn't include free shipping, and Tan Jincheng himself preferred to choose products with free shipping when shopping online.

Although the express delivery industry was not as developed as it is in later years, and postage was more expensive, the price of 59 yuan was definitely profitable.

Taobao shops are just something I set up casually to clear out leftover stock; whether I make a lot or a little is all up to fate.

"You're so greedy! I feel like your heart is black too. The factory price is less than 10 yuan, and with shipping, the cost is at most 20 yuan. You sell it for 59 yuan. Isn't that greedy?" "And what's more, you're hiring clerks who also have to act as Taobao customer service representatives. This is definitely capitalist behavior."

“No, I am a people’s entrepreneur,” Tan Jincheng said solemnly.

"Forget it, what's a reasonable salary for clerical staff?"

"Apart from adding social security contributions, let's charge the market price for everything else. Clerks are easy to hire."

It's not a technical position, so there's no need to offer a high salary, especially for a clerical job with high turnover.

You can offer employees some preferential treatment in terms of benefits, but never be the first in the industry to offer the highest salary, unless it is a relatively scarce position.

"Okay, I'll go ask Sister Li if you have anything planned for this afternoon."

"I'll go to the factory this afternoon to see how Lao Zhang's production is going; oh, by the way, I won't give you that 10,000 yuan yet, I'm going home next month."

"You can use it for now, I don't have much to spend money on, but you have to bring me some gifts home."

"No problem, I'll also buy some gifts for my sister."

"You think it's a sister just because you say so? Are you some kind of deity? What if it's a brother?"

"It's definitely true. The doctor has already hinted at it, so it can't be wrong."

"Alright, alright, calling you a capitalist is absolutely right. You're even asking for gifts from me."

After saying 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 they still call her Xiao Tan, Xiao Tan.

To become President Tan, you still need to work hard!

Zhang Haiping was deeply moved by Tan Jincheng's return visit. In less than half a month, Tan Jincheng placed an order for his factory worth 57 yuan.

Not only did the first batch of 8 yuan in payment arrive in full, but subsequent large orders also received 50% prepayment on time. This was the first time Zhang Haiping had encountered a client who paid so readily.

After half a month, Zhang Haiping realized that although Jinpeng Trading was said to be a partnership between Tan and Zhang, Tan Jincheng was actually the one in charge.

As for the young Zhang Xupeng, he was more like a logistics manager, following Tan Jincheng's instructions wherever he went.

This made Zhang Haiping curious about Tan Jincheng's family background. Although Zhang Xupeng kept saying that the two of them came from ordinary families, Zhang Haiping just couldn't believe it.

Starting a company at such a young age, having the resources to participate in the Canton Fair, and being generous with money—if one didn't have a certain family fortune to support them, who would let their child live like this?

"Don't worry, Xiao Tan, we will definitely finish your order in half a month with guaranteed quality and quantity. You see, we are working hard to produce your goods now. I have distributed the original orders to other factories to help with them. If it really doesn't work, I will hire a few more people."

"That's good. Our production schedule is quite tight this time. There are still some other processes to go through, so we can't delay the delivery."

"Don't worry about that, we keep our word, we'll do whatever it takes," Zhang Haiping assured, patting his chest.

Then he added, "Don't leave with Xiao Zhang tonight. I'll treat you to a meal to welcome you back."

This moved Tan Jincheng to tears.

It's not easy. I've come several times, and apart from the first time when I got a cup of tea, this old guy won't even give me a cigarette.

This time, he actually offered to treat me to a meal!
(End of this chapter)