Chapter 60 Breaking the Norms

At eight in the morning, Wang Ye arrived at YunTai City in a 212 jeep.

Arriving at the unloading area behind the department store, Wang Ye saw the machinery factory's large truck parked there, with a group of young people busy unloading. Many curious salespersons who had not yet started work were looking on.

"Hurry up, it's already eight o'clock!"

"After unloading, the director will take you guys out for a good meal!"

Hearing Wang Ye's voice, the young people unloading from the truck paid no attention, smiling and saying:

"Brother Ye, this morning you told us to take it slow, now why the rush?"

"We're just being careful now, aren't we? Slow and steady wins the race!"

The young men unloading chuckled, and some even looked at Wang Ye with anticipation, asking:

"Brother Ye, what are we having for lunch? You said you'd treat us to something nice."

"This morning my mom made me salty fish sandwiches, I couldn't even eat until I was full!"

This comment sparked another round of laughter, and Wang Ye couldn't help but roll his eyes and say:

"It's all set, we're going to Fu Shun Restaurant today."

"We're having a feast, I'll foot the bill, you guys just bring your food coupons!"

"Pork trotters, spare ribs, braised pork, pig's head meat, meatballs, big bones, we're going all out today, eat to your heart's content, I guarantee you'll be sweating oil tomorrow!"

"Damn! You're making me hungry!"

Hearing Wang Ye's words, laughter erupted again at the scene, and Wang Ye waved his hand, saying:

"Alright, get moving, but be safe!"

"After unloading, if you're hungry, go have breakfast. I'll go check out our booth!"

Then Wang Ye walked into the department store and headed towards the booth arranged by Director Li.

The department store, also known as the State-owned Red Flag Department Store, was currently the largest sales venue in YunTai City. It occupied a considerable area with four floors in total. The location allocated to the machinery factory was not far from the entrance on the first floor, which was considered a prime spot.

"Fifty square meters, just right!"

Seeing the busy scene at the booth, Wang Ye couldn't help but sigh inwardly. In this era, there was a shortage of everything, except space.

"Brother Ye! Director! You're here? Take a look and see if it's okay!"

As soon as Wang Ye arrived near the booth, the busy employees from the manufacturing factory greeted him, calling him Brother Ye. They were all young people, and in less formal situations, they liked to call the factory director, who was only a few years older than themselves and sometimes even younger, Brother Ye, which made them feel closer. Calling him director was mostly done by middle-aged women.

Standing in front of the booth, Wang Ye looked around.

The booth was surrounded by half-height counters on one side and two-meter-high shelves enclosing the entire space on the other side. However, the shelves were used to display other goods, and the compartments were only about forty to fifty centimeters high, too small to fit electric fans. Therefore, electric fans and washing machines could only be placed in front of the shelves.

Overall, it was quite standard, not much different from other booths.

"How's it? Brother Ye? Looks good, right?"

"It's basically all set up, just waiting to start selling tomorrow."

"And in just this short time, several people have already come to inquire!"

"They said our electric fans look beautiful! Haha!"

At this moment, Li Baojun, who appeared out of nowhere, smiled and said so, waiting for Wang Ye's praise. Unexpectedly, Wang Ye shook his head and said:

"No good."

As soon as these words came out, everyone present was stunned. They didn't know what was wrong!

Li Baojun's smile froze, and he even glanced to the side. The layout of the other booths was basically the same, and the booth on the manufacturing side was even tidier!

"What's wrong? Director? If it's not good, we'll change it! There's still time, it won't delay sales tomorrow!"

Li Baojun was like this. Although he didn't know what was wrong, if Wang Ye said there was a problem, then there must be a problem. In his opinion, the director must be smarter and more knowledgeable than himself, so he quickly asked in such a serious manner.

Hearing Li Baojun's words, Wang Ye couldn't help but sigh. Actually, there was nothing wrong with the current arrangement of the booth. After all, in this era, everyone did things like this.

Enclosing the booth with counters, placing goods on shelves, and if a customer inquired, reluctantly say a few words. If a customer wanted to take a closer look, for expensive and sought-after items like electric fans, it was simply impossible!

Only when the money and coupons were handed over would they reluctantly take the goods to the counter.

Nowadays, in 1982, except for the earliest opened areas in the south, the vast majority of places in the country were like this!

But for Wang Ye, this was unacceptable!

And the salespeople in the department store could do this, anyway, they had iron rice bowls and were stubborn. They didn't care whether they were enthusiastic or not, as long as they didn't actively beat up customers, it didn't matter, it wouldn't affect their monthly salary.

But it wouldn't work for the manufacturing factory!

After all, they were self-financing. If things went wrong, they could end up in a pile of debt, and for the employees, the sale of each product was directly related to their own interests. It absolutely could not be like the state-owned sales staff!

"It's okay, it's not your fault. It's because I didn't explain it clearly before. Come on, let's change it now, there's still time!"

Then Wang Ye waved his hand and said so. Under the gaze of everyone, Wang Ye looked around at the crowd of young people from the manufacturing factory and said:

"We're selling electric fans, and what's the most important thing about electric fans?"

"Besides, electric fans are not cheap. If people want to buy electric fans, don't they want to take a close look?"

"And our washing machines, isn't it the same principle?"

Hearing Wang Ye say this, the employees nodded in agreement one after another. Then Wang Ye said:

"In that case, how should we change it?"

This time, the scene fell silent again, with many salespersons gathering around and even passing customers couldn't help but join the discussion.

"What are they doing?"

"I heard that the little factory director is not satisfied with the layout!"

"Oh, they all do this, don't they? I think it's fine!"

"You're right! They want customers to enter? And sit down? And have tea?"

"Pffft, isn't this a mess? It's not aesthetically pleasing at all!"

"Exactly! What do they know about sales? It's like playing the piano in the dark!"

"They're actually selling electric fans? Where are they made?"

"I heard they're from Laiyang County. The former Red Star Machinery Factory that made weapons..."

As more and more people gathered to watch and discuss around the booth, some even went upstairs directly to the management office of the department store to report it.