"What is going on?" he asked.
They both brought their cat bags. Apparently, they brought the British shorthair and the Siamese cat.
"What’s going on? Why do other people’s cats know stunts but ours don’t? Are you playing tricks on us or something?" Zhao Qi was angry, "I thought your cats were fine and I told everybody about your store. Why did you trick us?"
When Zhao Qi found out that other people’s cats from Amazing Fate Pet Shop knew stunts and hers didn’t, she went to look at Liu Wenying’s cat immediately. Liu Wenying’s cat didn’t know tricks either. Zhao Qi could not stand being taken advantage of, so she came with Liu to fight for their rights.
Liu Wenying was much older; thus, she was also wiser. First off, she wasn’t sure if the video online was reliable. Even if it was true, they couldn’t really do anything because the owner didn’t claim that the cats knew stunts. If he did claim that, then they should fight for their rights. In their case, they couldn’t really say that Zhang Zian tricked them.
Zhao Qi understood, but she wasn’t happy. If everybody else’s cats knew stunts, then hers should know them as well. Although Liu Wenying didn’t want to come, she came with Zhao Qi anyways to support her.
When Liu Wenying bought the Siamese cat, Zhang Zian provided some very helpful suggestions. Her daughter, Yue Yue, liked it. Honestly, if she were to switch cats, her daughter may not like it. As a result, even though she came with Zhao Qi, she didn’t say a word.
Zhang Zian understood immediately.
He explained, "I didn’t play any tricks on you. Your cats don’t know stunts because I hadn’t trained them yet. Later, I started training the cats and the price has gone up since then!"
"What…" Zhao Qi opened her eyes surprisingly. "The price has gone up?"
"That’s right. The price on everything is going up: grocery, housing... The price of my cats has gone up because they have learned new skills. Of course, if you are not satisfied, you can return your cat. Honestly, you are way past the return warranty, but I will do it because customers are king."
Zhao Qi couldn’t say another word. She had prepared a huge speech to use the excuse of returning the cat to threaten him, but she didn’t expect Zhang Zian to bring that up on his own resourcefulness.
What should she do? Return the cat?
She didn’t want to.
To her, Lan Lan was more than a piece of merchandise.
Every morning, Lan Lan woke her up by licking her face. When she went off to work, Lan Lan was reluctant to let her go. When she had a bad day at work, she would come home, hold Lan Lan in her arms and talk about her day. Lan Lan had become her family. Even if she exchanged her for another cat that knew stunts, that cat wouldn’t be Lan Lan anymore.
Liu Wenying sighed and dragged her from behind, which meant to have her leave.
Zhang Zian saw that they had quieted down, then said, "Maybe I can make it up to you!"
"How?" Zhao Qi asked.
"We are going to establish a membership system. If you deposit and become a member, then I can teach your cat stunts."
The offer furthered the ladies’ expectations. They looked at the store that was quite simple and old. What if he collected member’s deposits and ran away with them?
"Ms. Liu, I remember recommending to you the Spirit Curing Pet Clinic on the north side of the city?"
Lie Wenying nodded. "I have taken my cat there once for repellents."
"Good. My store is going to partner with that one. If you become a member, you are also entitled to the discounts in her clinic for repellents, vaccines, checkups, illness treatment, and etc..."
Liu Wenying was interested. Unlike Zhao Qi’s cat, which always stayed at home, she always took her daughter and the cat for a walk outside. For Yue Yue’s safety, she would like to take the cat for repellents often.
"You can use the deposit to buy cat food and bathe your cat. It won’t be wasted. The training of your cat will be free of charge," he added.
Zhao Qi shook her head. "Nope, I bought cat food from overseas. It is better than yours."
Zhang Zian said, "Well, I am not sure about that. Many overseas shopping websites have counterfeit products."
She didn’t take him seriously. "I only purchase from the best rated supplier. It couldn’t be counterfeit. You think other people are all stupid? I don’t trust Chinese-made products, so I don’t let Lan Lan eat them."
Zhang Zian explained, "Unless your cat food was directly shipped from overseas, it is very likely to be fake. Profits from selling fakely imported cat food is extremely high, so counterfeits are abundant."
The pet food market was a mess. Chinese-made pet food was not trustworthy. Counterfeited imported pet food was very common.
From a legal aspect, there wasn’t any regulation for pet food manufacturing. This didn’t help either.
Some of Zhao Qi’s clothes and shoes were bought from overseas shopping websites. The shops were all good at marketing. Some people said that cats love imported cat food because attractant was added to the cat food. This was very scary to her. However, she couldn’t do any better than buying from the most reputable stores.
She was stubborn. "Very well. I won’t feed Lan Lan Chinese-made cat food, no matter what. I know it is better to buy cat food directly from stores overseas. Cat food is heavy and it is too expensive to ship. Also, if customs found out, they would throw away the cat food. I only have one cat; I couldn’t buy too many and have them expire."
Upon hearing her words, Zhang Zian sensed an opportunity. If he could purchase cat food and dog food in bulk from overseas and sell them to the customers for a reasonable price, many people would join his membership system!
It was not that easy to find a good source of product. Large suppliers would not even care to do business with him. Purchasing from eBay was not ideal either, because he could not control the quality. He didn’t have any relatives overseas. Some of his friends from college who currently lived in foreign countries might be too busy with their lives.
The reliability and sustainability of the source was essential. Korean and Japanese cosmetics were selling great online. However, a normal person could not get into this business easily because it was difficult to find a source and very challenging to go through customs.
After thinking for a bit, he was not getting anywhere. He asked Zhao Qi, "If we bought real, imported cat food in bulk, we could cut costs in shipping and handling. Then, if I sell the cat food at a reasonable price, say, the same or lower than your online supplier, would you become our member?"
Zhao Qi was surprised. She asked immediately, "How would you prove that your product is not counterfeit?"
"Our reputation is the best proof. Also, if it became our new offering, I will have the importation and shipping documentation. You don’t have to worry about it."
Zhao Qi said, "If it is real and cheaper than buying from online, then it is great!" Zhao Qi said.
"Okay, deal!’
"Do you have a source for pet food?" Zhao Qi questioned him even though he looked confident.
"Well, not at this point," Zhang Zian was honest.
"Then stop bullsh*tting!" Zhao Qi was disappointed.
Zhang Zian laughed, "Well, I am not. Not having a supplier currently doesn’t mean I couldn’t get one quickly. I am in the industry ,so I am well more aware of the pet food supply chain than you. Don’t worry about it."
Liu Wenying also said, "I think making our own cat food is the best solution. At least we know it is safe."
Zhao Qi said, "I know. I am too busy though. I don’t even have time to cook for myself."
Liu Wenying was helpful. "Well, why didn’t you tell me? I am busy during the week but I can make cat food on weekends. I will make more for your cat next time."
Zhao Qi was grateful for Liu’s offer. She knew it wouldn’t be a long-term solution because it was too much work for Liu to cook for both cats.