"It’s as complicated as you think, but you can simply understand it as the living environnt being like a mbership card. The card itself isn’t worth much and is easy to obtain; what’s valuable are the additional functions it cos with."
He crouched down, spreading out the posters one by one, directly treating Wang Kang as a refugee to explain.
As a future partner, these things must be thoroughly explained, so Wang Kang truly understands the unique aspects of Dapo Town.
Only when Wang Kang fully understands can he accurately convey the ideas when interacting with residents.
First, there’s the plan for the dormitory, which also consists of iron bunk beds to save space. The beds are packed tightly, with one person’s feet almost touching the next person’s head, leaving no gaps in between.
Each room accommodates fifty people, with two public tables two-and-a-half ters long, leaving almost no space for activities.
"As a free benefit, the dormitory only provides basic beds and communal electricity. Tap water is charged per usage, but since Dapo Town is by the river, the cost is much lower than other Satellite Cities, priced at cost. Besides this, one must follow collective rules: lights out at the sa ti in the evening, shared bathrooms and laundry area. Want to use a charging port alone? Pay per use. Want to use a private storage space? It’s also charged by ti and usage."
"Charging..." Wang Kang instinctively opened his mouth. What do refugees have that needs charging?
But he didn’t interrupt and continued to listen to Cheng Ye.
"Apart from these basic benefits, refugees wanting to buy supplies are charged the sa prices as in other Satellite Cities. For example, if a new piece of clothing costs 30 credits elsewhere, it also costs 30 credits here, not a penny cheaper."
Cheng Ye paused and added, "If you feel unsafe and want to buy a gun or bullets, it’s also at market price."
"Are daily necessities priced the sa?" Wang Kang asked.
"Yes, there will be no difference."
Cheng Ye nodded, his finger moving towards the family room poster, stopping at the benefits below.
"The family room not only provides independent water and electricity and activity space but also enjoys an exclusive ’welfare package,’ which is what I call a mbership card. The function of this mbership card is also very simple."
"First, utility bills for the independent circuit and water charges are all waived, only a basic housing maintenance fee is charged. This money is used to hire people to clean the family room area, repair water and electricity lines, and if it’s not used up, it will be saved as a maintenance fund for unexpected damages."
"Second, a 10% discount is applied to the purchase of daily necessities. Yes, everything is sold at 10% off: toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, washbasins, new clothes, new shoes. However, there’s a rule: reselling is strictly prohibited, each family has a purchase limit and cannot stockpile without restriction."
"Third, labor remuneration is supplented with ’family points,’ with each person earning 1 point for a full week of work. Points can offset next month’s rent, property fees, and when Dapo Town’s public facilities are built, they can also offset usage fees, and when the dical center is completed, treatnt costs can also be offset with points."
Regarding stimulating consumption, there are too many standard answers left by modern tis. It just depends on which one he wants to use now, which one is more suitable for Dapo Town.
Moreover, one thing is very clear; stimulating families is much easier than stimulating individuals.
People save money simply to hedge risks, ensuring that their quality of life doesn’t plumt due to unforeseen events.
But what if there is a safety net, ensuring a minimum quality of life?
What if the quality of life of the surrounding people is rapidly improving, but the money in your hands is devaluing?
Water flows to the low places, people ascend to higher ground.
As long as you arouse the desire to strive upwards, once the consumption cycle is established, Dapo Town can quickly enter a virtuous cycle.
"Then...won’t we lose money by offering a 10% discount?" Wang Kang hesitated for a long ti before he couldn’t help but ask.
Happiness City provides uniform prices for supplies to all Satellite Cities, and discounts are not based on demand, or else the first batch of 12 Satellite Cities would’ve held all the advantages, and the ones that ca later wouldn’t be able to attract refugees at all.
So, for Cheng Ye to offer a 10% discount, the difference can only be supplented from Dapo Town’s construction funds.
"Lose money?"
Cheng Ye nodded slightly, "Whether short-term or long-term, as long as we cannot build production lines for these items to reduce costs, we will definitely lose money."
"Then..." Wang Kang was a little anxious.
"Don’t rush, follow my train of thought. If soone loses, soone gains. If we lose, who gains?"
"Uh..." Wang Kang was montarily stunned, then after a long pause, two words slipped from his mouth, "The residents?"
"Exactly, the funds of Dapo Town take the hit, while the residents of Dapo Town benefit."
Cheng Ye nodded.
Happiness City is already burning money to subsidize the Satellite Cities, pushing construction forward with accumulated resources over the years.
Dapo Town wants to settle refugees and foster developnt; how can it not burn money to give residents benefits?
To have consumption, you first need to spend money to stimulate it. Once it’s stimulated, there’s a possibility of making money.
If there is no spending power, what is there to discuss about developnt?
"When the residents of Dapo Town are prosperous and have possessions, the construction will naturally take off."
"When everyone is living well, they will have a sense of belonging. With a sense of belonging, isn’t there a concern for the future?"
Wang Kang pondered and suddenly realized the brilliance of Cheng Ye’s designed model.
A poor refugee family, having nothing, can easily beco impulsive and leave on a whim.
But if they have a house in Dapo Town, have stable work, have tables and chairs, storage cabinets bought with saved money, a bunch of daily necessities, and points that can only be used in Dapo Town...
"If they have a future here, they can’t leave?" Wang Kang instinctively followed up.
"Not a chance."
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