Chapter 43: Premium Pricing

Chapter 43: Premium Pricing Meanwhile, in Karl’s meticulously organized office, the Dungeon Manager stood before him, his masked face impassive. "My lord," the Manager’s synthesized voice began, "the new visitors, the Goatfolk traders, have just finished their meal." Karl leaned back in his plush, bone-carved chair, a faint smile playing on his skeletal lips. He steepled his fingers, anticipation in his glowing eye sockets. "And?" he prompted, waiting for the awaited judgment on his culinary experiment. "How do they like it? Did the ’burger’ meet expectations?" "They seem to love it, my lord," the Manager confirmed, a subtle shift in his posture indicating satisfaction. "They bought seven family meal burger sets in total. They are now split into two groups, and they appear to be checking out other products within the area." Karl chuckled, a dry, rattling sound. "That’s to be expected. Retailers, potential distributors... opportunists, as I predicted. Their greed is as predictable as the sunrise." He tapped a bony finger on his desk. "What’s your plan for them, my lord?" the Manager asked, ever efficient. "On Earth, there’s a saying," Karl began, a flicker of memory in his eyes. "A way through a woman’s heart is through her stomach. For these Goatfolk, and indeed for most sentient beings driven by profit, the way to their coffers is also through their stomachs, or rather, through the promise of immense wealth. We’re going to use them as personal advertisers, walking billboards for the Necro Market. Since they love the smell of money, it’s expected they’ll also love the food, and the quality of our other goods. So, they’re going to come to you, asking for a deal. Exclusive trade, higher trade prices, all that typical merchant bullshit." Karl waved a dismissive hand. "My plan is to leverage their desire for profit to spread our reputation far and wide. We need to maximize this. First, we need to raise the price for the products produced by the blacksmiths – the iron and steel swords and armor. Don’t sell too much at once, just enough for quality rather than quantity. We need to show the fact that our product is superior in quality, even if we initially lack in mass quantity. That’s how you maximize reputation: through quality products and premium pricing. Customers feel a sense of possession, a unique connection over their bought products, and they feel what’s it called, right, prestige. Think of brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Prada, Michael Kors, Hermes. It’s not about selling bags, swords, or furniture; it’s about selling a feeling. We sell luxury, prestige, and quality crafted products. We need to persuade them that our products are painstakingly made with careful, precise, patient, and consistent craftsmanship. Customers love that feeling that they bought a product that made them feel luxurious, that they own something truly special. That’s what we sell. If a customer buys a quality sword, they’re going to want to bond with that sword, especially if it’s a price they worked so hard for, and it’s actually really sharp, durable, and stylish. It’s like how car enthusiasts love a Toyota Tacoma – though not stylish, it’s reliable, easy, and cheap to maintain, building a loyal following through trust and performance. You get me, Manager?" The Manager’s masked head inclined slightly. "Yes, my lord. The concept of prestige and perceived value through controlled scarcity and superior craftsmanship is clear." "Good," Karl continued, pleased. "Now, specifically: raise the prices on all iron and steel swords and armor by a significant margin. For the wooden figurines, for the toys, chess sets, and puzzles, raise it a bit, but less aggressively. As for the furniture, raise it even higher; that’s where true luxury can be showcased. We’re not going to saturate the market with our products, taking over the blacksmith or artisan market overnight. That would be our early downfall. The Lupens, and other powerful guilds, will not take a hostile takeover lightly, especially if we suddenly sell superior quality and stylish swords en masse. That would invite unwanted attention and competition we’re not ready for." Karl leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Our primary aim is to spread our reputation, like a subtle, irresistible scent. And by using the food, we can introduce our iron swords and other products we have in store. We’ll subtly divert the Goatfolk, and other opportunists that arrive, into taking the burger and juice franchise model. Imagine, Necro Market Canteens popping up across the region, each one a small advertisement for the quality and innovation found here. Our goal is to spread the word of the Necro Market in the entire region, not through brute force, but through irresistible demand. Through the food franchise, we can use it to advertise our luxurious products, creating a desire for the quality and uniqueness that only the Necro Market can provide." The skeleton Manager’s head tilted, a faint, almost imperceptible curve appearing at the corner of his masked mouth – the closest thing to a smile Karl had seen. "Yes, my lord," he said, and with a crisp nod, he turned and exited the office, his movements as precise as ever. Karl then leaned back, a wide, triumphant grin stretching across his face, his glowing eyes fixed on the ceiling. "HAHAHAHA," he cackled, a sound that echoed slightly in the stone office. "Now that’s how you introduce a business model and eventually take over the market! Not with brute force or mountains of gold, but with reputation, with prestige, with a feeling! HAHAHAHA, raise the stock prices, baby!" His laughter filled the room, a testament to his ambition and his unique brand of undead capitalism.