The next day, registration had not yet started and there was nothing to do, so Su Zelin went to the computer city.
He plans to get a computer.
It just so happened that the School of Finance had built the second-generation campus network in the first half of this year. The network radiated from the previous teaching building and library to the student dormitories. Broadband can be accessed at school, so a computer must be purchased as soon as possible.
Like most college students, Su Zelin chose the DIY option.
A complete set of branded computers is too expensive, and a lot of unnecessary money is just wasted. Anyone who knows a little about computers will install the computer themselves.
Hunzi was one of the earliest Internet users. Even in his previous life, he had a relatively good understanding of computer hardware. Later, many of his classmates in college asked him to help them DIY their computers, let alone after his rebirth.
When I entered the computer city, I saw many small shops, and all of them were doing good business.
Computers were gradually recognized and accepted by the public in the 1990s, and the emergence and popularization of the Internet made the computer market booming.
The year 2000 marked the beginning of the golden decade for the domestic PC market, with a great number of events and the emergence of many new brands.
There are many brands of computer accessories, some of which people in later generations have never heard of, such as Quantum Fireball.
The most popular hard drive brand in the 1990s was not IBM or Maxtor, but Quantum.
In the era when the performance requirements of hard disks were not very high, Quantum won a large number of users with its low price of Bigfoot hard disks. Bigfoot hard disks are not traditional 3.5 inches, but 5.25 inches, which makes it easy to make big-foot hard disks with large capacity and lower the price.
The brand's high-performance hard drives were the Fireball series, which was also the reason why Quantum's hard drive division eventually closed down. In the Fireball 10th generation hard drives, the motor driver chip was very unstable, resulting in a high hard drive return rate, and the reputation among users plummeted. Eventually, the hard drive division was sold to Maxtor, and the once popular Quantum hard drive disappeared.
However, the current Quantum Fireball is still quite powerful and is also the first computer hard drive for many netizens born in the 1980s.
Another brand that disappeared from the public eye in later generations is Elite Motherboard. In terms of establishment time, it was earlier than ASUS, and with its high cost-performance ratio, it once ranked second in global DIY motherboard shipments. However, with the shrinking of the DIY market, Elite eventually withdrew from the DIY motherboard field and focused on OEM outsourcing. But its fate is better than Quantum, at least it is still alive.
In addition, there is the Cyrix processor. The CPU market in the 1990s was full of contenders. Cyrix's processors were not inferior to Intel's processors of the same period, and had a good price advantage. However, with the release of Pentium by the toothpaste factory, it achieved an absolute leading position in the processor market. Cyrix, which was unable to compete, gradually declined and was later acquired by VIA. This is also the source of VIAx86 technology.
In the twenty years before Su Zelin's rebirth, some companies grew from small brothers to big bosses, such as NVIDIA defeating and acquiring Voodoo, and NVIDIA acquiring ATI, becoming the world's two giants in the fields of CPU and graphics cards.
Only those who can stand firm after the tide of the times recedes can become true trendsetters.
Feeling the cruelty of the times, Su Zelin went straight to a small shop.
There is a small plaque with the words "Fenfei Technology" hanging on the door. Inside the store, a young man in his early thirties is installing the system on a new machine.
"Little Brother Yang!"
The gangster took the initiative to say hello.
The young man was slightly stunned. His real name was Yang Fen, and Brother Yang was just a nickname, usually known only to those who knew him well. However, this guest looked unfamiliar and did not look like a familiar customer.
Maybe it was introduced by a regular customer, so he called me that.
"Hello!"
Brother Xiao Yang nodded politely at him.
Su Zelin naturally knew him, of course only in his previous life, when he got his first computer here.
The owner, Brother Yang, is warm-hearted and kind, charges reasonable fees, and usually recommends configurations with high cost performance. Later, many people in the class asked Hunzi to help them configure their computers, and he chose this store. After a few visits, the two became familiar with each other.
More than ten years later, Yang Fen developed a large channel dealer from this small computer accessories store, and Su Zelin was also the president of a large company in Shenghai. The two met together many times due to business dealings and had a good relationship. Su Zelin also knew his character inside and out.
These shops in the computer city are a mixed bag, with honest businessmen and shady businessmen. Although Su Zelin is knowledgeable, since he has acquaintances, there is no need to go through the trouble of looking for other shops to try his luck.
“I want a computer!”
Su Zelin went straight to the point and handed over a computer configuration list that he had already written.
Brother Yang took it in his hand and took a look at it, and couldn't help but be slightly moved.
This configuration list is high-end, with a Pentium 3 CPU, 128M memory, and a 20G hard drive, all of which were top-notch at the time. Add in a 17-inch Diamondron 796FD monitor, and the operating performance and visual experience were basically maxed out at the time.
However, although it is high-end, it does not mean that the people are stupid and have a lot of money. There is not a single brand-name accessory on this configuration list that requires paying an IQ tax, and the purchase requirements for each accessory are clearly written on the list.
Take the Mega 796FD for example, it competes with Sony's 17-inch Trinitron, the best CRT technology monitor currently available.
It is well known that Sony Dafa is good and Sony Dafa is wonderful, but Dafa is extremely expensive.
There is no doubt that the products produced by Dafa are excellent, but unfortunately when you buy its products, part of your money has to be paid as brand tax, commonly known as IQ tax, and this part of money is not small.
The Mega 796FD uses Mitsubishi Diamondtron's original cathode ray tube, which is similar to Dafa's Trinitron technology. The color performance and clarity are excellent. The resolution of 1600*1200 is amazing in an era when 1024*768 or even 800*600 are common.
The slight difference is that the former has three beams for one gun, while the latter has three beams for three guns, but the actual experience difference is minimal.
However, it is just such a small difference. Because of the IQ tax, Dafa's 17-inch Trinitron monitor is more than a little more expensive. The extra money can be invested in creating other good accessories.
There are some black marketeers in the computer mall who, when they see customers who are stupid and rich, will strongly recommend Dafa's Trinitron monitors. After all, they are expensive, so the profit is naturally high. However, Brother Yang will be kind to customers who pursue high-end products, and usually recommend Meg or Viewsonic.
Apart from the monitor, other accessories are almost all of the very cost-effective types, at least you won’t have to pay a high IQ tax.
There is an expert guiding this guest.
Brother Xiao Yang quickly came to a conclusion.
But he didn't expect that the configuration list was written by Su Zelin himself, because such students usually don't know much about computers, or at most have only a superficial understanding, and cannot DIY such a good configuration list by themselves.
"Please wait a moment!"
Brother Xiao Yang picked up a pen, and soon the quotation was ready, with a total price of just over ten thousand.
If this configuration list had not been well written, the same performance and experience would probably cost more than 16,000 yuan. After this successful DIY, I saved 6,000 yuan, which is enough to buy another mid-range computer!
Su Zelin glanced at it casually and nodded with satisfaction.
Brother Yang’s offer is quite generous.
"Okay, you match it for me!"
Su Zelin was also very straightforward. He could see that there was very little room for negotiation on this list.
"We don't have some parts in stock in our store, but we can get them for you, and we'll waive the transfer fee!"
Brother Xiao Yang gave some explanation.
It is not surprising that shops in the computer mall will exchange goods with each other. After all, there are so many brands of accessories that it is impossible for a small shop to stock such a complete range. What's more, computers are still luxury goods now, and stocking a large amount of goods requires a lot of financial support.
"Can!"
Su Zelin knew these rules of the trade long ago.
"I still have two machines to install, and the customers are waiting for them. Could you please sit down for a while?"
Brother Xiao Yang said apologetically.
Some merchants will not actually remind customers when they encounter this situation. They will try to calm the customers first to prevent them from losing patience and going to other stores to get their products.
This small detail can also reflect a person's character.
"fine!"
Su Zelin smiled.
"Okay then, just give me some deposit and I'll have someone transfer the goods over right away!"
This is another small detail that reveals a person’s character.
Other computer shops usually require a deposit of several hundred yuan, but Brother Yang doesn’t have any requirements for this.
Of course, as long as the customer is not too extreme, he will at least give a deposit of one hundred.
These behaviors, which seemed silly to his peers, actually became the key to his future success.
There are so many shop owners in the computer city, but Brother Yang in later generations is the most successful among them, and there is a reason for that.
Su Zelin didn't waste any time and paid the full amount directly.
Other people who buy computers usually pay a deposit first and then pay the balance after the computer is ready.
Brother Yang took a look at him and had a better impression of this student-looking guy - he was a straightforward person who did things in an unconventional way!
Since there is an expert guiding him, the expert would definitely tell him to pay the deposit first, but the college student did not do so. This is related to his personality.
A miser doesn’t like other misers, but a straightforward person likes more straightforward people the most.
"I'll give you another fifty yuan discount!"
Su Zelin didn't waste time and Brother Yang was easier to talk to, so he just treated it as making a friend.
I made a few phone calls and the parts that were not in the store were quickly delivered.
After writing the receipt, Brother Yang poured a glass of water for Su Zelin: "Why don't you sit down for a while, or go somewhere else and have a look. I'll come back in about an hour and get it ready for you!"
Su Zelin smiled and said, "Haha, no need, I'll do it myself!"
"You installed it yourself?"
Brother Yang was a little surprised and a little embarrassed.
Su Zelin understood why he was in trouble.
"It doesn't matter. If it's broken, it's my fault!"
"Oh well!"
Brother Yang hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.
Since the customer has already paid for the machine in full, it belongs to him even before it is assembled, and he certainly has the right to assemble it himself.
Then when Brother Yang saw Su Zelin assembling the host smoothly, with a skillful technique and speed that was almost as good as his own, he was surprised but also understood one thing.
This college student doesn’t have a master behind him, he himself is that master!
Before his rebirth, Su Zelin had run an Internet cafe and also done business in the digital computer field. He had worked with Brother Xiao Yang before, so installing computers was naturally a piece of cake for him.
"It seems like you are an expert!"
Brother Yang praised him and started talking about the field of computer accessories intentionally or unintentionally. Then he found that this young man knew more than he thought.
No matter what the topic or brand, he can talk to you and make sense of it, including the brand's technological advantages, future prospects, etc.
This is no longer the level of an ordinary computer assembler. Even some computer store owners may not have such a good vision.
Brother Yang began to wonder if Su Zelin's family had ever opened a computer store, but he quickly rejected the idea. The computer market in 2000 was booming, and who would be so stupid as to suddenly close a store when they knew they could make a lot of money
"Brother, you have a really good eye. How should I address you?"
After chatting about topics related to computer accessories for a while, Brother Yang asked again.
Such an expert, who is also a college student, is likely to be a good connection.
"My name is Su Zelin, I'm a freshman from the College of Finance!"
In addition to his name, Su Zelin also reported the college he attended because he knew Brother Yang would definitely ask about it next.
This person is very good at exploring the personal connections around him. Even an insignificant little person may be very helpful to his business in Brother Yang's eyes.
For example, if you are a college student, or a freshman at that, and your DIY skills are so high, your classmates and friends will definitely ask you for help when they need to configure their computers in the future. At that time, you can decide which store to take them to. So this is a very good network, which may bring you a lot of future customer resources.
"You have such DIY skills as a freshman and have such a thorough understanding of this industry. You have a bright future!"
Brother Yang gave a thumbs up, and he was not just flattering. This student was indeed capable, eloquent, and mature beyond his years. Even if he stopped studying now, he could still succeed if he opened a computer shop.
"Haha, it's okay!"
Su Zelin smiled slightly, looking calm.
"Brother Zelin, are you interested in making some extra money?"
Just as Hunzi guessed, Brother Yang did have an idea.
"In the future, there will be many people who will ask you to match their machines. You can bring them to me and I will give you a 5% commission!"
After a pause, he added: "Don't worry, I will never cheat your classmates and friends. The commission will be deducted from my own profits, and I will not raise the price because of this!"
This is another small detail that reveals a person’s character.
If it were a black marketeer, the wool would be borne by the sheep, but Yang Fen would not do that.
Some businessmen are clever, while others are wise and foolish. Yang Fen is the latter.
At the current market price, even if a student buys a low-end machine from Taichung, it would cost more than 4,000 yuan, and some better ones would cost 6,000 or 7,000 yuan. On average, 5,000 yuan would be enough, and a 5% commission would be 250 yuan.
Nowadays, the salary of many office workers and part-time workers is no more than four or five hundred yuan. You can get a considerable amount of pocket money by just helping to set up a machine. The conditions offered by Brother Yang are very generous. Any student would be tempted.
However, Su Zelin is not an ordinary person. He did not really care about the commission of more than 200 yuan. He had longer-term goals.
“Haha, of course, but maybe we will have better opportunities for cooperation in the future and can make it bigger!”
Su Zelin narrowed his eyes.
This time, in addition to buying himself a computer, Hunzi also took the opportunity to get to know Yang Fen.
He planned to start his own business on campus, and his first business was related to computers and computer accessories.
The computer market is so hot, with great demand and high profits, it is not too late to enter the market now. Moreover, he is targeting college students, so the target group is very clear.
But I don’t have time yet because school has just started. I have a lot to do now and I haven’t met many people yet. I have to wait patiently.
Yang Fen was slightly dignified.
He heard ambition in Su Zelin's tone.
This college student seemed unwilling to simply be an agent for himself.
If it were someone else, Brother Yang might not take the word "cooperation" seriously.
After all, if you want to cooperate, you must have strength.
What strengths can a college student have
But Su Zelin is different from ordinary college students.
First of all, the machine that costs tens of thousands of yuan shows his financial strength, and he is likely to be from a wealthy second-generation background.
Secondly, his strong DIY ability, his analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the computer market and its many spare parts brands, and his vision for future development are also very profound and unique, which makes Brother Yang dare not underestimate him.
Of course, he would not consider Su Zelin as his future partner because this was not enough. The other party needed to offer more to attract him.
No matter what, Brother Yang nodded: "Haha, it's a good thing for young people to have ideals and goals!"
This was said in a very tactful way, neither agreeing nor refusing, it just depends on the situation.
The chat room host was installed quickly, and the monitor, power keyboard and mouse were connected. The Windows 98 system was installed, the ghost disk Fenglin Volcano version, which was faster than the direct installation of the pure version, and the system can be restored at any time.
I also debugged the monitor. This Meige 796FD has very good quality control and has no bright or dark spots.
Before leaving, Su Zelin copied dozens of movies and thousands of songs in the store, and bought some game discs.
It takes time to apply for the campus network. Besides, school hasn't officially started yet, so it will take several days to activate it. During this time, I can only watch movies and play single-player games to pass the time.
"Resident Evil 2", "Half-Life", "Tomb Raider", "Starcraft", "Heroes of Might and Magic", "Diablo" and "Diablo II", which was released and became a big hit that year, also known as "Diablo II", an ARPG game that is still a classic in later generations.
Brother Yang simply didn't charge him for these CDs, and even gave him a few extra ones, including "Neverwinter Nights", "The Elder Scrolls" and "Might and Magic".
Everyone is happy to deal with such a generous person, and it is easy to develop a good impression of him. Moreover, Fenfei Technology is also competent in after-sales service. If there are any problems during the warranty period, they will solve them for you directly. Even if there are minor problems outside the warranty period, the charges are low. They just charge the cost price and labor fees, unlike some black merchants who often claim that the parts are broken and need to be replaced.
These were the reasons why Su Zelin liked to ask Brother Yang to build his computer in his previous life, and they were also the reasons why he planned to cooperate with this computer store owner after his rebirth. Since he had done such a big business in his previous life, the importance of a partner with good character and reliability is unquestionable.
Afterwards, Brother Yang called another henchman and drove a pickup truck to take the computer and Su Zelin back to the dormitory.
This thoughtful delivery service is not available in every store. Today, the computer market is booming, and many store owners feel that it is unnecessary and just let customers take the computers home by themselves. However, they do not realize that details often determine reputation and success or failure.