Chapter 31: Merchant's social status

Oliver observed the lively discussions among the merchants and decided to address an important aspect of the proposed Merchant Union. " Gentlemen, to ensure the integrity and commitment of our members, there will be certain conditions for joining the union. One of the primary requirements is that each member must own a residential property within the Barony and maintain a friendly relationship with the households of the lords. There will also be different level of memebership which will grant different level excess to everyone"

Rupert Hasting raised his hand again. "Lord Oliver, you mentioned different levels of membership. Could you please elaborate on that?"

Oliver nodded, acknowledging the question. "Certainly, Mr. Hasting. The Merchant Union will have five membership tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. The higher the membership level, the greater the privileges and benefits conferred upon the member."

He continued, "Bronze membership will be the entry-level tier, granting basic access to the union's resources and benefits. Bronze membership will only cost 100 gold for lifetime access. As members progress to Silver -200 gold, Gold - 500 gold, Platinum- 1000 gold, and Diamond - 2000 gold, they will unlock increasingly exclusive perks, such as priority access to limited edition products, preferential pricing and discounts, and invitations to high-profile networking events. higher level membership can only be bought with contribution to merchant union as well as money offcourse."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the room as the merchants contemplated the advantages of higher membership tiers.

Oliver then added, "To maintain the vitality and growth of the Merchant Union, members will be required to make monetary contributions to the union. These contributions will be used to fund various initiatives, such as marketing campaigns, infrastructure development, and the overall advancement of our collective interests."

Rupert Hasting raised an eyebrow. "And how will the monetary contributions be determined?"

Oliver explained, "The contribution amounts will be proportional to the membership tier. Higher-tier members will have a larger financial obligation, reflecting their increased privileges and benefits. This ensures a fair distribution of responsibilities and resources within the union, fostering a sense of equity and shared investment."

The merchants absorbed the information, contemplating the potential benefits and the commitment required for each membership tier. The notion of an exclusive network based on membership status and financial contributions intrigued them, as it promised both prestige and tangible advantages.

Oliver concluded, "By establishing these conditions and membership tiers, we aim to create a strong, cohesive community of merchants who share common goals and interests. Together, we will forge a path of prosperity and influence, while supporting the growth and development of our individual businesses."

The room fell silent as the merchants absorbed the significance of the proposed conditions and membership structure. They realized that joining the Merchant Union would not only grant them access to a thriving network but also provide an opportunity to increase their own standing and influence within the business community.

All of them are from merchant family. although they have lot of money but still they live in a world where Noble rules by there military strenth. merchant have very low status in social ladder, just one level above commoners.

Now that LORD CEDRIC AND OLIVER talking about increasing there profit as well as social standing they began to think about supporting barony and lord Cedric.

Oliver continued to captivate the attention of the merchants, his voice filled with confidence and excitement. "Gentlemen, let us now discuss the pricing strategy for our exquisite perfumes. After careful consideration, I propose setting the retail price at 75 silver per bottle."

Gasps of surprise and curiosity filled the room. The merchants leaned forward, eager to hear Oliver's reasoning behind this bold pricing decision.

"With our high-quality ingredients, meticulous craftsmanship, and captivating scents, our perfumes possess a unique appeal that sets them apart in the market," Oliver explained. "At this price point, we strike a balance between exclusivity and accessibility. It positions our perfumes as a luxury item, while still appealing to a wide range of discerning customers."

He paused for a moment, allowing the merchants to absorb the information. Then, he continued, "Now, let's discuss the benefits that our esteemed members of the Merchant Union will enjoy. As a normal merchant outside merchant union you will not get any right to buy perfume from us. you will have to buy them from existing member with 60 silver, only member will have the opportunity to purchase each bottle of perfume at a discounted price of 50 silver. This exclusive privilege ensures that you can maximize your profit margins and provide your customers with a remarkable product at a competitive price. Also on soap of various flavor we will offer flat 20% discount for members. future product created by our barony will also be discounted like this to dear members. "

The room buzzed with excitement as the merchants calculated the potential profit margins. Oliver's words had ignited their entrepreneurial spirits, and the prospect of earning substantial profits from the sale of these luxurious perfumes seemed within reach.

Oliver's voice resonated with conviction as he emphasized, "By selling just 1,000 bottles of our exquisite perfume, your net profit will amount to a staggering 25,000 silver as a member and 10,000 as normal merchant. This is only one product, if you add soap to the equation then Imagine the possibilities, the rewards that await you for embracing this opportunity."

The merchants exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of anticipation and determination. They recognized the significant profit potential that Oliver's proposal presented. As perfume is consumable product it will continuously bring forth demand. The combination of the discounted price for Merchant Union members and the allure of the carefully crafted perfumes made the investment seem highly promising.

Oliver concluded, his voice filled with conviction, "Together, as members of the Merchant Union, we have the power to create a thriving market for our products, establish strong networks, and secure a prosperous future. Let us seize this moment and embark on a journey of success and prosperity."

The merchants applauded, their enthusiasm evident as they envisioned the possibilities and the lucrative opportunities that lay before them. The pricing strategy and profit potential had solidified their resolve, igniting a collective determination to join forces, embrace the Merchant Union, and embark on a venture that promised both financial success and personal fulfillment.

As meeting concluded, merchant leave the lord's mansion. There were lot of discussion about this new adventure. merchant can be seen talking about merchant union on street , restaurant etc. just like this in one of the room all the reputed and wealthy merchant gather in one of the big hotel rose. they started reviewing the benefit of joining merchant union.

Merchant Hasting : As all of you can see the benefit bring by this concept of merchant union, this thing is beneficial to us. we can earn a lot with this but all of us will be tied down to LORD Cedric chariote in future. As you know we have our own patrons at this moment from generations. we cannot go against them.

One of the merchant in left corner seat spoke, " you have keen eyes sir. but lord Cedric did not mention any obligation on having patrons. he did not even ask about any political views. They only presentated idea of business to us. "

Hasting, "That is exactly the reason I am still seating here. I think we should join as bronze level member and lets see the profit this products and future picture of this barony for sometime. And about the condition of joining merchant union , we can be faithful to lord Cedric for a moment and buy some residential property here as token of gratitude to them."

everyone agreed to this judgement and left there own way to prepare .

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