Spring in London is rainy, and the continuous spring rain can even affect many people's mood.
At least, for the directors of the great shipping companies, their mood was like the London smog in winter, and like the continuous rain in spring.
Never seen better.
But now, in the building of the great shipping company, the mood of these shipowners and directors is even worse!
It was so bad. They were either holding pipes or smoking cigars. They all remained silent, and their moods were extremely simple and complicated.
Facing the ship owners of the great shipping companies, Buffett was speaking to them in a arrogant tone.
"Dear gentlemen, sometimes I have to admit that maybe some undertakings are great, but as we all know, great undertakings often cost money, such as the "Great Eastern". Each of us knows very well.
It was bought by your company from the slipway, and from completion to sea trial, it has never earned a single pound for your company!"
Faced with Buffett's rude words, David Duncan, the chairman of the great shipping company, said nonchalantly.
"For now, we can afford to lose money."
In fact, he was just a strong man but a weak man. Everyone knew this. Although the other shipowners sitting there did not speak, they had only one thought in their minds - sell the guy who was losing money!
Is the Great Eastern great?
Of course it is great. It is a behemoth with a displacement of nearly 30,000 tons. It is a floating city on the sea. It is the largest iron ship in the world. It is an industrial miracle of Britain. It is... even the reason why their company
It was called the "Great Shipping Company" because of the greatness of the "Great Eastern".
But it is definitely a loss maker!
And it’s the kind of loser who can drag everyone to death or bankruptcy.
A great miracle?
No matter how great it is, losing money all day long is useless! They all invested real money in this iron ship. Now not only can they not earn a penny, but they also have to fill in money all day long. How can they not have a headache.
It's not just a headache, it's simply heartache. This ship is like a nightmare to them, and they don't know how many people have been dragged down. Just like his former ship owner Russell has been dragged down.
It is only a matter of time before they are brought down. We must stop the losses in time.
"Really? Mr. David, how long can you hold on? As we all know, because of the company's losses, you can't even afford the cost of direct sailing to Australia, and now the French are building the Suez Canal. The "Great Eastern" may be great, but
But he couldn't use the Suez Canal, and the canal greatly reduced the voyage to Australia. You changed the route to the Americas, but what was the result?"
Buffett threw the firm's investigation report on the table and sneered at David Duncan.
"Until now, the largest number of passengers on your ship has only been a thousand, and every voyage of the Great Eastern has been a heavy loss. Sir, just last month, how much loss did it bring to the company? Ten thousand pounds?
Twenty thousand pounds? Or more? Can you afford such a loss?"
Turning his attention to other ship owners, Buffett said unceremoniously.
"A loss of more than one hundred thousand pounds a year. What has been the reward for you in the past two years by that great ship, the Great Eastern? A loss of up to two hundred thousand pounds, gentlemen..."
"
Pointing to the "Great Shipping Company" nameplate on the wall, Buffett scoffed.
"The miraculous loss brought by the great ship! This is the reward he brings to you! Well, I only give you one chance. Now, you have the opportunity to decide whether to sell it or continue to suffer the great loss,
Gentlemen, I probably..."
"Pop" opened the pocket watch, Buffett said.
"One hour! As you all know, I'm very busy!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the shipowners started talking one after another, and David Duncan couldn't sit still.
"Mr. Brino, even so, your price is simply buying scrap iron."
In fact, it's not that David Duncan is unwilling to sell the "Great Eastern". No matter how great a great ship is, it is useless if it can't make money! He is unwilling to sell it. In the final analysis, it is because Buffett's asking price really makes it impossible for him to sell it.
accept.
Because the price is ridiculously low!
Basically, they buy it according to the price of scrap metal. How can they accept such a low price?
"Scrap metal?"
Buffett put away the smile on his face and said seriously.
"At least the scrap iron will not bring losses to the shipowners, but that pile of scrap iron will cost the shipowners one hundred thousand pounds each. Mr. Duncan, my friend, you can find anyone willing to bid to take over the "Great Eastern"
"Is it? No!"
No one will buy the Great Eastern.
This is certain, in London, no, in the whole world, everyone knows that the "Great Eastern" is a loss-making product, that loss-making product!
After shaking his head vigorously, Buffett looked at the shipowners and said.
"No one will take over it because... it is just a pile of scrap metal! Gentlemen, you all know this. Maybe after one or two months, maybe half a year later, you who cannot bear the loss will stop sailing, and then
It will rust day by day in the port, and it will eventually turn into a pile of scrap metal!"
Buffett raised his chin slightly, feeling so proud in his heart!
Although he didn't know whether the company would lose money after buying back the ship, one thing that was certain was that speaking so arrogantly in front of these high-minded guys, that carefree, that comfortable, not to mention how refreshing it was.
!
Of course, this kind of comfort and relaxation can only be bought with money!
Of course, in fact, this is just a negotiation skill. Just like some relationships between men and women, it is a pua that seizes the other party's weaknesses or disadvantages and works hard, and then always gets what it wants.
So what if they are Britain's elite capitalists? Why don't we just let us pua?
Scrap metal!
It's just a pile of scrap metal.
This sentence was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, making David and others unable to breathe. They frowned and smoked cigars, one after another. After a while,
David Duncan said.
"I hope we can discuss the price again."
Finally, he decided to face the reality. The reality is that the "Great Eastern" is indeed a pile of unsellable scrap metal. It may be great, but it cannot earn a penny, so it is worthless.
"Discuss? I don't think there is any room for negotiation!"
Said shipowner Frank Baring when Buffett flatly refused.
"Of course there is room for negotiation. If you can make concessions on the price, Bahrain Bank is willing to provide a 70% low-interest loan for your company to purchase the Great Eastern."
As the chairman of Barings Bank, Frank Barings saw a business opportunity that belonged to him. By providing a loan in exchange for the other party's price concessions, it was a huge gain for him without any harm. After all, banks make money from loans.
, and increasing the selling price can also reduce his losses.
"Um……"
After a moment of silence, Buffett thought about it in his mind and said.
"I will add another 20,000 pounds, but in addition to selling the Great Eastern, you will also include the company's terminal warehouse in Liverpool and other facilities!"
This chapter has been completed!