American History 1988
Chapter 93 - 87: The Fat Contract

Chapter 93: Chapter 87: The Fat Contract

Why was David tempted? Because, as he had just said, Affordable Rent managed properties in Columbus alone amounted to over three hundred thousand, and the guests they accommodated were on the level of half a million.

An advertising count of 300,000 and tenant credit inquiry occurrences could possibly be satisfied just with Columbus alone. If expanded to the whole of Ohio, it would be even easier for Affordable Rent.

And though the quantity might sound large, the combined cost of both these services didn’t even reach ten million. This was even less than the annual losses incurred by Affordable Rent due to various damages caused by tenants.

Of course, this didn’t mean that David would immediately sign off on such a large order upon being tempted. Affordable Rent needed to carefully consider the market performance of Price’s List and Multi Charge after making decisions about the exact numbers, and even those were flexible. Specific prices could be determined based on tiered pricing.

"Although this quote seems good, we don’t know how effective your advertising or credit service inquiries are. Therefore, I hope both parties can negotiate the price further," David said.

Of course, one must negotiate when doing business. Dean had assigned this duty to John and Susie, who were responsible for specific business operations. It was fitting for them to take the lead.

After several rounds of bargaining, Dean and his team agreed to compromise on the first two tiered pricing options. The cost of advertising remained unchanged, but Monetize Rent lowered its inquiry fee by one US Dollar from the original basis.

This was deliberately reported in excess by Dean and his team, aiming to attract as many Multi Charge orders as possible. Now, even with a slight price reduction, they could still accept it.

The price was negotiated, but before signing the agreement, David made an unexpected request.

"We hope you can change the directory title of the rental section in Price’s List to, ’Affordable Rent,’"

Dean and John looked at each other, realizing that the other party also knew some tricks.

The official name of Affordable Rent company was exactly that, Affordable Rent, while the original title of the rental section on Price’s List was "Rent."

David was now asking to add a word in front, changing it to "Affordable Rent," which seemed reasonable. However, this was essentially a form of advertising for Affordable Rent, and a very conspicuous one at that.

"Mr. Nathan, this is somewhat inconsistent with Price’s List’s operating policy. We don’t wish to add extra advertising burdens to our users beyond what our advertisements already provide," Dean tried to maintain Price’s List’s clean page style, which he wanted to develop into a future calling card.

"But it’s only an extra word. It isn’t in conflict with the website in meaning or harmony, right? We’re not requesting the addition of a sensitive word like ’company,’" said David, who had come upon this brilliant idea while researching Price’s List.

"But..." Dean frowned, wanting to explain further.

"Mr. Price, if you agree to our terms, Affordable Rent will sign the agreement immediately and guarantee a minimum of 100,000 ad orders in the first year," David threw in his bargaining chip, leading with financial power.

100,000 entries! That meant that Price’s List would have a revenue of at least 400,000 US Dollars in the next year. This wasn’t a small figure, especially during the crucial phase of Price’s List’s expansion.

After conferring with John, Dean made a concession. "Mr. Nathan, we can agree to your terms; however, we would like to put a time limit on it. ’Affordable Rent’ will only appear for half a year. After six months, Price’s List will revert to normal."

Half a year? David promptly agreed to the term. For Affordable Rent, six months was enough time to cement the term "Affordable Rent" in users’ minds.

As a newly launched website, the initial presentation of Price’s List would form the first impression on its audience.

In other words, under the principle of "first impressions last", the image of Affordable Rent would be deeply etched in the users’ memories. Even if it later changes back to "Rent", many people would still, out of habit, refer to it as "Affordable Rent."

Seeing that David agreed to the conditions of Price’s List, Dean and John were relieved. If it weren’t for the fact that the amended name did not stand out awkwardly and still matched the content of the website, Dean wouldn’t have agreed to the conditions.

Standing there and earning money, frankly, is quite difficult, but Dean was still persevering.

"Mr. Nathan, in addition to the conditions above, Price’s List would like a small favor from Affordable Rent." Just as both parties were agreeing to the terms and preparing to sign the contract, Dean made a small request.

"Does it relate to the content of our agreement?" David set down the pen, asking tentatively.

"It won’t affect our agreement, it’s just a matter of promotion for Price’s List," John hurried to explain to avoid any misunderstanding.

"Please go ahead."

"We hope your company can add Price’s List’s name to the city-wide Rose Festival parade happening next week. It doesn’t need to be prominent—just a small space will do.

After all, as the website is about to launch, we also wish to attract users as quickly as possible and then bring more traffic to Affordable Rent’s advertisements," John had just thought of this idea, hoping to ride on the coattails of Affordable Rent’s momentum.

The city-wide Rose Festival parade was an excellent opportunity for exposure, as the names of the sponsors on the parade floats would be seen by most of the city’s residents.

David clearly understood John’s intent, and after turning to whisper with his secretary and receiving an affirmative response, he nodded.

"If you want to add your name, the cost of remaking the billboards will be on you. Also, Price’s List’s name can only appear after Affordable Rent, with restrictions on font size and length," he dictated.

"OK, no problem, thank you for your generosity," John agreed without hesitation.

Compared to seeking sponsorship from the organizers, the cost of creating some billboards was minuscule. This expense was trivial in John’s view, given the bountiful return on investment.

"So have we made a deal, then?" David looked at Dean, waiting for his reply.

"Of course, the partnership with Cheap Rent is of milestone significance for both Price’s List and More Rent," he said.

After nodding to each other, both parties signed the contract. Their attorneys had already verified everything beforehand, and now the deal was officially in effect.

Price’s List had landed the biggest contract in its history, a $400,000 US Dollar advertising commitment. Dean hardly needed to worry about its growth anymore.

Morgan Tailer’s personal connections had played a certain role, and the performance of Price’s List in Cleveland was the basis that made the cooperation possible.

Although Cheap Rent did not specify a number of orders for the credit check service, they accepted the tiered pricing.

In the course of future services, once the target number of queries from Cheap Rent reached the corresponding threshold, the pricing would automatically come into effect.

In Columbus, the tenant credit check market saw 500,000 occurrences annually, and the entire state of Ohio even more. While Cheap Rent wouldn’t run credit checks on every tenant, capturing just 30% would be a substantial volume of business for More Rent.

Dean was confident that after experiencing More Rent’s service, they would gradually become dependent on it. And when they tried to get quotes from other companies, they would find that there isn’t a second one like it in the whole of Ohio?

A few US Dollars per ad might be average, but the credit checks, averaging over ten dollars each, were very considerable. What was crucial was that the number of guests Cheap Rent serviced far exceeded the number of their properties.

Before the internet fully took over, the market potential for More Rent was even broader than for Price’s List, at least in the short term.

Having secured a lucrative deal for his two businesses, Dean felt relieved and ready for his move to California.

But before leaving, he had many goodbyes to say. Although he could return for the holidays, California was simply too far away.

"Susie, with Cheap Rent onboard, we’re basically on solid footing in Columbus. Organizations like real estate investor alliances could also be developed appropriately.

Remember, keep the financial information confidential. Until we are strong enough, try to avoid drawing too much attention to ourselves.

For routine political fundraisers, you can also make an appearance. While they won’t bring obvious benefits, they won’t cause us any trouble.

If there are any issues, first contact Wedner and listen to his advice. And..." Dean’s voice trailed off halfway through as Susie suddenly hugged him from behind.

"Susie, don’t be like this, I’m not leaving forever."

"I was just wondering if it would have been okay if you had never appeared, and I’d stayed in Youngstown as a full-time landlord," Susie’s muffled voice came from behind him.

"Oh~ In that case, we would miss out on a lot of fun," Dean instinctively avoided another answer.

Susie was silent for a few seconds before agreeing with a smile, "You’re right, then we wouldn’t have the business we have now."

"Hey~ What’s between you and me isn’t business, Susie," Dean corrected her small mistake.

"Prove it to me," Susie turned his body around.

"I assure you, you’ll get your answer!" Dean declared with full commitment.

...

"So, you’re here to say goodbye to me?" Miranda lay in Dean’s arms, staring blankly at the ceiling above.

"Darling, you know, I’m about to go to Stanford..."

"I know," Miranda turned over, leaving her smooth back facing him.

Dean moved a bit closer and hugged her from behind. "Miranda, I don’t know how to make promises, but the time I’ve spent with you is the most spectacular part of my life."

Huh, had he said this to someone before? After a brief recollection, Dean pushed that thought aside.

"Even though I’m going to study in California, we can still see each other during the holidays. A plane ride is just half a day away."

"I’m fine, Dean. I’ve also had a great time, and I’ll cherish it as a beautiful memory."

"Miranda, are... are you really okay?" Dean quietly lifted his head, trying to see her face.

"I should go now." Miranda got up with her back to him, then after getting dressed, she left the room.

"Hey~ Miranda~!" Dean instinctively wanted to follow, but by the time he got dressed, there was no one to be seen.

"WTF?" Dean was completely baffled. Was it because he was moving to California?