Ishmael the Shopkeeper and Viscountess Iida
“Ah, my apologies. I got a little carried away.”
“Yes… you did come on a bit strong.”
“My deepest apologies. Now then, may I continue the explanation?”
“Uh… y-yes.”
“When selling a product, we first have the customer confirm that there are no defects, and as proof of that, we issue this Certificate of Quality Assurance.
However, there are certain rules to the guarantee. Can you guess what they are?”
(This shopkeeper… isn’t he getting a little too excited, blushing like that? It’s kind of overwhelming.)
“Well… what would those be? Could you explain?”
“Yes, yes! First of all… the guarantee lasts for six months. If the item breaks within that period, it can be repaired free of charge or replaced.
Kai Chairs are sold with the clear statement that they are products worthy of a quality guarantee, so defects or breakdowns are exceedingly rare. That’s how confident we are in them.
However, since they are made by human hands, one never knows what might happen. In the unlikely event of a defect or malfunction, at that time, we guarantee free repair or replacement, as long as it is within six months.”
And here is what you must be careful about, cases involving intentional damage or negligence are not covered under the guarantee. To prove that it was not intentional or due to negligence, we first conduct a hearing about the situation, then recreate the same conditions to verify it. Only after confirming that the claim is not false does it become eligible for the guarantee.”
“So it’s not something where you can easily get free repairs or replacements.”
“That is correct.”
“And so, madam, by including this Certificate of Quality Assurance, if you can gain the peace of mind that you are protected in case something happens, then you may purchase with confidence.”
“I see… so in other words, Margrave Marsh is selling top-quality products, and on top of that, they come with safety and peace of mind?”
“Exactly!! That is precisely it!”
(Wow, he’s really fired up.)
“Then I’ll take this one here, the Kai Chair with the lovely decorations and carvings.”
“Certainly. Thank you very much for your purchase. I will include the Quality Guarantee Certificate. Now then, where shall we deliver it?”
“No need for delivery. I’ll have someone from my household come pick it up. Would that be alright? And I’ll pay now.”
Just like that, I made another sale of a Kai Chair.
The trust and credibility brought by the Marsh family crest…
And the sense of security provided by the Quality Guarantee Certificate.
Sales of Kai Chairs, which had once dipped because of that incident, had begun to rise again.
For now, I cannot skip explaining the Quality Guarantee Certificate to each and every customer. It is necessary for them to properly understand the meaning of guaranteeing quality.
In time, once people come to understand what a quality guarantee means, and why it is necessary, the importance of the Quality Guarantee Certificate will grow, and it will surely become indispensable for all kinds of products.
For us merchants, trust, safety, and peace of mind are everything.
Trust through trademarks.
Safety through reliable craftsmanship.
Peace of mind through a Quality Guarantee Certificate.
To recognize the need for these so early and incorporate them into business… whoever came up with this has remarkable talent as a merchant.
My instincts as a businessman are tingling. This is getting exciting. I wonder what new things will be created next.
I sincerely hope that Margrave Marsh will continue to entrust work to our company.
—
The noblewoman left Ishmael Woodworks.
At the coachman’s invitation, she stepped into the carriage.
“How was Ishmael Woodworks, Viscountess Iida?”
“I heard some very interesting things.”
“Now then, let’s return to the estate. Please set off.”
What do you think about this chapter?
