A story circulating online highlights the practical financial realities prospective luxury car buyers face, even with a purchase seemingly within reach. The narrative unfolds through a shared conversation between a car sales advisor and a potential customer.
The advisor, known as Paan, shared a WhatsApp exchange on Threads that quickly went viral. The customer was interested in a 2021 Mercedes GLA but had an income of RM5,400 per month. Paan, as part of his due diligence, began to inquire about the customer’s financial situation.
Reconditioned, or ‘recon,’ cars are pre-owned cars that have undergone inspection and refurbishment.
When Paan asked if the customer had a guarantor with a higher income, the customer suggested his wife. Paan then inquired, as is standard practice, about the wife’s income, which led to the customer becoming upset. The customer expressed his frustration: “You don’t need to ask me too many questions. Fine, I’ll find another dealer.”
Paan attempted to explain his position, emphasizing his role as a sales advisor and his intention to help, even suggesting more affordable options. In a conversation with WORLD OF BUZZ, Paan said the customer ended the conversation after the explanation. “As a sales advisor, I wasn’t trying to be a busy body,” Paan explained. He added, “Even if he didn’t tell me, I would still need documents from him.”
Paan told WORLD OF BUZZ that the specific car of interest would cost approximately RM260,000. He attempted to offer the customer more budget-friendly choices given the provided financial details, but to no avail. “Other sales advisor would have just proceeded, and the bank would reject eventually. This is time consuming,” Paan said.
Paan clarified that owning a luxury car with a modest income wasn’t impossible, but it required strategic financial planning. “You need to make huge deposits to minimise your monthly installment. You also need to have a lot of savings for the maintenance. The insurance and roadtax alone for Mercedes can go up to RM7,000.”
This scenario underscores the importance of considering the ongoing expenses associated with luxury car ownership, a point often underestimated by prospective buyers. It also highlights the sales advisor’s role in guiding customers towards financially sound decisions. Sales advisors must consider a buyer’s ability to finance monthly payments and unexpected repair bills.
In conclusion, while the allure of a luxury car is undeniable, potential buyers must also realistically assess their overall financial capacity to meet all the associated costs of ownership.
