Originally Posted by
Teggers
Working in the motor trade we see this all to often. Although not working in a "premium" brand, possibly not as much as some others! They are quite right - there are no "affordability checks" into the customers income/expenditure. The customer asks about finance on a car and we discuss deposits, terms etc and end up with a monthly figure. Personally, I always advise against 5 year finance as you all to often end up buried in the car. If you ask for a car and say you want to spend £500 a month, we kinda assume you know you can afford £500 a month (or maybe a bit more if I can get you to buy some extra bits too...bloody car salesman!)
There is, however, before completing the finance documents, a series of questions that is supposed to ensure the customer is making an informed decision and can afford the payments. In fact, one of the questions asks directly "Are the monthly payments affordable within your known budget?" So, in this case, no sympathy. She knew what her payments were going to be and agreed to them. The dealers ALWAYS get the sh*tty end of the stick as we're perceived as the bad guys conning people and forcing people to buy cars they can't afford. This couldn't be further from the truth now. There are so many checks, procedures and regulations that we cannot do this (in my mind, this is a good thing). Silly girl was blinded by the badge and the "I want everything NOW" attitude. She needs to take responsibility. If she can no longer afford it, speak to the finance company who *may* be able to help, or return the car as an HP agreement is secured on the car only. Unless she was really stupid and took it as a personal loan. In which case, she's screwed.