Salam All,
I think there is typical thinking when you relate chinese and malay in economy. And one thing that everyone agrees is that Chinese hold our economy. That can be true also. But What I want to express in this post is the difference between chinese and malay salesman - car salesman to be precise.
See, my family have experience this few times already.
First story: My late father is a regular postman. Wearing blue uniform, riding kapcai motorcycle, come to a Proton Showroom decided few days ago that he wanted to buy a Waja. Arriving to the showroom on EX5 and wearing the uniform, at the moment it was the malay salesman entertained him. With typical look in the eyes like my father have no money, he merely there for him to show him more of the car. With frustated and feeling like he was looked down for make my father leave at ONCE - which is a lost for the MALAY salesguy.
Second story: With same attire and kapcai my father went to another Proton showroom. He really determined as it was a supprise gift for my mother. Its not like we do not have any car at the moment. This time it was a Chinese salesman. He explain the car with full enthusiasm, explaining full feature, choices can be made, option car and many more. After satisfied my father did book the car. Together with quite high amount of deposit because my father do not like have too many loan. We got the car few weeks later.
What I want to point out is, this is the current condition. The mentality for Malays. Most of them are not honest in doing business. Only looking for first impression to judge others. Only entertain high class people and have money. Choosy in doing business or work. This negative thinking. We should all get rid of it. Its like every Malay is typical.
Few years ago same thing happened to my mother when she went to buy Saga BLM. Since I was at Pahang, she went with her friend. With typical makcik appearance no one will bother to attend to her. But there was this Chinese salesman and I really thanked him a LOT because he is willing to help her and make the process went smooth and easy. We still contact to this day. Yesterday we contact him again. Even though he already quit from Proton, he still willing to come and show us. With previous experience, we are happy to have his service again. We decided to take new since my brother will finish college soon.
There was once my mother tell me, when she went to workshop to repair her car - Indian owned workshop (see, my family do not have any issue with races. haha) We've been customer for this workshop for a very long time already. While waiting for her car to finish, there was two malay - wearing smart attire (again...sorry. but what to do? most of shameless things are done by my own race) and their car is finished. But when the boss quote them the price they went like "Eh..mahal nye. 40 ringgit dah lah. Apalah kau ni mahal-mahal." - and drove off. The mechanics dealing with them with shock in his eyes just stand there speechless. This workshop is known for their honesty and cheap service charge. I feel ashamed things like this happened. If I was there I would just yell back "KALAU TAK ADA DUIT TAK PAYAH NAK PAKAI KERETA LAAA!!!! KONON PAKAI SMART2 TAPI DUIT TAKDAK BAIK TAK PAYAAHHH!!"
With good rapport with customer, any salesman will surely be remembered and the customer will return for them. I just hope that the malay one will realize someday, not everyone with smart appearance have money and people with normal appearance don't have money. Hope this is lesson learned by those salesman. I also really hoping that any Malay reading this will change their attitude and mentality to be more positive towards others.
Adios...
-LB-
