Internet Applauds Woman's 'Pretty Woman' Moment With 'Sexist' Car Dealer

A woman said in a now-viral post that she once had a "Pretty Woman" moment with a "sexist" car dealer.

Posting in Reddit's "Malicious Compliance" forum under the username u/Karamist623, the woman wrote: "[A] car dealer told me to come back when I 'knew what I was talking about.'" The story amassed 8,200 upvotes and 1,200 supportive comments.

Women reportedly buy 62 percent of all new cars in the U.S. and influence more than 85 percent of all car purchases, said Forbes. Yet, a 2019 survey from AutoTrader revealed that 94 percent of women don't trust dealerships, and 40 percent "dread" the car buying process, reported Erin Baker, a member of Lamborghini's Female Advisory Board.

Part of this mistrust, says Baker, is rooted in the fact that women feel "disenfranchised;" female consumers want to be "respected," not "patronized" as u/Karamist623 had been.

'Malicious Compliance'

In her post, u/Karamist623 said she visited a dealership a few years ago in search of a "special edition" Jeep. But when she asked a salesman about the car, he told her it didn't exist.

"[I told him], 'Yes, it's a thing. It's on Jeep's official website. The website says you have one," u/Karamist623 said.

The salesman insisted that the car u/Karamist623 was looking for didn't exist and then told her to "come back when [she knew] what [she was] talking about." So, she left and found the Jeep elsewhere.

A week later, she drove back to the dealership in her new car "and made it a point to tell [the salesman] he missed out on a good commission and that he should never talk down to a customer—especially a woman."

Redditor u/Karamist623 told Newsweek that no one had ever treated her the way the salesman had.

"I did not expect that kind of treatment from the dealership at all. I was shocked, to be honest—I've never experienced that type of treatment anywhere before," she said.

Fortunately, her next experience was much better.

"The place I ended up getting my Jeep was amazing," she said. "My now ex-husband was with me, but the salesman looked at me while talking and addressed me specifically. The other place spoke to my husband for the most part."

The Car Buying Experience

Athena Staten, the owner of SheCar, an online car dealership, told Newsweek that she hears stories like u/Karamist623's "all the time."

"When I ask [customers], 'How did you hear about SheCar,' they'll often say, 'I just left the car dealer, and I was so [humiliated],'" Staten said. "They don't use the word, 'humiliated,' but that's what they felt—I know it.

"I always tell women, 'You can feel confident, you can stand your ground,'" Staten continued.

To feel confident when walking into a dealership, Staten says women should compile a list of basic needs and wants beforehand. She also recommends creating a budget.

"Think about how much you'll spend, not how little you want a car for," she advised.

Staten also reminded women to "trust themselves."

"When it boils down to it, it's just a car," she said. "Don't beat yourself up."

Redditors React

Redditors applauded u/Karamist623's story and likened the moment to Pretty Woman.

"[You] Julia Roberts'ed him," u/damishkers said.

u/bad_advices_guy wrote: "Damn you really just hit him with the Pretty Woman scenario."

"I LOVE THIS!" u/ForceAccomplished890 exclaimed.

"Please consider also posting to r/SexistRevenge," u/FixinThePlanet added. "Stories like this really make my day!"

We could not verify the details of the case.

Other 'Malicious Compliance' Stories

In September a woman went viral after sharing a photo of the stern note she received from a neighbor, asking her to stop walking barefoot around her apartment.

In July, Redditors applauded a woman who admitted she'd been an "a**hole" to her new neighbor.

And in April, a man divided online opinion after sharing how he dealt with a fence issue he'd had with his neighbor.

Updated 10/11/2022, 4:54 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with comments from u/Karamist623.