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Woman Goes Car Shopping. Then The Salesman Asks A Shocking Question: 'I Know We Get A Bad Reputation'

"The fastest way to get me to not purchase anything for you."

Woman Goes Car Shopping. Then The Salesman Asks A Shocking Question

Photo by: themayadose & Ngampol

Alexandra Samuels

By: Alexandra Samuels

Mar 7, at 4:00pm ET

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A woman is going viral after sharing the clapback she delivered to a car salesman who tried to pry into her personal life.

Maya Esparza-Alexander (@themayadose), a 27-year-old woman based in Tennessee, says she was in the middle of negotiating a deal when the salesman asked what she describes as a wild question.

In a TikTok about the interaction, Esparza-Alexander recalls the man asking her, “Is this the first time you’ve purchased a car without your husband?”

She says she told him it wasn’t—and that she’s usually the one who handles car-related affairs anyway.

The salesman responded: “Well, I know we get a bad reputation, but I treat everyone the same.”

That’s when Esparza-Alexander fired back.

“Interesting, do you ask men if this is their first time purchasing a car without their wife?” she retorted, according to her clip.

She didn’t capture the exchange on video, but recreated it word-for-word in the text overlay of her post. The video has racked up more than 788,500 views as of this writing.

In the caption, she suggests the interaction cost the salesman a sale.

“The fastest way to get me to not purchase anything for you,” Esparza-Alexander writes.

How To Handle Creepy Car Salesmen

If a car salesperson crosses the line, the most effective and simplest move is to walk away. You don’t owe a dealership your time, your money, or an explanation if the interaction becomes uncomfortable.

Setting boundaries early, as Esparza-Alexander did, can help keep things from going sideways. If you feel like a salesperson is trying to pry into your personal life, keep the conversation focused on the transaction and steer them back towards the matter at hand—especially if you begin to feel uncomfortable.

If you find that salesperson ignores what you asked for or starts pushing you toward something else or a vehicle you’re not interested in, call it out. Tell them directly what you’re looking for and make clear you’ll leave if the pressure continues.

And if the person you’re dealing with makes you uncomfortable, you can always ask to work with someone else. In these cases, it’s best to request the sales manager and let them know you’d prefer a different salesperson.

Doing some homework ahead of time may help alleviate pressure. Research prices on sites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds and line up financing through your bank or credit union before setting foot on the lot.

Women Share Stories Of Misogyny At Car Dealerships

Esparza-Alexander’s video quickly drew responses from hundreds of women, many of whom said the exchange felt all too familiar. In the comments, they shared their own stories about feeling patronized during conversations with car salesmen.

“My husband gets to test drive without the salesman,” one woman wrote. “I don’t.”

“Went to a dealership—they said they would show me a car when my husband was also available,” another commenter recalled. “Then called to ask why I didn’t purchase my car through them.”

“I was asked if I had permission to make a purchase today,” a third woman added.

One viewer said the question she received was just as dismissive.

“I got asked if I needed to go home and talk it over with my husband,” she wrote. “So I just went home.”

Another commenter said the assumptions sometimes go even further.

“YEP! I also got asked if I needed my parents there,” she wrote. “Like, no, I’m a 27-year-old, thank you.”

With so many women describing similar interactions, several commenters applauded Esparza-Alexander for pushing back.

“This is my first impression of you, girl, and WE NEED MORE,” one person wrote.

“SLAY, Gurl, SLAY,” another added.

“Mic drop!” a third commenter wrote.

“Get it, girlie,” a fourth woman chimed in.

Others who said they regularly handle car purchases themselves said they’ve run into the same reaction at dealerships.

“Literally!! I handle this stuff, and my husband went with me to buy his car, and they wouldn’t even look at me,” one woman wrote.

“Same girl! I am the talker and negotiator,” another added.

What do you think?

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“My husband went with me when I bought a new car & it was very clearly my entire deal & the guy asked if we were putting him on the title. I said, ‘why?’” another commenter wrote.

Motor1 has reached out to Esparza-Alexander via a direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this if she responds.

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