Honda Manager Demands Date, Adds $10K After Customer’s Refusal
▼ Summary
– A woman recorded a car salesman at a Honda dealership repeatedly making unwanted advances and conditioning a car sale on her agreeing to a date, which she refused.
– The salesman became unprofessional, refusing to show pricing and paperwork, and dismissed her discomfort by claiming he was joking and telling her to relax.
– The creator clarified her friendliness was misinterpreted and that this was a clear case of harassment, leaving her unsure how to proceed legally.
– This incident reflects a broader, documented pattern of gender discrimination in car sales, including significant price markups and poorer service for women.
– Research shows women historically pay higher prices and face disadvantages in negotiations and financing, a phenomenon often referred to as a “pink tax.”
For many women, the experience of purchasing a vehicle can be fraught with anxiety, extending far beyond standard price negotiations. A recent viral incident has cast a harsh spotlight on the persistent issues of gender bias and unprofessional conduct that can plague the car-buying process, highlighting a need for greater accountability in sales environments.
A content creator known as Em recently shared a disturbing account from her visit to a Honda dealership in California. According to her video, which has garnered millions of views, a sales manager repeatedly pressured her for a date, tying the sale of a vehicle to her social acceptance. When she declined his advances, the situation escalated; the manager allegedly refused to complete the sale and later added a $10,000 markup when confronted about his behavior. The recorded interactions reveal a salesman insisting a date was a “required” part of the deal, followed by dismissive remarks and interruptions when Em and a companion expressed their discomfort.
In a follow-up statement, Em clarified that her polite demeanor was misinterpreted. She emphasized that her friendliness was not an invitation, a common frustration for many women who feel their basic courtesy is mistaken for romantic interest. She is currently considering her options for how to address the situation, stating she is carefully determining her next steps.
This troubling event is not an anomaly but rather a symptom of a longstanding pattern of discrimination in automotive retail. Academic studies spanning decades document systemic issues. A famous study from the 1990s found significant disparities in final prices, with white women paying considerably more than white men, and women of color facing even steeper markups. This bias isn’t confined to pricing. Research indicates women often receive less attention and information on the showroom floor and may face higher costs in auto financing, a phenomenon sometimes called the “pink tax.”
The public reaction to Em’s video has been one of widespread support and concern. Viewers expressed outrage at the salesman’s conduct, with many labeling it clear harassment rather than a poor attempt at humor. Others voiced worries about the safety implications, given that the salesperson had access to her personal information during the transaction.
The broader implication is that cultural attitudes within certain industries continue to permit such unprofessional behavior, underscoring the need for transparent sales practices and rigorous corporate accountability. While the specific dealership has not publicly commented, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges many consumers still face.
(Source: motor1)
