A woman claims she was “scammed” into paying for more car services than she asked for during what was supposed to be a quick visit to the mechanic. TikTok creator @livin_laughin_lovin_ filmed herself at a dealership, explaining that she only came in for an oil change and a New York state inspection. But while she waited, she decided to turn it into a game: “Let’s see what else they try and tack on.” In other words, she wanted to see what additional services the mechanics would recommend—and how much they’d try to upsell her. “Am I getting scammed at the car service department?” she asks in the text overlay of her clip. While it’s not clear whether she was actually scammed, the mechanics did suggest extra services—something she implied happens often to women who go to mechanics alone. “Just girly things,” she says. In another text overlay, she claims, “THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME 2K TO CHANGE THE BREAKS.” Why Women Get ‘Scammed’ at the Mechanic Studies show women are often quoted higher prices at auto shops or told they need extra work done, especially when they seem unsure about what a repair should cost or whether the service is really necessary. This type of scammy behavior doesn’t happen everywhere—many mechanics are honest—but the pattern is well-documented. FROM THE TRENDING NEWS DESK Viral bits from across the social media landscape Our team of experts tracks what's trending so you don't have to—from viral videos to online debates that have everyone talking. A 2017 Harvard Business School study found that women who called a repair shop and admitted they didn’t know the going rate were quoted about $20 more than men who said the same thing. Researchers believe some mechanics assume men will spot an inflated price, while women are more likely to accept it. When customers, regardless of gender, said they knew the average price, the gap disappeared. The problem goes beyond higher quotes. Some women say they’ve been pushed into unnecessary services or told parts were replaced when they weren’t. Dishonest shops can exploit a customer’s discomfort in a male-dominated space, betting they’ll be too intimidated to challenge the bill. There are plenty of ways to protect yourself. Look up prices before you head in, call a few different shops to compare, and try to get estimates in writing. Don’t be afraid to ask the mechanic to point out the problem and give you the old parts back if they’re replacing something. For big repairs, getting a second opinion can save you money and stress. And if you want a shop where you feel completely comfortable, female-owned businesses like Girls Auto Clinic focus on making the whole process straightforward and empowering for women. Viewers Agree: Get a Second Opinion In the caption of her video, @livin_laughin_lovin_ asks viewers to “help a girly pop out,” which likely means she was looking for advice on whether she was being scammed. While it’s impossible to know without seeing the state of @livin_laughin_lovin_’s car—or her brakes—many commenters urged her to get a second opinion and take time to find a trusted mechanic. “$2k is crazy, but look into getting your brakes changed somewhere else,” one person recommended. “It’s always good to have a trusted mechanic,” another added. “$2k for brakes is insane,” said a third. “Avoid the stealerships whenever possible.” @livin_laughin_lovin_ responded to that comment: “Yes, I said no, thank you! They think I have coins or something!” Motor1 has reached out to @livin_laughin_lovin_ via a TikTok direct message. We’ll update this if she responds.
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