‘I hate being a girl sometimes’: Influencer claims women are being ripped off by mechanics

An influencer has broken down in tears as she revealed the reason she sometimes “hates” being a woman.

Alice Bleathman, a Sydney-based influencer and dietitian, has claimed mechanics often take advantage of women under the assumption they won’t know any better.

The influencer is in the process of getting her van fixed after trekking around Australia, however she claims she’s having to spend twice as much money than men.

“I hate being a girl sometimes. I know that so many other women struggle with this,” she said in a video posted to TikTok.

“I’ve had two men try to come and fix my van and do bits and pieces and charge and whatever, and it’s like they take you for a ride because you’re a female.

“Because I don’t know any different they just do such s*** job and then I have to go and pay another person and it’s so frustrating because you just feel like a f***ing idiot.

“I end up spending twice as much money because they don’t do a good job because they think I don’t know any better and it’s just like far out sometimes I wish I wasn’t a f***ing girl.”

Bleathman added she’s “so sick of it because it happens all the time” when she needs her van fixed.

“This is the reality sometimes of being a female and asking for help,” she said.

Many women flocked to the comments to agree with Bleathman, recounting their own experiences of being overcharged.

“I’m single & have the same problem. Two plumbers came, quoted $3750 to fix a ‘major’ problem. Family friend’s mate is a plumber, he came checked it out, $375 to replace a faulty valve,” one person commented.

“This is so true … I have to get hubby to talk to them so they don’t rip me off,” another added.

“This happens to me all the time with my (car). It’s such a s***ty thing to experience. Head up chick x,” another comment read.

However others claimed this also happens to men.

“I am a man with enough mechanical experience and they treat me the same way hoping that I say nothing and just pay, they lie all the time,” one commented.

“It’s not just girls, it’s all trades taking advantage. Honest people are hard to find,” another added.

A woman also added that more women need to start taking up trades “so we don’t get ripped off”, while others attempted to point Bleathman in the direction of tried and tested mechanics.

“Hey love, where are you located? I’m female and own a mechanic shop. I feel for you and would be happy to help if we can,” one commented.

Others suggested she simply study up on the issue before heading to the mechanic, with others saying they’ve resorted to studying so they don’t get ripped off.

“This is why I did cert2 mechanical, electrical and panel beating and spray painting, so I could build knowledge off a good foundation and it really helped and rarely need to get work done by anyone now,” one person commented.