I had a terrible, disappointing, and frustrating experience that made me absolutely furious with…read morethe interaction I had with Tommy and Johnny at Midway Autohaus, 7405 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL 60455
After purchasing a vehicle, I was informed by Tommy during the third week of my possession of the vehicle that my financing had not been approved. Tommy then texted me, threatening me to go back to the dealership or else he would void the plates or put the car out for repo. I told him I couldn't go during workdays, so I scheduled an appointment for Saturday the 18th of July. At the dealership, I was told that for me to be able to keep the car, I should sign a new contract with different financing terms and make an additional down payment. I found these new demands ridiculous and unreasonable, and they raised significant red flags and serious concerns about the legitimacy of the transaction. As a result, I declined to sign the new contract and instead requested that the transaction be unwound.
Immediately, Tommy got very agitated and raised his voice, saying that the dealership would keep my down payment. When I asked Tommy to show me which part of the contract allows him to keep my down payment, he refused to tell me. I reviewed the purchase contract I was provided, and I could not find any provision that would allow the dealership to retain my down payment under these circumstances. He said he had a document signed by me that allows him to keep the down payment. When I asked him to show it to me, he refused. This document was not included in the list of documents I received when I signed the contract.
He then requested another employee to block the car in the lot. At this point, he was yelling at my mother and me. He literally forced us out of his office and threatened to call the police on us, saying that I would go to jail, which I found shocking. He then attempted to leave the building but later returned to his office, shut the door on us, and hid there.
He made one of his co-workers, who identified himself as Johnny (the same one who blocked the car), talk to us because, for whatever reason, he could no longer speak to us. I was not provided with any written receipt or documentation acknowledging that the dealership had possession of the vehicle. I also requested copies of all documents I had signed, including a document the Midway Autohaus claimed allowed them to keep part or all of my down payment. Still, Tommy and Johnny refused to provide me with a copy.
I contacted the police to document the situation, but they advised it was a civil matter. I have since requested all documentation in writing, but they have not responded.
My biggest concern is the return of my down payment. Despite the financing falling through and my request to unwind the transaction, Tommy claimed that Midway Autohaus would keep my entire down payment and refused to provide the document he said authorized them to do so. As a customer, I genuinely feel like I got SCAMMED. No customer should ever have to fight to recover their own money or be denied copies of documents they signed. Based on my experience, I strongly urge anyone considering doing business with Midway Autohaus to proceed with extreme caution. Read every document carefully, insist on receiving copies of everything you sign, and do not rely on verbal promises. I wish I had chosen a different dealership, and I hope this review helps others avoid going through what I experienced.
I have also sent a formal email requesting copies of the documents related to my transaction and an explanation regarding my down payment. Still, I have not received any response from Tommy. I sincerely hope someone from Midway Autohaus management or ownership will review this matter, contact me directly, and work toward a fair resolution. I would much rather resolve this issue professionally than continue escalating it through consumer protection agencies and other appropriate channels.