Elmhurst Car Dealer Refuses To Give Back Deposit: Cops

ELMHURST, IL – A man told an Elmhurst officer last month that a local auto dealership refused to return a $2,000 deposit, police said.

Patch obtained the full police report through a public records request.

On March 19, the 36-year-old man gave Elite Car Outlet, 178 Route 83, the $2,000 for a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, police said. He told officers he asked the dealership whether he could have 10 days to give the rest of the money for the car – $1,538. The dealership agreed to that.

After seven days, the man returned to get his money back, but the owner told him that Elite Car Outlet did not return deposits, police said.

The man went back to the dealership April 12 to give another $500 toward the car, but was told it was sold the previous day, police said.

The man asked for his money, but the dealership said it couldn't do that and that he should pick out another car in the parking lot, according to the report.

The man then called the police. An officer asked an employee about the situation.

The employee acknowledged the man gave $2,000, but the man was told he had 10 days to give the rest, or he would forfeit his money, police said.

The employee told the officer that the man was not entitled to get the money back.

The officer then asked to speak to the owner, who was put on the phone.

The owner reiterated the employee's information. The owner indicated the contract was oral, not written.

Elite was unable to produce any written document that it was allowed to keep the money, the police report said.

On its website, Elite Car Outlet says it has been in business for more than a quarter century.

"Over half of our customers are repeat customers!" the dealership says on the site. "We are not like other dealers!"