If you are African American or a Minority, Do not do - alb60
If you are African American or a Minority, Do not do business with Mercedes Benz of Chicago!
On January 30, 2026, my interest was initially drawn to a GLA 250, VIN: WDCTG4GB8JJ440769, prominently advertised on their official website for $18,944. Despite submitting three separate online inquiries over several days to convey my serious intent to purchase, I received no response, which I found to be an uncharacteristic lapse in customer communication for a dealership of their standing.
This lack of digital engagement prompted an in-person visit. During this visit, I was assisted by Ms. Karolina Cabaj, to whom I communicated my desire to trade in my current vehicle, for which I possessed the title.
It was during this discussion that a notable discrepancy emerged: the vehicle’s price was quoted at $20,444, representing a substantial increase of $1,500 from the advertised online price. While this significant price difference was concerning, my interest in the vehicle remained, and a test drive was scheduled for 10 AM the following day, with assurances that the vehicle would be prepared.
On the day of the scheduled test drive, I proactively contacted their dealership to advise of a brief delay in my arrival. Upon my arrival shortly thereafter, I was informed that Ms. Cabaj would not be present, a fact that had not been communicated to me previously.
My partner and I were then subjected to an extended wait of over an hour, during which we received contradictory and evolving explanations regarding the vehicle’s unavailability.
1. The vehicle will be here shortly
2. The vehicle is 5 minutes away
3. The vehicle keys were lost
4. The vehicle has not been inspected
During this prolonged and frustrating wait in the main lobby, my partner and I observed a discernible pattern in how customers were engaged by their sales staff. It appeared that white associates consistently and warmly greeted and attended to white customers upon their entry, while other customers, including myself, were largely overlooked or received only perfunctory acknowledgment. This perceived disparity in treatment caused us significant unease and raised serious questions about the dealership’s approach to customer service and equity.
The culmination of this experience arrived when, after expressing our profound dissatisfaction with the wait and inconsistent information, another associate informed us that the vehicle had been returned to the inspection site due to an incomplete inspection. This final explanation contradicted all prior communications and served as the breaking point in an already disheartening ordeal.
The aggregate of these incidents – the initial unresponsiveness, the significant price discrepancy, the unfulfilled promises regarding the test drive, the observed disparities in customer engagement, and the contradictory explanations – leads me to a deeply troubling conclusion. This was not merely an instance of poor customer service but rather a pattern suggestive of dishonesty, profound disrespect, and potentially, discriminatory practices. Such conduct severely undermines the integrity and reputation of their dealership.
I have meticulously documented all aspects of this incident, including screenshots of the online vehicle listing and all relevant communications. I am committed to pursuing all available avenues to ensure accountability and to prevent other customers from enduring a similar, profoundly disrespectful experience.
I even contacted the General Sales Manager, Gabriel Orelove and Sales Manager Leon Smith over a week ago and never received a reply.
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