Norfolk Car Dealership Placed Off-Limits Again To All Service Members

This week, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic returned Carafello’s Auto Sales, LLC, located at 6328 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., to the off-limits list for all Hampton Roads service members. The swift move to place them on the off-limits list again was due to recent reports of the unscrupulous business practice known as bird-dogging.
Bird-dogging occurs when someone refers a prospective customer to a particular dealership or salesperson for a given fee or compensation. Only salespersons licensed to a dealership can assist customers with the purchase of a vehicle.
The dealership was previously placed on the off-limits list on Nov. 12, 2015 after the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board (AFDCB) became aware that the dealership was bird-dogging at that time. Carafello’s Auto Sales, LLC was subsequently removed from the list on March 14, 2016 after providing information to the board that demonstrated the dealership was again in compliance with Virginia motor vehicle dealer laws and regulations.
Recently, Carafello’s Auto Sales resumed bird-dogging targeting young Sailors outside the gates and Navy Exchange. Several Sailors were sold vehicles without being in possession of driver’s licenses.
Carafello’s practice of selling automobiles to personnel without driver’s licenses unfairly targets junior service members, taking advantage of their limited financial understanding or ability to walk away from a negotiation.
The current off-limits list includes the following locations:
• 7 City’s Custom & Design, 1062 37th St., Norfolk
• 7 City’s Custom & Design, 117 E. Princess Anne Rd., Norfolk
• Best Price Auto Sales AKA US Auto Excellence, 3336 Holland Rd, Virginia
Beach
• Carafello’s Auto Sales, LLC, 6328 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk
• Mellow Smoke Tobacco Shop, 1948 Diamond Springs Rd., Virginia Beach
• Outer Edge Gifts, 760-B J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News
• Prime Auto AKA Skyline Auto, 4114 E. Indian River Rd, Chesapeake
• The Vault, 86 W. Mercury Blvd., Hampton
• The Vault, 15435-B Warwick Blvd., Newport News
• The Vault, 4746 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Hayes
• TKYU Bar, 1910 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach
These establishments will remain off-limits until the next scheduled meeting of the AFDCB, at which time the board will reconsider the status of each business on the list.
The AFDCB works closely with businesses that are being considered for the off-limits list to avoid these actions. Mitigation efforts demonstrated by area businesses, and communication to the board by the businesses, often have favorable results.
Establishments are given an opportunity to notify the AFDCB in writing that corrective actions have occurred. Removal from the list will be considered by the board upon presentation that satisfactory corrective actions have been taken. Failure to respond will result in the board making a request for establishment representatives to appear in person at a formal hearing of the AFDCB.
The safety and security of all service members is a priority for the Department of Defense. The AFDCB is an investigative committee composed of members from each military service in the Hampton Roads area, as well and civilian advisers, who work with local law enforcement agencies and local businesses to identify conditions which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, and discipline of the armed forces.
For up to date information regarding off-limits establishments, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma.html and click on “Off-Limits List” under Popular Links.