West Coast Auto Mall

Hello. If you have found a car from West Coast Auto Mall (or Palm Harbor Auto Mall), then PLEASE read this report. It could save you thousands if you listen!!! Please do not Gamble with them!!! Bank of America won’t touch them and neither will most major lenders.

WHO:

West Coast Auto Mall (d/b/a Palm Harbor Auto Mall) is owned by Chris Gamble and Dana Gamble, a husband and wife team. Steve Ketchum is their charming sales guy, who is usually the person at their car lot. This trio represents the "family owned and operated" West Coast Auto Mall.

WHY:

I am warning you about West Coast Auto Mall because 70% of their cars have been in an accident, have auction announced frame damage, or have odometer rollover/tampering evidence. You may lose thousands in repairs or find your "deal" is truly too good to be true.

The Gambles promote CarFax on their websites and ads; however, CarFax does NOT show "auction announced damage" reports. CarFax will show branded title, but it does NOT show these vital, informative auction announcements. (Please see ending where their current vin numbers that have evidence reports)

AUTOCHECK IS AWESOME:

If you want the auction announcement reports that the dealers hear before they bid on a car, then you need to use AutoCheck. I totally endorse CarFax as a supplement; however, AutoCheck.com will show auction announcements, as well as, accident reports. These auction announcements are for warnings that dealer hears BEFORE they bid on a potential car at auction. And yes, auto auctions are where the Gambles, being independent used car dealers, get most of their cars.

Right now, if you AutoCheck the 72 cars on the Gamble's have advertised, then you will find that 49 have been in accidents, have frame damage reports, or had odometer rollover/tampering evidence. That's a whopping 70%. That Gamble means the house almost always wins, even if they sell you a car for a price that appears to be a bargain. (Please see ending where their current vin numbers that have evidence reports)

WHERE THEY ADVERTISE:

Autotrader.com (currently all 72 cars)

Cars.com (which links to various websites including Autos.Yahoo.com)

Justgoodcars.com (currently 22 cars)

Ebay (currently 5 cars),

and their own website http://west-coast-automall.ebizautos.com/dealership-info.aspx (currently 18 car ads)

CONDITION REPORTS:

If you go to the West Coast Auto Mall website, currently you will see 18 of their cars advertised here. Eight of these cars were announced with frame damaged and/or unibody damaged, or have reported accidents. So, what does West Coast Auto Mall say about these 8 cars? That’s a great question. So, here we go.

The Gamble's include their personal "condition report" on your potential car purchase. These condition reports are also posted for the above 8 cars. Five of these devalued vehicles have a statement that there are “No known accidents". The remaining 3 cars (which are all Lexus models) have accident reports that were sent to CarFax The Gamble’s down play the general CarFax description of “accident reported”. I do not know how frame damage and unibody damage can be down played, but the Gambles sure give it a great shot. Check out these terrific examples:

Example #1: 07 Lexus ES 350 - VIN JTHBJ46G47209****

The Gambles state, “The CarFax states the car was in an accident. It looks like there was some minor paint work on the back of the vehicle”.

What does AutoCheck state? Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Accident reported. Case #: 0677****. Auction announced as unibody damage.

Example #2: 05 Lexus LS 430 - VIN JTHBN36F25018****

The Gambles state, “The CarFax states that the car was in a front end accident. I have had the vehicle inspected and it looks like it was minor. The car looks and drives great and you cannot tell that anything has been done”.

What does AutoCheck state? Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Front impact with another vehicle. Case #: 2005-8****. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

Example #3: 06 Lexus SC430 - VIN JTHFN48Y36900****

The Gambles state, “I bought this vehicle from a local Lexus dealer with no problems. I did notice some paint work on the front end of the car and it looks like the passenger side fender may have been off the car. The title is clean and there is no frame damage to the car”.

What does AutoCheck state? Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Case #:0905****.

“FACTORY WARRANTY”:

Here's a warning about your “factory warranty”. The damage done to your vehicle will void areas that can be traced to your car's accident or damage.

The Gambles love to advertise with "full factory warranty" and “still under factory warranty", but what does their contract state? All vehicles sold by West Coast Auto Mall are "AS IS". If a vehicle comes with the balance of a manufactures warranty, then this is between the buyer and the manufacturer.

THE CONTRACT THEY HAVE YOU SIGN:

No matter what they tell you, and no matter what they advertise, this will be on the BACK of your contract:

1. All promises, statements, understandings or agreements….are expressly waived.

2. West Coast Auto Mall does their best to inspect all vehicles but we only guarantee a clear title with no brands. We do not guarantee the vehicle has never been in any type of accident.

3. All vehicles sold by West Coast Auto Mall are "AS IS". If a vehicle comes with the balance of a manufactures warranty, then this is between the buyer and the manufacturer.

4. All used cars are sold AS-IS, no warranty. You will pay all costs for any repairs needed. The dealer assumes no responsibility for any repairs, regardless of any oral statement about the vehicle.

HERE’S THE 49 VINS OUT OF 72 THAT HAVE NEGATIVE REPORTS:

07 Lexus LS460 - VIN JTHBL46F67504**** Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Front impact with another vehicle. Case #: 07347****.

07 Lexus IS 350 - VIN JTHBE262072****90 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

07 Lexus ES 350 - VIN JTHBJ46G47209**** Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Accident reported. Case #: 0677****. Auction announced as unibody damage.

07 Toyota RAV4 - VIN JTMZD32V17602**** Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

07 Toyota Camry - VIN 4T1BE46K17U137733 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

07 Mitsubishi Outlander - VIN JA4MS41X57U008526 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

07 Honda Accord LX - VIN 3HGCM56477G703207 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

07 Mitsubishi Eclipse - VIN 4A3AK24F87E059834 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

07 Dodge Magnum - VIN 2D4FV47V17H624404 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damaged.

07 Chrysler PT Cruiser - VIN 3A4FY48BX7T538048 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

06 Lexus SC430 - VIN JTHFN48Y36900**** Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Case #:0905****.

06 Honda CR- VINV EX - VIN SHSRD788X6U407681 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

06 Honda Civic EX - VIN 1HGFA16896L073225 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

06 Toyota Highlander - VIN JTEDP21A36009**** Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

06 Scion tC - VIN JTKDE177460****48 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Accident reported. Case #: FHPD-05OFF139762. Auction announced as unibody damage.

06 Hyundai Tiburon GT - VIN KMHHN65FX6U216617 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage. 06 Hyundai Tiburon - VIN KMHHM65D36U194056 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

06 Toyota Matrix - VIN 2T1KR32E66C583956 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

06 Ford Taurus - VIN 1FAFP53U26A127746 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Infiniti QX56 - VIN 5N3AA08AX5N801143 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Lexus GX470 - VIN JTJBT20X95006**** Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Collision with another vehicle. Case #: 3172****. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Lexus LS 430 - VIN JTHBN36F25018**** Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Front impact with another vehicle. Case #: 2005-8****. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Lexus RX330 - VIN 2T2GA31U95C024725 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Accident reported. Case #: FHPE06OFF030900. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Lexus ES330 - VIN JTHBA30GX5510**** Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Toyota Solara SLE - VIN 4T1FA38P15U061461 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Accident reported. Case #: 7346****.

05 Honda Pilot - VIN 5FNYF18525B011209 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Front impact with an animal. Case #: 7191****. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Ford Mustang - VIN 1ZVHT84N05523**** Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Nissan Altima SL - VIN 1N4AL11D55C207272 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Accident reported. Case #: 0412****. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Honda Civic - VIN 1HGEM21105L052295 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Dodge Neon SXT - VIN 1B3ES56C75D181551 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Front impact with another vehicle. Case #: 7693****. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

05 Chevrolet Malibu - VIN 1G1ND52F35M169043 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Accident reported. Case #: 2005-4****. Front impact with another vehicle. Case #: 7596****.

04 Cadillac Escalade ESV - VIN 3GYFK66NX4G202382 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Rear impact with another vehicle. Case #: 7644****.

04 Lexus RX330 - VIN 2T2GA31U44C007992 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Accident reported. Case #: 200604****. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

04 Lexus IS300 - VIN JTHBD192140****25 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Accident reported. Case #: 7196****. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

04 Lexus ES330 - VIN JTHBA30G24505**** Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Emission/safety inspection record(s). Collision with a pedestrian. Case #: 3227****. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

04 Toyota Sequoia - VIN 5TDZT34A14S237392 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Accident reported. Case #: 0681****.

04 Honda CR- VINV LX - VIN SHSRD68424U203879 Frame damage record(s). Emission/safety inspection record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

04 Ford Expedition XLT - VIN 1FMFU16L94LA05624 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

04 Toyota Solara SE - VIN 4T1CA38P64U028263 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

04 Chrysler Sebring GTC - VIN 1C3EL75R24N161427 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

03 Infiniti G35 - VIN JNKCV54E13M201340 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

03 Infiniti G35 - VIN JNKCV51E03M305547 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Accident reported. Case #: 7493****. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

03 Honda Pilot EX- VINL - VIN 2HKYF18503H608213 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

03 Ford Explorer Sport XLS - VIN 1FMYU60E73UA37383 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as unibody damage.

02 Mazda B3000 Pick up - VIN 4F4YR16U62TM07113 Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Rear impact with another vehicle. Case #: 7035****. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

02 Mercury Cougar - VIN 1ZWHT61L72561**** Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Frame damage record(s). Accident reported. Case #: 048193. Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

02 Mitsubishi Eclipse - VIN 4A3AE85HX2E104470 Frame damage record(s). Auction announced as frame damage. Auction announced as unibody damage.

99 Lexus ES300 - VIN JT8BF28G6X507**** Accident record(s) reported through state agencies or independent sources. Emission/safety inspection record(s). Front impact with another vehicle. Case #: 7031****.

97 Pontiac Sunfire SE - VIN 4G2JB32T5VB207750 Possible odometer rollback/rollover or tampering was found. Detailed information available through AutoCheck.

NOTE: If you buy a used car, please use AutoCheck, as well as, CarFax. Also, please pay to have it inspected. Also, I recommended paying the extra $5 to upgrade your AutoCheck accounts for a 60 day subscription. Dog all your dealer’s vin numbers – ALL OF THEM. It may reveal you are dealing with one of those shady used car dealers – it’s truly NOT a cliché. Best wishes and luck to you all.

You know I try to give a company the benefit of the doubt when someone complains about them, but I also like to know how they conduct business and then judge for myself. In this case, I first found a great Lexus on Autos.Yahoo.com being sold by West Coast Auto Mall.

Then I decided to google this dealer for any complaints and/or praises, and Pissed Consumer showed up on the search with the title, "West Coast Auto Mall in FL Sells Damaged Cars". Well, I read this article and decided to heed the warning and run the Lexus on Autocheck (vin JTJBT20X95006****). Autocheck shows this car had frame damage announced at the dealer auction. What does West Coast say about this car?

According to their website there are "No known accidents". Check this out: http://west-coast-automall.ebizautos.com/detail-2005-lexus-gx_470-281****.html.

Yeah, the buyer really needs to BEWARE!!! Pissed Consumer, I thank you for the heads up.

Buyer Beware!! Use AutoCheck.

West Coast Auto Mall in the Tampa Bay, Holiday, Palm Harbor area promotes CarFax on their website; however, please realize that CarFax does NOT contain auction reports. But AutoCheck does. According to AutoCheck, the car I purchased from West Coast Auto Mall has frame damage that was announced at dealer auction. Too bad I only checked with CarFax.

Anyway, if you buy here, your contract will be AS-IS, and any factory warranty will be between you and the manufacturer. You better have your car inspected at the brand named dealership and validate your warranty.

BEWARE.