Welcome to this website with a complete review of:

Star Motors
Proprietor: Neil Duby
1694 Union Center
Maine Highway Rte. 26
Endicott, New York 13760-1341
Tel: 607-786-3918

The reason for me putting this web-site together is to try to warn other Mercedes enthusiasts about the losses you can incur by trusting Neil Dubey and his staff at Star Motors. They come across as very trustworthy, but it appears they are just in it for a quick buck, be it earned honestly or not.

I know most of you would say I should not have been so naive and obtained references first. One of the reasons for me being so trusting, was that Neil Dubey is an officer of the International M-100 Group, where also I am a paid up member. Also there appears to be a very close relationship between Neil Dubey and the M-100 group as this year again, the annual meet is at Star Motors, I understood it as Neil Dubey could be trusted. Other enthusiast clubs I have been a member of, would not stand for one of the clubs officer’s ripping off the membership, but having spoken with the President of the Club about my issues, I was informed that they have had other incidents where the President has had to try to get issues between Neil Dubey and other members settled. My expectations would of course have been that the membership would be made aware of these issues and could make an informed choice about use of supplier.

The short version of events follows here; the longer version is under the tab “E-mails”.

Timeline dealings with Neil Dubey, Star Motors


30. December 2003:
Make initial contact with Neil Dubey and enquire if 6.3 is a car to buy.
He starts selling his services and convinces me that they will do a good job.

5. January 2004:
It is loosely agreed with Neil Dubey that he will get the car there, create quote and car should be ready in near future for collection in Endicott.
I proceed to purchase car from vendor in CA.

Second half of Feb, 2004:
Neil Dubey finally gets car collected and brought to Endicott. Car is drivable and has recently passed CA State Inspection, as well as A/C is working. Main identified issue is leaks in air suspension.

2. March 2004:
Receive detailed quote regarding what is required to get the car to perfect working condition. It appears to include fixing of things that maybe are not that bad already, but to get it done for “peace of mind”

Accept quote and authorise Neil Dubey to charge deposit to my Visa card as well as me transferring money

09.03.04 Deposit Visa $3000
25.03.04 Deposit Visa $1500
25.03.04 Dep. Bank-wire $3000
13.04.04 Deposit Visa $1500

As per info from Neil Dubey, it will take a couple of months to get the car completed, maybe ready for Lode fest in June 2004 is discussed.

From March 2004 to July 2005:
Communication with e-mail and phone on several occasions, all kinds of excuses for work not being completed, but this is presented as a great benefit to me as since I allow them to work on the car in between other jobs, I will get a lot more man hours put into the car then as per quote. And I should also think about the benefit of having the car rebuild by Star Motors!!!

July 2005:
I visit Star Motors and the car has been taken apart. It is fairly obvious that this has just happened i.e. because they know I am arriving. Tempted to remove the car, but again Neil Dubey, together with his assistant convinces me that it will be all right in the end.

July 2005 to July 2007:
Again communicating using e-mail and phone. In this period I start in a new job involving a lot of travelling so 6.3 put on back burner a bit. In 2006 I move to the UK which also down prioritises the car a bit. All along am I being told about the progress being made on the car.
In January 2007 I tell Neil Dubey I want the car completed by the summer as this has gone on for too long and I am promised the car will be ready for me to come and take to Lode Fest 5th of June 2007. Due to personal circumstances I tell them in April that I will be coming in July in stead, but Neil Dubey still insist the car will be finished by early June.

13 July 2007:
Arrive Star Motors and Neil Dubey is in hiding. His assistant is sent in to meet with me, and he then tries to sell me another 6.3 and they will take my 6.3 as a trade-in. I now get very suspicious and ask to see my car. I am then taken out back and get the shock of my life. It is obvious that after I left in July 2005 my car had just been pushed outside and left completely unprotected to the elements. The paint is now completely ruined, the bright-work, lenses, glass etc, is all faded, interior wood work is marked from dampness/frost/sun/heat, nothing on the car has been reassembled, it is all a total disaster. I now understand why Neil Dubey did not have the guts to meet me.

July 2007:
Back from Holiday I inform Neil Dubey my preferred option would be to get the car returned in the same condition as it was when it arrived at his garage, but that I realise that will be a process of lot of arguments about condition and who pays what. Do I did offer him an easy way out, namely I would want all the monies refunded, I want him to buy the car from me for what I paid for it and to make up for the loss I will have due to the drop in currency. Neil responds by sending me a letter stating:

Sales & Technical Support: (607) 754-4272 E-mail: starmotors@stny.rr.com
Customer Service: (607) 786-3918 Web Site: www.300sel.com
Fax: (607) 754-5112
1694 Union Center Highway
Endicott, NY 13760
DEALER NUMBER 7081784

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Dear Ivar,

Ref: 300SEL 6.3 109018-12-002727
Star Motors will refund the amount of $9000-($1337 shipping from
CA) =$7663 paid to us as a deposit on the work of the 300sel 6.3.
This will sent out as a wire transfer on August 21, 2007. The
engine which is complete at a cost of $7663 USD will be given to
Ivar as payment. We will try to sell this engine which has been
rebuilt for $9000 and has not been paid for to recoup the losses
incurred to Ivar. This all in good faith. We can not guarantee what
the engine will sell for. We will also try to sell the car for Ivar. We
can not guarantee what the car will sell for. We will make our best
attempt at both. We will not incur any loses or profits in the
transactions.

Yours truly,
Neil Dubey


So basically, I have not done anything wrong apart from trusting this person, but I am to carry all risk, and Star Motors/Neil Dubey is to; We will not incur any loses or profits in the transactions.

NICE!!!!!!

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec of 2007:
We communicate by using fax and e-mail. He sends me several e-mails that he will settle, but needs to wait until his lawyer is out from hospital. I submit several Final Demands, the last one being I want settlement or a plan for repayment by 15th of January 2008.


After the last final demand I have heard nothing and I am now engaging lawyer to start proceedings.