Victory Motors Owners Chris And Steve Maneotis Ripoff! Dishonest abusive fraudulant warranty fraud! Craig Colorado

In April of 2002, I purchased a new Dodge Dakota Crew Cab in Grand Junction, Colorado. However, I had to have the vehicle serviced at Victory Motors in Craig, Colorado because of my location. That was my big mistake.

Shortly after buying the truck, I took it to Victory Motors because it did not seem to have much power, and with a 360 cid engine it should. They assured me that everything was okay, but to be on the safe side, they reprogrammed the truck's computer. The problem persisted.

In March of 2003 I took the truck back to Victory Motors with the same problem, but I had been informed at Quaker State that my front axle seals were leaking. When I was dropped off at my home, I had a message waiting from the Service Manager at Victory Motors that I needed to get back there ASAP! Upon arriving back at Victory Motors, the Service Manager told me to go under the truck with him (it was on a lift) and have a look.

He informed me that the amount of mud that accumulated in the skid plates constituted abuse on my part and they would not honor the warrany. I informed him that we had not abused the truck, it had just been driven 40 miles per day on dirt roads, and that it being "mud season" it stood to reason that mud would accumulate. It was then that the Service Manager said he didn't believe me, that it appeared to him that I had buried the truck up to the hood in mud. I, again, told my story and assured him that the truck wouldn't possibly be able to bury itself in mud that deep with the tires it had and the lack of power.

At this time, the Service Manager informed me that four wheel drives were not intended for mud or snow, but only rain, and that I abused this truck by driving it on a (muddy) dirt road. He told me that Victory Motors would have to contact Dodge and void my warrant. However, if I agreed to pay for the repairs out of pocket (about $1300), they would not inform Dodge, and my warranty would be intact. Furthermore, I was informed that they would not waste any more time looking at my engine. The Service Manager informed my that "Sometimes you get a good engine, and sometimes you get a bad engine. You got a bad engine."

I contacted the dealership where I bought the truck, and they assured me that they would repair the vehicle under warranty. I went back to Victory Motors and informed them that I wanted the truck back because Grand Juction Dodge agreed to fix it. It was at this time that the owner, Steve Maneotis, informed me that I had abused the truck and that they would begin the process of revoking my warranty. It took my 30 minutes to get the truck back because they were taking so many pictures.

I drove the truck staight to Grand Junction Dodge who informed me that the truck was dirty, but not abused. They also informed me that Victory Motors did not reprogam the truck's computer because there wasn't a tag on the engine stating that they did so (which is a federal law). The dealership did not have the parts on hand, but they rented my a fullsize 4x4 truck to use until the repairs were finished.

On my way home, I stopped by Victory Motors and spoke with the owners, Chris and Steve Maneotis. I informed them that the other dealership was honoring the warranty and that I had been informed that Victory Motors did not do the work they had claimed to have done. Steve Maneotis became verbally and physically abusive and informed me that he would do everything in his power to get my warranty revoked. He also told my to get out of his store.

Grand Junction Dodge fixed my axle seals and reprogrammed the computer (a performance upgrade, which did nothing), they also told me it was too late to replace the motor or truck under the lemon law because it had been over a year since purchasing the truck.

On November 3, 2003 I had to take the truck to Steamboat Motors, in Steamboat Spring, Colorado because the front differential had gone out. The following day I was informed that the front differential would need to be replaced and it would cost $1750 because my warranty had been revoked!

After contacting Dodge, I was informed that Victory Motors filed a claim stating that I had submerged the truck in water and that there was nothing I could do to dispute this. I have since been in contact with Victory Motors, who stand by their claim, Dodge, who repeatedly hung up on my, Steamboat Motors, who informed me that they have never seen anything like this, and Grand Junction Dodge, who say their hands are tied.

It appears that no one can tell me who authorized the revocation of my warranty or when. Furthermore, I cannot speak with anyone over the level of Service Manager about the problem. I have been informed that this decision is final and cannot be overidden. I sent an email and letter to Dodge, and recieved an emailed response that they would initiate an investigation and I should stay in contact with Grand Junction Dodge. I again contacted Grand Junction Dodge and was informed that they knew nothing about the investigation and there was nothing they could do to help me.

Wade
Craig, Colorado
U.S.A.



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