American Plating Inc

Early in April I called and talked to Don M[redacted], and asked for pricing on re-chroming some parts for my 1971 Harley Davidson. Over the phone he quoted me to re-chrome just the front and rear rim would be about $350.00 to $400.00 each rim depending on the condition. Don told me that he would contact...

me before any work was going to be preformed and would give me a better estimate of what the parts were going to cost me after he sees them in person. I told him at that time I would be dropping them off at the shop in the upcoming week.
 
I chose to go with American Plating Inc. because they advertise show quality chrome plating.  The quotes for the rims at other shops were the same price for show quality.
 
American Plating Inc. state that the procedure for chrome plating is: The plating process starts with stripping the parts of their old finish next we sand blast any left over debris followed by a cleaning bath. The polishing process goes next followed with copper plating to copper buffing then Nickel Plating and Nickel buffing if needed.  To Chrome Plating and Chrome buffing if needed Lastly the part gets waxed off and wrapped for protection.
 
 
 
 
Tuesday April 14th 2015 1971 Harley Sprint parts were given to American Plating Inc.
(1) Front Rim
(1) Rear Rim
(1) Handle Bar
(1) Air Cleaner Cover
(2) Headlight Bezel
(1) Exhaust Guard
(2) Springs
(1) Sprocket Guard
(1) Brake Support
(1) Horn Cover
(4) Shock Caps
(2) Gauge Mounts
 
 
When I dropped them off I spoke with Tim L[redacted] and told him at that time I wanted everything to be stripped and re-chromed.  I told him that I was trying to have the bike done by the upcoming Fathers day and I need the parts to be perfect.  I stated that my plan was to present the bike to my Father in law and soon after we were going to show the bike together in August.  We talked about the history of the bike for a little while and I made a comment of how the motorcycle is rare and it was not a sought after model being that it was made in Italy.  Tim said that after they get done with re-chroming everything it would be a sought after bike, which made me feel we were on the same page.  I asked Tim how long I should expect to wait for the parts to be done.  Tim told me the turn around time is 28 days.
 
 
On May 14th I called and talked with Don. I asked if there was an update on the parts and he said that they haven’t started working on them yet.  He asked me if I need them by a certain date to make a show. I told him no, not at this time. He said that the parts would not be any more expensive than what he quoted me. Don said that the rear rim wasn’t as bad as the front rim so it would only be around $350.00.
 
Around June 10th I called and left several messages. I finally got ahold of Don later in the week and asked if the parts were done yet.  He understood that this was my second call and that I needed my parts soon. He said that they would be ready later next week. 
 
On June 17th I called and talked to Don and he told me the parts will be done on June 24th. I told him I would be on vacation in the upcoming weeks and I would get ahold of him when I return. He gave me a price of $1,167.46 check, or $1,096 cash. 
 
After 3 months on July 18th I met with Tim on Saturday and he presented me with the parts. The parts looked the same condition as when I first dropped them off except they looked as if they had just been polished. Tim stated at that time that Chrome could scratch easily, and the holes on the inside of the rims caused them issues. I told him (nickel scratches) not chrome. All of the parts had noticeable flaws that could be seen from a distance and up close.  I was in disbelief as I inspected the work. I asked him what method they used on the parts.  Tim said all of them have a fresh coat of nickel and have been polished with wax.  I informed him that I told him on the 14th I needed the parts to be flawless. Tim offered to strip them down again and make them perfect.  Tim said all I would pay for was labor and tank time. I informed Tim they need to strip them down again and have them dipped with copper/ nickel, and lastly chrome.  Tim offered to meet me in Vancouver to save me some gas and time when they were ready. I told him I am in need of the parts by next weekend to make the show on August 2nd.
 
Upon returning home I called and talked with Tim and said put the parts on hold and do not work on them until I talk with Don, as I am not going to be able to make the show on August 2nd. I am extremely disappointed because now I need to get the parts back and wait at least another month while I have the job preformed correctly by another shop.
 
On Monday July 20th Don called me and said that I never requested show quality Chrome. Don said if I want show quality I would have to pay for labor and tank time on top of the $1,167.46 or $1,096 prices.  I told him that I cannot pay for the parts if the job isn’t done right. He was very offensive and cussed every other word.  He told me to man up and only meet with him to pick up the parts if I want them back, I need to give him the money in person, no one else.  If I don’t do this in a timely manner he was going to throw the parts away.
 
On Thursday July 23rd I called and talked with Tim. He apologized about Don and said that they had a conversation about re chroming all the parts and not to charge me any more money on top of the original price.  Tim said that Don instructed him to do the labor. I told Tim that I never said for Don or Tim to work anymore on my parts. Tim said they took it upon themselves to do the labor because they could not just leave the parts as they were. I told Tim I am fed up with all the BS and disappointed that they had done anymore work because I just need to get the parts back and not be charged.  Tim said that they look beautiful and if I want to pick them up in the afternoon he could finish up the handlebars and we could meet me at the shop.  I asked Tim exactly what did they do to the parts. He said they re worked the horn cover and springs.  I asked if any of them had been dipped in copper.   Only the horn cover had been dipped in copper and chrome. I asked Tim how the rims turned out. Tim said they could not do anything about the rims and they are the same as before. Again this is not what I asked for. I told Tim I would like to pick them up tonight, but Tim stated I could not pick them up unless I pay for my parts. Tim stated that he is just a pawn. I told Tim to have Don call me on Monday to set up a time to meet as he requested I only pick them up from Don and only pay him.
 
 
Monday July 27th Don calls leaving me a message in the am cussing every other word, and informs me that he has a friend [redacted] that deals with vintage Harley parts and that he would sell them to him if I don’t pick them up by Friday.  I have the recorded message on my cell phone.

Revdex.com:I have been in contact with Dana and she is working with me on scheduling a time that works best for picking them up.
Dana can still contact me through e-mail. Sincerely, [redacted]

I have tried several times to contact the person that made the complaint and have had no response from him. We still have his parts for this reason, so if they were so important to him you would think that he would have contacted me to schedule a time to pick them up.