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[SCRM-R]

About three months ago I bought some raw billet aluminum exhaust tips for Rinehart True Duals and sent them to USA Chrome (aka American Revolution) to have them plated in black chrome.  Seven weeks later (they said it would take three) I received them.  They looked nice out of the box...I installed them with no trouble, but in the process I got some smudges on them, so when the installation was completed, I wiped them down with a little Mothers Carnuba Wax to clean them.  To my surprise, the "black chrome" just came off on the cloth, leaving a bright nickel finish.  Their website, http://www.usachrome.comclaims that this finish is ..."extremely durable and is more resistance to chemicals and chipping than standard plating."  I've tried to contact the GM that I was working with to get them plated, but no response.  I paid with PayPal, so I don't have much recourse (won't do that again...)They claim to have an "unprecedented in the industry" three year warranty, but I can't see any evidence of it.  I'd be even more pissed if it was a $1,200 wheel or something.  Anyway, my recommendation is to STAY AWAY FROM USA CHROME...Incidentally, the sell all over Ebay too...

[SPIDERMAN]

Man that sucks Dude, Since all of us are totally OCD and always on the lookout for that next fix, thanks for giving us the heads up so no one else gets the shaft. I can't help but wonder where people like this shop have been living these past 10 years.If you are in business, or in the public eye, you can't fart without it ending up on the Internet. I know it doesn't get your money back Dude, but think of it this way. Had you posted that this company was the best you'd ever seen in quality and the turnaround was A-1 etc etc etc. WIth 2,300 folks on this site, you know business would have been going their way. For what little satsisfaction it gives you figure the reverse is now true. Thanks again for the heads up.  

[cigarmike]

So they just painted yours??, Black Chrome is Like Chrome Chrome....shouldnt come off with wax....isnt this like fraud??? Sounds like trying to pass off some gold painted rocks as gold. Id report them to Paypal, and Ebay if they dont make it right. GL with this, keep us updated

[SCRM-R]

Yep, just wiped off leaving what looks like regular chrome underneath.  Go the their website and read their description of the black chrome process...they talk like it is tougher than regular chrome.  I've got a black chrome helmet and it don't wipe off, I'll tell you that.  I didn't buy it thru ebay, and PayPal said that since I didn't but the parts from them, but sent them my parts to be plated, and...since it's been longer than 30 days, there's nothing they can do.  I've never had any luck with PayPal handling disputes...they are just worthless when it comes to disputes IMO.  These idiots won't even respond to me now...worthless...just worthless.  I learned a lesson...just glad it only cose me $120.00

[WI George]

Thanks for the warning! After reading your story I sent them an e-mail from work informing them of their poor rating. Just over an hour later I received a reply, I hope it helps: 8-)


Thank you for the note.  We want to know all feedback, whether it is good or bad.

I know that customer, and we never heard anything from them about this problem.  Everyone has problems, all we ask is the chance to try to fix them if they happen.

The black chrome is a durable coating, but it there is a plating problem, it can be thin.  Easy to fix.

Again, we appreciate you passing that on.  I will contact the customer to offer immediate assistance.
 

Sincerely,
Pat
 

Patrick Curran
General Manager
American Revolution, Inc.
Custom Chrome Plating & Metal Finishing
www.usachrome.com

pcurran@usachrome.com
8319 Secura Way
Santa Fe Springs, CA  90670
P 866-578-9304
F 626-737-0418

[SCRM-R]

Thanks for the help George.  I did get an email this afternoon from Pat, the General Manager.  He said that he hadn't heard about my problem (I sent him four separate messages about it, and in the last one I stated that if I didn't hear from him I would post my experience on the forum), and offered to replate them, which at this juncture, given my much less than satisfactory experience with black chrome, I am not interested in doing.  I sent him a lengthy response...at least he now seems interested in doing something about it.  We'll see...

[SCRM-R]

I finally spoke with the general manager about this today.  It seems as though he had his spam filter set too high and was not receiving my corresponsence about the problem, even though we had emailed each other a few times previously.  He was very apologetic, and I now believe is a very stand-up guy.  He offered to replate them, which I am not interested in doing, performing other plating for me, or making a refund.  I told him that I prefer the latter.  In summary, I now believe that, while the problem with the plating did exist, and could have occurred with anyone, the problem with the lack of service was due entirely to a lack of communication and was not deliberate on his part.  He is trying to make it right and I appreciate that.  I have now done a 180 and will go back to USA Chrome if I have other plating needs.  Just wanted to put a period on this issue and leave it on a positive note...that's all.

[Twolanerider]

I finally spoke with the general manager about this today.  It seems as though he had his spam filter set too high and was not receiving my corresponsence about the problem, even though we had emailed each other a few times previously.  He was very apologetic, and I now believe is a very stand-up guy.  He offered to replate them, which I am not interested in doing, performing other plating for me, or making a refund.  I told him that I prefer the latter.  In summary, I now believe that, while the problem with the plating did exist, and could have occurred with anyone, the problem with the lack of service was due entirely to a lack of communication and was not deliberate on his part.  He is trying to make it right and I appreciate that.  I have now done a 180 and will go back to USA Chrome if I have other plating needs.  Just wanted to put a period on this issue and leave it on a positive note...that's all.

SCRM, I'm not sure I completely understand all that's transpired here. That the company is making it right after the fact is a good thing.  Am just not sure I understand what the mistake was that is being made right.

Was their some problem in the plating process that left only a dark patina that was easily wiped off and this was a problem they weren't aware of and likely should not have caught?

Ow was the problem that they did standard chrome plating when it should have been black and tried to cover up the mistake with some painted or other coating hoping to avoid having to fix it?

If the issue is the former well.... mistakes happen.

If it's the latter and they were trying to cover up the screw up then that they're refunding now, much later, really is irrelevant to the fact that the vendor tried a bit of larceny to begin with.

So what do you think the original problem was?

[SCRM-R]

SCRM, I'm not sure I completely understand all that's transpired here. That the company is making it right after the fact is a good thing.  Am just not sure I understand what the mistake was that is being made right.

Was their some problem in the plating process that left only a dark patina that was easily wiped off and this was a problem they weren't aware of and likely should not have caught?

Ow was the problem that they did standard chrome plating when it should have been black and tried to cover up the mistake with some painted or other coating hoping to avoid having to fix it?

If the issue is the former well.... mistakes happen.

If it's the latter and they were trying to cover up the screw up then that they're refunding now, much later, really is irrelevant to the fact that the vendor tried a bit of larceny to begin with.

So what do you think the original problem was?

Twolane,  the first problem was that the "black", or onyx top coating just easily wiped off, leaving a bright nickel, or chrome exposed finish...not at all what I expected and certainly not the tough coating that they advertise.  So, the black part of the black chrome system was defective.  The second part of my problem was that I couldn't get them to respond to my requests for a resolution of the defective plating.  When I talked to the GM today, he said that he had recently adjusted his spam filters, which were in all likelihood screening out my messages, so he never received them.  He was very courteous and apologetic, said that the chemical cocktail for the black chrome process is extremely sensitive...it has to be just right...and it just wasn't.  He offered to replate, plate something else for me in either black or standard chrome, or make a refund.  As I stated above, I am now convinced that they made an error in the plating process...he said so, and he has now made a satisfactory effort to correct it.  I just want to go on record that I now believe that they are a reputable company, and this was all a matter of 1.) An error in the plating was made (could of happened to anyone), and 2.) I am now satisfied with their corrective action.  I am almost of the opinion that this entire thread should be deleted, but I want to make certain that the facts are presented as best I know them...that's all.

[Twolanerider]

Twolane,  the first problem was that the "black", or onyx top coating just easily wiped off, leaving a bright nickel, or chrome exposed finish...not at all what I expected and certainly not the tough coating that they advertise.  So, the black part of the black chrome system was defective.  The second part of my problem was that I couldn't get them to respond to my requests for a resolution of the defective plating.  When I talked to the GM today, he said that he had recently adjusted his spam filters, which were in all likelihood screening out my messages, so he never received them.  He was very courteous and apologetic, said that the chemical cocktail for the black chrome process is extremely sensitive...it has to be just right...and it just wasn't.  He offered to replate, plate something else for me in either black or standard chrome, or make a refund.  As I stated above, I am now convinced that they made an error in the plating process...he said so, and he has now made a satisfactory effort to correct it.  I just want to go on record that I now believe that they are a reputable company, and this was all a matter of 1.) An error in the plating was made (could of happened to anyone), and 2.) I am now satisfied with their corrective action.  I am almost of the opinion that this entire thread should be deleted, but I want to make certain that the facts are presented as best I know them...that's all.

Thanks Scrm, I was just never sure if the initial impression had been simply a screw up (which happens sometimes) or a screw up that they'd knowingly tried to cover up on the cheap in a way that you hopefully would not notice.

[usachrome]

We did not know that the customer had this problem and apologize for the inconvenience.  We stand behind our product and offered to replate or refund his purchase.  He requested a refund which we issued.  Customer was very understanding and cooperative.

Black chrome is actually black nickel, and if the plating is thin, can wear easier than if thick.  Of course we never intend for it to be thin, but looks like that was the case here.  When applied properly, it is as durable as standard chrome.

Thank you for the chance to respond.

Sincerely,

Pat Curran
General Manager
American Revolution, Inc.
www.usachrome.com
info@usachrome.com
8319 Secura Way
Santa Fe Springs, CA  90670
P 866-578-9304
F 626-737-0418