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Below are a few reviews of Nu Chrome. If you would like to include a review of this vendor, please fill out our form and we will add your comments as soon as possible. Make sure to include your email address because we will not include your review without a verifiable address. After you write your review, you will receive an automated response from us which will confirm your email address and shortly after, your comments will be added to this page. Thank you so much for your participation! We appreciate your comments!!
From Stuart:
I know someone that had the chrome done for his 65 Chevy. done at this shop & was very satisfied with the results.
From April Bobbish:
My father in law sent his tailgate to this shop for chrome plating and has gotten a horrible run around. He was originally told it would take 2 weeks in February 2005 and it is now May 2005 and they are still saying with every call (if they even answer the phone) that it will ship in a day or two. We have been told that since Feb. also Don (an employee) has told us that they have sent it back 4 or 5 times because of mistakes or flaws, how he doesn't know exactly how many times is beyond me? He should know if it was 4 or 5 and why can't they get it right? ALso, they charged my father in laws credit card way before the date agreed without authorization. It was to be charged with the last installment at time of completetion they charged it at the end of March and well it's May and it's still not done! I would be leary of using this shop.
From Dennis:
They keep my parts for over a year and refuse to finish them. I already paid them. Now I don't know how to get my parts back! Avoid.
From Chris Englehardt:
I sent a part to be chromed, they told me 60 days, now it has been 6 months, they will not send it back unless I pay them $650, and the part is not done, they are not capable of finishing. This is a one year part for a 66 Chevy II. Now it is show season and I can't show my car. Will get a lawyer and sue I guess. Don called my wife and got nasty with her.
From Larry:
NuChrome has absolutely horrendous service. It has taken over 1 year to get my parts back. My parts were sent back 3 times due to poor quality of rechroming. I finally got them back Spring 2006 and they were still not acceptable. I was afriad if I sent them back one more time I would never see them again. Don is a very rude employee and has obviously never gone to customer service school. I will never do business with them again.
From Gary:
Avoid These guys at all cost. I had the front end of my 64 Riviera replated by them and had the rear chrome done by a place in Waltham MA. Nu-Chrome promised the pitts in the pot metal would be repaired but at a high cost. Also promised to deliver in 6 weeks. Six months later the parts are finished. I pick them up and find all pot metal parts that I paid a premium for repair and replating were plated without repair. looked horrible. They agreed to replate it and another 7 months of fighting with them they gave me back the same mess claiming they fixed it. Now 4 years later all the front chrome is faded and needing replating while the rear looks new still. (car is indoors all the time). Watch out!!! These guys are more than missleading.
From Mike:
Unfortunatly I didnt find this in time. They are two months late with my bumper. It looking like a lost cause ........ AVOID at all costs!!!!!!!
From Gina:
We are also having many problems with Nu-Chrome. They have already charged our credit card for the full amount and we have nothing to show for it. Every week we get the same excuses. They have told us every lie in the book. We just want our stuff back and want to amicably settle the financial end of the deal. Does anyone have any advice for us? If so, please let me know.
From Dave:
Jack at Nu Chrome is a real nice guy but he just can't seem to tell you the truth and the company has MANY problems. Using Nu Chrome was a grave mistake. The only way to get your parts back is to threaten flying out there and picking them up yourself. I sent them "un-replaceable" trim from a very expensive car (1970 Dodge Challenger Convertible) and was charged an extra fee for a fast turn job. My credit card was charged in full including shipping before the job was ever completed. The job was 4 months late and I was never refunded for the extra fee. But after the run around I count myself lucky for ever seeing my trim again. However, the trim is ruined as Nu Chrome didn't restore the trim but actually "chromed over old paint" leaving the trim unusable. My entire experience with Nu Chrome has been a debacle !!! Do yourself a favor and find another shop.
From Mike:
I am in the middle of the same kind of issues. Deducted from my credit card without authorization, won't respond. Still don't have my parts back! I will be getting a lawyer involved and will get this resolved. BEWARE!!
From Morgan Duffy:
I sent my rear bumper for my '68 Camaro and paid in advance for "show chrome", $1200. In about 2 months time it came back to me. It was the worst chrome job I have ever seen including pits in plain view. Far from "show chrome". I brought the bumper back to Jack from NuChrome up in NH at the Amherst swap meet. He took a look at it, apologized and took the bumper promising that they would redue the work. After 8 months of chasing and phone calls (which were never returned) I contacted my credit card company and filed a complaint to get my money back. After another 2 months the credit card company sided with me and credited my card. I was still out my original bumper and kept calling and calling to no avail. Then, out of the blue,about a year after I dropped the bumper off, it was sent back to me in the same condition as when I dropped it off. Not even touched. Stay as far away from NuChrome as you can. They suck.
From Jim:
I gave them a rare set of 1937 Dodge Hubcaps at 2006 spring Carlisle. I paid for half of the job with the remainder to be paid on completion. Took the second half of the money, no hubcaps. Luckily I had a warrantee on the credit card, but no hub caps. I complained to Carlisle but they don't care. They got their money.
From Gina:
We finally had to send the Fall River PD with a notarized letter to get our parts back. When we got the parts back, they were not the "show quality" my husband was assured they were. Nu-Chrome lied and ruined one of the bumpers beyond repair. It was a heartbreaking and costly experience to crate and ship these parts and not get any results. Yep, we had unauthorized charges on our credit card as well and disputed them. Later I found out that Nu-Chrome has an "unsatisfatory" record with the Better Business Bureau, Fall River PD has (at last count) four complaints they're investigating. Nu-Chrome was banished from advertising in Hemmings and the Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas & California State Attorney Generals all have cases pending. The problem is that since they're not an immediate threat to public safety, the cases are all at the bottom of the pile. We talked to a guy who pickets in front of Nu-Chrome's booth at car shows warning people not to do business with them. I think the only thing we can do is warn others through clubs, blogs and word of mouth.
From Tom S:
These people are the worst. I was quoted $325 for a rear bumper & charged $1200. 6-8 week turn around - NOW 6 months - no bumper! Yup, they took my money too! The worst company I've dealt with ever! Tom S
From James Hudock:
I sent my aluminum pieces to Nu-Chrome to be reanodzed. I striped the original anodizing myself and polished the pieces to a mirror shine. All they had to do was to re-anodize them. It took over five months only to get them back in an un-acceptable condition. I shipped them back and three monts later they came back still lousy. I'm screwed!!!
(23 June 2007) From Scott:
Sent 4 parts in from my motorcycle in Dec 2006. They charged my credit card for the 2nd half in Feb. Its June 07 and still no parts. Do they ever run out of excuses?? Wish I would have read this site before i sent them in! Stay away from this company!
(8 August 2007) From Jeff:
Forget these guys!!! You will be sorry if you do business with them.I have part there for 6 months for repair that they told me would take 1 week!They lie, do poor work, and are just nasty guys to do business with.They also charge the most for hard to Chrome parts and when you want a refund you find they have it in there records as the cheapest part! that way you get back less then they charged you!! Stay away and send somewhere else.One of the reveiws say Jack is nice guy that can not tell the truth, well that is very true but good guys don't lie to you!!!
(8 August 2007) From Gina:
It is too bad that more people are still having bad experiences with Nu-Chrome. The only way there to protect other people from a similar fate is for them to be punished by law. If you a problem, call Detective Tom Chace at the Fall River Police Department. He will push for the DA to get involved if he gets enough people who have been ripped-off.
(29 Sep 2007) From Jay:
Nu-Chrome is horrible. I gave a bumper directly to Jack at Carlisle for my 1972 Monte Carlo for a job to shave the bumper bolts and rechrome (along with a $400.00 deposit). I shipped them my nearly perfect front bumper as well as all four guards and all of the front and rear brackets for fitment during the shaving process. The rear bumper I bought at Carlisle because mine had a slight bend in it and the one in Carlisle was in very nice condition. After six weeks I called them and they said they weren't done yet, but call again in about a month or they would call when they were finished. I called every month for a year and the parts still weren't finished. Many phone calls and excuses later they finally told me that they don't have my info in their system and they can't find my bumpers, guards or brackets. They said to give them time, they would find them because they have never thrown out anyones stuff or sold anyones stuff. I say that's bull. They never came up with the bumpers, guards, or brackets. They probably lost anything identifying the parts as mine, rechromed them and sold them. Although it sounds like they would have done a poor job rechroming them anyway. After about five years.. that's right, I said years, they finally agreed to pay me back the money they owe me for my deposit and the replacement of my items. They initially said they would find replacements, but never have. Don is the owner of the company, by the way. He says they are in a cash crunch right now (go figure) and he'll have to pay me in two installments. I have a funny feeling I am not going to see any money from them unless I sue.
(24 Oct 2007) From John G:
nu-chrome sucks i gave them my moldings in oct of 2006 hear it is oct 2007 and i still don't have my moldings back yet,will i ever see my moldings in this lifetime? ps.they don't anser e-mails,phone calls,or letters,I turned them in to the bbb,I just don't know what to do,anyone that can help me get my moldings back please e-mail me at gassmanjohn@yahoo.com
(7 Nov 2007) From Gina:
John G. - I hope you can get your parts back. Call Detective Tom Chace at the Fall River Police Department. He'll send someone with you to get your parts. He's aware that Nu-Chrome is horrible. So I'd suggest getting your parts back yourself. I wouldn't put it past Nu-Chrome to leave town in the middle of the night leaving their "customers" stranded. I think they are in over their heads and don't have any business or organizational skills. I also think they are robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to speak.
(20 Dec 2007) From John G:
STAY AWAY FROM NU-CHROME,they had my moldings for a year,I had to call the police on them to get them back,will never do business with them again!
(13 Mar 2008) From Tom DeSousa:
If I only saw these reviews earlier. Sent a few items from my Harley to have rechromed in early December, 3 months later I'm still waiting.. After a few e-mails 3 weeks ago I was told the parts are almost done. Still waiting! Of course they cashed my check immediately!
(15 Mar 2008) From Gerry:
After reading all above, I've decided to take a long trip in the near future to Nu-Chrome and pick up my "done" parts since I haven't been able to make recent contact via phone or email to get them shipped. Before I do, can anyone confirm they are still open for business M-F, 8-5?
(15 Mar 2008) From Pete:
oh man im screwed. i sent all my eddie trotta stuff, of course one off stuff there now all this. what can i do? this is crazy. im in deep now. has $2800 of my stuff. im going to call police monday 3/17/08. i think we should all do this. im also going to call credit card to get money back. this is such crap that they havent been shut down. give me a call people and ill see what i can do. pete 609-839-5275
(12 Apr 2008) From Lynn:
$450 cash up front to chrome a 1957 cadillac center bumper piece - nearly 5 months later not completed-finally had to go to the shop with the police to pick up my bumper which wasn't done --I'm out $450 - guess I'm lucky just to get the piece back -
(17 Apr 2008) From Tom D.:
Well it's been another month with no word on my parts! I must say they did return my e mail only to say that I need to call them and guess what? No answer.. Pete have you heard anything about your Trotta parts?
(22 Apr 2008) From Bill Baird:
I too sent a ton of stuff from a motorcycle restoration project to Nu-Chrome. That was early February. By mid March and many calls to them, most of them intercepted by their voice mail and never answered I came upon this site. My heart sank!
I called Detective Chace as was suggested. He told me that I was one of many but there was a new guy at Nu-Chrome named Scott who was trying to get things together. Chase called Scott and Scott actually called me. After profound apologies and an explanation that he (Scott) would personally shepherd my project through in one week I had a dim glimmer of hope.
Well folks it did take about a month more and four phone calls from me but my stuff is back.
I have to give credit where credit is due. The quality is superb. Even a fuss-pot like me can see that they really can do first rate work if properly motivated.
Maybe they are turning around, maybe it was a one shot deal and I got lucky. I am thrilled with what I got but would I go back to them? Not just no but HELL NO. Any business that needs motivation by a Major Crimes Detective to do the right thing is not in my Rol-Dex of suppliers.
Anyone wanting confirmation or discussion can call me. 941-270-7528.
(25 Apr 2008) From Jay:
Update: Still no money or word from Nu-Chrome. I guess I will have to call the police there or sue them. Lynn, I would try to get my money back. If you have a receipt for the deposit, they owe it to you.
(25 Apr 2008) From Pete:
pete here again. i did get my stuff back. only after calling the police. if you have things there please call the police and talk to dective chase. he will get your stuff back. also i did talk to scott and i think hes full of it too.
(1 May 2008) From Tom D:
This has become an ongoing saga.. Called Nu-chrome on Monday April 28th and someone actually answered the phone.. John was his name. He explained that my parts were almost finished, had to rechrome a part that bubble up in a few spots..I heard this around 2 months ago. Any way can someone give me Detective Chaces' phone number so I can put an end to this once and for all.
(2 May 2008) From Tom D:
This is Tom again, I actually heard from Scott after my last post. He called me to apologize for the delay and promised to send me back my parts that have been finished so far. Imagine my surprise when I got home tonight and they were at my front door. He told me that the other part is giving them trouble and if they can't rechrome it they will return it to me and refund part of my money.. I'm in shock I thought I would never see the parts again..I will keep you informed.
(9 May 2008) From Tom D:
Tom again, Scott called again to apologize and to inform me that it was done and being shipped, well I received my last part. I must say that the work done was outstanding! just too bad that it was such an aggravating experience. Thank God it's over!
(13 Jun 2008) From SW:
All the same stories and lies as everyone else here: Mis-quoted. Charged card in full and still don't have my parts. No return calls. Multiple ship dates promised, but always a problem with bubbling or something. That's what I get for trying to keep the business local. Guess I should have done some research first. Looks like I will be calling the police too.
(30 Jun 2008) From Tom:
Unfortunately, I had a bumper for my 67 Ford rechromed there. This is the WORST company & experience that I have ever experienced in my lifetime! First they quote a price for $400, keep my parts for 4 months, then, requoted the job @ over $900, charged my credit card - then you wait, wait, & wait! Yes my bumper arrived, 7 months later, dent free with a nice finish. Now the real problem started. - This was not my bumper - It did not fit my car! They mixed them up! They quoted 6 weeks - It took almost 9 months for the real bumper to arrive. I'm actually suprised that I got it back!
(11 Aug 2008) From Rock Sangiacomo:
They never return a call,i have talked with everyone there,don,scott and the best Jack,they always have an excuse,once they even told me thay were closed for vacation,infact i have all the times and dates i called,just another lie. Could someone give me Detective Tom Chace telephone number ?
(18 Aug 2008) From NuChrome Restoration:
Nu-Chrome has been under new management since late March 2008. Since that time there have been 11 new posts on this site from 8 members. Two posted favorable comments, while 6 customers expressed their dissatisfaction with our performance. 5 out of those 6 jobs were taken in under old management leaving us with little to no information as to what needed to be done or how their job was to be handled. That leaves 1 out of 529 jobs that have had an unsatisfactory experience since the management change. Rocks job consisted of 2 bars and 2 die cast (pot or white metal) pieces that fall under the category below.
The majority of die cast pieces we receive for re-plating are pitted to an extent that cannot be fully realized until the pieces have been stripped down to the base metal. Only then can one see the true surface conditions. The process we employ is actually several processes coordinated together and done repetitively as follows. After stripping, the parts are grinded and polished, plated in copper, then the pitting is filled with or solder, or brazed. It is re-grinded and re-polished to a mirror finish, and back in for another layer of copper. The copper is then checked for any remaining surface issues, and either back for more rounds of solder fill/ copper plating or it proceeds for the final nickel and chrome plate. They are QCd every step of the way, then for a final time before wrapping. It is not uncommon for parts to have nickel shadow, which are the area not covers by chromes poor throw (its ability to go around corners, in groves, etc.), or similarly to have black areas on the bottom of bumpers or on the edges of tanks, because that is where the electricity is the weakest, making the charge in the chrome inconsistent. Parts with such issues would need to be chrome stripped, leaving the copper and nickel but have to be re-polished for final plating.
One major challenge is, even if they have been repaired, they continue to off gas while being plated and even after they have been inspected, wrapped and shipped. How does one warranty something like that? You cant. Thats why 99 percent of platers wont touch die-cast parts leaving your one off or extremely rare parts in their current condition. As stated above, we are under new management and are working diligently to resolve issues stated in previous posts. Thank you for your patience while we continue to move forward in this area.
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The vendor review section of this website is provided as a means of keeping club members informed about practices and experiences concerning various providers of parts and services. This section contains unedited, unsolicited opinions expressed by members of an online car club. No attempt has been made to bias the opinions, or slant the number of viewpoints on one side or another. All opinions have been included, as supplied. If any vendors don't like the viewpoints expressed here, they are welcome to provide a rebuttal, which will be posted as well.
This page was last updated on 18 August 2008. Send us your feedback, and come join the Imperial Mailing List - Online Car Club
