Review - Reflections Chrome Plating - Maine

[Kurt Howgate]

My review & experience with:

Reflections Chrome Plating
1043 S. Mountain Valley Hwy
Montville, ME 04941
George Biagiotti, Owner
www.reflectionsusa.biz

In a nutshell....
For me, this was a HUGE time-consuming and expensive mistake that will go down as THE worst experience I've ever had with a service company. George told me 1.5 months turn-time to re-chrome four bed rail ends and a large brush guard off a 1985 Chevy Silverado I was restoring.

Click the pics below to view large versions of the photos.


I'll start from the beginning and will document our entire email and text message correspondence.
I contacted Reflections (George Biagiotti) via email and got prices for re-chroming a large brush guard and four bed rail ends for my 1985 Chevy Silverado that I was doing a restoration on. I was told about a month-and-a-half turntime and was given a price quote. Given the large size of the brush guard, I drove the 2.5 hours up to his shop and dropped everything off. We met, and he personally looked over the parts and made no changes to the price quote or time-frame he had given me via email ($600 for the guard and $200 for the bed rail ends). I gave him 50% down ($400 check). This was on March 17, 2013.
After 3.5 months, he finally mailed me the four bed rail ends. I was completely disgusted with this 'finished product'. They looked far worse than how they looked originally. His new 'chrome', if you can even call it that, had a yellow tint to it, there were drip marks, black marks, black shadows, scratches, etc....just absolutely TERRIBLE. I left a strong voice mail to him about my displeasure. He DID call back and told me to send them back and he would re-do them right away. I mailed them back two days later. I wouldn't see those bed rail ends again until 9/12/13...in which they would actually be in even worse shape.

After being strung along for six months total (3/17/13 to 9/12/13), I told him I was coming to get my parts finished or not and wanted my money back. He ended up leaving my unfinished parts at the bottom of his driveway in a plastic bin. Click the pic below for a larger version.

I'll start from the beginning and will document our entire email and text message correspondence.
Here is our email correspondence.:

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:57:19 -0800
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]
Hello.
I found you via a google search. I'm from Sanford, ME.
I have a large brush guard on my 1985 Silverado that I'm restoring...want to get it rechromed.
It is sizeable in its whole state, but it can be dismanted into several different pieces, I'm sure.
I've attached a couple of pics for your review.
I'm interested if this is something you might be able to rechrome and a ballpark cost?
I might have a few smaller parts to do as well.

If you couldn't do it, are there any chroming shops in NH that you would recommend?
I am really close to Rochester, NH. Thanks for your time.
Kurt Howgate
------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 9:46 AM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

Hello, we can re chrome that guard for $600. By the way NICE truck! Regards,George
--------------
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:18:07 -0800
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

I also have the original bed rails that need some restoration of sorts. The four end pieces are currently chromed (cast metal I think), but want to get your cost to rechrome them. They actually are in good shape but with some tiny pitting and mini flaking areas.
Pics attached. The bed rails and middle supports are aluminum (I believe), so I probably can buff/sand out the scratches and polish to a near chrome like shine? Are there any alternatives to that?
------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2013 6:08 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

4 end pieces will be $ 50 each. the rails can be sanded & buffed-polished aluminum is the best way to go & it looks really good.. I can do those for $150 each.Regards,George
****Note: I did not go forward with the rail polishing****

Hi, George.
Regarding the push bar assembly... would you be dismantling it into its individual pieces then rebuilding it?
Not sure how that process works.
If so, would the $600 cover any replacement bolts, etc? Also, what is your schedule like and turnaround time?
Kurt Howgate
---------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 3:02 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

I can do that. any bolts that we had to replace would be minimal cost. turn around is about a month & a half or so. I have a few jobs in right now. the sooner I get it the sooner it gets in production. Regards,George
---------------
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:18:53 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Wow...1.5 months. Ouch.
I was hoping to have it mid-April at the latest since that is when I expect my body work/paint to be finished.
I was going to have you do the end pieces of the bed rails which also would have to get mounted to the truck at the end (along with the brush guard).
Is the first week in May the earliest possible finish date?
Kurt Howgate
-----------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 8:48 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

I may be able to get it done by mid april, BUT in this line of work I hate to make promises because the way chroming works it doesnt always go smooth. As my Dad always said under promise & over deliver. I would do my best to get it out as quick as possible. Regards,George
---------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:22:30 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Okay, I'd like to move forward with getting the parts to you asap.
Any chance I could drop everything off Sat or Sun morning if we set a time?
or would it have to be during your normal week hours?
Kurt Howgate
-------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 1:27 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

Saturday would be best as I am out of town Sunday. any time after 9am. I usually get a deposit when parts are dropped off. Regards,George

----------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:08:18 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

The deposit is no problem. I'll be at your shop around 10am Saturday, okay?
My cell phone is 207-xxx-xxxx. Call or text as needed.
I'll send you another email when I leave so you know we are still 'on'.
Kurt Howgate

Hi George. I definitely could use the bed rail ends back as soon as possible. Not to rush you or anything. Lol

Sent from my iPhone
------------------
On Mar 14, 2013, at 4:49 PM, george jones jr. <[e-mail]> wrote:

sounds good. See you then. George
-------------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 12:03 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

possibly next week.
---------------------
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:20:01 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

After I get the bed rail ends ($200 + shipping),
I can mail you another $100 to bring the deposit for the push bar back up to $300 (50% of the $600 push bar fee).
Kurt Howgate
--------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 9:59 AM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

works for me. I will let you know when they are done
-----------------
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:56:15 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

If you can, let me know the day before the bed rails will be ready for shipment.
That way I can decide if they need to be shipped directly to the body shop, or to me.
Kurt Howgate
---------------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 7:36 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

I will
---------------------
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 06:10:09 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Hi, George.
Any update on the bed rail ends?
Kurt Howgate
-----------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: Kurt Howgate <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, April 1, 2013 1:08 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

should be done this week.
-----------------
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:29:28 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Hi, George.
Just checking in....any progress? Have to keep my paint guy up-to-date.
Thanks.
Kurt Howgate
------------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: Kurt Howgate <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 12:52 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

bed rails will be done monday & I can ship them. brush guard is coming apart this weekend. Regards,George
---------------
Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2013 07:17:38 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Not sure the time involved in the brush guard...but if it was possibly done for next weekend, I would pick up the bed rails and brush guard all at once.
-----------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: Kurt Howgate <[e-mail]>
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2013 1:02 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

I will let you know a bit later in the week. Regards,G
-----------------
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:10:00 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Hi, George.
Just checking in on your progress...
Kurt Howgate
-------------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: Kurt Howgate <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 8:52 AM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

its gonna be next week on the guard.
-------------------
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:39:09 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Hi, George. Where are we at?
Kurt Howgate
-------------------
On Apr 25, 2013, at 8:51 PM, george jones jr. <[e-mail]> wrote:

where we are at is, I ended up taking the guard to a machine shop & having the bolts machined off & the stub heated & taken out. The one plate Ive attached a pic of is there to have them make a new one as it is way too far gone to plate. everything else is in good shape & stripped for plating. I will up date you early next week. Regards, George
--------------------
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
From: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:28:23 -0400
To: [e-mail]

Okay, that sounds good. I'm honestly not surprised about needing the machine shop to assist with the bolts. Same thing with the one plate needing complete replacement. I appreciate you going forward with everything and understand that the balance due will obviously be more than originally planned. Any rough idea how much extra?

The pic attachment didn't make it.

Sent from my iPhone.
---------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: Kurt Howgate <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2013 1:02 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

I will let you know when I talk to the machine shop. Regards,George
------------------------
Date: Thu, 2 May 2013 04:40:05 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Hi, George.
Not knowing a real ETA on the brush guard, I'm going to have you mail the bed rail ends asap.

The situation is that the body work is winding down on the truck and paint and re-assembly are days away.

My plans are to enter the truck in the Bonney Eagle Car Show on May 19th,
but I need the truck done by the weekend of the 11th in order to have time to bring it to the exhaust shop for a new exhaust.

I wouldn't bother entering the truck in the show without the brush guard. Are you close on the brush guard, or?
Kurt Howgate
-------------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: Kurt Howgate <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2013 5:14 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

the brush guard is coming along I will send the bed rails. I will have the guard done next week. been a hectic week here. Regards,George
-------------------
Date: Fri, 3 May 2013 06:51:27 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Sounds good.
Please let me know asap when the guard will be ready for pick up.
I may come up during the week if it is done before the weekend.
Thanks for the help...sorry for my nagging!
Kurt Howgate
---------------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: Kurt Howgate <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2013 5:08 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard
no prob. I will
-------------------
Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 14:49:05 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Hi, George. I have a new cell number since we talked last week....
207-xxx-xxxx
Kurt Howgate
-------------------
From: george jones jr. <[e-mail]>
To: Kurt Howgate <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 9:08 PM
Subject: RE: Chroming Brush Guard

I will note it. everything is in copper plate. 1 piece is chrome. the next step is sanding the parts and re-copper if needed,then buff & nickel plate followed by chrome. sorry it took long to get but thats the way plating can be. I will send ya some pics Thursday.George
---------------
Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 12:05:53 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Chroming Brush Guard
To: [e-mail]

Hi, George.
Where are we at now?
Kurt Howgate

How we looking?

Sent from my iPhone
--------------------
On May 23, 2013, at 3:37 PM, george jones jr. <[e-mail]> wrote:

everything is in copper plate & being sanded & buffed. all goes well will be done tuesday. sorry for the delay

I switched to text messaging with George…. This is after I received the bed rail ends in absolutely terrible and unacceptable condition.
I phone him and let him know my total displeasure. He said to mail them back and he would do them right away.

June 3, 2013
Kurt: The bed rail ends should arrive tomorrow.
George: Ok. I will strip them & do them like the brush guard.

June 6, 2013
Kurt: Hi George. How’s that stuff coming along?
George: Good. Havent got bed rail yet-prob today
Kurt: According to tracking, they were misspent to hampden but are now at post office in Freedom? Zip code 04941 – same as monville I guess.
George: Yes. That’s correct. Il have them today.

June 10, 2013
Kurt: Where are we at now?
George: I wil be plating everything this week.

June 11, 2013
Kurt: When is everything going to be done?
George: If it goes rite Saturday.
Kurt: What’s your prognosis on the bed rail ends? Going to be able to correct those?
George: Yes.

June 14, 2013
Kurt: Hows things going?
George: Everything is copper plated & im sanding and buffing. Sorry to take so long but im a 1 man shop.
Kurt: If everything comes out good then the wait will be worth it.
George: Thank you.

June 19, 2013
Kurt: Give me an update, George.
George: Ur parts are being sanded & replated to fill pits so they will be smooth.
Kurt: How much longer. It’s been over three months now. 3/17/13
George: I m not sure. Id like to have it done by next wk. I wil update u Tuesday

June 20, 2013
Kurt: Are the bed rails done?
George: no.

July 5, 2013
Kurt: Hi, George. Where are you at with my parts.
George: Your bed rails are almost done. The other parts are at the sanding/buffing stage. Again sorry for the delays.
Kurt: When do you expect everything to be ready? For real. But more importantly, are they going to look they way new chrome should look? I don’t want to wait another month if they just aren’t going to look good. I need real answers so I can decide what I’m going to do.
George: They wil be done next week. Remember the photo I sent you? ALL of it wil look like that.

July 17, 2013
Kurt: Hi George. Any change with my parts?
George: Parts are coming along good.
Kurt: So when are they going to be done? As of today, you’ve had my parts for four months exactly.
George: They wil be done as soon as possible. Its impossible to set an exact date.
Kurt: I realize and exact date isn’t possible given that type of work. However, you told me 1.5 months in the beginning and now it’s 4 months. I would have gone elsewhere had I known. And I still have no idea when I’ll get my parts back. When George, when? Another week, another month, another two months?
George: Browns plating runs 7-9 months. I wil try and get everything done by next week
Kurt: I posted a pic of the bed rail end on browns Facebook page and he just replied with a 5-7 day turn time. What state/condition are all my parts in right now? I want to see some good clear pics of everything asap. I need those pics George.
George: You want me to spend the day takin pictures or get ur parts done?

July 18, 2013
Kurt: I’m trying to decide if I’m coming up this weekend to get all my parts and get my money back.
George: I wil not be here and I told you your parts will be done next week. And I have a LOT more than 400 bucks tied up in ur parts.

July 26, 2013
Kurt: Hi George. Status update? Status?
George: Parts are coming along. Bed rails will be plated weds. Other parts thur & fri

July 30, 2013
Kurt: Does that mean they will be ready for pickup this weekend?
George: Prob next week b better

August 4, 2013
Kurt: (I sent him a pic of my truck) This is the truck your chrome is going on. That chrome will be the icing on the cake. Where are we at with it?
George: It will be done this week.

August 5, 2013
Kurt: What day?

August 8, 2013
Kurt: How di d the plating come out from last week? Can I see some pics?
George: Ill have some pics Friday

August 9, 2013
Kurt: Any pics?
George: I ended up havin to strip parts and re copper plating them. Sorry for the delay – ill gdt them done asap.
Kurt: Why do you have to keep stripping the parts and redoing them? And what is the new time frame now? Next Friday the 17th will be five months. Those aren’t rhetorical questions. They warrant real answers.
George: Plating is not like paint. Ive had problems with adhesion & peeling. I will be working on your parts only next wk & get them done.

August 23, 2013
Kurt: Any change?
George: Got the tubes left to buff & plate.

August 29, 2013
Kurt: Time frame now? Can you mail the bed rail ends?
George: Yes. I can.

September 3, 2013
Kurt: Will those bed rail ends arrive today? Did you mail the bed rail ends?
George: Wont go out til weds.
Kurt: They aren’t done yet?

September 4, 2013
Kurt: There is another car show coming up…really don’t want to miss it but the truck is incomplete without the chrome. For real…when will everything be done?
George: Bed rails ship in am. Guard is giving me fit.
Kurt: How long on the guard? That is the signature piece of the truck.

September 9, 2013
Kurt: Did you ship the bed rails or not?
Note: After the mail came and the bed rail ends did not arrive, I left a scathing voice mail to George that I was sick of his bullcrap and I was coming to get my parts whether they were done or not. I told him I would bring a sheriff if necessary. I also said I wanted a full refund.
He replied via text message:
George: my bullcrap?? Ive got way more than 400 bucks in time and material tryin to make your rusty corroded parts perfect. I just don’t know when to quit when it comes to tryin to make customers happy. State law says Im not required to refund money when Ive done work on something-I wil give you 200 back even though no one gives me a refund on MY labor or material! Thursday your parts wil be at the bottom of my driveway.

Note: I left another scathing voicemail then back to text messaging since he wouldn’t answer his phone.
Kurt: You’ve had six months to get them finished at the price you set…and you looked at them when I dropped them off. I had the whole truck restored during that time frame. You sent some of my parts months ago and they looked worse than they did originally. Remember them? They were not rusted or pitted….Just minor flaking (originally). They only part badly pitted was one plate from the push bar which you supposedly had remachined? None of the tubes were pitted and hardly rusted at all except probably the bolts. Chrome is chrome…a perfect mirror finish! Your website shows perfect Chromed examples.

September 10, 2013
Kurt: I’ll be up Thursday morning to get my stuff.
George: What time?
Kurt: Prob around 9 to 9:30 if I leave around 6:30 to 7:00.
George: Ok. It wil be at the bottom of drive. Im working another job thurs
Kurt: Leave my money, too.

September 12, 2013
I picked up my parts around 10am. He only left my $100 in cash as my refund.
George: You don’t seem to understand-its not my tanks that are the problem.its YOUR parts. Every other job I did came out perfect.
Kurt: You even admitted to me twice that your copper tanks weren’t right. I have it documented! And – there is a negative review from June 2013 on the better business bureau website about you taking four months for someone else’s parts and that the results were absolutely terrible! Explain that! You are a complete liar! How do you sleep at night?
George: I fixed the copper tank! If you are not pickin up the parts I will ship them today.
Kurt: I already picked up the parts you crook! Go scam someone else!

End

Six months wasted.
$400 deposit…$100 returned.
$100 +/- spent in gas, tolls, and shipping back the first batch of ‘chromed’ parts.
Estimated cost of small plate he had re-machined $50.

Total lost money estimated at $350 +/-

[Deleted]

That pisses me off reading this... Would have been hard not to go to the top of the driveway and take out a $400 deposit on his ass.

[Seth Barnett]

That's an INSANE story Kurt. I also build hot rods and understand the frustration of waiting for vendors but your story takes the cake.
We listen all day long about American jobs and how we should buy American to boost the economy, stay away from BIG box stores and we put a sincere effort in to do that.
But when we get fu cked like that from a local guy it always leaves a sour taste in my mouth. You'd have been better off Internet mail ordering new junk parts from China and that is what's wrong with this country! just my .02
Nice Chevy...

[Kurt Howgate]

Andy: I looked up the driveway and saw his truck but thought "I better not go up there".

Seth: Yeah, one reason why I picked this guy was he was a Maine company, not someplace across the country. Big mistake. The parts getting chromed were one of the few parts of the truck not available as a new reproduction part. Ebay would be the only option and they aren't cheap and not new anyway.

Obviously writing up the whole history makes me look like an ass, too, but I felt the story needed to be told.

[Kurt Howgate]

Side note...
I ended up shipping out my bed rail mounts to Browns Plating in Kentucky.

Two weeks after they received them, I had them back in my hands, looking absolutely fantastic.

Should have used them to begin with. Arghhhh!