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MG MGB Technical - Chrome Platers In Australia

Thought I might show you what we have to endure in Australia from disgusting workmanship. These images are of the rear bumper bar from my MGB GT restoration project. It had two small holes drilled to accept a dealer fitted tow bar (which I removed) I took it to a chrome plater who I had done business with many years ago, in a coastal town in NSW Australia 280klms distant. The father (who I knew from previous dealings) told me that they could repair and rechrome it like new for $650.00 AUD. I left it with them and after almost a year of obfuscation and lies, I went back to collect it.

In between leaving it and collecting it, the father died and I was now dealing with the son. The bar was securely wrapped up, and because of my trusting nature and previous dealings I accepted that it was spot on and so I paid him. I dove back home 280klms again, and when I opened it up, this is what I found. I immediately telephoned expressing my disappointment and he said he wasn't responsible for the crook repairs and now wants to avoid refunding me. Now a legal matter I just thought that I would put it out there for anyone to take care in Australia from this cretin.

Maurie P





R M Prior

Holy sh.. Maurie - I'm so sorry to see that. Throw the book at the bastards. I have a good straight original bumper sitting idle which I'm happy to offer you in the interests of keeping your spirits up after your experience with those ar*eholes. Trouble is, it needs rechroming! I have used Kunda Park electroplaters here in Queensland with quite good results, but a couple of mates have said the only place to go for really good work is Melbourne.
You might recall that I went to polished stainless bumpers, also on the BGT, as it is a daily driver. So far they're performing well. The only negative for me is mine is the rubber insert overrider (73), and they didn't offer stainless overriders, so I'm using good chrome ones.
Our friends overseas will probably be horrified at what we have to put up with.
Yours,
John.
J P Hall

That's appalling.
paulh4

That's a real fizzer for you Maurie, they should be ashamed of themselves, no wonder they had it wrapped up, But there are some good platers about, We've got a guy down here that does magic work and is a real perfectionist, problem is he's got a bit of a backlog because he's so fussy----the Harley fellas use him a lot and he's still alive so he must be ok----Not sure how much he'd charge for a bumper, I'll ask.

willy
William Revit

That's 'not fit for the purpose', as we say under English contract law. I'm sure Oz has something similar, which will be the grounds you'll be seeking redress under. At what cost, though........

Chrome platers are rapidly disappearing in the UK, in part down to H&S concerns. I hear mixed reports on those left - for every person who says they were happy with a particular plater, another says they weren't.

If I was to ever re-attach the bumpers to mine, I'd go down the stainless route..........I've just looked at the price, so maybe I won't...


Peter Allen

For anyone on the lookout in the UK I used Castle Chrome in Dudley (they still have an online presence) for a pair of quarter-lights and door handles which came back very good, you could see the edges of the copper and nickel on the lower parts of the legs.

I don't know the origin of the bumpers I bought over 30 years ago but they are still perfect despite much wet running and occasionally salt, I was able to go through the supplier stock and pick good ones. The rears have the correct ends, which not all do these days.
paulh4

A follow up - I engaged a local "lawyer" to instigate a compensation claim against this scoundrel for many other MGB parts that I had asked to be electroplated at the same time. The "lawyer" sent me a letter saying that he had been in contact with the other party,(by telephone) and offered no resolution of the matter other than suggesting I should perhaps drop the plaint and move on. Funny though, that he enclosed his account for almost $600 AUD for services rendered. I will not accept this latest affront so intend to pursue the matter through the NSW Dept of Fair Trading (I hope)

Thanks to all for the support - it is very much appreciated.

Maurie
R M Prior

Not having much luck there Maurie- First a dodgey plater ,now a dodgey lawyer
It's interesting that the lawyer can't do anything (except send his bill), I'd imagine the plater has come up with something like he didn't do the repair,just the plating and it would get too messy to lay blame--do you know who did the repair --
Cheers
willy
William Revit

It gets worse.

Maurie wrote the father said they could do the repair as well as the plating. Even if the son farmed it out it is still his responsibility.

We have Trading Standards here, but from an experience I had they are only interested in multiple instances of a problem, one has to take individual action though the 'small claims' court. Can you canvass classic car clubs in the area for other complaints?
paulh4

Paul, and others,

Thanks and yes, it could be an great source of information on this roosters appalling attitude and performance.

I will do a survey and see who is who. I understand a lot of "Bikies" have patronized this business previously, and they might be a good starting point.

Cheers

Maurie
R M Prior

Another thing Maurie : in a previous life I had a lot to do with the (Qld) Commissioner for Consumer Affairs. On the right side of the fence, I hastily add. The Commissioner would probably be very interested in knowing about a case like yours; and his/her office is a repository of reports from disgruntled consumers about everything from motor vehicle to home building, insurance claims, bad food ... you name it. It might be worth contacting the office in your state to aid your search for other badly affected customers. Just a thought mate.
Yours,
John.
J P Hall

Maurie
My advice on this sort of thing, is to cut your losses and move on- start fresh with a different repairer. If the lawyer you had said there wasn't much hope then there probably isn't much hope. life's too short to be getting all worked up about a piece of metal, and even if the guy agrees to redo it you know it's not going to be right anyway, forget about it and move on---
Cheers
willy
William Revit

Sadly, I have to agree broadly with Willy. However, before you do that let them know that unless they resolve this to your satisfaction you will publicise this widely in old vehicle circles where you're very influential. In todays parlance that'd be social media, Google review, NSW old vehicle clubs, and so on. As a result of that others experience would emerge from the woodwork. Nobody likes bad publicity.
Peter Allen

Except Michael O'Leary.
paulh4

Maurie,
from very bitter experiences (plural) I'm with Willy to cut your losses and move on. You've already wasted time, money, hassle and emotions on this guy don't waste anymore. In an ideal world it'd be good if there was justice for you and this guy and to warn and protect others but it's not an ideal.

Most often you get nowhere perusing these types and if you try to warn most others about them they may think it's just you with sourer grapes plus some will side with the guy saying they had good work, which they may have done.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 20/05/2022 and 26/05/2022

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