BIG BLUE_ZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 374
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posted April 14, 2009 06:50 AM
Piss Poor Customer Service
I know you guys are not into bling and the whole chromed wheel thing but I had to tell you all about the terrible customer service at Reflections Polishing.
http://reflectionspolishing.com/
I had my wheels chromed before I took delivery of the bike from the dealership. After only 5600 miles (one Michigan riding season) the chrome is showing early signs of pitting. I took them to my dealer to make a claim on the warranty. They took the tires and such off the wheels and shipped the wheels to Reflections and this is what I get from them (Reflections). One, they wouldn't agree that the rear wheel was even pitted. Two, the wheels are out of warranty by about 35 days due to the fact that they started the warranty the day I purchased the bike and not the day I took delivery (of the wheels). Three, they said they would ship the front wheel only to their chrome people and "we'll see" if they cover it…mind you the front wheel only. I told them to go F@&k themselves and ship my wheels back. The Reflections guy even told my he had a set of 14 chromed wheels sitting in his showroom but would not exchange them. WTF! How does this guy expect repeat business?
To their credit my dealership has been bending over backwards trying to get this resolved for me. They have spent as much time on the phone with Reflections as I have and have stopped doing any business with them. All the labor for removal and installation has been covered by them. So I guess I ride on my wheels until they are too ugly to look at and get new ones at that point.
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2012 Blue on Black ZX14R with Go Faster Stuff...
2007 Blue ZX14 Gone...
  
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Bawls
Needs a job
re-learning to ride
Posts: 2701
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posted April 14, 2009 07:46 AM
file a claim with the better business bureau maybe?
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Best 1/8th: 5.97
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted April 14, 2009 08:01 AM
thanks for the heads up
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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Hawkman
Zone Head
Posts: 747
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posted April 14, 2009 09:24 AM
Companies like that don't stay in business too long. Sorry to hear.
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Evilsports
Expert Class
Posts: 119
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posted April 14, 2009 10:42 AM
quote:
Companies like that don't stay in business too long. Sorry to hear.
+1
Sucks to hear, but in this economy companies like that will take care of themselves. I whole heartedly welcome the demise of all the fly by night companies that figured they could skimp on customer service.
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BLK ICE
Pro
we'll leave the light on for u
Posts: 1709
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posted April 14, 2009 12:20 PM
+2
Thanks for info:
They are on the Sh*t list now! (unless the owner makes it right by you.) .
There are lots of chrome shops, customer service is what makes them different.
Send them a link to this thread so they can see how poor customer service provided to just one customer can hurt them.
They figured that they could dodge a couple hundred dollars of responsibility and will end up loosing thousands.
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icarus
Expert Class
Posts: 344
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posted April 14, 2009 02:25 PM
What is the name of the dealer that is taking care of you. At least 1 Kawi dealer should
get some good press.
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8.820 @ 161.05
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JDC
Zone Head
Posts: 570
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posted April 14, 2009 03:39 PM
read 'Small Claims court.... cheap and effective
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BIG BLUE_ZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 374
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posted April 14, 2009 05:11 PM
quote:
What is the name of the dealer that is taking care of you. At least 1 Kawi dealer should
get some good press.
Yes, I agree. The dealership is Treads and Sleds in Grand Rapids Michigan. They carry both Kawasaki and Suzuki.
http://www.treadsandsleds.com/
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dcjens
Pro
Wet side of Washington
Posts: 1059
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posted April 14, 2009 05:40 PM
quote:
quote:
Companies like that don't stay in business too long. Sorry to hear.
+1
Sucks to hear, but in this economy companies like that will take care of themselves. I whole heartedly welcome the demise of all the fly by night companies that figured they could skimp on customer service.
+1 email sent, good luck with that
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Black 06
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Reflections Polishing
Parking Attendant
Posts: 3
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posted April 14, 2009 07:27 PM
I AM SORRY BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE LONG.
This is such BS You bought the wheels from Tread n Sleds and if you would clean your rims and not just ride on them maybe they would still look nice. I don't care if you put 56 or 5600 miles on the rims CLEAN THEM ONCE IN AWHILE and the brake dust won't eat into them. Yes there is nothing wrong with the rear rim and NO i will not warranty it because you can't clean the front rim. I stated that i would do my best to help you out and that didn't seem to be the problem. You wanted me to pull a new set off the shelf and that is not how it works. I stated i will send your front rim only out and have it replated but, you can't wait the 3-4 weeks it will take to replate. I have no control over how long your dealership holds your bike before you get it. My rims are clearly stamped and dated on the inside but i agreed to extend it for you but that wasn't good enough. It was easier for you to come on here and be a keyboard crier.
I have been in business for 13 years for a reason. I am not here to rip anyone off but, i am not going to be taken either. You should have been informed when you purchased your wheels, how to maintain them. I don't give seminars to sales people who don't work for me, on your maintenance. Once again i will extend to you the warranty on the front rim. I had the rear rim in my hand and there was no pitting other than the porosity from a factory aluminum cast rim. If the rim is so bad post a picture of the bad spots on here. That will show that it is not the chrome. I don't get on here anymore but one of my customers let me know of this. You can reach me at 734-480-3148 to discuss this any further.
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted April 15, 2009 02:34 AM
... How bout some pics of this rear wheel
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BLK ICE
Pro
we'll leave the light on for u
Posts: 1709
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posted April 15, 2009 06:34 AM
THE POWER OF THE INTERNET!
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Fastest Stock Motor, Stock Bodywork, Hand Clutch, N/A Super Heavy Hitter on the Planet!
Fastest Stock Motor, Stock Bodywork, Hand Clutch, Nitrous Super Heavy Hitter on the Planet!
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Repersenting: BLACK ICE PERFORMANCE and NO QUARTER MOTORSPORTS
Nitrous and Tires Sponsored by: Custom Specialties Cycles
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BIG BLUE_ZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 374
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posted April 15, 2009 07:24 AM
 Edited By: BIG BLUE_ZX14 on 15 Apr 2009 15:25
First, I do clean my wheels, in fact they get cleaned more than the bike probably does and the bike gets washed every week. As far as nothing wrong with the rims hmmm. The service people at the dealership agreed with me that they were in fact pitted. So what your saying is that your chrome plating can't stand up to dirt and normal riding wear n tear. I thought chrome plating was a durable service used to protect metal from corrosive elements...that's why tools are plated right? If your wheels can't stand up to less than a years worth of normal riding then your product is crap. I am not an expert on metal or the chroming process but it seems to me that any issues with "porosity" of the cast factory wheel should have been dealt with in the preparation process before dipping. Aren't 90 percent of the wheels you dip cast aluminum? I would think the process would be nailed down by now. Funny, when I talked to you on the phone you said nothing of ill cleaning, poor maintenance, or porosity.
Further, you want to take my front wheel "just in case" they are covered for 3 to 4 weeks at the beginning of the riding season...call me unreasonable but no f'in way. As soon as I noticed a problem I brought it to everyone's attention, the dealer and you. The claim was made in a reasonable time and manner. Why not document the pitting and deal with this during the off season? Not that unreasonable to me.
Yes I will post photos. As soon as I have my wheels back on the bike. Like I said early signs of pitting. Should I wait until chunks of plate are falling off the wheel before I do something about it?
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2007 Blue ZX14 Gone...
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Some Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 144
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posted April 15, 2009 08:12 AM
It would be good to hear the perspective of another chrome plating company. I don't know a whole lot of the process, so I'm not qualified to say who's to blame here.
That being said, I don't think Mr Reflections Polishing came across in a very professional manner, and probably didn't win much sympathy stating his case.
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'08 SE ZX-14
'14 1000r Ninja (wife's)
1985 900 Ninja
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Superman T
Pro
Posts: 1831
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posted April 15, 2009 08:13 AM
quote:
THE POWER OF THE INTERNET!
+1
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Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted April 15, 2009 08:23 AM
Edited By: Shane661 on 15 Apr 2009 16:24
Do you think that the thread title "Piss Poor Customer Service" might put someone on the defensive? 
It is hard to resolve these issues with an aggressive approach like that, so I've found...
I always like to call 'em like I see 'em as well...but that doesn't always turn out well.
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BIG BLUE_ZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 374
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posted April 15, 2009 10:04 AM
quote:
Do you think that the thread title "Piss Poor Customer Service" might put someone on the defensive?
It is hard to resolve these issues with an aggressive approach like that, so I've found...
I always like to call 'em like I see 'em as well...but that doesn't always turn out well.
Yes, Shane it might. However, this thread is the end result of "Negotiations" not the beginning. If that puts him on the defensive so be it. I'm the one out good money with imperfect wheels...that's how i see it.
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2007 Blue ZX14 Gone...
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Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted April 15, 2009 12:00 PM
Edited By: Shane661 on 15 Apr 2009 20:01
Well, good luck with it...hopefully it will work out. It's definitely in everyone's best interest to get it squared away.
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14nooby
Zone Head
Posts: 987
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posted April 15, 2009 03:36 PM
This is great stuff. I would be pissed if someone trashed the company I owned to a group of potential customers. Sounds like he manned up by replying to the message. Shitty situation for both parties.
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Reflections Polishing
Parking Attendant
Posts: 3
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posted April 15, 2009 06:00 PM
You are right you must not understand plating. I will explain it to you. First, when you plate tools they are steel not alluminum. Also generally it is cold rolled steel not cast, which means no porosity. When a cast factory wheel is plated they ALL have minor pitting. We do our best to polish out the pits but this can't be done on every wheel. If you want a perfect chrome wheel buy a billett chrome wheel, such as an RC. It has a 7 year warranty due to the fact that the wheel is not cast and chrome is only as good as the surface it is applied to. That is why you will see the pitting you do on your rims. It is casting pits in the rim and the chrome is highlighting it. If the chrome is bad it would be peeling. Casting pits are like little pinholes and bad casting porosity will lift the chrome and cause slight bumps in the chrome. To you this will feel like a slight grit when you clean the wheel.
So as i said your rear wheel has casting pits that are being highlighted by the chrome. You must have not noticed them prior to the front wheel being pitted. Like i said the front wheel appears to have the chrome lifting due to either brake dust or moisture setting on it for a prolonged period of time. We live in Michigan and the temperature fluxuates alot over the winter. Unless you keep your bike in a heat controlled room, you will have problems with chrome, unless you protect your rims. i always tell my customers how to do so, because i am a motorcycle customizer not a dealer. So i want your bike to look good at all times If your bike doesn't it makes me look bad. If you put a coat of wax over your chrome and remove it in the spring you will lessen the chance of problems in the chrome.
I cannot hold a warranty until the end of the Michigan riding season. That is the reason we stamp warranty dates on rims. Yours are already out of date and i still will extend it due to the fact YOUR dealer didn't get your bike to you in a prompt manner, for what ever reason. If i extended your warranty i would be expected to do it for others. So i have to stick to the rules. If you buy a car and the warranty is for 25k miles and you have a problem @ 26k GM will tell you it is out of warranty. Trust me i have been there. So because i am a smaller shop i should offer more than the big dealerships. If i did that i wouldn't have been in business for 12 years. I do all the chrome for 90% of the dealerships in SE Michigan. There is a reason for that we are good and we pride our selves in our customer service and our products. We do actually care what people think of us, that is why i am on here.
I hope this clears up any problems and questions you may have. If not i will check back and read the responses periodically.
I hope this h
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Some Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 144
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posted April 15, 2009 06:39 PM
That's a much better approach...
____________
'08 SE ZX-14
'14 1000r Ninja (wife's)
1985 900 Ninja
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Bawls
Needs a job
re-learning to ride
Posts: 2701
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posted April 15, 2009 07:36 PM
I understand that you're pissed about finding it at the beginning of the riding season... but the man is spot on with his business ethics. So it takes a month early in the season. You could always just live with it so that it ruins the rest of your riding season because you're pissed off about your wheel. Let the man make it right like he has vowwed to do and be done with it. I believe this one falls under the "shit happens" category. At least it's a company that is willing to help you fix the. Problem.
____________
Best 60ft: 1.42
Best 1/8th: 5.97
Best 1/8th MPH: 119
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BIG BLUE_ZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 374
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posted April 16, 2009 02:59 PM
Edited By: BIG BLUE_ZX14 on 16 Apr 2009 23:30
Rear wheel photos
I do appreciate the plating 101 and I concede the fact that if I’m willing to be without my bike for 4 weeks the front wheel may be repaired. However, I will not concede that the rear wheel is merely a matter of poor plating due to “porosity” or I’m just lazy at cleaning my wheels. There is no way I wouldn’t have seen all this “irregularity” when I first received the bike with the new wheels as I went over everything looking for the smallest detail before I took delivery. Here are several photos of the wheel on the chain side (so you know it’s the rear wheel). If you all think I’m wrong that it’s not pitting I will gladly eat crow and apologize for calling Reflections out online. You be the judge.
Does this really look like a bike that isn't well maintained? I mean seriously???
Edit: I removed a duplicate photo.
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2007 Blue ZX14 Gone...
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Obba
Expert Class
Posts: 455
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posted April 16, 2009 03:35 PM
There are pretty good quality photos for Reflections to look at.
I'm no chrome expert, but from what Reflections mentioned before, these 'pits' might be acceptable, due to the material of the wheel.
If so then Reflections are correct. If they are not 'normal' then Reflections is wrong.
I guess some other members might have chromed wheels and will compare.
I think Reflections has done the right thing by speaking up and keeping the door open.
Be interesting to see the outcome. But if Reflections are correct i don't see why they should absorb the costs fully to help out Big Blue further, and Big Blue (if he just didn't know at the time that the wheels are ok), should offer to meet Reflections half way somewhere.
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