OK, the mission was not a complete success. I have just spent 20 hours in the car trying to locate my SRT rims. Here's what happened.

I sent all 4 of my rims to the Chrome Connection in Chickamauga GA back on 11-27-07. At that time they told me it would take 6 weeks. No biggie the vehicle is at Bryan's shop stripped out any way. Come the first week of January I start calling to find out how things are going and no one can give me any information. They said call back in a week or so. I did. This time the phone just rings. No answer :eek: Last week I had Bryan and Builder Bill start calling to see if any one will answer their call. Nope! :eek: :eek: Yesterday I get an e-mail from Builder Bill, as he filled out a information form on their web site, however it was just an automated reply. Bill graciously offered to drive over there to see what was up, but I let him know this was a job for BJB. Covert operation so to speak :eek: :eek:

At 1:00 pm yesterday afternoon I left for Chickam..whatever the place is called. I arrived around 9:30 pm. When I pulled into the lot the place looked like a dump. Containers of chemicals are all over the yard and the door to half of the shop is open and the light are on. So I stick my head in and yell "is anyone there?" I notice a haz mat emergency contact list. Well, apparently this list ended up in my car :rolleyes: It has the owners home address and all kinds of phone numbers :D So I plug Shane's address into the navigation system in my Ford Edge and off I went. At this time it is about 10:30 pm and here I am pounding on someone's door. "I'm looking for a Shane O'Neal" I said. What the hell am I thinking, ponding on someone's door in BFE or should I say BFG in the middle of the night :o Anyhow, the guy who answers appears to be more frightened then I am. "No Sir, there is no Shane here" I must of looked official or something, Sir? Anyhow, it looked like an episode of cops, the first guy had the wife beater T shirt, the other fat guy (still wearing 40" waist pants with a big dunlap belly) now they are both trying to convince me I have the wrong house. Good enough for me, I'm out of here!

So I return back to the plant. On my way back I stop at the gas station / general store to put together a Magiver starter kit, flash light, screw drivers, paper clips.. OK I didn't get paper clips. Once there I get out the contact list. I start low on the list, Bubba is listed as a alternate. Buba answers and I asked him if he still worked for the Chrome Connection and he said he did not, he asked what this was about and I told him if you don't work for the Company you don't need to worry about it and I hang up. More on Bubba later. I have Shane's cell phone, and of course no answer, so I called his wife and what do you know, she answers. I told here that there was a situation at the plant and you or Shane needs to come over promptly. She asked who is this, I did not answer, I said I have another call and please hurry. So with my work don I drive across the street and park on a hill. At this time it was just after 11:00pm. I figure there should be some action by 11:30 pm, so I will just wait. Yep, around 11:28 a car pulls up and drives into the plant. I drive from across the street to pull in behind and find out it is a Walker County Sheriff. Oh no :o As I pull in another Sheriff pulls in behind me. As I get out and as I start explaining the situation, here comes a old diesel pick-up Guess who? Shane O'Neal. Now we are getting somewhere. And to top things off 1 more Sheriff shows up. So if anyone is keeping score it is 4 good guy's to 2 bad guy's. Yes 2. I forgot to mention, Bubba was with Shane :simmadown:

"What's this all about" yells Shane. I jump in his face and say you have 4 of my wheels since November and I hope to hell you can give them to me! He gets in my face and says "You freaked out my wife" I said "I just drove for 9 hours and my A s s hurts, so were even! Shane says he has my wheels and proceeds to return back to his truck for something. Meanwhile, Bubba was not happy and ask "How did you get my number?" :eek: You know the best defense is a good offense so I say "forget how I got your number, where are my wheels!" Bubba forgot all about his question :D When I looked over at Shane he had a folder and papers and shows me that a Company that he sent my wheels to in Texas had just shipped the wheels back to him yesterday. So I yell "why the hell didn't you call me and tell me that?" Just a dumb look on his face. However the law looked over the paper work and told me "it looks like you are in luck!" So, if all hold true I should have my chromed wheels by Friday :D:D:D

Now for the funnest part of the night, after all this is done, one of the Sheriff's asked me, "so what kind of car are these going on?" I told him "a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8" and the other Sheriff said, and it sounded just like the Judge in My Cousin Vinny, "these are going on what?" lol. I guess you had to be there!

your a crazy one... but at least ****s getting done...

Great Story, glad to here you are getting your wheels.

Nice work Brian, now I know who to talk to/send if someone owes me $$$. :D

I sure hope he sends them to you. I am sure that he and Bubba don't want you to show up again.:D

i love it. if everyone adapted this go-out-and-get-whats-yours attitude, there would be a lot less scumbags around ripping people off.

Wait so you drove from Michigan to Georgia for all of this?!?

You have a Ford Edge...now thats hilarious.

good job,,,those wheels are too expensive to let some redneck keep them in the end and make cash off of you,,i hope the paperwork was correct and by whaqt reason did he just so have your paper work that the wheels just got shipped on him anyways??? at 2 in the mornin

hmmmmmmmmmmmm

What a GREAT story!!!!!
So, they (the chrome platers) sub out the Chrome plating?:confused:
Interesting...
Looks like it might end well!
Have a safe ride home and watch the speed.:D
Bill

Wait so you drove from Michigan to Georgia for all of this?!?

Ha yes... and in a split second decision he did all of this..
You have a Ford Edge...now thats hilarious.

Need something to drive while all your toys are getting worked on.. BTW his 2008 F250 diesel will run with most SRT8's on this site.. :D

What a GREAT story!!!!!
So, they (the chrome platers) sub out the Chrome plating?:confused:
Interesting...
Looks like it might end well!
Have a safe ride home and watch the speed.:D
Bill

He's back already.. ha he drove down, all this **** happeneds, turned around and came home...:browsmiley:

Insane and I love it!

BJB FOR PRESIDENT!!!

that's a great story!

You've got some guts, I'll give you that.

Man that is a great story. Can I buy the movie rights for it.

Later

Brian...it sucks that it came to this to find out what was up with your rims, but I do hope it gets taken care of!!! Way to go brother!!!

Moral of the story is....don't use the Chrome Connection. It sucks that we all have to learn from someone else's mistakes/situations, but hey I've taken the bullet a couple of times, like don't expect change from a stripper or don't mix mexican food with koolaid:browsmiley:

don't mix mexican food with koolaid:browsmiley:

REALLY???????

Dude thats a crazy story? I cant believe you thought nothing of jumping in a car and heading to Georgia. For a trip like that I have to plan months or years ahead....lol

Bro, that is an awesome story.....my only concern is that you didn't leave with the rims right then and there. These rednecks already screwed you over, whats to say they don't destoy the rims of cause some kind of damage to them. Also, you have big balls.....when I picture you in some backwoods town in Georgia, I invision the scene from Deliverence....Squeel Boy! hahaha

Thats a great story, I was reading it on my phone while pulling permits, and the ladies were prob. wondering why I was laughing so hard. Nice story. Are you by any chance a detective =)

How did you hear of these people?
Hope you get you wheels back and in good condition.

Excellent story now go find Ron Concept HaHa! that was awsome story love that it all took place at night everybody off guard

Glad no one pulled out a shotgun on ya. Hope you get your wheels soon and your toosh recovers from sitting on it for sooo long.

Bro this is some great detective work. Like Zoo said, you are lucky no one pulled a gun out on you. I would have done the same thing if those were my rims.

I just have to say.......THAT IS AWESOME!! I wish I would have been there to see that.

Thats a great story, I was reading it on my phone while pulling permits, and the ladies were prob. wondering why I was laughing so hard. Nice story. Are you by any chance a detective =)
No "Matlock" in my chromosomes! Just get pissed when someone strings you along. On the other hand, I have 2 additional wheels that I sent to Cal Chrome and Blaine has called me 3 time keeping me up to date. If Shane or Bubba called and told me it would be another 3 weeks I would probably be ok with that, as long as they keep me informed. On my project we now have 2 screw ups. Chrome Connection and CPR (Creative Performance Racing - Fuel stuff) :flame:

WOW! What a great story! So who called the cops and what was their position?

I think his wife must have called as Shane was getting out of his Dr Dentons! :rolleyes:

Great job, I love it:D

I think we will make you the forum bad vendor chaser.........

Next mission find TByrne :p

J

I think we will make you the forum bad vendor chaser.........

Next mission find TByrne :p

J
RonConcept is on the way over to TByrne's.:)

Again, GREAT work Brian!
Bill

Ballsey, very Ballsey. My experience with "crome shops" in the Georgia area are much the same, I think you have to be on parole to run 1 or work there. I think smelling the chemicals from the chroming process must do the same thing to all that work there..............

Good job, will the lifetime warranty still apply?

I can't believe I missed this thread - awesome story (on top of an awesome build album)!

There will be a part 2... It gets more interesting

There will be a part 2... It gets more interesting

And Bubba is involved.. Stay tuned :D

I see that you said that terrific owner of this rim shop outsourced your chroming to another shop. Did you call that shop to check the progress of the chrome or to see if they really do have your wheels...?

hahaha, way to get **** taken care of.

Good read, but I'd still be afraid of their "service" no matter the outcome.

That is one funny story right thar!

I see that you said that terrific owner of this rim shop outsourced your chroming to another shop. Did you call that shop to check the progress of the chrome or to see if they really do have your wheels...?

That night Shane showed me a bill of lading when he shipped the rims to a firm in Texas. He said that this shop had just shipped the wheels back to him that very day. When I got back home I remember that the bill of lading was generated from Freight Quote.com. I also use that service, so I called their customer service and she was able to help me identify the shop in Texas. I then called that shop and confirmed that they shipped them back to GA. I tried to convince the Texas guy to redirect or intercept the shipment but he said he could not because the Chrome Connection had not paid him yet :o I hope he is not holding his breath for payment:bandit:

What is the name of the Texas shop and where is it located?

What is the name of the Texas shop and where is it located?

Chrome Pros Plating Corpus Christie TX

Looking at their website, it looks like they only do motorcycle parts, so maybe they sent them out to someone :(

Well Brian, I might need you to come to Colorado and help me out. 5 weeks ago, I had discount tire change out my runflats for some Hankooks. They destroyed 2 of the run flats(which they replaced 2 wks later) and scratched one of the rear wheels. They tried to replace it with a repaired wheel from somewhere, but the finish was bubbled. This car had 400 miles on it when I took it in. Now they dont want to spend $1495.00 on a new wheel, but so far I have been getting the run a round. I am about fed up.................

Have them spend $150.00 and have Cal Chrome do there magic? Just a thought.

you're just lucky that wasnt my shop, the cops wouldnt have been there, but i would have been with a 12 guage. ;) crazy fool. lol glad to hear you got er resolved tho.

p.s. i dont have a shop, but if i did. lol :D

OK, here is what has gone down the last couple of day's.

As I mentioned previously, I drove through the night and returned to work on Tuesday around 11:00am. I did some running around work stuff and got back to my office around 4:30pm. As I go through my voice mails, I come across one from Shane :eek: He says that his father in law (Bubba) still does not know how I got his phone number :D He must have had time to think about it from Monday night and realized I did not answer his question. I'm going out on a limb here (no pun intended) but I think Shane's family tree does not have many branches ;) Anyway, he said that he thinks I was in his building and I damaged one of his doors and he will hold my rims hostage! :eek: I said "I know you cant spell it but they call that extortion. (ok I had to use spell check too) He said " I don't care what they call it!" I said "I did not damage any door and that I know what door you are talking about and it is completely rusted!" I continued "I bet when I call OSHA and they do some air samples it will show corrosive chemicals in the air and that is why the door is falling apart! And another thing, I know someone in the EPA and they will have a field day around here." Actually, what I did not mention was that I knew a guy in high school with the initials of EPA;) I think he was getting worried. The way it was left was Shane said to call him on Thursday (today) and he will let me know what he will do. Great! More waiting.

So this morning I felt like a day trader. I have the UPS website up on my browser with the tracking number of the rims. Hitting the refresh button every 10 minutes or so. Bingo! 10:46am they were delivered. Game on! I was on the phone with UPS and Freight quote.com trying to figure the quickest way to get them out of there. UPS was just plain no help. Around 12:30pm I decided to call the plant. Someone answered, I think it could have been Bubba's cousin twice removed! I said "This is Brian and I understand my rims were delivered this morning and I want to make arraignments to get them picked up" He said "I have to talk to Shane" I said "I already tried to call him, I think everything is good to go" He did not go for that. He said "call back later" Boy, we have all heard that before, right? I'm getting worried that I have run out of time to get them out of Chima.. whatever today. So I call back around 2:00pm and whoever answered said "Shane said get them out of here" :D :D

So, I immediately call Freight quote.com and I end up getting Stacey, the same person who helped me on Tuesday to track down the Texas Chrome vendor. What's the chance of that? We were both amazed! She asked "How is Bubba" I said "we really have no time to talk about him. I need your help" I wanted to talk to a person, rather than book this shipment over the internet without verifying that the rims will be picked up today. Stacey filled in all the shipping information for me and once the quotes came up she called the dispatcher from the freight company to verify that it will be picked up today. She briefly told them the story and USF Holland assured us they would rescue my rims today :D:D What a week.

It looks like I will have the rims on Monday !!!!!

Whew...I believe they knew that they could be over their heads on this one!:deal:
Bubba's family tree doesn't have many branches!!! Pretty funny.
It will be interesting to see what kind of job the Texas chrome Co. did on the rims.
Bill

Hey Brian, I am pulling for you...way to get it done!!!!

CALIFORNIA CHROME WHEEL.

2nd to NONE..

I have sent a number of Viper Rims there, and they come back FLAWLESSLY. They look better then new. I cant bring myself to send off the srt8s cuz I dont have replacements yet, but when I do, off goes the 8's rims to get chrome!!

Jon

Bubba's family tree looks like a telephone pole.

congrats on getting the rims back. that is still a hilarious story.

I just received the shipping confirmation :D :D :D

Wheels will be delivered on Monday. Actually, all 6 wheels will be delivered on Monday. The 4 from the redneck and 2 from Cal Chrome. Thank god this is over. :cheers: :alfdance:

Big day today. All 6 chromed wheels showed up today. The 2 from Cal Chrome showed up first.
http://lh5.google.com/BriansSRT/R8ylRfavwAI/AAAAAAAABFA/CIeWDPl27Nk/s800/IMG_0246.jpg
The Cal Chrome wheels look great. They were packaged very nice and were delivered right on time.

http://lh4.google.com/BriansSRT/R8ylQPavv-I/AAAAAAAABEw/mLoJzbAMSt8/s800/IMG_0244.jpg
The other 4 from Bubba showed up late in the day. Packaged ok, 2 box's were filled with those shipping worms that get everywhere :mad: The quality of the work that Chrome Pros did was also very nice.

http://lh4.google.com/BriansSRT/R8ylSPavwBI/AAAAAAAABFI/1W_CPDUWfCE/s800/IMG_0247.jpg

Just glad to have all 6 returned. I met Bryan for a beer to celebrate as the tires were being mounted!

Wow! Wheels look great.

Glad you got em in! Way to be a go getter, hahaha!

Bump...

Someone west of the Mississippi asked me to find this old thread.

HAHA AWESOME read for all the newbies or even old timers read the entire thread this is how you get your stuff back.

^^ haha... I didn't want to say who actually requested the bump!!!

LOL good read

lol great read today at work.

I'm worried I may be in the same situation, but also just being kind of impatient. My wheels are with a powdercoater right now, and he's being kind of sketchy. He came highly recommended from a local forum I post on and offered to do it for half price because he is a site sponsor for that local forum. He told me that he could have them done in a few days and would keep me updated with pictures. Saturday I put the jeep on jackstands and had the tires unmounted. He met me at the tire shop and told me he'd probably have them done Sunday night because it should be easy to do.

When I hadn't heard anything by monday night, I texted him asking him if he had any time to make any progress the past couple days.. no reply. It hasn't been that long so I don't want to freak, but last night I texted him again and he told me he would have pictures of the progress for me last night.. once again I got nothing. I don't want to text him again because I don't want to be annoying and it really hasnt been that long, but driving the daily that I am compared to the jeep is KILLING me.

If this goes sour, I may have to take a page out of your playbook BJB haha.

Holy blast from the past!!! ^^^Just text him this thread!

Holy blast from the past!!! ^^^Just text him this thread!

lmao great idea.

"Let me show you how the GCSRT8 community rolls"

I bet I'd have my wheels back this time tomorrow.

Just got this off the "state police took my truck" thread. AWESOME read!!

ahah great story good for you!

Sometimes you just have to get things done yourself! Great story!