got taken for parts / need help replacing

[jimtweet]

This is a really long story, but ill try to keep it short.

On May 22nd, I dropped off parts to a local shop, Philadelphia Chrome. Juan Gonzalez is the guys name. His cell is 1 267 988 5834. I was asked to pay 1500$ up front, and said no way. He stated two weeks for me to get the parts back.

Two weeks, three weeks, 5 weeks, came and went. He stopped answering phone calls, giving me weird texts with weird stories etc,...I would drive to shop and its closed.

Finally after 9 weeks, I decided last night it was time to go to the local police department and file a claim. I spent three hours there last night doing paper work and going through mug shots they were able to pull up. Nothing. The name is linked to 13 address, no drivers license, and of course a bad social security number.

The detective was extremely helpful and seemed to care, but who knows what is going to happen....

This is a call for help. These parts all belonged to my 1980 930 that is in restoration and in the process of being put back together.

Any and all help locating some of these parts is greatly appreciated.

1. rear pop out window frames
2. door handles with triggers
3. SWB front horn grilles
4. SWB front turn signal housings
5. Main window frames
6. door top trim

My car is now sitting at the body shop, out of paint, and awaiting assembly, but I can not do anything until these parts are located.

[OsoMoore]

Juan Gonzalez is probably one of the most common hispanic names on earth. It's like John Smith.

Good luck!

[KevinB_NJ]

Anyone who knows Jim as long as I have knows the kind of guy he is. This situation makes me sick that a shop could do this to people. I'm sure it happens all over the place but still sucks. I'm sure most of us have seen and read Jims 930 build threads and couldn't wait to see the finished product! Looks like we all got a little screwed by this jerk Juan.

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by OsoMoore

Juan Gonzalez is probably one of the most common hispanic names on earth. It's like John Smith.

Good luck!

Exactly what detective said, they are going to track down his wife who is also listed on the cell number I have.

[OsoMoore]

Did some poking around the site. Looks like a generic site layout which wasn't quite finished. Check out Latest News #3.
Philadelphia Chrome Club | News

The site is very slick otherwise, and looks like a very legit business.

[OsoMoore]

More progress - he is running the same scam as "Frankford Plating". Pictures are the same.
http://www.philadelphiachrome.com/the-process
Frankford Plating

EDIT: I want to be clear that the sites matched. But it appears he is an ex employee of Frankford - make no assumptions that Frankford is shady.

we have also found out he is a EX EMPLOYEE of Frankford Plating

They pics are lifted from other legit sites. The bumper pic.
Bumper Prep

A chroming pic.
http://www.philadelphiachrome.com/photo-gallery
https://twitter.com/WeCanChromeIt

The detective may be able to use the second site's contact info to track this guy down.

[Rich76_911s]

Just sent you a PM regarding some of the parts I have.

Is this the dude? His profile says he's the owner of Philadelphia Chrome. . .

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1591973991

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by Rich76_911s

Just sent you a PM regarding some of the parts I have.

Is this the dude? His profile says he's the owner of Philadelphia Chrome. . .

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1591973991

Holy ****, you guys are freaking amazing, that is him!

as kevin and Brendon can tell you I am not tech savvy, and do not have facebook or anything.

[puddy]

Wow, very interesting situation. But i'm terribly sorry that you've lost out to this lowlife loser.

[sugarwood]

The Facebook page says "Gabe" is Juan Gonzales' nickame.

The site references the name "Gabe"
Chrome Plating and On Site Polishing Process | Philadelphia Chrome

The site also references "Juan Gabriel"
Is that were "Gabe" comes from?
Maybe Gonzales is a fake name.
About Chrome Plating and On Site Polishing | Philadelphia Chrome

The About Us page is plagarized from Frankford,
but that doesn't mean it's the same guy.

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

The Facebook page says "Gabe" is Juan Gonzales' nickame.

The site references the name "Gabe"
Chrome Plating and On Site Polishing Process | Philadelphia Chrome

The site also references "Juan Gabriel"
Is that were "Gabe" comes from?
Maybe Gonzales is a fake name.
About Chrome Plating and On Site Polishing | Philadelphia Chrome

The About Us page is plagarized from Frankford,
but that doesn't mean it's the same guy.

The detective kept coming up with the name Gabriel also and believes that is his father due to the birth date he had.

[jimtweet]

we have also found out he is a EX EMPLOYEE of Frankford Plating

[Dpmulvan]

What a filthy scumbag,I'm sorry you had to go through this maybe we can all pull together and find you replacement parts somewhere.

[speednme1]

Jim I don't know him from a hole in a wall but did send him a message through Facebook(easy to do). Hopefully he'll respond and we can get your parts back.

[jimtweet]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

What a filthy scumbag,I'm sorry you had to go through this maybe we can all pull together and find you replacement parts somewhere.

I have gotten a few PMs from people trying to help, and that truly is greatly appreciated. Let me make something clear, I am not asking for hand outs or free parts, I'm simply asking if you have these parts laying around please contact me so I can purchase them.

[sugarwood]

You've gone there a few times, and the shop is always closed? I would keep going.
Is there any way you can find out the landlord of the building to see if he is still a tenant?
The photo indicated he is obese, so maybe the guy is in the hospital....you never know

[wrxnofx]

Poking around a bit more on Facebook, his wife's sister is Jazmin Torres:
https://www.facebook.com/jazmin.torres.31

This could be another lead to find this douche.

[wrxnofx]

Here is a bit more information. According to Facebook he graduated high school in 2002 and lives in Philadelphia.

Using USA people search, Gabriel appears to be his middle name (hence the Gabe reference on Facebook).


Hopefully that adds a bit more uniqueness to the common name.

[jimtweet]

I really appreciate all of this information. I have been passing all of this along to the police.

[jimtweet]

First things first, I would like to take a minute and say thank you for the guys that reached out to me trying to help. I knew Pelican was a great forum with great people, but did not think you guys would care this much.

I am guessing it only took one phone call from the detective to settle this. Friday afternoon I received a text from a new number saying "this is Juans wife, I will send someone to shop tomorrow at 11:30 with your parts. Please call the police and ask them to close the case"

Obviously my response "I will not close the case until the parts are in my car, see you in the morning"

I show up at 11:30 with a Louisville slugger in the front seat, wait about 40 minutes finally and tinted out black mini van rolls up. Gentleman gets out, opens back of van, and boom, theres my parts.

He is the most apologetic individual I have ever met, he seemed to be one of Juans workers that is caught in the middle of some shady ****. Said he had no clue what is going on, where Juan is, getting calls from cops on daily basis, etc,...I did not ask any questions, I put my parts in my car and bounced.

I have not opened my parts or taken an inventory yet, I was just so relieved to get my stuff back.

Again, thank you so much to the guys that helped, its greatly appreciated and hopefully one day I can return the favor.