so frustrated...really need to vent

[jessica31876]

We went in October to finalize the marker for our son's grave. I specifically asked when planning it because we wanted it to have a photo montage on the marker what the requirements for the photos were. My aunt works there and she told me to bring what I have and we would go through them. So we bring the photos. I ask how much we have to put down in order to get it started because it was a lot of money and I did not want to put so much money out and then have problems with it. You know I figured at the very least the company would make a computer image of the design without full payment . But no it had to be paid in full for them to do anything. So my husband and I pay it in fulland are told it takes 6-8 weeks normally. Iask atound 4 weeks how it is going and I am told it is not done yet and should have the proof to approve anyday. I wait another four weeks and ask again and this time I am told my images were lost and my aunt is taking them to the company personally. It has now been three more weeks and I got a message from my aunt that there is a big problem with image quality. It has been almost thre months. This marker cost more then 7000 dollars. We only had that because of our underinsured motorist coverage. I don't want to seem like a b*tch to my aunt who is handling it because we did get a large discount but I want a fricking marker at the cemetery when we go there to mark my son's grave. It has me really upset because I think they should have discovered this quality issue a long time ago not three months into it. I chose this marker because I wanted something really special for my son and it does not feel like it will ever be done at this rate

It makes me sad because there is just a temporary marker that says M. Knorr. No vase for flowers. No full name or dates or anything. Just a tiny little thing on the ground that says M. Knorr.

[jessica31876]

I am guessing now we start all over on the waiting 6-8 weeks once we figure out what their problems are with the images. I know it is not my aunt's fault as she is just the middleman she basically sells the markers and another company actually makes them.

[TeriBeary]

I'm sorry. I can't even imagine the disappointment and frustration. I hoep it can get taken care of soon.

[Paula]

I'm so sorry my friend. That is totally unreasonable on their part. It seems like they should have noticed the quality of the photos right when they started working on it.

[jessica31876]

Yes Paula I think so too. Having digi-scrapping as a hobby I know the importance of image quality which is why I asked that question when my husband and I decided we wanted to have the photos on the marker. That is a lot of money to spend and get the runaround like we are. But as I discovered when planning everything- the service, the burial, the marker everything concerning final arrangements are very expensive.

It kinda feels like they took the money and are just finding excuses to postpone the job actually being done

[SweetMelissa]

Oh Jessica I am so sorry that its taking so long. Big hugs!

[taracotta7]

Sorry Jessica. I hope this is resolved soon and you have an amazing marker to honor your son. ((HUGS))

[iScrap]

So sorry this is happening to you and your family. I hope it is resolved quickly and you have a beautiful marker for your son! {{hugs}}

[so blessed]

That is a lot of money for them to not be good communicators with a customer. I would feel like they were taking advantage of grieving families too.

[isaacsmom]

So sorry Jessica. It seems like they should have told you everything in the beginning -- especially since you asked those specific questions. I hope they can get it figured out for you soon. (((hugs)))

[Kenzi]

I'm so sorry! {{{hugs}}}

[mummytothree]

I'm so sorry Jessica!!! I hate to say this but something sounds not so right!! For both my brothers we didn't have to put anything down to get a draft of the grave stones. We picked everything out and they drew up the plans....faxed them to all us (we all lived in different states) and made any changes we wanted. Then when we made the final decision they ordered the stones and we didn't have to pay until the stones came in and we "inspected" them!!!

We didn't get "photo ones" but I can't believe that they would require you to PAY IN FULL before you even saw a draft of the stone!! That is crazy......I mean what if they suck!!! All I can say is KEEP ON THEM!!! That is a ton of money (both my brother's are on the larger size and theirs were only about $1500 bucks a piece!!!) to have nothing to show for it!!!

I also wanted to let you know (and it may be a little different because my brothers are buried in Ohio...a different climate then Florida) once the stone is done it will probably be several more weeks before it can be set. Most stones require a footer to be poured and that will need to set and settle into the ground and then they can place the actual grave stone/marker on top of that. I can't believe the funeral home didn't give you a "nicer" temporary marker, I'm so sorry for that!!! Keep you chin up....in the end it will all work out!!!

[mummytothree]

Oh and wanted to add (although I know all cemeteries are different and have different rules for what can be in the ground and on the grave stones...because of mowing and lawn maintenance) maybe you could go and get a small Shepard's hook and that way you can hang some flowers on it. Also my mom has a small (like real small) flag holder pushed into the ground right beside my brother's stones and she hangs different flags on it (holiday ones, ones for each season and even birthday flags that she hangs up on their birthday months), perhaps you can find one like that and use it. Those things don't replace the stones but at least you could have some better things to mark his grave in the mean time!!!

[AmberK]

Can you ask for your money back and go with another company? If they have not delivered a product that was promised and they wont return your money then I would call hte BBB and report them. Call the news station that covered the accident and tell them what is going on to see if they will do a special interest story and maybe light a fire under their rears.

I think its horrible practice to demand money up front for a product that you have not even seen. When we went to get my son's headstone the company that we used made the stones themselves. They also scanned the picture in that we wanted (granted it was a black and white line drawing and not colored pictures) and then they put it in their program and we designed the headstone that very day.

This is what we decided on for Colin:



I loved the way it turned out and it was made and set once we ordered it within a week.

[jessica31876]

I talked to my aunt and she said it was just a problem with one of the photos I chose was not going to show all the details and they wanted to make sure I knew that and did not want to choose another photo. It was just the background photo not one of the photos of my son. The cost went way up because I did not want the plain grey granite that they have on most markers. I chose a really pretty black one with copper and gold flecks throughout it. That really increased the cost and we got a fairly large marker as well. Here is an idea of what it will look like.



The marker itself is bronze. It will have five photos of him on it and then a photo of a wood scene/lake as the background. It is also flat on the ground. The bronze marker is placed above the granite. Im not sure why they do not have the upright type markers like those. I should probably ask my aunt she has worked there a long time. I think certain places in the cemetery do have them but the part I chose to have him buried doesn't. I chose the area based on the fact that it is right next to my two nieces, nephew and my mom. I also purchased a spot for myself and my husband as well.

[origami]

I am praying that your son's marker is finished soon. I think you've chosen an absolutely beautiful way to remember him and it really sounds to me like they want to ensure that it is of the highest quality.