Design Monuments Company

"FINAL UPDATE: On February 9th, we finally heard from Design Monuments that my father's headstone had been installed after 8.5 months. No apology or explanation for why it took 3 to 4 times as long as promised, but in all fairness, the finished product was beautiful and exactly as we had requested. It is unfortunate that their complete lack of customer service and communication made the entire experience much more stressful than it had to be. 4TH UPDATE: It has now been over 8 months since we ordered and paid in full for my father's headstone, which we were told would be ready in 2 to 3 months and then promised would be installed by October 21st. STILL NO HEADSTONE!!! STILL NOT A SINGLE WORD from Design Monuments!!! This is taking a toll on my mother, who feels horrible that my father's grave still has no headstone and fears that she will die before seeing it installed. 3RD UPDATE: It has now been 7 MONTHS and STILL NO TOMBSTONE!!! My father's tombstone, which was promised within "2 to 3 months" when ordered and PAID FOR IN FULL in May and later promised on October 21st, has STILL not been delivered!!! To make matters even worse, NOBODY from the company has EVER called us to give us an update or any information!!! The only calls have been from us to the company when they missed their first 2 promised delivery dates!!! The inability to meet promised deadlines along with a complete lack of communications and customer service is NOT a good combination!!! 2ND UPDATE: It is November 28th and STILL no headstone!!! We are now a full 6 months after placing the order and making full payment and 5 weeks past the revised delivery date!!! Not only do we not have the headstone, which was promised to be delivered "within 2 or 3 months, but probably closer to 2 months", but we have received NO updates from the company or our salesman George!!! My mom and the rest of the family were expecting to be able to visit my dad's grave during the summer, but it is now almost winter!!! UPDATE: Today is October 21st, the revised 5-month deadline promised by Design Monuments for the delivery of my father's headstone, after the 2 to 3 month deadline was missed. STILL no headstone and STILL no word from the company!!! I guess it is time to get the Better Business Bureau involved!!! When you pay almost $5,000 for a headstone, you expect some level of basic customer service!!! A disappointing experience to say the least!!! Our experience started out well with Design Monuments. Our salesman, George, was compassionate, helpful and patient following the loss of my father. During the design process is when problems began to arise. "A day or two" became a week or two and they repeatedly failed to meet THEIR deadlines. When the design of the tombstone (which was a duplicate of other tombstones in our family plot in the same cemetery) was completed, we were told that it would take "60 to 90 days" for the tombstone to arrive "but probably closer to 60 days". Once 90 days had passed without hearing from them, I called and talked to George. He said that the tombstone was scheduled to arrive on October 21st, which would be almost 150 days from the date it was paid for in full and ordered!!! Needless to say, this greatly upset my still-grieving mother. When I asked George why it was taking so long, he replied that it was "due to everything going on in the world". He said that we could call the company actually making the tombstone, but I told him that was THEIR job, not ours! I realize that some things may be beyond their control, but this is THEIR business and, at the very least, a call saying that the tombstone wouldn't be delivered until almost 2 months past the original deadline would have been appreciated and the professional thing to do."

"I tried to post a much longer review to share my story with this company but for some reason it wouldn't show up, even after several edits. However, in a very small nutshell, I echo the last two reviewers in terms of overall lack of communication from everyone at this company, including the supervisor/owner, Debbie. I reached out to her as a last resort and actually found her to be condescending and unapologetic, not only for the lack of communication (and constant excuses), but even to mistakes made by her own employees which caused further delay. Although we eventually got the gravestone we ordered, it took over a year and wasn't worth the overall angst this whole process caused. I can safely say I'd be under a monument before ever using this company again."

"I don't have to write my story with this place - David Fox already did it for me. EXACT same scenario. Paid in full, no headstone after months gone by, no communication at all. Just excuses and promised updates that never happen. Really feeling like this will end up in small claims court and I'll be buying a stone from someone else with integrity. Update: January 21, 2022 In response to the business reply: You would be happy to look into it now that another post about your complete disregard for customers is posted, but you have NEVER returned a single phone call that was promised numerous times, nor have you sent any updates via email that was also promised. Both George and the useless woman who always answers the phone that George hides behind suck."

"The North Versailles location was very easy to work with. George helped me through everything, even the situation that came up at the cemetery. Great company!!! Will refer family and friends."

"My family had a wonderful experience with Design Monuments. My mom started working with George back in March for a headstone we needed to be completed in about 4 months, and George made sure it happened. There was a last minute emergency at the cemetery the day before the ceremony, and George came out to the site to personally meet us and see what he could do to rectify the situation. He went the extra mile and ensured the situation would be resolved the next morning. Not only did everything come together as he said it would, but he even came out to meet us after the ceremony the following day to be sure everything was resolved. Thank you to George and the Design Monuments team!"