Saffy's Parents Gravestone

My dad passed away in 1994, mum and myself organised a headstone with his name, dates and sentiments on it (you all know the stuff), plus a space for mums name, dates and sentiments for when her time came.
Well mum died 2 years ago and because things were tight its only been this year that I could realistically afford to go ahead with having the headstone updated. In April/May I contacted the local stonemasons next to the cemetary (they did it originally) to add mums details, they sent me the quote and I had to send them a cheque for just under £800 so that they would proceed, the cheque was cashed straight away.
There was a small hiccup as we hadn't transferred the ownership over, flaming Havering council charged us £90 for that priviledge too.
I was informed that the work would then go ahead and take around 8-10 weeks to complete. This was before I went to Egypt so that was definately early June, I been down to the grave a few times, but what with having a couple of visits to Cyprus and work etc I lost count of the weeks.
This morning I thought, its a nice day lets have a ride out and visit the grave, and guess what I found...... they havn't done the work AND there is a tag on the stone saying that its unsafe.
I laid some flowers, said me words of love, got in the car and broke down completely, I am so, so bloody annoyed and upset, it feels worse than when they died.
So what do you think I should do ?
I'm definately going to phone them tomorrow, but I'm not the subtlest of people and being an Essex bird I am likely to lose it completely and throw a few 'extra' words into the mix, so I shall try to behave, but I am furious at the moment.
I'm thinking of following the call up with a letter as well, now my other half says I should remind them that they have benefitted from the money in their account all this time and its therefore grown interest.
Am I in my rights to demand repayment of the monies, plus interest and demand they carry out the work free of charge, of course reminding them of their obligations and that they'd hate any adverse publicity, as they have caused me so much upset through their negligence, or should I just give in remind them that the job is still outstand and hope that they carry it out asap?

[Turboman]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

Re the unsafe bit---Hull Council doing same--& making people update em with metal rods to stabilise them--not cheap either

Turbo

[enaid]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

It is called Topple testing read this article
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/ar...avestones.html

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...-have-to-go.do

[Guest]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

My dad passed away in 1994, mum and myself organised a headstone with his name, dates and sentiments on it (you all know the stuff), plus a space for mums name, dates and sentiments for when her time came.
Well mum died 2 years ago and because things were tight its only been this year that I could realistically afford to go ahead with having the headstone updated. In April/May I contacted the local stonemasons next to the cemetary (they did it originally) to add mums details, they sent me the quote and I had to send them a cheque for just under £800 so that they would proceed, the cheque was cashed straight away.
There was a small hiccup as we hadn't transferred the ownership over, flaming Havering council charged us £90 for that priviledge too.
I was informed that the work would then go ahead and take around 8-10 weeks to complete. This was before I went to Egypt so that was definately early June, I been down to the grave a few times, but what with having a couple of visits to Cyprus and work etc I lost count of the weeks.
This morning I thought, its a nice day lets have a ride out and visit the grave, and guess what I found...... they havn't done the work AND there is a tag on the stone saying that its unsafe.
I laid some flowers, said me words of love, got in the car and broke down completely, I am so, so bloody annoyed and upset, it feels worse than when they died.
So what do you think I should do ?
I'm definately going to phone them tomorrow, but I'm not the subtlest of people and being an Essex bird I am likely to lose it completely and throw a few 'extra' words into the mix, so I shall try to behave, but I am furious at the moment.
I'm thinking of following the call up with a letter as well, now my other half says I should remind them that they have benefitted from the money in their account all this time and its therefore grown interest.
Am I in my rights to demand repayment of the monies, plus interest and demand they carry out the work free of charge, of course reminding them of their obligations and that they'd hate any adverse publicity, as they have caused me so much upset through their negligence, or should I just give in remind them that the job is still outstand and hope that they carry it out asap?

DON'T telephone them. (Have I made that clear enough?)

How many times must you be reminded of this?

You may demand whatever you wish although quite why you think you have a right to have your money back and get the work done is not clear. It is one or the other.

You ask "So what do you think I should do?" and I think you should request - in writing - a full refund and award the business to a company more deserving of the thick end of £1000.

[Sapphire]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

Well I faxed them a very polite letter and have had a reply already.
Apparently when you get the transfer of ownership done, its then up to (the customer) me to inform them that its done and then the work can go ahead, grrrrrrrrrrr I just wish that I'd been told that before and we could have avoided this upset and it could have been sorted. Bloody ridiculous, but that's council offices for you.
Anyways I've called them now, had a chat and the work is going to proceed immediately.

Once that's done I'll feel that mum and dad are settled.

Thanks for your advice and support peeps.

[enaid]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

I am pleased you got that sorted, but just wondered about the 'unsafe' notice do you have to do anyhting about that?

[Sapphire]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

Thanks Di, apparently its there because it was moved when mum was buried and hadn't been fixed back properly until I've had the 'update' done on the stone, or paid for it to be 'reset'. It will be fixed properly now once all the work has been carried out.

Jeeez they get you every way don't they, charge for this, charge for that, next they'll be charging for the water that we get from the tap for the flowers, ridiculous.

[Sapphire]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

Just when you think its over lol, got this letter on Friday, can you believe this ffs.

Dear Saffy

Re: Order No xxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxx Cemetary No:

We wish to advise you that the memorial work you required has now been completed and has been prepared for erection (see enclosed photo if applicable).

We have enclosed our invoice which needs to be settled before the memorial can be erected. Upon receipt of the monies and the approved photo the memorial will be erected in approximately ten working days.

If you have any problems or concerned please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Here's the scan, take note of the Balance.

[Turboman]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

Its a b.ggar--same amount-ish when FIL had to have his family one done

Perhaps the phrase in my signature applies to you as well Sapphy

[Sapphire]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

Well I'm tempted to send a £1 coin in the post or perhaps tomorrow night stick a pounds worth of 1p's through their letter box.

[TUTTSI]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

Blimmin hell Sapphy, it cost them more than a £1 to send that letter. i think it is disgraceful to send out letters like this for a £1.

Dont put cash through the door hun what ever you do a postal order is better. It will cost them more than a £1 to bank it.

[Sapphire]

Re: Saffy's Parents Gravestone

Blimmin hell Sapphy, it cost them more than a £1 to send that letter. i think it is disgraceful to send out letters like this for a £1.

Dont put cash through the door hun what ever you do a postal order is better. It will cost them more than a £1 to bank it.

Thats what I was trying to get at, it will cost more to write the cheque and post it and deposit it in the bank, I'm not tight by any means and I fully understand the need to keep the books balanced, so I've sent the £1 in the form of a coin taped to a photocopy of the invoice.