Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/14/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My name is ****** ******* and I reside in ********* **. I have two sisters: ******* **** of ********** ** and ****** ******* of Oviedo, FL.
  We are all born & raised in the Dayton area Sadly, our Mom, ******* ****, passed away in Ohio in January 2022.
  We chose Stromas Florists to do the floral arrangements and during our meeting, *****, the company representative, informed us that we could also order our Mom's
  headstone through them as well. We heartily agreed, as it was very convenient. We picked out the stone, made a 50% down payment for the work to be started, and we
  completed last year (ahead of time ), for $1,700 total. We were told that because covid had put things a "little behind", it would be completed in six months.
  Our Mom still has no gravestone! We have been calling Stromas since the fall of 2022 to no avail. They never
  return phone calls, and when ***** does answer, it's the same story: "the supplier is still behind because of covid". From 12/22 until 2/23, no one would answer the
  phone-- when I finally reached her, she actually said "I had to take a break from calls, because I was tired of getting cursed out by people"! I do not curse but I guess someone
  did!. I asked for a refund-- received a "not possible, because work is in progress":
  I asked for the manufacturer's name and contact information and was told they asked her not to have customers contact them directly, as it would slow them down
  even more(?!). In my second to last call, I was told that her brother, *** *******, whom she says is the manager, would call me--he never did. In my last call to her
  May 2023, I asked her how to get in touch with ***** *****, who is listed in their linkedin profile as the principle, but she said there was no one by that name.
  (Now I see that ******* ******* is currently listed in the BBB profile). I told her I would seek out other sources for help in resolving this--she said "Ok, whatever you want to do"! Asking
  for any assistance possible. Thank You

  Business Response

  Date: 08/30/2023

  STROMAS FLOWERSAND MONUMENTS **** ** ********** ****** ******* ** ***** ************ ****** *** **** RE: ******* *** ********-**** / ******** Dear ******** * The Headstones were processed within four to six weeks, before COVID 19, occurred. Some were processed sooner than that. We are still operating the same way now as then. We work with a very reputable company. We are asked not to give their name or location, due to other families who will be affected. We have been through a lot of tough situations pending the company workers, getting COVID, supplies being delayed, headstones shipped the incorrect color, texture or lettering. The company is faced with workers only one day at a time. We know this customer is frustrated; because we have to hear the same story we give them over and over again.     When our state shut down, we were not aware off the impact it would play out for our business. We are facing roadblocks all the time. No money can be refunded due to the fact, all monies are in the design, lettering, color, size, delivery to the cemetery and finally setting the headstone at the cemetery once it arrives to our shop. We apologize on our part which is tied up in the Headstone Company that will provide completion of the headstone. We are very understanding and knowledgeable of this customers frustration. We are diligently keeping in touch with the company for progress made on our headstones. Just a note, other Headstone Companies are facing the exact same challenges and tasks. Thank you, Stromas Monuments

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/06/2023

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because: It looks like this company, Stromas Florist, has been getting away with taking

  customers' payments and not seeing that the job is completed--the fact that they continue to do business with  a shady

  supplier that "can't be reached"-- looks like they are corrupt as well.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  ****** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/27/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I lost my mother on May 30, 2022. Her services were held June 4th, 2022. On June 8th, 2022 my brother and I went to Stromas Monuments at 1901 North Gettysburg Avenue, Dayton, Oh 45417, and paid in full via credit card $2,100.00 for a slanted individual headstone. We were told once the ground settled and they were able to get the cement poured it would be approximately 6 months before we would see any movement. I asked would there at least be cement poured by her birthday (September 16) so that we might at least be able to place balloons or flowers. They weren't able to answer because that part is handled by another person not in the Gettysburg Ave office. In the mean time there was nothing, no wooden cross no cement poured nothing to mark the place of my mother's burial. The only answer the lady is able to provide when I call and when I have actually been to the establishment is that everything is backed up due to Covid. I have talked to the groundskeeper at the cemetery and he has advised that he can't make any moves until he gets information from them. I am not blind or insensitive to the havoc that Covid created; however, I want answers as to why there have been several people that have been buried along side my mother and these people have headstones. I have called several times and the lady always says the same- the cement company is behind due to the Covid back up and she will be in touch with updates. I asked for the cement company's contact information directly and she advised she couldn't give me that because that information was confidential. Nothing was confidential when we paid our money though, the many people that have passed on and been entombed in front of or behind or next to my mother that have headstones is a HUGE problem for me because if other companies are still working and handling business then why isn't Stromas? We want the headstone we paid for placed ASAP. We aren't getting anywhere talking to them directly, so perhaps you guys can.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/17/2023

  The Headstones were processed within four to six weeks, before COVID 19, occurred. Some were processed sooner than that. We are still operating the same way now as then. We work with a very reportable company. We are asked not to give their name or location, due to other families who will be affected. We have been through a lot off tough situations pending the company workers, getting COVID, supplies being delayed, headstones shipped the incorrect color, texture or lettering. Hie company is faced with workers only one day at a time. We know this customer is frustrated; because we have to hear the same story we give them over and over again. When our state shut down, we were not aware off the impact it would play out for our business. We are facing roadblocks all the time. No money can be refunded due to the fact, all monies are in the design, lettering, color, size, delivery to the cemetery and finally setting the headstone at the cemetery once it arrives to our shop. We apologize on our part which is tied up in the Headstone Company that will provide completion of the headstone. We are very understanding and knowledgeable of this customers frustration. We are diligently keeping in touch with the company for progress made on our headstones. Just a note, other Headstone Companies are facing the exact same challenges and tasks. Thank you, Stromas Monuments

  
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/01/2023

  Hi ********, 

  I would like the case re-opened for continued review because I don’t feel like the company really said anything that provided any more detail on the status of my mother headstone. Covid covid and more covid is all I’m seeing. I just don’t understand why there are other companies that are able to provide beautiful headstones for their customers and I would think they would be under the same restraints with their cement providers? I honestly don’t understand. It’s not personal but I need to understand the process. My god father passed away October 2022, the family had the headstone PIF by January 2023, the cement base has been poured with my god father last name at the cemetery, the headstone is ready to be laid. The headstone is ready and being held at the place of business and should be down within 2 weeks, definitely before Memorial Day. So when I see and hear first hand of other businesses able to perform despite the covid debacle it makes me question what is really going on. I just want answers period. We are vastly approaching a year since my mother’s passing and it is a pain I would not wish on my worst enemy to have to drive to that cemetery and and not so much as the base has been poured to indicate her place.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/07/2022

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  i made a purchase for a bench head stone for my son who passed july 15th 2021. I purchased this 7- 28-2021 of amount $2500 was fully paid for 10-7-2021 and there still no bench at his grave. h
  How long am i supposed to wait for them to produce his bench headstone. Now when i talk to the mover the phone they say they working on it they want tell me who making the bench only say the company is behind because of covid 19.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/30/2022

  The Headstones were processed within four to six weeks, before COVID 19, occurred. Some were processed sooner than that. We are still operating the same way now as then. We work with a very reportable company. We are asked not to give their name or location, due to other families who will be affected. We have been through a lot of tough situations pending the company workers, getting COVID, supplies being delayed, headstones shipped the incorrect color, texture or lettering. The company is faced with workers only one day at a time. We know this customer is frustrated; because we have to hear the same story we give them over and over again. When our state shut down, we were not aware off the impact it would play out for our business. We are facing roadblocks all the time. No money can refunded due to the fact, all monies are in the design, lettering, color, size, delivery to the cemetery and finally setting the headstone at the cemetery once it arrives to our shop. We apologize on our part which is tied up in the Headstone Company that will provide completion of the headstone. We are very understanding and knowledgeable of this customers frustration. We are diligently keeping in touch with the company for progress made on our headstones. Just a note, other Headstone Companies are facing the exact same challenges and tasks.

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/10/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  When my brother's headstone was placed last year around late August or September 2021, the urn (vase) that was supposed to be attached was absent. I've been to the business as well as called on several occasions to address the issue to no avail. The last time being in May 2022 at which time I was told it would be handled. The last time I went to the gravesite was July 9, 2022...Still no urn. I have not been contacted at all on the status but this seems to be the norm. I have attached a copy of the order form.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/30/2022

  The Headstones were processed within four to six weeks, before COVID 19, occurred. Some were processed sooner than that. We are still operating the same way now as then. We work with a very reportable company. We are asked not to give their name or location, due to other families who will be affected. We have been through a lot of tough situations pending the company workers, getting COVID, supplies being delayed, headstones shipped the incorrect color, texture or lettering. The company is faced with workers only one day at a time. We know this customer is frustrated; because we have to hear the same story we give them over and over again. When our state shut down, we were not aware off the impact it would play out for our business. We are facing roadblocks all the time. No money can refunded due to the fact, all monies are in the design, lettering, color, size, delivery to the cemetery and finally setting the headstone at the cemetery once it arrives to our shop. We apologize on our part which is tied up in the Headstone Company that will provide completion of the headstone. We are very understanding and knowledgeable of this customers frustration. We are diligently keeping in touch with the company for progress made on our headstones. Just a note, other Headstone Companies are facing the exact same challenges and tasks.

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/20/2022

  The response from Stromas is much appreciated. That is all we ever wanted was communication and status updates on what we paid for… We never got that even though we went and voiced our complaints in person on several occasions as well as left messages by phone with no response. On the last visit to Stromas earlier this year we were told the matter would be handled… It was not so we felt the BBB was the only option left.  Per the invoice we want the urn that is supposed to be attached to my brother’s headstone placed on it, that’s it that’s all. We are not seeking any monetary compensation of any sort, just what was bought and paid for… Compared to some of the other complaints you are dealing with post covid-19, ours pales in comparison. It’s the principal of the matter and basic good customer service even under challenging circumstances and not being ignored that sets the tone… We thank you for your response and moving forward hope you will provide a status update ever so often at least even if only by text.

  See Attached