It's hard to come up with an appropriate rating for University Monument Works. On the one hand, there is Kendra, a really sweet employee who, albeit a little giggly and ditzy, is very helpful and kind. Choosing a monument for a loved one is never an easy thing to do, but she helped make a difficult, sad, overwhelming process bearable and even a little uplifting. On the other hand, there's The Owner. Otherwise known as Vinny Giusti. I'm pretty sure he hired Kendra to be the cheerful customer service side of the business, because he's almost too rude to deal with. I will say this: I received a gorgeous, gorgeous monument in what seemed like record time. I will also say this: I was told by University Monument that I was restricted to a certain monument size and font style, only to discover that the stone I ordered is now flanked by two stones that are much larger, with varying fonts, and they were also crafted by University. Seems Kendra gave me some wrong information, but that's okay, I guess, because I love the way it turned out. WHAT I DID NOT LOVE: The cost for my monument was a little over $4,000. Pricey, but worth it, because I wanted it to be special and unique. I paid a deposit of 50% during the initial design process. When the stone was finished, I sent another payment which I thought would take care of the balance, or at least the majority of the balance. We had gone above our original quote due to some additional wording additions and design upgrades during the design process. When I sent that second check, I sent it via Fed Ex, and included a letter praising University. I also asked for a final bill so that I could clear up my balance, which I estimated to be about $200. (Side note: It took about 60+ days for them to cash that check, which was slightly annoying.) I never received a final bill, and several calls to University left me a little confused. Kendra was never available, and Vinny would always tell me that it was Kendra I needed to speak to about any open balance. I finally stopped by in person, but alas, Kendra was not there. The man who was there (not Vinny) looked up my account and told me that he THOUGHT I had about $300 due, but as he was not able to process payments, I would have to speak to Kendra or Vinny. I left a handwritten note for Kendra asking her to please give me a call, or to just mail or fax me the amount of the final outstanding balance. At this point, I had paid the VAST majority of a very large balance, so I wasn't overly concerned. But, for good measure, I dropped a check for $250 in the mail later that week, along with yet another note requesting a final balance. That check was never cashed. Things got busy at work, one thing after another, and before I knew it, six months had passed and I had not heard from University. UNTIL I GOT THEIR LETTER. Their letter, typed in all capitals, which bluntly informed me that I had an overdue balance (which turned out to be about $400), and that if it was not paid in full immediately, the stone would be repossessed by University and removed from the cemetery. I burst into paranoid, terrified tears when I read that letter. I was so upset that my husband immediately went and paid the balance with cash. And then I got angry. I had asked, so many times, for a final balance. I never received a bill in the mail, never received a phone call, not even an email or a fax. And when I did go in person and attempt to pay, I was turned away because the only person there was not authorized to take a payment. And when I sent a check in anyway, they never cashed it (though they did receive it, according to Fed Ex). I love the work that University Monument does, and am grateful for their help and their incredible designs. However, the fact that I nagged them for my remaining balance to no avail, only to receive a threatening notice like that, has lost them any future business on my part. Note: Kendra left me a voice mail apologizing for the confusion, and told me that the stone was never going to be removed. I appreciate that apology, but it doesn't excuse the panic they caused for my family and I due to an oversight on THEIR part. University Monument does a great job. I encourage you to use them in your time of need. Just make sure you pay your entire balance up front, regardless of their assurances that there's "no rush." And if they tell you they're going to send you the final bill, well, don't wait around for it. read more

My grandmother passed away back in Sept 2019 ... University Monument has done work for many of my family members in the past... I would never imagine something like this would happen... my parents met with Vinny, picked out a stone and he made a cash deal with them of $1,800 ... when asked for a receipt he stated this deal could not go in the books and if they wanted the " deal " there would be no proof of a receipt.. red flag right there if you ask me. Preying on people who have lost a loved one and are vulnerable is just WRONG! Months go by and no word on the stone and when it would be completed.. my mother called numerous times and left voicemails threatening to report to Better Business Bureau if she did not get a call back or update on the stone.... she gets a call back from a man who says he is Vinnys " brother " and he would be taking care of things from here on out...He blamed Covid and said they are not allowed in the cemetery & this is why the stone is not up yet... my mother called the city and they confirmed this is incorrect they are in fact allowed on premises. She called back and again no answer and no call back until finally a woman who claimed to be Vinnys mother asked when and what time did this payment happen... she went on and apologized by saying " I am sorry my son has issues " what issues we are unclear of .. possible drug or alcohol addiction, gambling or mental issues ???? We may never know.... she claimed she would send my parents a check via mail and went on to explain they could no longer take on the job!? This month Sept 2020 will make ONE YEAR since my grandmothers passing and the thought of my parents being scammed and my grandmother without a stone is beyond hurtful. They have yet to receive this "Check " ... This was a reputable family who has done many stones for my family members in the past.... my parents did not think twice and were in such despair that they trusted Vinny and University Monuments... I understand that things happen and people develops issues but who knows how many others this has been done to. I'm sure his family knew of his issues and why they allowed him to still work for them is BEYOND ME! Scamming from people who have lost loved ones and scamming from your OWN family!? This man should be arrested and I myself will be reporting to Better Business Bureau! read more

University Monument - Kendra Lawrence. It is humorous that this negative review from Tara is so one sided. I do feel that I do need to defend myself. I AM a really sweet employee who loves my job and am far from "ditzy (it is funny "she" called me that when she clearly was the ditzy one) What is not said in this review is: -the customer DID get the size that is allowed at that cemetery in April 2009 on her budget, which was smaller than the monument she actually purchased. -the font style that was used was needed because of all the lettering done. -the ACTUAL cost of the monument was $3,223.50 (NOT over $4,000.00 which included $84.00 extra lettering which was added AFTER the initial order) -a deposit for 34% was left ( NOT 50%) -a "second check" for a deposit (not the full balance that is usually required) was mailed to us in April 2009 and cashed right away. -a reminder notice was mailed to her in July 2009 and August 2009 after no response from the customer since she worked out with us that she would be mailing in a deposit on a monthy basis to cover the balance because that is all she could afford. -a 3rd check was received the 1st week of Sept 2009-(and cashed on September 10, 2009, how can she be "slightly annoyed" that it took 60 days for us to cash it is a puzzle to me when it was deposited DAYS later in Sept. 2009), via Fed. Ex. (THE ONLY LETTER/CHECK MAILED TO ME VIA FED. EX.) from this customer along with a letter stating that a check she mailed to us in July was never cashed (obviously it was never received by us if it was never cashed, if it was ever mailed) -The customer also wrote in her letter "I apologize for any delays and confusion" since she knew that this balance should have been paid IN FULL in April. -The customer also wrote "I will mail or hand-deliver final payment by 10/1/2009" "Thank you for your patience and understanding" FINAL BILLS WERE SENT NUMEROUS TIMES to 2 separate addresses: -A past due notice was mailed on 10/5/2009 -A collection notice was mailed on 12/1/2009 -A removal letter was sent on 3/25/10 (NOT "typed in all capitals" ) Final payment was done in April 2010.- a year after the initial order of the monument -A check for $250.00 was never "dropped" in the mail to us at any point. Maybe she should have checked to make sure she had the right address, because now this is 2 checks that "we never got". This customer did not go out of her way to "get a final bill" or "nagged" us for a bill but went out of her way to ignore us. This is the first customer I have had in 14 years that kept sending checks that didn't make it here or the first customer who "nagged" me for a final invoice I know this is a very hard time for anyone to have to get a monument for a loved one I had no problem working with her to clear this matter up in a timely manner that helped her out, but I was ignored. It makes me sad that someone would write such a review when all the facts are not correct. (I do have back-up for everything I have written above!) Kendra read more