Five On Your Side Tackles Dispute Over Custom Grave Marker

Pam and Josh DesJardins were married, but sadly they spent less than two years together.

"He went to work one morning and just complained about not being able to breathe and collapsed. It turns out he had a massive heart attack," Pam DesJardins said.

When Josh DesJardins died, he was 24 years old.

"It was a shock. It was a big shock," Pam DesJardins said.

In March, DesJardins ordered a grave marker from All Things Granite in Fuquay-Varina. She wanted it made of granite and bronze and engraved with something special she wrote. She also wanted a vase with a place for a photo of Josh.

"I wanted something out there to where even a stranger could walk up there and read it and know him," DesJardins said.

The cost of the grave marker was $1,235. DesJardins paid half up front.

"I felt like they were going to be willing to work with me and get me what I wanted," she said.

DesJardins was told it would take up to eight weeks. When it did not come in, DesJardins called and stopped by All Things Granite repeatedly. After almost four months, she called Five On Your Side for help.

"I would never put this on anybody. It is hard enough losing a husband, but to go through this, that kind of puts the stake a little deeper in your heart," DesJardins said.

All Things Granite owner Jim Sugg blames the problems on an employee he later fired.

"She was taking an order that was actually an extremely custom thing and she should have never told her that it was six to eight weeks. It's impossible to do that," Sugg said. "The buck stops with me."

Sugg said when he found out about the problems, he tried to get the marker as fast as possible. But DesJardins said even after Sugg got involved, there were still problems that caused delays. While it took six months to get what she wanted. DesJardins is just relieved it was finally done.

"It's wonderful. It's just fulfilling to be able to come and see [it]," DesJardins said.

DesJardins paid the balance once the vase with Josh's picture was installed last week. DesJardins said Sugg tried to charge her about $130 extra for the vase, but when she showed him notes that showed it was included in the original cost, he agreed.