NORTHEAST OHIO -- Grieving and angry Clevelanders credit a WKYC Channel 3 News report for prompting full refunds or delivery of gravestones they had ordered more than a year ago.
"Thank you, Tom Meyer. Thank you, Channel 3," said Sharon Tufts. The Cleveland woman complained that Karen Hayes, of the Casket Store in Parma, failed to deliver a gravestone she had ordered 15 months ago.
"I had been over to see her repeatedly. I called. I filed a Better Business report. None of that did any good to move this lady to do the right thing," she said.
Then Channel 3 News Investigator Tom Meyer began asking questions.
Within days of the original story, Hayes gave Tufts a full refund of $726.
"She(Hayes) apologized. I'm just so thankful," Tufts said.
Also, the gravestone for Edgar Sandoval was finally installed at a cemetery in Auburn Township after the family had paid in full and waited more than a year.
Edgar's son, David, said things changed quickly as soon as the Channel 3 News report aired.
"It made the whole difference. It was the only reason why this happened," he said.
Hayes gave the family of Michael Prock all their money back...nearly $1,100.
Prock, you recall, was the 41-year-old pizza deliveryman who was murdered while simply doing his job.
Hayes said she kept her promise and resolved all the complaints. She feels she doesn't deserve the 'F' rating from the Cleveland Better Business Bureau.
"We're moving forward. We did have a hiccup. I didn't deny we didn't get behind on things, but we are coming along," said Hayes.