Art's of Stone

The personalized experience, professionalism, and quality of work is unmatched (especially when compared to the big box stores!!!). Our countertop is a true work of art, and we could not have been more satisfied with our experience.

The owner changed the price on us after we agreed on a price and gave him the deposit. After saying we couldn't afford the new price and we need our money back he screamed at us and said he couldn't give the money back because he already cut the slab, even though we never agreed on the new price. after holding our money hostage we had no other choice but to have him finish the job. so now to the install....They measured wrong so instead of taking it back and re cutting the right size they decided to cut out my walls to make it fit, it looked horrible. After the install was done we realized that it wasn't even the part of the slab that we decided on. At the end of this ordeal the owner asked if we can pay him in cash!!! He had no remorse and would not give an money back because of the damage to my walls or the fact that he used the wrong side of the slab. Please go to anywhere but here...

Review: Over a year ago, I went to Art's of Stone to look at stone for a countertop. I saw one for the bathroom and was assured by the female working there (Anna?) that the stone would work and that I needed to give them $500 to hold it. I told her I wasn't going to be able to do this project anytime soon, but she pushed the issue that I might never get this again and how I needed to put it on hold. I was led to believe the money was to have an entire countertop made since it was for a bathroom vanity and the piece they had was just a leftover scrap.

After Anna charged my credit card, I learned that there were more involved charges, and things were thrown at me to a point of confusion, but she smiled, and when I asked questions as to whether or not it would be a problem if I changed my mind, she assured me there would be no problems.

She went outside with me, took a piece of the countertop and easily broke it to give me a sample. I was horrified as I had explained that the countertop went to a bathroom and was going to be used by all of my daughters. It is a primary bathroom and endurance is important.

I went home and looked into this stone more. I discovered that: 1. It's easily ordered, so pushing me into giving away my money wasn't necessary. 2. It breaks easily.

For supposed professionals to know my intent with the stone and advise and push me on it was unnerving. I called shortly afterward and told Anna that I'm uncomfortable with the stone (which, as I stated, she had indicated wouldn't be an issue), and that I felt it wouldn't work. I literally felt pushed into this stone once again...a scrap piece...sitting in the scrap pile....that breaks easily. I told her I didn't think it was good for what I wanted to do, and she said I didn't need to worry about it, once again. Getting a refund was never an issue according to what she relaid to me. I also informed her, once again, that I couldn't tackle this project anytime soon. Again, no reason to bully a customer to do something a customer doesn't want to do...except, now, they have my money.

I called another time and indicated that I didn't want the countertop. I suggested maybe something for the kitchen or something else. My husband spoke with me and felt that we just needed a refund. Since we were told more than once that a refund wasn't a problem, just get a refund and go back when we're ready.

I have disability issues that aren't visible when a person looks at me on the outside, but Art's of Stone owner, Jose Lima was aware. This is what prevents me from getting projects done quickly, and the disability is severe. I've had two major spinal surgeries and have to have a surgery on my foot now...something unexpected that developed.

My husband went back to Art's of Stone a month ago. He requested the refund. Anna told him to come in on a Saturday because she didn't know how to process refunds. When my husband came home I asked, " How does that make sense? She can charge people's credit cards, but not issue them a refund?" This was the beginning of the run around.

So, I say to my husband, "Hey, maybe we can order some backsplash tile from them and apply the money to it. " We went into the store. I asked Anna if she had any backsplash tile that looked like mother of pearl. As she is flipping through the tile, Jose pops his head out of the back room and to say, "Hello." He comes out to shake our hands. Tom, my husband asks, "Jose, if we can't find any backsplash tile we like, it's not going to be a problem to refund our money, right?"

With that, Jose's whole demeanor changed. He flew into an anger. It was bizarre behavior. My husband said, "Look, I'm not rich." Jose said, "Well, neither am I!" He also stated that he needed to get back to work on a kitchen order because that was more important than us. There were a few other things that flew out of his mouth, and one of them included that he didn't have any checks to write my husband a check. We had used a credit card to purchase, so that could have easily been refunded.

Anna had told us that only Jose could process refunds. Yet, Jose wouldn't process a refund. Then, he questioned whether or not we really put down $500. When I asked Anna how it was that she could charge credit cards and not be capable of refunding them, she stated that she is capable, but Jose has to let her know whether or not they have the money to refund a credit card and that she wasn't going to disturb him because he was working on the kitchen. I couldn't believe it. He took the time to rant and rave and could have just done the right thing by us, but, suddenly, we aren't important enough for him to take five minutes of his time to refund our money.

I went outside the store and called my credit card company to ask how to file a complaint. I was very uncomfortable with Jose's behavior and felt threatened. My husband came out telling me that Anna started lying to him and evening stating that he demanded a refund which is what ticked off Jose (this is a lie). Jose was ticked off at the possibility of refunding a customer. It's that simple.

Jose came outside and apologized, but not after saying, "Your wife made me wait a year!" I'm DISABLED. I had called MORE THAN ONCE indicating that the countertop was a bad option and indicating that I wanted to do something else with reassurance that it wasn't a problem. Refunds weren't a problem. A different order wasn't a problem.

Tom, my husband, was told to come back to the store while Jose is there to get a refund. Since Saturday was a day she stated previously to go back, he went back today. Jose was there. Tom was waiting in the store for five minutes. A woman pulled up. Jose ran to go help her. Tom approached and told him that he had been waiting for five minutes. The woman started arguing with Tom that she was there first, and he pointed out where he was parked and stated, "I was inside waiting for five minutes when you pulled up." Jose started with his attitude again and told my husband that he was, "being rude to my customers." We WERE CUSTOMERS.

Again, Jose gave him the run around. Today, Jose doesn't know how to process a refund and told my husband he needs to come back when Anna is working. I've had enough of this. I'm done with playing the run around game. I'm done with the attempted bullying of a store owner trying to force his scrap piece (AKA his trash) stone on me that crumbles and breaks..one that I was told was no big deal to refund. If Jose hadn't thrown a fit in the store and hadn't become hostile and angry yesterday, I would have looked at backsplash tile, but I felt like he might hurt someone due to hostility, so I walked out of the store. His behavior was frightening...something a store owner shouldn't exhibit.

I called my credit card company to get the information to file a complaint..which I can still do. I have every intent of taking them to court if the money isn't refunded immediately. Today, Jose told my husband the money would be refunded...ON MONDAY. After hearing what I've heard from this man, I don't believe he will refund my credit card. I believe this is going to be a legal matter very soon if this company doesn't try to resolve this, and I am giving them this opportunity.Desired Settlement: I want my $500 back. I deserve more after experience Jose's behavior.

Jose, the owner of Art's of Stone, made promises he did not keep. He delivered a damaged item claiming it was only dirty but later admitting her had "repaired" an obvious crack. Stay away. There are 4 more reputable granite fabricators within a few miles of this shop, try someone else who stands behind their work.