[Fine Edge]

I think I'll stick to block walls and stone after reading this post.

Or else I will have to perfect the saying to my clients: " Well, you know it's just a concrete product, right? What do you expect?"

[Alexecutive31]

Not all manufacturers experience these types of problems. If a manufacturer produces all of the sizes of a product in the same mold (corners included) then there won't be that kind of inconsistency from piece to piece.
Additionally, manufacturers who product wall block on a big board paver machine have greater control over the dimensions than the block machine ones (Plus a big board paver machine gives you a higher density = less efflorescence and deterioration).
Finally, yes the industry spec. is plus/minus 1/8", but some manufacturers have their own spec.
I was a landscaper in Montreal for a while, I worked with a certain product for a few years and loved it. The manufacturer offered me a job and now I'm a rep. Our spec is plus/minus 1/16", PM me if you'd like to learn more. I don't want to name drop on the site.
-Alex

[dclark2037]

We use Keystone, Geostone, and Sims Stone down here and we keep a bundle of shingles in the truck. Just tear off a piece and shim to what ever you need.