Day 124 - Countertop Chaos
In our previous residence, we worked with a particular countertop company. After shopping around, we felt comfortable with their pricing, their selection, and their timetable. After installation, we were very, very pleased with the quality of both product, communication, and service.
Though we did a similar shopping around when looking for counters for this new kitchen, we ultimately used our prior experience to choose this company again.
For a variety of factors, we could have saved a few headaches, more than a few dollars, and a whole lot of time going with someone else.
Let’s start from the beginning.
Though we knew about inflation and that our last countertops were purchased nearly fifteen years ago, we were a bit taken aback at the cost. When we compared with a few other quotes, the company we went with was not the cheapest. However, due to our previous fantastic experience, we were OK with paying a bit more.
In our previous experience, the communication was clear and consistent. The company acted as if they really wanted to make sure every single step of the way went as expected. Considering how much money we were pouring into this project, that was appreciated. From the get go, we noticed it wasn't as easy to get a hold of someone either on the phone or via email. In fact, it sometimes felt impossible.
Last time, we were invited to come to the warehouse to make a selection of granite slabs. They even gave recommendations based on our design and color scheme. This time, it felt like a fast food drive thru experience. Stop by, quickly make a selection, provide a down payment, and head home.
Finally, we wrapped up our end of the job. We made a selection of granite. We provided the measurements. We paid for it. We scheduled an installation date. We prepared the room for installation. We were ready to have brand new granite countertops.
Though we were a bit disappointed that we were paying more for a much less than desirable customer service experience, we knew we would be much happier once we got closer to installation.
We have never been more wrong in our lives.
