How do you tell who is good?

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We got our countertops in July from Rock Tops, Inc in Michigan were very pleased. Unfortunately, it was disclosed tonight (Jan. 2, 2009) on a local Detroit TV newscast that they have closed their doors, and the owners are no where to be found, leaving hundreds of customers without their already paid for countertops, and employees without pay checks.

It's interesting that even an educated person can get taken in by the suave nature of Charlie Thiede.  He is a coniving snake of a businessman who even sacrificed his relationship with his brother for the greed of greenbacks.  I took a buy out in 2004 after making the mistake of allowing Bob Gaziorowski join us.  I saw just how crooked he was and that my own brother is the same way.  I did not want to jeopardize my freedom and chose to take my leave and haven't spoken with Charlie since then.  I hope he gets some jail time to sober him up and make him realize he cannot take advantage of people again.

Sadly this is fairly representatitive of the granite industry in general.   Huge profit markups, no warranties, no standards and huge demand have all driven a lot of shady characters into the trade.   Couple that with the average consumer's natural desire to buy that expensive countertop at the best price, and Bob's your uncle.

This is just the tip of the iceberg.  I am in the industry and have been watching the rapid downward spiral on prices for several years now.   Most shops are like Rock tops, using the new deposits to allow them to buy the stone to fabricate the job they promised last month.  You don't really think it took six weeks for them to get to your job, did you?  Of course not, were that the case they could work some over time or hire a few more guys and get the backlog out and the cash in the bank.

The industry is realling from low prices due to increased competition caused by the housing market slowdown.  The larger shops with expensive technology  and huge lease payments are always the first to impolde, then with their workers unemployed, small quality minded shops like mine come under increased pressure from all the new tiny shops opened up by the ex employees.

Time to get out of the business I am afraid.