Supposedly this is also princess white, and I would never even consider it. I just do not care for it. It makes me feel like there won't be any similar to "my" slab. The other ones I've seen on GW don't look so much like "mine" either (although more like mine than this one.)

I am sorry to read about your dilemma. While you paid the fabricator, they probably did not pass the deposit on to the stone yard. Will the fabricator return the deposit if you find another slab at a different fabricator's shop? We did not visit stone yards because we found two great slabs at our fabricator's.

Both slabs pictured are beautiful, but very different. Best of luck in your search.

So sorry Nobees. The lady at the stone yard wouldn't have thought it's just a counter top if her slab had been sold! We get so attached to the things we pick and that was YOUR slab. I hope they will go all out and try to find another beautiful slab for you.

I am so sorry to read this. It is heartbreaking when a stone yard sells your slab from under you, especially when you paid your fabricator a deposit. I went to my stone slab store after I deposited with the fabricator, found the boss and told him he'd better not sell it or he'd be dealing with me. Then I nicely hounded the fabricator to get it to his storage, which he did, and I confirmed.

Wishing you great karma, even while you search for another.

I am so sorry. You have every right to be upset. I know I would be. Slabs are unique from one another, even in same type of stone they can look SO diff. I have built my entire kitchen around one, so I would be really upset and angry if this happened to me too! Keep looking-go to many many yards! GL!

Thanks for validating my feelings! I guess I'll know more tomorrow after I talk to the fabricator again. In the mean time, I emailed all of the other stone yards on the list I have, plus a couple of other ones. I think I will talk to the owner of the fabrication place. I don't like placing the blame, and I don't know whose fault this really was, but I'd like some sort of compensation for the aggravation. I feel like even if I find a slab at a yard they don't usually use, I will need to convince them to work with them anyway

I want to lean more toward this being the stone yard's problem seeing that the manager even hung up on me. I feel kind of helpless. I don't know why they can't call up the other fabricator and say that, that slab was already sold and get it back.

I also have purchased my sink in Blanco metallic gray (so new slab has to go with that), plus I hope there aren't any issues with my sinks or faucets since this will be digging into my return-time period. I'm sure that didn't dawn on stone yard lady either.

Thanks again for the supportive words; I needed them!

The lady at the stone yard said "it's just a counter" and then the manager hangs up on you? Nice way to treat customers and run a business. I would file a complaint with the BBB...and write a scathing review on AL if they are on there as well as Yelp. If they had the most beautiful stone in the world I would not give them my business!

Don't settle. Even though it will hold up the project, wait until you find that special slab again. And you will....good luck!

I understand your pain. The stone yard people told me that I don't actually get to pick a stone. They would just keep a list of sold stones and I would get one of them.

I don't think so....not as much time, effort, mileage, and money as I have spent on slab selection. I am sure you did the same.

I just know you will find an even better stone....hopefully from a different stone yard and different fabricator.

I imagine that your fabricator is at fault too. He should not expect the stone yard to hold it permanently without being paid for by the fabricator and should not expect the stone yard to store it. The fabricator should have picked it up.

Positive thoughts are coming your way from all of us GWers. You will find a better slab. Peke

Nobees, I feel your pain. Many of us have had issues with fabricators and yards. Incredible how they treated you. The yard should do something to try to get your slab back. Each slab is unique, and you get attached. I get it. They do, too. That's what drives their business. Keep cool. Demand satisfaction. Be reasonable, but firm. Post what happens.

The lady/manager were the same person who said it's just a counter and hung up.
I will definitely post what happens. I'm emailing back and forth with fabricator (it's actually a woman there who sets it all up). She's calling around and emailing photos and such so I don't have to drive.
So far, only a white macauba/moon white that is okay (attached). I wasn't fond of the background white when I saw a dif. slab of white mac. in person. These do have nice veining, but again, not the same as the crystal-like quality of the princess white.
I'm feeling more hopeful today. The other things that have stalled my home purchase and remodel have all been for the better, so this must mean something! At least, that's what I'm going to keep telling myself.

Side note: Is there a way to post multiple pictures in the same message?

You're right to be angry and upset, and I'd do anything not to give that yard my business. "Only a counter"? Only several thousand dollars, too.

I understand that your plan was built around this slab, but it might help you have more options if you can keep an open mind about different stones rather than trying to get one like the one that got away. Not that you shouldn't try for a similar slab, of course you should. Do you have time to go shop around at different yards? If you did, you might find something entirely different that you love.

Have you seen some of the gorgeous slabs posted on this current Countertop Geology thread? Maybe they'll inspire you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Countertop Geology part 3 (with great slabs)

After re-reading...yes, your fabricator is at fault too if they did not give any $ to the stone yard to hold it or have it delivered sooner and hold it for you at their shop. You might want to find another fabricator as well, unless they really make amends and go out of their way.

Another word of caution we learned the hard way....if there is any leftover stone you may want to use in a powder room, etc....keep it in your garage! Our fabricator sold our remnant from the kitchen we were planning to use in the powder room. They came out, measured, everything...about 2 hours before I was going to OK the template..they called that they couldnt find it..even though they had previously said they had it. Fortunately we found a remnant at another fabricator's, which was sheer luck because I don't think it is a common stone.

I'm in the greater Chicago area and am wondering what list of stone yards you have? I've been to just 2 places, but am not sure how to get a more extensive list. I'd like to just visit a bunch at the same time! Thanks!

It is never *just* a counter.

nobees - the pic of the one that you posted at 11:07 is gorgeous.

Seosmp, here's what I have. I'm leaving the one out that sold my slab under my feet. I'm in the south burbs, so all of these are even a drive for me.

T&M Supply; Wheeling; 847-353-8000. Diane has been great about emailing me photos back and forth today!

Stone Design; Glendale Heights and Chicago; GH # is 630-858-9658.
I spoke with a girl there today who was beyond helpful. She's supposed to be looking for a slab that might work for me. Since I only need one, she's looking more carefully. Also good to note that if you only need 1, tell them!

Universal Granite & Marble; Chicago; 773-268-4500

Stone Gallery; Villa Park; 630-530-5300

American Granite; Elk Grove Village; 847-290-0800

Levantina; Bensonville; 630-361-6600

Atlas Stone; Elk Grove Village; 847-690-9345

oops--forgot the other one because it wasn't on my paper

MGSI in Niles and I'm emailing back and forth with Darina. She's great as well!

Thanks!

The 2 I went to are Precision Stone (Schaumburg) and Global (Addison I think). Was it either of those?

Nobees, I feel your pain. Many of us have had issues with fabricators and yards. Incredible how they treated you. The yard should do something to try to get your slab back. Each slab is unique, and you get attached. I get it. They do, too. That's what drives their business. Keep cool. Demand satisfaction. Be reasonable, but firm. Post what happens.