It's very rare anymore that you can find seconds ANYWHERE, and if you do, they'll be very clearly labeled as such to cut off any chance of warranty claim afterward. The tile Lowes and HD is every bit as good as what you'll get from a showroom. However, I've found many times (and advise my customers based on this) that they'll have tile for cheaper than I can get it at contractor's pricing from the warehouse, only because they buy in greater bulk, and therefore get better pricing directly from the factory, and in so doing, can afford to sell it at a much lower price, and still make money on it. Now, this is not ALWAYS. But on some lines, such as the subway tiles that are extremely popular for both bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes right now, where big quanitities of tile are moving, iit's not surprising.

I asked the Tile place and they assured me that the 6x6 tiles are a true 6x6 and not cut from 12x12... could it be things have changed from when you used them? Last time I used them was last february (owner supplied). Bill just out of curiosity who are your favorite tile manufacturers? (CDC? Daltile?) thanks For normal inexpensive good quality tile, Daltile, American Olean, and their subsidiaries. Crossville's another one. The Rialto that Lowes carries isn't bad, but the mainstay over at Home Depot-- Marrazzi-- is another one I don't care for. Not as bad as Florida Tile, but bad enough that I have to fight it when I'm using it. As for international companies, the sky's the limit. Quite frankly, the only ones I DON'T care for on a company wide basis are Marrazzi and Florida Tile.

I brought home a couple of samples from the Avenue One series (white and light gray). I remember it being a beautiful tile - I especially loved the surface. If I recall correctly Avenue One is made by the Italian tile company Refin Ceramica. Look on the back of the tile and see if the manufacturers name is on it. I decided to go with City View from Daltile in Skyline Gray which is made by Atlas Concorde, another Italian tile company. Daltile and AO appear to outsource some of their lines which is great because it allows people who don't have access to these Italian tile companies the ability to buy their tiles.

I bought mine last year right before Labor Day. No, there was no extra charge per piece from HD. I did not buy from HD because the local tile store was easier to deal with. I did use the same color of 1x6. I got those from Lowes. I think they were American Olean. You cannot tell any difference in color, but you might have a better eye than I do, plus mine are showers, not a kitchen. Another reason I went with a tile store is because you have to have all sorts of little specialty pieces in showers for the edges, and corners, and ledges, etc. I do not know much about those, and I can never find anyone to help me in a box store. You chose a pretty tile. Shop around a bit for a better price. I was just wondering, you do mean the subway shaped ones, don't you, not the rhombus? It also comes in a 'harlequin' rhomboid shape. That was gorgeous, but it is very expensive. So, if you are looking at that one, your HD price is reasonable. That is why I did the subway shape in a herringbone, sort of the same look for a fraction of the cost. I have not done my kitchen backsplash, but I would like to take four different shades of the white rhomboid ones and make a backsplash. There is a display like that at Ann Sacks in Atlanta. To quickly glance at it, it appears solid ecru, but it is actually comprised of four different colors of white. I am still thinking about that. Meredith Tile makes very pretty tile in rhomboid shapes. Backsplashes can always go in later if you cannot find what you want right away. We moved in in September, and I have not decided on a backsplash yet. HTH.