Well, since you cannot get what you paid for until to late, since the boat is slow, since you don't want to mess with the courts, since your loan ends June 15th and you don't want to extend...you might as well be sinking in a cool blue-green swirl like the sea

But....if you can come up for breath, here's 2 scenarios that still might work....
One, You could make the Tile Co. pay the CL extension fees until they can get the right granite for you.
Two, make the "TC" put something, anything, in temporarily, just to meet your June 15th date and close. But don't do this until you have a written promise from them that they will find the right granite for you within a specified period and install it without additional charges.
If they won't do either, then you're only options are refund, lawsuit and, hunting for another style granite that will suffice.

Honestly though I'm sorry this is happening to you. I hate to hear when something like this happens to people b/c someone else didn't do their job...

If you can't find an acceptable substitute, I'd wait for the next boat.

Will the bank withhold a large amount for lack of finished counters?

You could always use temporary counters for a few months if you had to. Cut heavy plywood to shape and paint. And a short section of laminate around any stovetops if you have to.

We almost had to put in a temporary island counter since posting moving was not an option.

You're getting good advice so far. I'd wait for the next boat also.

in order to get your certificate of occupancy,(if thats the m.o. in your area),you will need counters,but they can simply be plywood. You wouldn't have to have the granite installed even if called out for on your plans, just temporary plywood in order to get the sign off. Wait for the boat and get what you want. It will be worth it. If you dont, it's one of those things you'll look back negatively on.

I would have to agree with the others, that granite was chosen to be very unique, and probably very expensive....take a deep breath, tell them you will wait for the granite you have a 50% deposit on, and 'throw' on some plywood for the countertop! Good Luck!

1) wait for the boat and the granite you want
2)Use plywood with paint and / or a varathane finish
3) DEMAND that they give you a discount for for you troubles and extra costs.
4) Have a nice glass of Merlot and relax. It all good in the end

In addition to everybody's excellent advise. If the cost of these are part of the builders money I would have him refund or not include that in the final home cost so you can pay for it after the close and have them installed as a separate item.

Or check out these guys see if they have your stone. Then have your suppler get it from them. If they don't have it Boston granite will. Shipping to your location is of no concern to you they are the ones that should be bending over backwards to fix there mistake.

Check with your inspector on what you can do as far as temporary countertops. If for some reason they won't accept plain plywood, get some cheap laminate. And then hold out for what you want.

Get everything in writing. Since it appears the tile company was at fault, make them agree to cover the cost of a temporary countertop (which will probably a lot cheaper, and certainly less frustrating, than trying to extend your loan). Make sure they include the cost of all of the plumbing etc. that will have to be re-done when the granite comes in. Also, put an expiration date on the agreement, say 120 days. Specify that if the granite isn't installed by that time, you get your deposit back with interest.

Again: get everything in writing.

Now go have a beer.

I forgot to post the link
http://www.stonetechonline.com/main.htm

Demand my money back and go elsewhere.

no way I would deal with someone who did that to me.

I was reading DH your thread, when he suggested Masonry Arts. They are a huge supplier and do businees all across the country. The had just finished doing work on the Pentagon before 9/11 and worked on it afterwards as well. It's worth a shot.

Here is a link that might be useful: Masonry Arts Stone

oh geeze - the EXACT same thing happened to us. I got a lot of help on stone "ask the experts" forum - which is the trade group of the stone guys. maybe they know something similar (they did for me). What a royal pain and it is mighty suspicious it happens to lots of us, isn't it?

Here is a link that might be useful: Stone Advice Ask The Experts

It appears another shipment is due to be delivered June 2. We are looking at alternatives (burn me once but not twice) but the company has apologized (claims a new sales manager inadvertantly sold it). We shall see what happens and may need to follow the plywood route as a stop gap if we run ouh of time. Boy talk about frustrating. Hopefully iy will all work out in the end. THanks again for taking the time to give is solid advice and tips. This boar dis outstanding.

Trying to multitask while watching the TPC, I can spell but typing isn't one of my strengths:). Thanks again.

That's great new, ffnole! Fingers crossed it gets in on time.

This happens SOOOO often. Truly, your interior designer should have been very aware of the possibility -- nay, probability that this would happen. In fact, it happens so frequently that he/she should have made specific provisions to prevent it, such as taking delivery of the slabs to a location under his/her control in the interim.

My concern is that the wholesaler and fabricator have very little incentive to make this right. They've already got 50% of your money, and you have 0% of your product. So they're trying to convince you to pick another granite and 'go away'.

Now I know you've fallen in love with a particular stone. That happens a lot. In fact, that seems to be the necessary precursor to the 'sold out from under you scenario.' But it's probably a good idea to see if there is something you like better. Why? Well, the ship, when it does come in, may not have any of this particular stone. Or if they do, there's NO guarantee it will be similar to the slabs you fell in love with. It might be -- but they're not offering any guarantees.

My suggestion would be to look around again. You might find something very similar under a different name. Or, you might find something you like even better. (That also happens very often.) OR - and this is where things get interesting - you might find something at their yard that you like almost as much that is significantly more expensive. And this is what you agree to settle for, assuming they can't find what they agreed to provide for you. Then you'll see them start to hustle.