I would consider our kitchen "busy" and we have been using our 14 gauge copper sinks for close to two years. They are fantastic and have stood up well to the test of time. We are very happy we took the time to research these sinks and buy the best value on the market. Claybabe is right - the heavier 14 gauge sinks (what we bought) are OK and will probably outlast you and your home. I would personally not buy the thinner 15 or 16 gauge sinks. I remember when we purchased our sink, the rep with Copper Sinks Online said something like "we could sell the thinner sinks but the owner refuses - he wants to be in business a long time". I have seen the thinner gauge sinks and I agree. Please take a look at the info on the link. I say "Go for it!" Here is a link that might be useful: copper Sink Info

I don't know about their kitchen sinks, but we have two of their bathroom sinks. They're trouble free - come with a can of cleaner, or they say you can just use windex. Of course, we've only had them a month, and it's just my dh and me. But they are gorgeous.

I too am very disappointed, having the same issues with my Shaw; chips, hairline type cracks under(crazing) and doesnt drain properly. One section of the sink creates a little pool that keeps the water from draining, although the sink is level. We have a metal grid, but chips were developing even with that. I rarely use it now because it is too difficult to get the water and debris from under it. Bar keepers Friend is helpful. I occasionally make a little paste and let it sit a few minutes before wiping-I find the powder and liquid to be great. Also Mr. Clean Magic eraser is very helpful especially on the grey surface cracks and around drain. Love the look, but this has been frustrating. I've had it since around 2009 I got no help from the manufacturer.

I would have felt safer purchasing my Shaw's locally, but there are no dealers here. I assume the closest would be a three hour drive to St. Louis and I had no idea where to look once I got there. I used Home and Stone and paid $899, no tax, no shipping. Of course, they had to figure shipping into the price, can't see a way around that. Your contractor wasn't exaggerating, the sink is very heavy. Home and Stone sent an email instructing us to examine it when it came off the truck and then again later and to notify them within, I think, 48 hours of any damages or it was 'ours'. If my husband hadn't been home on delivery day, I'd have been in a world of hurt as there was no way I could have gotten the sink out of the box to examine it. Maybe we were just lucky, but everything went very well and the sink is just about as perfect as you can get. It's also gorgeous. I also bought my faucet, lights, and knobs online, with a phone call here and there. I wasn't brave enough to attempt appliances online as they were even costlier than the sink.