We purchased granite a year and a half ago. We got bids ranging from 8K to $3200. We ended up spending $3300 for exactly the same granite as the 8K bid. The company we used had excellent refs and did a great job. However, a few months later a friend got a bid from some of the same companies and ended up getting a better bid from a company who estimated around 5K to us. In this economy it may be who is not busy and wants your work. You may want to be open to a few different colors as well. We found one companies level A was another's level B.

I just got them to come down $500 bucks by offering cash. This of course, feels sleazy, but they're really one of the most reputable operations around. I'm getting 30 sf of honed jet mist. I just hate this part!

I am new here and do not know the "etiquette", but I am in Central MA too and would love to know who you are using and tips. (The offer cash one is good). I just survived the auto buying negotiating and experience and assume that I did really well, so perhaps I am up for the challenge. Anyway, not sure if you are ok with posting the name here of if there is a way to "talk" offline.

Yes, I totally agree like a car-dealer. Thank heavens
my husband does bid negotiations for a living. : )

I received 8 granite bids in MA and NH. And they ranged
in price from $8500 to $3200 for the same space. The
same granite. Shocking!

I ended up going with the installer/fabricator that was
willing to work with me, treat me with respect and
whose talent I had seen. I have too many neighbhors with
horror stories about their granite installations.
My choice was not the least expensive nor the most but
rather a middle range price with a super reputation.

I went with BFR from NH. They were fantastic. Talented
stone artists and they were willing to help me find a stone
in my price range. Ask for Jessie
http://www.bfrandassociates.com/

I have heard excellent things about Gerrity Stone. I think
it was BostonPam who went with them. Gosh. I can not
remember who it was.

I found myself annoyed with Ripano but I have seen their
work and they are talented, just expensive.

Sudbury went out of business in Souther NH but I think
their other locations are still open.

One of my neighbors was devastated that Merrimack stone
did a terrible job on an installation but they compensated
her. I have seen it in person. It is okay, I understand
it is not perfect but rocks look like they are hard
to work with.

Good luck with the Dealerships!
~boxer

Thanks, we're currently most likely going with CASSA stone in Shrewsbury, although I've gotten quotes from a couple of other places. They're all within about 500 dollars of each other (boxerpups, I think you have honed Jet mist too...so excited!). But the bottom line is that it's all really more than I can afford. We're totally stretching our budget and will be eating a lot of pb and j off some beautiful honed jet mist granite. I have phase two down the road, which is BA or Delicatus for my island (which will temporarily be topped with plywood...). I may not come back to this place, depending on the rest of the process. I had lots of references though, so I'm confident the job will be done right...
Boxerpups, where are there more pix of your kitchen? I looked in the FKB, but couldn't find it.
:)

Jalsy6.

Yes, I do have Jet Mist, You are sweet to remember. My
kitchen is not yet worthy to be in FKB. I am waiting for a
new wood beadboard ceiling to be installed along with
different molding and detail trim. My floor guys are
coming back to finish the first floor Family room off the
kitchen. And cross your fingers... I may be getting a new
Modernaire hood rather than the Over the range MW.
I am trying to convince DH to set up a MW built in hutch
area with toaster and this is going to take a little energy.
One fine day when it looks presentable it will be in fkb.

Oh I must tell you, I saved money on my granite install. BFR
worked with me on price. Of course they still need to make
a profit. My husband had a strict budget for my reno. Hence
the slow going. And when I told Jessie at BFR I could only
pay this amount for my Jet Mist Grantie. He said he would
shop around until he found slabs in his own "make a fair
profit" price range. He found them after his own
negogiations techniques called me and told me which slab
yards to go to, in order to pick out my granite.

If you have your rough measurements, send him an e-mail
and find out what he charges. Or if he would work with
you. It can't hurt to send an e-mail and just see.
~boxer

I never did buy; just the atmosphere in our local dealership was enough to send me packing. Front office guy is the biggest jerk I've met in the whole project. Interesting that another woman had same experience with him.

Definitely reminded me of my first car buy experience, "here, let me think for you, little lady...put your purse/project in my hand and the big boys will take it from there"