The downside is there are way too many variables that would give the manufacturer a way out of any warranty claim. ph too high in your soaps? sorry, warranty's void. ph too high or low in your cleaners? Sorry, warranty's void. You used a semi abrasive cleaner/brush/rag/whatever to clean your stone? Sorry, warranty's void. These are just a few off the top of my head. Believe me when I tell you-- there's a million of em.

I have a great ebay story.... I have both bought and sold, but my favorite was a family bible that I found on Ebay, with a lot of genealogy information in it. I wanted to purchase it for my cousin for Christmas. We are both genealogy nuts, and this bible was from his direct family. As it goes, this huge coffee table bible was a steal at $25.00 but at the last minute, some person came in a we went head to head on this until the price reached $75.00. I had to stop because it was out of my price range, and I was honestly sick to my stomache that I had lost this priceless piece of family history to who knows? I was crushed to say the least. I sent the person an email the next day and told him that I was crushed, but could he possibly photocopy the family info in the bible for me for my family history? Turns out he is a pastor that re-constructs old bibles in his spare time. He said he would sell me the bible, for his cost on one condition....that he would fix the binding and the brass lock on it and mail it to me in perfect condition. I was thrilled ! I got the bible, it was about 8 inches thick and about 100 years old. A real beauty. The pastor would not allow me to pay him for his work or shipping. I sent the bible to my cousin after Christmas, but it was truly a wonderful ebay experience after all. Trin

jrdip, I'd advise a rum and diet soda if you weren't pregnant. Since you are pregnant, drink that herbal tea and realize that $hit happen$ $ometime$ and some people we deal with are $hittier than others. OK...try to laugh. You KNOW it's true. That being said, look at the myriads of documents that you signed over your counters. Is there a clause that addresses the remedy in this situation if there is a delay on your job? If not, then try to negotiate a compensation. FWIW, next time, do not go to HD, go directly to the fabricator and do business. Do not sign your rights away in a situation like this ever again and make positive that you have a remedy in the contract for delay due to the fabricators fault or errors. This is how I did business for my granite with the same fabricator that HD uses here in north Florida. I ended up collecting on suggested remedies I hand wrote in my contract. I got free upgraded edging of my choice, free metal underplate on my 4'x8' island, and 10% reduction on overall cost of job. I collected THREE times due to my remedies in my contract. How? I let them give themselves PLENTY of time to do the job. I paid 50% up front. I wrote down suggestions for remedies. They chose the remedy. For delay to the job past 7 calendar days, 10% reduction on job cost = $800. Forgot to charge me for metal plate: got item for free because it was in the contract bid I submitted. Gave away one of my slabs for which they had already been paid: got free edging upgrades on all slabs. (I had a whole house, too. Kitchen, 5 baths, three other vanities and counters.) There are SO many things you are going to learn because of the delays. Think of it as a free course at H.K.U., my Alma Mater. This course should not cost you a dime, but certainly should cost HD's subs. I would talk to the manager or DISTRICT manager of HD to insist on some compensation. FWIW, right now, you and your baby's health is what is most important. This is just minor stuff that seems huge right now, but in the scheme of things,nothing that has happened is insurmountable. I would refute that credit charge and threaten HD. HD is the one that should be on the hot seat for charging you before you were smiling. This is flagrant abuse in this situation with everyone knowing that the job is not completed and wrong. I'd bark up HD's food chain for a reduction in price or make them seek compensation on your behalf with THEIR subcontractor. I'm still correcting a mess from my kitchen cabinet maker and it's almost three years into it. Search my name and the story should come up. I will never do business again with someone that cannot afford to be sued.

LOL! I forget something every year! This year, I bought DH a cotton throw when we went to VA for the funeral before Thanksgiving. We took the long way and stopped in PA at Horseshoe Curve. While he went up top to watch the trains, I stayed down and looked in the gift shop. I saw the throw hanging on the wall and asked the sales lady if she had something I could hide it in. She only had an office paper box. It worked and DH didn't even know it was in the trunk until the next day when he went to load the suitcases. I hid it when we got home, and remembered it yesterday! He likes it and was snuggled under it last evening. I "think" that's all I forgot this year, tho I have some things that I ordered, were supposed to be here before Christmas, that still haven't arrived. I keep getting a recording that all lines are busy due to heavy holiday volume. I finally got my internet back today, so emailed the company to cancell the order. I ordered the items the day before the cut off date for shipment in time for the holiday. Tami