I think this is normal. I just had mine done and they look like this.

It looks like an obvious pattern but after you have furniture and other things in the room you won't notice it. People will just notice the beautiful tile that looks like wood!

Oh dear. It looks odd. One of the great things about wood-look tile is that it really looks like a wood floor. Unless it's installed like tile. Now it looks like a tile floor. If this was my floor it would drive me bonkers. It should be completely random. It may not bother you once you have furniture and rugs etc as suggested by Scott G (but it would bother me). I would get it fixed before they go any further. Will cost more to buy more tile, but worth it in the long run. Ouch.

Your discussion with the installer prior was the correct thing to do. Unfortunately terminology came into play. The word random should have been used.

"I didn't want to see the lines like on a brick pattern install." Means you don't want a 50% or 1/2 offset. The installer used a 1/3 off set which is the TCNA minimum for this type of tile. A 1/4 offset would have repeated every 5th row etc. As others stated once it's grouted and the furniture is in it won't be as noticeable. It's a matter of how much you fixate on it. Nothing was done wrong on your project other than a clear agreed upon plan at the start. Scott above has decided to embrace what he has. Although his installed pattern would be unacceptable unless that's what was agreed upon. It's all about being on the same page. The homeowner will not normally be aware of the correct terms. Layout some tiles to actually show the pattern you prefer. Take a photo. Show the tile setter. Problem avoided.

That makes a ton of sense! Thank you for explaining it to me.

The installer has 12 rows laid. Do you think he could start a random pattern or even go to the 1/4 setup for the rest of the flooring and it still look good?

Creative is correct; there's guidelines to follow for the tile installation. That being said, how much random can it really get when you're dealing with just 1 tile size? That's something to keep in mind. I guess if they're rectified tiles some of them could be cut shorter but I don't really see the benefit to that.

A few years ago we built a guest house and used a high quality (very straight and level/flat) wood look tile that came in 2 lengths and by using both lengths we were able to do a random layout for 8 rows and then repeated that pattern. All that work and it isn't that noticeable now that there is an area rug and furniture in the space! I would do it all again, as it is a very nice tile and has fooled many into thinking it is hardwood.

I wouldn't change the pattern now. Believe us when we say it will look fabulous when it's done. I agree with Creative Tile that Scott G's installation is unacceptable, and that yours is perfectly fine!

Of course your eye is drawn to a staggered pattern. Isn’t that what you wanted?

Fabulous!

"The installer has 12 rows laid. Do you think he could start a random pattern or even go to the 1/4 setup for the rest of the flooring and it still look good?"

NOOOOO!!!

There was a photo in a thread many months ago of a kitchen with an island. And it was so obvious that that is exactly what the installer had done--switch from one mode to another. That's something that will look like a mistake forever.

And when Creative Tile Eastern CT said "The installer used a 1/3 off set which is the TCNA minimum for this type of tile.", he meant it. You cannot just randomly set tile anyway you like. Long, thin tiles like yours are not perfectly flat; they invariably have a crown in them and you end up with very bad lippage if you don't follow the instructions on laying the tile. Not only is what the installer did the TCNA standard, but I will bet you that the installation instructions on the box tell him to do that exact same thing.