Sistone Inc.

Sistone was recommended by the cabinetmaker who manufactured a custom bathroom vanity cabinet. I wanted to use solid surface for the top, ordered samples from various manufacturers and selected a color from the Wilsonart collection. With my drawing and specifications in hand, I visited the showroom/office/shop close to the Roscoe exit from the 405. The front door was locked, but I was admitted after announcing myself and the purpose of my visit. I met with Arthur, who conveniently served as my friendly contact throughout the project. A few of my requirements were unusual. For one thing, I wanted backsplashes of different heights at the back and at one side. Arthur explained the risk of structural weakness with that set-up, and so I modified the design accordingly. For another, I wanted coved joints between the backsplashes and the main surface. Not all countertop shops can do that, but Sistone had no problem with it. Finally, I wanted a double-eased or bookend edge, sort of like a flattened bullnose. Arthur prepared a written proposal, $1128 for the material and $1077 for labor. I paid a 50 percent deposit and Sistone ordered the material which arrived within a few days. This was mid-August. Sistone was perfectly patient while the main bathroom contractor did other work preliminary to the vanity top. By October things finally were ready. Sistone's installer visited to take final measurements and left with the sink that was to be undermounted. One week later, the installer returned and completed the work. The top looked great except for one problem: The fabricator had overlooked the double-eased edge requirement and instead made a polished square edge. The following day I visited the shop to discuss this with Arthur. The fabricator admitted his mistake. Arthur offered for the installer to return to the site, disconnect the top, return it to the shop to revise the edge, and then return to reinstall the corrected top. Under the circumstances, I offered instead to consider an adjustment to the remaining final payment. After discussing this with his management, Arthur offered a $350 discount. I immediately accepted, and considered it to be so generous that I trimmed it to $300. I gave Sistone straight As despite the fabrication error. These things happen even in the best of shops, and when the problem was reported, Sistone stepped up and did the right thing.