doctored absolute black granite

Long story short...we were sold doctored or mutt stone absolute black granite from a fabricator in NC who did our kitchen counters. After 4 months of him sending out his guys to "remove" the whiteish stains, applying acetone, MKE and a paint stripper with Methleyne Chloride as your site suggested they were unable to fix the problem. We sent them page after page of discussion on your site and others about the doctored absolute black out there. Finally they agreed, hesitantly, to replace the countertop with new absolute black. I need a solid black because the counter is 20' long all done in multicolor stone matching our fireplace... multicolor granite would look terrible against the multicolor fieldstone. They sent out a guy to template the counter again and said they would call when they got the absolute black in...two weeks later we called them and they said they couldnt find absolute black and by the way changed the company policy and would not do any jobs in absolute black... then suggested I get uba tuba honed and it would look black!!! I called other fabricators who told me there is something very wrong, absolute black is available everywhere and they were willing to do the job... I just sent the company a fax threatening to sue them and report them to the DA in Asheville filing charges of fraud by selling me a fake stone....I need help and advice... Ive never sued anyone and I am willing to now...this is soo wrong...I spent nearly 7K on this counter...please give me some direction...Thanks

 

Dear Monica and Michael Caputo:
You came to the right place.
First, you have to find out at the courthouse of the County where you live what'S the fasted procedure for cases under $10,000.
I would guess that your case is above the limit of Small Claim Court, but there should be a special section of superior court. (Here in Nerw Jersey it's called "Special Civil Part" that's just as quick and informal as Small Claim and the limit is usually betwenn $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the County.)
Go there and talk to the Court Clerk: they're usually very corteous and helpful. Tell them that you'd like to file a lawsuit pro-se. They will help you with all possible directions and forms to fill out, although they're not allowed to give legal advice. (We could help you too, once you have the forms in your hands.) You will also go to DA office and explain the facts, including as many printouts of posts regarding doctored stones as possible. The DA may or may not decide to press charges. If they will, then the Criminal trial must always come before the civil trial.
So, go to the DA office first, and then only when you have a precise date for the criminal trial, you will file the civil suit. Or you can even wait for the outcome of the criminal trial, and then file. If the DA will decline on the grounds that, perhaps, they won't feel it is serious enough a crime, then you will just go civil.
You will not need an attorney, but you must have an expert on your side. As marblecleaning.org we will supply you with such an expert witness at no charge. You will only have to pay for the traveling, lodging and food expenses.
The catch is that you will had to authorize us in writing to use the outcome of the trial (it's a sure win) for any promotional, activity that we'll see fit.
If you're ready for all this, you know what to do. But first...
May I asks you to e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm ?
Ciao and good luck,
Maurizio Bertoli