[Tom M]

I only saw one published price of countertop the whole trip. It was, of course, stone, at $30.00 a foot, installed. I wasn’t paying attention much, but that was all that stood out. There was also, by default, no solid surface pricing.

I easily saw a ration of, oh – around 100% difference in the number of trucks with granite type or images on the side, campared to solid surface.

This is probably the same in my state, but removal from subjection broguht more of a consumer approach to it. I do see trucks with solid surface in my area, but I know the guys, and we had a distributor who helped us out with this. Everyone.

[Andy Graves]

I think it is easier to advertise granite over solid surface. I also think that people that advertise granite for $30 a square foot but they won’t be in business for long. I don’t know many that can install a countertop for $30 a sq’.

[Wags]

The $30 a sq ft is probably prefab counters from China. They are available in SS also, do we want that ? Do we want to compete on price? I agree Tom, as an industry we have not done a good job of promoting our products, and industry. Have we sent jobs into newspapers for the home section? Do we have our vehicles covered with advertising? Do distributors have their trucks advertising? Its easy to see the granite, open trucks and big A frames, solid surface is on pallets, lower profile. Im glad your distributor helped get you guys to advertise on your vehicle. What else can we as an industry do to promote Solid Surface??

[Paul Bingham]

We do two Home Shows a year, Fall and Spring. 3 days of continuous interation with the public. 10’s of thousands see our signs and products at each show. We give out hundreds of brochures and thousands of cards at each. Barb and I talk non stop to people about the benefits of SS over stone and can usually convert most from stone to SS.

We are putings signs on our truck and trailer, sponsored by our distributer and supplier.

We are working with Formica and our distributor on an auction with a local newspaper. The newspaper puts out a catalogue with dozens of items for auction. In our case a kitchen top with sink (value $6000.00, reserve $3600.00).
The newspaper gets the cash for the top and we get the sale value in advertising over the next 6 months. Formica and the distributor provide the materials and we provide the labour. A good deal for a min. $3600.00 in advertising. In the process we and Formica get exposed to thousands of people in the Metro area.

Paul

[Fadi Mahassel]

What many of you may not realize is that the $30 sq ft. is only a starting point with many companies. They start adding for every little thing. outlet cutouts,faucet holes,templating,sink holes, cooktop holes. seams, high bar support and of course the edge treatment. I sold and installed granite and now I sell supplies and tooling to granite fabricators. I’m in quite a few shops and take part in my share of discussions. In short, $30 a sq ft won’t buy much of a top. I truly believe granite will run it’s course. The more people that have it will begin to see that its not all that. Solid surface is still a premier material and should be sold as such.

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