I am so sorry this company came in to my life. I did not believe the bad reports on the Internet. Having been fooled by them, I have been too embarrassed to tell anyone.
After two years our counter tops are scratched, the sealer is yellowing and the colors are chipping off. The original installation was faulty and the installer left gaps where the counter top meets the sink. When you are in the buying phase, Shirestone gives you the impression they are a big company with installers all around the nation. When our problems appeared, they said it was up to the individual dealer to fix any defects; they had no control over his business. The dealer here in Idaho is out of business. People are looking for him to get their deposits back because he never did the work.
You never get fleeced by some one you don't trust. But the nice folksy act from the company is just a pretense. Once they have your money, you are out of luck. The company makes a lot of claims about strength and durability. In fact, there is no proof or testing reports. It is all hot air and bluffs. Run, don't walk away from these guys.