Are they kidding? Take a gander at the magenta colored text. I have copied "word for word" from other copper sink web sites. I am convinced of two things: If people actually buy these sinks after reading the use and care, they must be using the sink as an ornament. Really??? - come on - just read the stuff I have found. You will get a huge laugh. By the way, if you see claims by other copper sink companies regarding killing bacteria, etc. - they are breaking Federal Law! Yes that is a fact! Only EPA registered companies (never imported sinks) can make any antimicrobial claims). The Rachiele EPA Establishment number is: 087953-FL-001

Q. How do a I take care of my copper sink?

A. The best way to keep your hammered bathroom copper sink, kitchen sink or bathroon copper tub as new is just wiping up any water residuals left after usage and keeping it as dry as possible. The best results can be achieved appyling a food grade wax such as beeswax or orange wax every month or depending on its usage as required.

Folks, these are copied spelling mistakes and all. Are these folks serious? They want you to wipe up ANY "water residuals" after usage and keep it as dry as possible. My head is about to explode. These folks actually sell copper sinks, likely 10 times as many as we do. Who buys these sinks? Well, it is the uninformed. They generally get around to calling me after it is too late trying to find a fix to a problem with their sink finish - 95% of the time there is no fix possible. Keep reading, it gets even funnier!

To keep sinks in pristine condition, dry after use. Copper Sinks will replace without charge, (excluding labor) any copper sink supplied by Copper Sinks that is proven to be defective, with an equivalent replacement, within the specified appropriate period from date of purchase, to the original owner, provided it has been used solely in a residential application and installed in accordance with the Copper Sinks installation instructions, used and cleaned as recommended, and not damaged due to abuse, misuse, or negligence. Did you read that? They recommend drying your sink after every use. Then they state the warranty is only good if used and cleaned as recommended. Did you also note there is no specific time for the warranty?

Copper is also malleable. Materials that are malleable can be hammered or stretched or rolled into various shapes with relative ease, while still maintaining their strength. Some metals, like copper, are also ductile, which means they are flexible. Should your sink arrive with a bent edge, it can be hammered back into position with little effort. Use a wooden or rubber mallet to straighten any edges that may have been altered in shipping. Annealed copper is very soft. You might want to buy a mallet ahead of time. If shipping is going to cause the sink to deform, what will the constant use of a disposer do?  Folks, I am just copying word for word. Makes you wonder... We use 14 gauge cold hard copper with over 12 times the yield strength of 14 gauge annealed copper (many of the imports use 16 gauge annealed recycled copper).

Do not use abrasive materials or harsh chemicals on any of our products – these can harm the surface.
Not a problem at all on our sinks. Harming a surface is not an issue with our sinks. Whatever you do to the sink will not permanently harm our sinks. The natural patina will indeed return in time and blend in with our original patina. Go ahead, use an abrasive if you must. Those guys use an artificial finish on their sinks - no way to ever repair them if you harm their finish.
 

Due to the variation in dimensions of our handcrafted basins (up to 1/2"), we do not supply templates. We recommend waiting to receive your actual bowl before making any cuts in the counter top.

If an acidic product such as ketchup or lemon juice removes some of the patina, don’t worry. The patina will return over time.
 This is clearly a misleading statement. Copper will never age to the darkness of many of the sinks on the market. Nor will copper age in a uniform color as seen in some of the sinks on the market. This is why Rachiele only offers a natural weathered patina for the inside of our bowls which is varied in color and pattern. Rachiele can say, without hesitation, that the patina will return to our sink without looking like a blemish.

Using a wax or a protective sealant will reduce the maintenance necessary to maintain the finish and delay the natural patina process.
 A protective sealant is good for the apron, but eliminates the antibacterial properties of copper inside the bowl. We apply a lacquer to all aprons to protect the finish of the apron.

We guarantee our products against defects in material or workmanship for 1 year.
 Imagine a one year warranty on a $3000 copper sink! (After a year, the defects in workmanship are the customers problem.) A Rachiele sink has a lifetime transferable warranty. My name is on the sink, and my name is my most valuable asset.

If you are not 100% satisfied with our sinks, we will reimburse your purchase except for the shipping charges to and from our workshop. Shipping charges will vary depending on the sink size and model. Please contact us for more details.
Shipping can be several hundred dollars. So, if you are unhappy with their sinks, you are only out a few hundred dollars. If you are unhappy with the quality of a Rachiele sink, we refund your money, pay for all shipping and send you a check for $100 in consideration of your inconvenience.

WE WARRANTY ALL PRODUCTS FOR A YEAR AGAINST MANUFACTURING DEFECTS.
After on year, all manufacturing defects are your problem. This is embarrassing.

You'll need to print it out, sign it, and send it back to us along with payment. At present we accept only payment by check.
Is the reason they don’t accept credit cards because they could be charged back in the event of a customer dissatisfaction? Are people so trusting that they would send a check across State lines with absolutely no recourse if the product is not what is expected?

Yes the surface is protected. All of our copper sinks are "patinated". This is a process applied under heat to the surface of the copper sink that protects it from the elements.
I would imagine this protection eliminates the antibacterial action of copper. You have to be in direct contact with the metal in order for the copper to kill bacteria.

Additionally, we cannot control the damage that is done to the patina through abuse.
 Please define abuse! Sounds like a great way to dodge a warranty issue. There is no way to damage our patina, even with intention! Our patina will always return. That issue of our sink has a lifetime warranty, without any disclaimers.

Maintenance-Wax your copper sink with a good quality auto wax at least twice a year (Spring and Fall). Apply wax, allow to haze and buff till removed. (* Our sink come prewaxed, so it is not necessary to wax after installation). Please note that you can always apply additional applications of wax, this provides an additional layer of protection. Go ahead, take it out for a drive... wait this is not a car, it is a kitchen sink, right? Waxing a sink will eliminate all antibacterial properties of the copper - per the EPA.

Copper is a soft metal...We recommend not to drop sharp items in your kitchen sink. Hey, no knives allowed in their sinks!  Copper is only soft if it is annealed - most imported sinks are made of recycled annealed copper. . We use a very hard cold rolled pure EPA approved copper in the manufacturing of Rachiele sinks. No need to worry about dropping sharp items.

Hard Water - If you have hard water in your area, keep your copper sink and drain clean and dry by wiping it down with a soft cloth after every use  to avoid spotting. Hard water will affect copper as it would any other type of metal, and it will be difficult to remove these spots after they etch the finish. You can also help protect your sink from hard water minerals by periodically applying “Renaissance Wax” to your sink which will help maintain its luster and provide better water runoff.
 Can you believe people actually purchase these sinks? This is a well known copper sink manufacturer folks! No need to wipe down a Rachiele sink after each use! No wonder some people give advice to friends like "Don't get a copper sink, the maintenance is difficult". Folks, if you purchase the wrong sink, the maintenance IS overwhelming. If you purchase a Rachiele sink, the maintenance is less than any other type of sink - including stainless steel. We have hard water at our house. So hard, you can almost chew it. No issues with our copper sinks (4) or copper shower. We certainly do not dry them or wax them.

If you are not completely satisfied, the piece can be returned for a full refund, except for any shipping costs to and from our workshop within 30 days after you receive your product. For us to process your refund the sink must be returned back to Mexico with insured shipping via courier only.
I saved the best for last. Can you imagine the cost, let alone the hassle, of shipping a sink back to Mexico? And did you read carefully, you have to pay shipping both ways!. Our guarantee says "If you are not thrilled with the quality, we buy it back, pay shipping both ways AND send you a check for $100 in consideration of your inconvenience.

Here is a good one:  This is a price (to the right)  for an imported 30" copper apron front sink. They indicate a purer copper is too soft to be practical - that is clearly a self serving fib! They even say the water may not drain completely and the sink should be wiped out after every use. Their comment about a purer copper being too soft is absolutely untrue! Our copper is 99.9% pure and I guarantee it is many times harder than theirs! Also notice the wording. "Other material that 'might' be present is tin..." what else "might" there be??? Take a look at my overweight self standing on a copper sink. Pure copper is too soft, rubbish I say! Get this... The IAPMO standard for copper purity is only 58% copper. Here is what the folks using the IAPMO stardard are doing to you. There is NO WAY to find out what the standard is unless you PAY $69.95 for the three page document. YES, that is what I said. So, those saying they are IAPMO compliant are telling you nothing at all. You have to pay to find out the copper percentage requirement is only 58% copper. I had to pay to find out, and did it for my own education and to help you as well. Again, do your homework.

Copper Sinks: Clean sink with a soft sponge and mild dish soap. Wipe entire surface dry with a dry, clean, soft cloth after each use. Do not use cleaners which contain acids, harsh chemicals, or abrasives. Do not scrub or polish the sink. Avoid contact with citric and other natural acids. Did you know most foods are acidic? This would not be a problem in a Rachiele copper sink!

When considering a smooth surface copper sink, be careful if it is for the kitchen or prep area. Smooth surfaces will show scratches and dents much more than a hammered surface which is a consideration if you are using the sinks to wash dishes, pots & pans, etc. In addition, the hammered surfaces are stronger than smooth surfaces and hold up better in the demanding kitchen environment.
This is clearly misdirection. If a sink has a natural patina - like ours, scratches, no matter how deep, will vanish in a very short time (hammered or not). The same company is making illegal claims about their copper being antimicrobial (imported, recycled copper from Mexico). No imported copper sink can legally make that claim.

Keep your basin and drain clean and dry by wiping it down periodically with a soft cloth. For extra protection, a product such as “Renaissance Wax” is highly recommended. This will help maintain the luster and provide better water runoff.
Just today, I received a call from a gentleman in Colorado. He has a sink imported from Mexico that does not drain. He told me he has to squeegee out the sink every time he uses it. He wants to replace it, as the sink is a huge pain in the *****. Adding a wax is not going to fix this sort of problem! And did you read that carefully? KEEP your basin and drain clean and DRY?????? Come on folks. They have to count on no one reading that part. Yep, keep your sink dry. I used to read the Sunday comics for a laugh. No need any more...

Return Policy: If your sink arrives and you find it does not fit your specifications.  Please call for a Return Authorization for up to 14 days after sink delivery.  You are responsible for both the shipping and the return shipping charges.  Read that one twice... Rachiele guarantees that our sinks will fit your specifications. You will not be responsible for any costs for shipping in the event your sink does not fit the specifications given to you.

Our use and care is only one sentence long. For regular maintenance, simply rinse the sink after each use and wash the interior of the sink with your dish soap to keep clean. That's it! Our sinks are guaranteed to drain properly!

 

You might also Google "Copper Sink Complaints" to see what you find. Here are some links to what I found:

http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.mysinksandfaucets.com

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/circle-city-copperworks--copper-sink-c265621.html

http://search.complaints.com/search?access=p&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date_3AD_3AL_3Ad1&ie=UTF-8&btnG=Search+Complaints.com&client=complaints&q=sinks&site=complaints&y=0&oe=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=complaints&ip=67.78.166.38&x=0&start=0

This is the kind of trash (to the left) that I have to deal with on a daily basis. This literature was sent to me by a company in India who is currently selling several US companies. The photos look great. I ordered one to see what the quality would be. It was not only poorly made, but the drain would not fit a US standard lavatory drain. Secondly, take a look at the photo on the bottom left. That photo was lifted from my web site. I have since removed the photo from my site, as I didn't want anyone to think we were importing that junk. . They had the gall to ask for my business after they stole a photo from my site and put it in their printed literature.

This is a short list of what you will not get when purchasing any other copper sink:
• Lifetime transferable warranty
• Guarantee that you will be thrilled with the quality or we refund 100% of the cost of the sink, pay for all shipping and send you a check for $100 in consideration of your inconvenience.
• A self healing naturally weathered patina inside the sink
• Rear corner drain, allowing you to lay large items flat down in the sink without covering the drain
• Direct contact with the owner 7 days a week with personal cell phone number.
• Exclusive finishes on the apron portion of the sink
• 14 gauge “cold rolled” copper – not annealed. Cold rolled copper is over 12 times the yield strength of annealed copper.
• A guarantee your sink will drain properly
• A use and care that is one sentence long “Just clean with dish soap”
• Antimicrobial copper – no other residential sink company, that we are aware of,  can legally claim their copper is antimicrobial. Many do make the claim and I have been assured they are being given notice to cease or be fined up to $50,000 by the U.S. government.
• Precision sizing and a guarantee your sink will be true and square. If you notice, most say their sinks can vary up to ½”.

Lastly, my name, Rachiele, is on our copper sinks. If your name was on a product, wouldn't you want it to be the best? We build the finest copper sinks in the world and back that statement up with the most robust warranty in the industry and a guarantee no one else can dare to match.