Tile World Design Center

I struggled with whether or not to write this review as the company does not have a large online presence. So I went with 2 stars, where I likely would have gone with 1 star had more reviews been available. I try to purchase from the smaller places whenever I can and did all I could to use this place, despite my traveling past a Lowes, Home Depot and Bellew Tile in order to get there.
The people working here are very friendly, and perhaps a touch disorganized. The showroom is decent, with a large selection. I tried to purchase my tile from here, but they did not have what I was looking for. Ed behind the counter was honest and said that they do not carry the tile I requested as it was priced beyond what people coming there normally ask for. A refreshingly honest answer.
Seeing as I could not get the chosen tile I called about getting Ditra XL, which they ordered right up for me. When I went to pick it up he told me he had also included the unmodified thinset that I would use above and below the Ditra. This is where my issues began. I had not investigated the required thinset yet at that time and figured my tile knowledge is minimal and certainly his is much higher, so I took the thinset.
As soon as I read the instructions I saw that I could not use the thinset below the Ditra as I needed a modified thinset to adhere to the subfloor. I now knew I would need to return some of the thinset and ran to Lowes, which is 6 minutes away (versus 30 minutes to Tile World design Center) and got the needed modified thinset to adher the Ditra to the subfloor.
When my tile installer arrived I showed him the modified thinset I purchased from Lowes for below the Ditra and the unmodified thinset I got from Tile World to be used above it. He said I could not use that thinset as it was grey and I was using white marble, so I needed white unmodified thinset. So back to Lowes I goes for a second time and I now know I am not going to be able to use the thinset I got from Tile World. I was now really learning a lot about the intricacies of thinset. Fascinating stuff.
I gathered the receipt to return the item and saw on the invoice it says that there are no returns on cements and grouts. Seeing as this seemed to be a unique situation I called the store. I explained that I ordered Ditra XL and they supplied this thinset said it was the proper product. I fully understand I bought it and I could have said no. But I relied on their expertise as a guide and took the product they recommended to me. They said they do not take thinset returns, but would see what they could do. They did try to call their suppliers, but were told they would not take it back. When I pressed saying I was a little unhappy as I had not specified the product, he did, and it was not usable in my application. He said he is not a mind reader, which was true at no point did I feel him reading my mind. He did not know I was using white Marble. Of course, I did not know at the time that various applications required different colors of thinset. He would know though, so I do not think he has to be a mind reader to ask what I was using for tile knowing it would make a difference.
Alas, I am out about $ 344. And to add insult to it all, Bellew Tile, which I had driven past, actually carries the same product for $ 5 cheaper per bag. So, not only did I buy 12 bags of grey thinset I couldn’t use, I overpaid for it as well. Ah man. Lesson learned.