There are literally thousands of prior threads with the same question. If you do a search in the Houzz search bar above for marble kitchen countertops and select advice from the drop down box, you can read through them.

I've heard so many marble complaints I became a Stoneguard dealer.

We have lived with a Carrara marble top in our kitchen for the past 6 years and love it. Yes it has some stains, but we like how even those add to its patina.

This is one of the best pieces I’ve ever read on this topic.

http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2013/03/marble.html?m=1

It's as if nobody has Google. .........: )

Sometimes it is just nice to have a sort of conversation, I love marble counters and I love the patina they get but if that is what bothers you get a look alike.

I️ have googled it to death but everyone talks about how much they love their marble until you get to the stone yard and they act like you are crazy. I’m not sure if the people who’ve had problems are afraid to discuss it for fear of going against what others have said or they aren’t on Houzz because they are busy sanding their countertops. I️ do love a discussion from various owners. Thank you all!

Many of the discussions are from years ago. I was hoping recent owners might disclose a recent miracle product!

PATINA. Love it it leave it

Thank you SW! The orange and purple stain are frightening! Were those from various kitchens or one? Yours or a client?

Sophie doesn't always get back to threads. I thought I would pipe in on my thoughts.

I just bought a slab today after agonizing over the decision. This is the thing. People are more likely to complain (to whoever they purchased from) and rant and leave bad reviews. That would make sellers want to discourage you from purchasing, right? If they need to come to some sort of "agreement" after installing a counter material that doesn't perform to stellar standards (even though they tell you what it's like in advance), it might cost them.

I'm sure that lots of people say they understand the nature of marble, but when their pristine (and expensive) kitchen starts to look less pristine, they change their tune.

I'm fully prepared to live with a patina because nothing else looks like carrara, imho. And I say that now (when it's not in yet) and I mean it later, too, when there is etching and staining.

Nobody can tell you what to do, but if you're the kind of person that likes a magazine-layout kitchen, then I would say this isn't for you.

If you're like me (hope for the best but anticipate the worst) then you'll be okay!

I think marble needs the right environment, too. If you install it in a very modern clean lines everything square and shiny and just so, it's gonna look weird when it wears and people will complain. In a traditional kitchen or bathroom that captures that 'historical' vibe, then the patina fits, because have you seen how it looks in places where it has actually been there for a hundred years plus?

If you buy a product with the correct expectation of how it performs over time and you accept that, then you are good to have marble for a counter. If your expectations are for it to be perfect and have no maintenance, then it's not right for you. A good analogy would be linen clothes. There is upkeep and performance difference compared to cotton, wool and nylon but are the trade offs acceptable to you?