"Ian" wrote in message
. ..
What is it about the front load washers that makes then twice the price of
the top load units?

When Maytag first introduced their front loader at about $1200, everyone in
the industry said "they'll never sell at that price". Well, Maytag sold so
many that they couldn't keep up for a while. The other manufacturers
realized there was a market for high dollar machines and quickly entered the
foray. I suspect that the price is high because they can get it....and by
getting it, they make some money for a change. Most people don't realize
that the average retailer (because of competition holding down prices) only
nets about 2 cents on the dollar on most appliance sales. That's why the
big push for add ons like extended warranties. I had a sales manager tell
me one time that if I couldn't sell the warranty, let the customer walk as
it wasn't worth it to sell the appliance without it. I've noticed that the
foreign companies like LG are coming in with mostly just the fancy high
dollar stuff where there is some margin to work with. If you want a really
cheap appliance with little profit for the retailer, you'll still find that
with an American manufacturers name on it.

Tom.