Price Gouging

Discussion in 'Free Thoughts' started by Bowser, Feb 21, 2017.

  1. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    So, we had a few household appliances take a dump this month: washing machine, clothes dryer, and the cooking range. I did fix the dryer for $22.00 with the purchase of a heating element from Amazon. However, I couldn't fix the washing machine or the range.

    The washing machine cost about what we expected; however, the range was another matter. We needed a slide-in range and were shocked by the price. I have no other explanation other than the retailers and manufacturers are gouging their consumers. A standalone range will set you back $500.00, whereas a slide-in will put you back $1000.00. There isn't really much difference between the two, that I can see. The components are the same. The only real difference is that a standalone sits against the wall much like a refrigerator; whereas a slide-in slides into a cavity in your counter.

    Another thing that irritated me was that stainless steel is much of everything on the retailer's floor. We found that a white range was as much as $400.00 more in price in comparison to the SS models. The only difference is the paint on the unit.

    If anyone has a reasonable explanation for the disparity in price, I would like to hear it. I'm thinking it's more about raking the consumer, because I see no justification.

    Sorry...I'm whining right now.
     
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  3. birch Valued Senior Member

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    5,077
    Usually white appliances are cheaper but if they arent now its because of volume/popularity so the more mass produced, the lower the price. Stainless steel is in demand now. You always hear the 'granite countertops and ss appliances' mantra. Why does everyone want the same thing? I doubt they have real taste, they just go with what is considered best by others. Bet in a decade or two, it will be out of fashion too. The slide-ins are also a niche item and free standings are more common so price will reflect that. There is some price gouging though, of course.
     
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  5. Sarkus Hippomonstrosesquippedalo phobe Valued Senior Member

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    By "slide-in" do you mean what we in the UK call "integrated"? I.e. built into your cabinets?
    Here they do tend to be a bit more expensive because they are not the normal, but I wouldn't call them all that niche.
    I have integrated units (including refrigerator), all basically hidden behind the cabinet doors. Kitchen looks much smarter as a result.

    As for white vs stainless steel: the latter is the go-to option these days, so anything outside of this will tend to be pricier.
    I guess it's simple economics of supply and demand at work. Price gouging? Perhaps, but I haven't seen the disparity of prices as you mention on what are otherwise like-for-like appliances.
     
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  7. birch Valued Senior Member

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    5,077
    Thank god for imports as well as the chinese, right?

    Anyone who has looked into any type of home remodeling, sometimes necessary, knows how that buy local or usa mantra is not always feasible.

    Without imports with varying prices and choices, we would be living in medievalistic kings and pauper type society where only those of hefty means have access because they are the only ones who would be able to afford it!

    Imported stone around 7k, similar stone local would be 70,000!

    I really dont know why people actually believe that local production or buying everything made locally means a better standard of living and in this case made in usa. Yes, but for whom? and it also depends on what the product is.
     
  8. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    Prices sound legit to me, if it's not against the wall, you don't need the same safety equipment/ insulation.
     
  9. billvon Valued Senior Member

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    Why couldn't you fix them?
    So exercise your right to not pay it, and get a substitute. Or build your own. Or fix the one you have.

    The only time I've seen "real" gouging is before hurricanes and the like where stores set exorbitant prices for generators and plywood. These are cases where the public can't afford to comparison shop or use alternatives.
    And the metal, of course. Stainless is more expensive than regular rolled steel.
    High demand, low supply. Any time you are buying something that's not the main thing everyone wants, the supply is going to be lower, and prices are going to vary a lot more.
     
  10. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    8,828
    The dryer was an easy fix. I checked all the sensors and found that the heating element was broke--wouldn't pass a current. I couldn't determine the problem with the washing machine. The broil element in the cooking range started sparking and burning. Even after turning off the power on the appliance, it was still passing a current. I had to cut the power at the electrical box. I determined it was a fault on the internal circuit board. The manufacturer no longer offers a replacement board. I checked.

    We went to four retailers in an effort to find a better deal, looked online. The prices and selection are pretty much the same wherever you go. I suppose I could have purchased a standalone and cut into my counter to make it fit, but that would have looked like crap. Again, the old range was not repairable.

    Again, there is no real difference between a standalone and a slide-in. They do the exact thing.

    The stainless steel products are the more affordable models, by hundreds of dollars.

    I don't believe the prices are being determined by supply, but maybe by demand.
     
  11. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,828
    There's a cavity in the cabinet and counter top. A slide-in simply slides into that cavity. There are adjustable feet under the unit and the top has about an inch of overhang so that it covers the gap between the unit and the edge of the counter top, giving it a cleaner look. You simply plug the unit into an electrical outlet located in the cavity then slide the unit into the hole. I wouldn't even call it an installation because it's very simple to put it all together.

    A standalone would simply be pushed against a wall.

    They're not a niche here either. The unit dimensions are standard here in the US, so if you pull out a slide-in, you can easily replace it with another without having to modify the cavity in your cabinets and counter. Slide-ins have been around for many, many years.

    After experiencing sticker shock, I wouldn't much care had we the option to buy a standalone. I agree that the builtin look is more appealing, but there is apparently a cost associated with it.++

    There might be some truth to that, but does that justify 300-400 dollar increase in price? I mean, we just wanted a white unit.

    Again, they offer the same utility. The only difference is how they are place in the kitchen.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2017
  12. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    Yeah, produce it for $100.00 in China and sell it for $1000.00 in the USA.
     
  13. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    at the risk of stating the obvious:

    Stainless steel can be painted.
     
  14. billvon Valued Senior Member

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    Give me $5K and I'll build you a form-factor replacement. For $1K I'll make it work, but it won't be pretty.
    OK. So you have a choice; you can spend more money and get something that looks good or get something that works. Looks like you get to choose.
    Then get a standalone.
    All prices are determined by both.
     
  15. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    Sure, if you know what you're doing and have a compressor and paint can to do it right. It's not something you would want to do with a can of spray paint. I believe that the finish is baked onto the surface at the factory, to make it more durable.
     
  16. birch Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    5,077
    Consider used/refurbished appliance stores, ebay, craigslist etc. In the meantime, use hotplate until you find what you want in the price range you think is right.
     
  17. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    We spent the money and bought a new range. We were looking at a Whirlpool but spent a little more for a better unit. We've been using the microwave and griddle for more than a week. We have to wait until March 4 for delivery.

    All in all, I'm hoping I die before I need to replace this unit. Lord knows what they will cost in another 10 years.
     
  18. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    8,466
    True:
    And most paint shops would most likely use up any savings you might have had by going with the mainstream.
     

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