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posted: May. 13, 2008 @ 1:16p
I will say this, from someone who sold appliances for a year +, I studied everything I could about them (yes, us sales drones do do work ya know 
)
The bottom of the line Kenmore non elite model and the top of the line Kenmore elite model had a build cost differential of approximately $20.
Is that to say that the top of the line is only worth $20 more, no, you pay for features. But guts wise, there really is not a whole heckuva lot of difference between the low end and the high end (I'm not talking about the HE5 line, I'm talking conventionals).
This concept applies across all manufacturing lines. If you seen an actual buyer sheet and what the stores paid for each model, you clearly understand why the higher end lines are more profitable, their cost to build, and purchase, is considerably less.
Model A has 4 features, costs $200 to build, sells for $249
Model B has 12 features, costs $220 to build, sells for $449.
You are paying for features. The higher end ones have more insulation in them, making them quieter somewhat, but balancing of the units is the key. Also, you can sometimes find those rubber bumper type things for your appliance feet, it will help dissipate some of the vibration to the floor of your apt, making them quieter also, for considerably less money.
I sold all brands that Sears sold, I own GE HE units. I bought floor models, even has an employee, I saw a heckuva deal, I got washer + dryer for $1100 + $300 for 3 year warranty's on each (I don't need to hear from the anti-warranty folks, I was padding my own pocket in the end anyway.)
P.S. - If you do purchase a warranty, at least in relation to Sears. Tell the salesman you'd be glad to buy one on both units, if they want to discount both warranties by 10%. They will in most cases, everyone has to hit #'s, and while management doesn't like to see the 10% off the warranty, they will accept that a warranty purchase @ 90% is better than none @ 0%. So use that to your advantage.
Me personally, if I had to purchase again, I would still go with the GE units, I'm a guy, and these make washing clothes so simple. They basically have everything you'd want to clean material wise, and any stain you want to fight, already pre-configured. A few button presses, and everything comes out perfect everytime. I don't read clothes tags, I wash normally in cold/cold cold/warm. But for those nasty stains, I let the machine decide.
If you have questions about the lines Ludhianvi, you're welcome to PM me, my information is slightly outdated as its been a year since I worked with them, but I can tell you the basics from a non salesman language.
