[billethkid]

overall. None of the brands are what they used to be.
Used to be means to me when the products were made in the USA. Most today are not. And to make it even worse there is multiple out sourcing....a product or component(s) are outsourced to reduce cost. The the company that outsourced originally is going around the world for even cheaper components. Hence the traceability and tracking of quality is no where close to the way it was when the products were made in the USA.

The developer could care less about the company they source the end product from. They operate strictly on the cost per unit in their contract. The low bidder gets the job. And to keep unit pricing some what sacred, they offer sign up bonuses. Sometimes it is money and sometimes it is free units added to the order.

If anybody thinks it is not about $$$ one is just not realistic about the objective of the business(es).

GE will get a shot at it again when ever the new Whirlpool contract is on it's last legs. It is a misnomer for any of the name brand companies to be called manufacturers. They are not any more.

btk