Kitchen Aid Ensemble for $1250!
I have had the Kitchen Aid Ensemble for over a year now. Really love the machine! I paid $1,600 for it.
Now, as others have seen, they are selling the Ensemble at Costco for $1,250. I looked the machine over and it is identical in appearance to my machine in every way. As far as I can tell, there is only one difference. The top spin speed is listed at 1000 rmp. Makes me wonder - did they put in a cheaper motor to bring down the price? Or, did they make internal adjustments so that the motor never ribs up to the top speed.
Any case, now at Costco you have two options for front loaders. You can go budget and get the bottom of the line Whirlpool front loader for $850 or you can spend $400 more and get the Kitchenaid with 12 cycles, heater, extra insulation, premimum paint job, ect.
It is really interesting as now Whirlpool is selling what appear to be an identical machine under two different labels. You go to Home Depot and buy it as it as the Maytag Epic or go to Costco and buy it as the Kitchenaid Ensemble.
Maybe this is a short term strategy. Can't help but think it would be it their best interest to have more distinct machines. On one hand it has been a strength of whirlpool to have machines that have the same basic elements (Duet/Kenmore Elite/Kitchenaid). While these machines share basic elements, they also had elements that set them apart (different options, different cycles, etc.)
Has anyone heard what Whirlpool plans for the new Duet?
While the Kitchenaid Ensemble has a superior appearance compared to the Duet, the Duet has additional cycles (bulky and active wear) and the Wash Delay option (kitchen aid has Delay rinse option).
In any event, I hope that Whirlpool moves forward and comes out with new innovations for it front loaders. For instance, how about direct drive? steam? up the capacity to 4.0?
