In NYC there are several small/non big box appliance retailers, and most it seems will be carrying the SQ line.
Think SQ will do well with the top loaders and dryers, especially the double stacked dryer which works well with a top loading washer set up. The front loading washers seem skimpy on cycles and offerings for their price. When compared to the Bosch Nexxt and Whirlpool HE lines, the SQ front loader just does not have all the frippery most seem to look for in washers today.
OTHO those who want fast wash cycles, large capacity with built for the duration construction, may appreciate the SQ front loaders.
There is a reason coin op front loaders tend to be so simple. It makes them way easier to repair, easy to build/maintain and fewer things to break down. Lack of a motherboard and complex computer electronics means on balance a SQ machine should keep going for ages without the problems that plague washers that have low quality motherboards.
SQ more likely than not will add changes to the line as feedback comes in from stores and the market/customers. While it would be nice to contact SQ and "welcome" them back into the fold, think it is important not to jump on them with "why didn't you do this, or why don't you do that"? It is early days yet and we hope SQ will be in the home appliance market for a long time, there will be ample time in the future to sort things out.
As for competing against Maytag, have you seen what is coming out of their plants these days? Willing to bet the SQ top loaders will beat the pants of most if not all the current Maytag top loading line. More so since it seems the "Dependable Care" line is/has been phased out. Do not have numbers at hand, but think SQ will be able to claim the longest stroke in a top loader, if Maytag has tampered too much with what is left of the Dependable Care line.
SQ can also trade on their brand name, which consumers will know from commercial/coin-op laundry appliances, if they are not actually old enough to remember the last time SQ laundry appliances were sold for home use.
MSRP are just that, I'm sure dealers will cut deals, especially if one is buying more than one appliance, like fitting out an entire kitchen/house.
Think SQ set the MSRP of these appliances to not anger commercial customers who are the market for the "Commercial Homestyle" line. Afterall why would they want to pay more for essentially the same products?
As for lack of supply, remember SQ really never stocked a huge inventory of their commercial washers. Usually enough of each model was kept on hand to fill orders/planned orders. Although SQ has hired more workers, it is going to take awhile to get plant(s) up and running and establish retail distribution channels. FWIU, not many commercial dealers were interested in the CHS washers (they would order them if you wanted), but made their bread and butter in Alliance Laundry's other more robust laundry products. Commercial dealers also probably are not interested in selling one or two units at a time, and or are geared to the planning and installation of a laundry. Not to mention after-market repair/serivce, all of which is where probably some real money lies.
Launderess
