When I lived in Florida (Ft Lauderdale and Hollywood) ,I worked at Incredible Universe a Tandy corp. Company that sold electronics , audio video and appliances. The GE rep we had,Elizabeth, showed us the new line of non filter flow, plastic tub washers being introduced. She told us that Sears was about to launch new laundry products and were making a few different ones for Sears hooping to get their foot in the door for mass production.In fact,the lids on the first GE plastic tub models and Hotpoint had the finger loop to allow them to make the Kenmores able to stay up like the original Whirlpool made automatics. GE was able to get some ranges,dishwashers and refrigerators from Sears but,not laundry. L.G., Electrolux,and Samsung out bid them. Whirlpool got a real slap in the face and the rest is history. I doubt seriously that Sears and KMart are going to be in business much longer. Sad,so sad.