Why Has Whirlpool Never Sold a BOL Power Clean Module?

[Chetlaham]

Why has Whirlpool never offered a builder's grade or entry level Power Clean Filter Module?

I figure it would have gotten a great dishwasher into many more homes and helped boost Whirlpool reputation. Further it might have kept them away from making the Dura-Wash mechanism. It would have made a great BOL machine in contrast to the tall tubs.

 

[vacerator]

The 90's were weird for the white goods market. Roper sold to whatever, Whirlpool had the side mount dishwasher pump on the bol builder spec models. Some were a two level wash that splashed water up on the top of the tub ad had a divertor plate to wash the top rack. They bought Kitchen Aid, and finally Maytag out. That gave them several more brands. The Searcy Ak. washer plant, etc., etc. most of which are now defunct.

 

[Chetlaham]

Whirlpool got it right with Roper. Roper might have been one, two or three cycles, temps built into the knob, single speed motor, two sped on high end models, no dual action agi, speckle tub, ect but they were all direct drive like their TOL machines. This is what capitulated Whirlpool to success I think. Maytag made the mistake of building low end models on a less proven, unreliable platform like the Performas, ect.

 

[qsd-dan]

You'd think it would be cheaper to manufacture one design and add/subtract features rather than manufacturing 2 separate designs (Durawash/Ultrawash).

 

[combo52]

The door wash dishwasher was much less expensive to build, and every penny counts in a builder model dishwasher.

The biggest single savings was the much smaller motor, but if you look at the total weight of the machine, it was nearly 10 pounds less.

Maytag came up with a cheap sidewinder motor dishwasher too Which was marketed under the magic chef name, but unfortunately, they were stupid enough to put it under the Maytag and even the Jennair name to try to save a few dollars which destroyed the good name of Maytag and Jennair with a cheap dishwasher with the drain solenoid on it.

John L

 

[Chetlaham]

My honest opinion I think Whirlpool should not have competed with GE, instead they should have tried to win over the low end consumer's market.

I do agree, Maytag putting their name on anything besides the Jet-Clean was a huge mistake.


Me personally, I'd honestly have given up the detergent dispenser, rinse aid dispenser, thermal holds and nylon racks before going dura wash. Then again everyone isn't like me, so not enough people would have demanded improved builder grade models.

 

[phillymatt53]

Why has Whirlpool never offered a builder's grade or entry level Power Clean Filter Module?

I figure it would have gotten a great dishwasher into many more homes and helped boost Whirlpool reputation. Further it might have kept them away from making the Dura-Wash mechanism. It would have made a great BOL machine in contrast to the tall tubs.


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Companies make different "tier levels" of products with specific features in order to attract a certain customer base.
Another one of the marketing gimmics is to draw, or entice a customer who wants "cheaper" models, to a more expensive model.
It's part of a human psychological game.

Like in my work, servicing home entertainment products - a stereo receiver brand for instance, is made in several models, from low-powered, plain, up to a monster power unit, with it's plethora of buttons and dials. (the superficial aspect)
The buyer is attracted to that "big one" and will consider it, even though they don't need 250 watts-per-channel.

This mindset is an easily messed-with thing to play with by manufacturers.
A "bigger" flat screen tv inpresses the masses.
A faster car does too.
It's all part of human nature that corporations rely on.

 

[Chetlaham]

Companies make different "tier levels" of products with specific features in order to attract a certain customer base.
Another one of the marketing gimmics is to draw, or entice a customer who wants "cheaper" models, to a more expensive model.
It's part of a human psychological game.

Like in my work, servicing home entertainment products - a stereo receiver brand for instance, is made in several models, from low-powered, plain, up to a monster power unit, with it's plethora of buttons and dials. (the superficial aspect)
The buyer is attracted to that "big one" and will consider it, even though they don't need 250 watts-per-channel.

This mindset is an easily messed-with thing to play with by manufacturers.
A "bigger" flat screen tv inpresses the masses.
A faster car does too.
It's all part of human nature that corporations rely on.

That is until the customer is educated.

Then again, even a customer like myself could/would be enticed to spend more on a machine that is promised to lasts 40 years vs one the lasts 25 years.

Sears was big on such games. They were full on bait and switch, entice you with a low end model and then do everything they would to get you to go full tiered.

 

[vacerator]

Sears didn't sell based on longevity but rather service agreement contract's. Also laundry detergent. If a machine was covered under the service agreement period and wasn't worth repairing, a new model could be purchased with a reduced price. At least as much as the service agreement cost.

 

[Chetlaham]

Sears didn't sell based on longevity but rather service agreement contract's. Also laundry detergent. If a machine was covered under the service agreement period and wasn't worth repairing, a new model could be purchased with a reduced price. At least as much as the service agreement cost.

I know Sears didn't sell on longevity. They sold on features. My point is that even educated customers like myself could be enticed into spending more with a side by side comparison.

Should have clarified it better as to what I meant.

I know HD does that with their Insinkerator Garbage disposals.

 

[Chetlaham]

The door wash dishwasher was much less expensive to build, and every penny counts in a builder model dishwasher.

The biggest single savings was the much smaller motor, but if you look at the total weight of the machine, it was nearly 10 pounds less.

Maytag came up with a cheap sidewinder motor dishwasher too Which was marketed under the magic chef name, but unfortunately, they were stupid enough to put it under the Maytag and even the Jennair name to try to save a few dollars which destroyed the good name of Maytag and Jennair with a cheap dishwasher with the drain solenoid on it.

John L

I honestly wouldn't mind going back to a wash tower. I think Maytag's Jetclean version was solid.