13-3-3080 Purchaser Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 13-3-380; Expiration Date: 6/30/2014
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
LARGE RESIDENTIAL WASHERS FROM KOREA AND MEXICO

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than October 12, 2012
See page 4 of the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping investigation(s) concerning large residential washers from Korea
and Mexico (inv. Nos. 701-TA-488 and 731-TA-1199-1200 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is
requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as
directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your
possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from John Benedetto (202205-3270, [email protected]).

Name of firm

_________________________________________________________________

Address
City

State

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm purchased large residential washers (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any source
(domestic or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2009?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this proceeding may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of this proceeding or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
proceedings relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

E-mail address
Fax

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PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that issues of
concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful, and as limited as
possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 25 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-1a.

OMB statistics.--Please report the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of
preparing the reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.
hours

dollars

I-1b.

OMB feedback.--We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this
questionnaire in general or the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your
response or send them to the above address.

I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire (see page 3 of the instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is
publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading symbol.

I-3.

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?

I-4.

No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Extent of
ownership

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, which are engaged in importing large residential washers (as defined in the instruction
booklet) from Korea and Mexico into the United States or which are engaged in exporting large
residential washers from Korea and Mexico to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-5.

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing large residential washers (as defined in the
instruction booklet)from countries other than Korea and Mexico into the United States or which
are engaged in exporting large residential washers from countries other than Korea and Mexico to
the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
are engaged in the production of large residential washers (as defined in the instruction booklet)?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

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PART II.--PURCHASES
II-1.

Purchases.--Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases (either directly or through a sales
agent or broker) of large residential washers (as defined in the instruction booklet). Report based
on delivery date, not order date. Identify by country if possible, by supplier if not.
Quantity (in UNITS) and value (in $1,000)
2009

Item

2010

2011

January-June
2012

2011

January-June
2012

Purchases of large residential washers
produced in-The United States:
Quantity
Value
Korea:
Quantity
Value
Mexico:
Quantity
Value
Germany:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:1
Quantity
Value
1

Please identify these countries:

-- OR -Quantity (in UNITS) and value (in $1,000)
Item
Purchases of large residential washers
produced by-1
Supplier 1:
Quantity
Value
Supplier 2:1
Quantity
Value
Supplier 3:1
Quantity
Value
All other suppliers:1
Quantity
Value
1

Please identify these suppliers:

2009

2010

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PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-2.

Changes in purchasing patterns.—Please indicate how the relative levels of your firm’s
purchases of large residential washers (as defined in the instruction booklet) from different
sources have changed since January 1, 2009.

Source of Did not
purchases purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated Explanation for trend
United
States

Korea

Mexico

Germany

All other
countries

II-3.

Purchases from one country only.--If your firm has purchased large residential washers from
only one country, please explain the reasons for doing so.

II-4.

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for large residential
washers (as defined in the instruction booklet) since January 1, 2009. Also, provide the share of
the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of large residential washers that each of these suppliers
accounted for in 2011.
No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2011 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
NOTE.—“Large Residential Washers” refers to the product as defined in the instruction booklet.
III-1.

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of large residential
washers (check all that apply)?
Retailer
Hotel, institution, or multifamily residence
Distributor
Other (Describe:

III-2.

)

Competition for sales.--If you are a distributor or reseller of large residential washers, do you
compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or importers from which you
purchase large residential washers?
No

Yes--Please describe.

III-3.

Types of customers.--If your firm is a distributor or reseller of large residential washers what are
the major types of consumers to which you sell large residential washers?

III-4.

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for large residential washers?
No

Substitute
1.
2.
3.

Yes--Please fill out the table below.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for large residential
washers?
No Yes

Explanation

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-5.

Demand trends.—
(a) Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United States (if known) for
large residential washers and other washers has changed since January 1, 2009. Describe the
principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Market

Conventional top loading large
residential washers, 3.7 cubic
feet or more capacity, within
the United States
Conventional top loading large
residential washers, 3.7 cubic
feet or more capacity, outside
the United States
Conventional top loading
residential washers, less than
3.7 cubic feet capacity (and
with a cabinet width of at least
24.5 inches), within the United
States
Conventional top loading
residential washers, less than
3.7 cubic feet capacity (and
with a cabinet width of at least
24.5 inches), outside the
United States
High-efficiency top-loading
large residential washers,
within the United States
High-efficiency top-loading
large residential washers,
outside the United States
High-efficiency front-loading
large residential washers,
within the United States
High-efficiency front-loading
large residential washers,
outside the United States

Increase

No change

Decrease

Fluctuate

Factors

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-5.

Demand trends.—Continued.
(b) For each of the following product types, describe whether you expect U.S. demand to
increase, decrease, remain stable, or fluctuate in the next 24 months and explain each reason for
your expectation.
Conventional top loading large residential washers, 3.7 cubic feet or more capacity:

Conventional top loading residential washers, less than 3.7 cubic feet capacity:

High-efficiency top-loading large residential washers

High-efficiency front-loading large residential washers

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-6. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Is buying a product that is produced in
the United States an important factor in your firm’s purchases of large residential washers (check
ALL that apply)?
No
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required by law or regulation (for example,
government purchases under “Buy American” provisions). This involves
percent of
all purchases of large residential washers.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are not required by law or regulation, but are by your
customers. This involves
percent of all purchases of large residential washers.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required for other reasons (please specify these
reasons below). This involves
percent of all purchases of large residential washers.

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-7.

Conditions of competition.-a) Is the large residential washers market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition
(including seasonal business) distinctive to large residential washers?
No (skip to question III-10.)

Yes-- Please describe and then answer part (b).

(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
large residential washers since January 1, 2009?
No

III-8.

Yes-- Please describe.

Decisions based on producer.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do your
customers make purchasing decisions involving large residential washers based on the producer
of the large residential washers you purchase?

Always

Your firm
Your
customers

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, discuss
how your firm/customers
determine the producer and why
this information is important

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-9.

Decisions based on country-of-origin.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do
your customers make purchasing decisions involving large residential washers based on the
country of origin of the large residential washers you purchase?

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, discuss
how your firm/customers
determine the source and why
this information is important

Your firm
Your
customers

III-10. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently do you make purchases (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Have you made significant changes in your purchasing patterns (e.g., frequency) since
January 1, 2009?
No

Yes—Please describe.

III-11. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a
purchase?
firms

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-12. Supplier negotiations.-(a)

Do purchases of large residential washers usually involve negotiations between supplier
and purchaser?
No

(b)

Yes--Please describe these negotiations, noting whether purchasers
generally quote competing prices as part of the negotiation
process.

Does your firm tend to vary its purchases from a given supplier within a specified time
period based on the price offered for that period?
No

Yes--Specify the time period.

III-13. Change in suppliers.--Have you changed suppliers since January 1, 2009?
No

Yes--Please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or dropped, the
reasons for the change, and how frequently you change suppliers.

III-14. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2009?
No

Yes --Please identify the firms and indicate how you became aware of them.

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-15. Supplier qualification
(a) Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified to sell large residential
washers to your firm?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2011

Yes--all purchases

(b) Please provide a general description of the certification or qualification process. Briefly
describe the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of product,
reliability of supplier, etc.)

(c) How long does it take to qualify a new supplier?

days

III-16. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2009, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their large residential washers with your firm or have any producers
lost their approved status?
No

Yes--Please identify these firms, the countries where they are located, and the
reasons why they failed the certification/qualification process.

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-17. Purchasing factors.--For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in
your purchase decision for large residential washers.
Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Availability ..............................................
Delivery terms ........................................
Delivery time ..........................................
Design/styling ........................................
Direct discounts1 offered ........................
Ease of use ............................................
Fit, feel, and finish..................................
Indirect discounts2 offered .....................
Innovative features ................................
Large capacity .......................................
Margin opportunity3 ................................
Minimum qty requirements ....................
Packaging ..............................................
Product consistency...............................
Price ......................................................
Quality meets industry standards...........
Quality exceeds industry standards .......
Product range ........................................
Reliability of supply ................................
Technical support/service ......................
U.S. transportation costs .......................
Other (specify):
..........
..........
..........
1

Direct discounts are all discounts, incentives, allowances, rebates, promotional amount, cash incentives for
retail sales personnel (SPIFFs) or other sales support, and/or any other form of payment or allowance to a
retailer) that are tied to sales of the specific large residential washer(s) for which the discounts are provided,
whether or not such discounts are given on the sales price to the customer or are in the form of a post-sale
discount, rebate or other type of sales support after the customer resells the product to its customer.

2

Indirect discounts are any discounts, incentives, allowances, rebates, promotional amount, cash incentives
for retail sales personnel (SPIFFs) or other sales support, and/or any other form of payment or allowance to
a retailer) that, while not specifically tied to the products in question, are properly allocable to sales of such
products because sales of such products were part of the basis on which the discount, incentive, allowance,
etc. was given.

3

“Margin opportunity” refers to the profit margins for retailers for the product in question.

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-18. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors
generally considered by your firm in deciding from whom to purchase large residential washers
for any one order (examples include availability, extension of credit, contracts, price, quality,
range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Other factors or comments:

III-19. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of large residential washers?

III-20. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the large
residential washers that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-21. Price leaders.— A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the large residential washers
market since January 1, 2009. Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership.

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-22. Innovation leaders.--An innovation leader is defined as (1) a firm that initiated technological or
quality improvements that mattered to your firm or to your firm’s customers, or both. Please
identify each firm that you considered to be an innovation leader in the large residential washer
market since January 1, 2009. Describe how each firm exhibited innovation leadership, including
any product characteristics, qualities, or features that demonstrated innovation.

III-23. Floor spots.
(a) Does your firm allocate floor spots to different types of large residential washers at different
price points?
No

Yes

If yes, please explain your reasons for allocating floor spots to different large residential washers
at different price points.

(b) Has your firm ever denied or threatened to deny a floor spot to a supplier for a particular
large residential washer model because that supplier’s proposed price (whether suggested retail
price, suggested MAP price, or price offered to your firm) was too high?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the competing suppliers, SKUs and prices for the relevant large residential
washer models.

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-23. Floor spots.—Continued.
(c) Does your firm factor the expected profits (i.e., the difference between the price you pay and
the price at which you expect to sell a specific large residential washer, multiplied by the volume
of your expected sales) into its decisions about which models and which suppliers will be
allocated floor space?
No

Yes

If yes, please explain.

(d) Does relative large residential washer pricing from alternative suppliers affect your floor
space allocation decisions among those suppliers?
No

Yes

If yes, please explain.

III.24. Please estimate the percentage of total purchases of large residential washers that are made by
consumers to replace a residential washer that has broken down or is not working properly.
< 25 %
25-49 %
50-74 %
≥ 75 %
III-25. How often are consumers willing to switch between a top load and a front load large residential
washer based on relative pricing between the two offerings?
Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Never

III-26. How often do consumers shop for large residential washers with a set budget in mind?
Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Never

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-27. Does the availability of a highly featured large residential washer (i.e., one with large capacity
heat, steam, color) at a low price affect the sales of less highly featured large residential washers?
No

Yes

If yes, please explain what the effect is on the price and/or volume of sales of the less highlyfeatured large residential washers.

III-28. Has the volume of large residential washers sold each year at promotional prices:
Increased

Decreased

Remained the same

III-29. In 2011, what percentage of your large residential washer sales were made at promotional prices?

III-30. In your planning for major holiday promotions, do you negotiate support levels with your
suppliers? If so, do you signal to one supplier the relative levels of support being offered by other
competing suppliers?

III-31. Is the price you are willing to pay for offerings from any particular supplier influenced by the
prices/features offered by competing suppliers?
No

Yes—Please describe how price and feature differences (e.g., capacity, steam,
color, etc.) in the product offerings of different suppliers are taken into account in
your purchasing decisions.

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-32. Has any supplier attempted to increase prices since January 1, 2009?
No

Yes— Please indicate which suppliers have sought increases in
prices.

III-33. Have any of the attempts to increase prices since January 1, 2009 failed?
No

Yes— Please explain why.

III-34. Report below your firm’s total purchases, and total discounts, rebates, allowances, and
promotions (direct and indirect) associated with these purchases (even if paid in a later year), in
2010 and 2011 for each category of product purchased from the specified vendors:
All Appliances ($1,000)
Vendor

Whirlpool

GE

Samsung

LG

Electrolux

Daewoo

Year
2010
2011
2010
2011
2010
2011
2010
2011
2010
2011
2010
2011

Purchases

Discounts,
Rebates,
Allowances

All Washers ($1,000)
Purchases

Discounts,
Rebates,
Allowances

All large residential
washers ($1,000)
Discounts,
Purchases
Rebates,
Allowances

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-35. Did your firm solicit or request a proposal for a “product line review,” “request for special
pricing,” or similar “request for proposal” for the supply of large residential washers at any time
during the period from January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012? If so, please provide information
on the proposals you received in response to your solicitations, including the specifications of the
products offered, the terms and conditions of the offer for sale, and the per-SKU pricing offered.
Supplier 
Date 
SKU 
Quantity 
Net Price1/ 

1/
Price net of direct and indirect discounts and rebates 
III-36. Promotional Activity.—Report below the types of promotional activity, discount,
rebates, and allowances supported by your large residential washer suppliers, by
indicating the degree (none, low, medium, high) to which each type of activity has been
used by each supplier to support sales at retail by your company from January 1, 2009 to
the present. If there have been any changes over this period, please explain those
changes.
Please indicate none, low, medium, or high in each cell of the table below:
Discounts, Allowances, Rebates
Suppliers

National
Co-op
Advertising Advertising

Whirlpool
Samsung
LG
Electrolux
GE
Explain any changes since January 1, 2009.

National
Promotions

In-Store
Promotions

Sales
Personnel
Incentives
(SPIFFS)

Other
Discounts
Rebates

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-37. Did you purchase large residential washers for resale under your own brand? If so, please explain
the procurement process and its result, including the pricing offered by different suppliers.

III-38. Value of Features. Please estimate how much each of the following features added to the price
consumers pay when purchasing large residential washers at retail.
Feature 
+ 0.5 Cubic feet capacity 
Heater (i.e., sanitize cycle) 
Steam cycle 
Glass lid (for top load washers)
Color (i.e., non‐white) cabinet 
LCD display 

<$25 

$25‐$49 

$50‐$74 

$75‐$99 

>$100 

III-39 Market Research
Please supply any market research or other surveys you have that indicate the reasons consumers
purchase U.S.-produced or subject large residential washers, and the sensitivity of consumer
purchase decisions to price and changes in price.
Also, if not included above, please submit all proprietary and public studies, analyses, and reports
that discuss any of the following subjects, including the perceptions of consumers concerning
these subjects, which were prepared or issued since January 1, 2009:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

quality or reliability of any washer model;
design, styling, or “fit, feel, and/or finish” of any washer model;
factors that influence purchase decisions of consumers, including but not limited to, the
importance of brand or product type (i.e., conventional top load, high-efficiency top load,
and/or high-efficiency front load);
dealer or customer perceptions of any washer manufacturer or any of its products;
prices or relative prices of any competing brands of washer models;
preferences of consumers for specific features or innovations;
the extent of cross-shopping among conventional top load, high-efficiency top load,
and/or high-efficiency front load models or the factors that influence cross-shopping.

These studies should be provided regardless of whether your firm prepared them internally,
commissioned them from an outside source, or acquired them from a third party.
No such surveys or studies

Surveys and/or studies attached.

Additional comments/descriptions of surveys and/or studies:

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PART IV.--PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for large residential washers for
which your firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United States
Korea
Mexico
Other countries (specify

IV-2.

)

Interchangeability by country-pair.--Are large residential washers produced in the United
States and in other countries interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same
applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

Korea

Mexico

Other countries

United States
Korea
Mexico

For any country-pair producing large residential washers which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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PART IV.--PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-3.

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between large residential washers
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases
of the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

Korea

Mexico

Other countries

United States
Korea
Mexico

For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of large residential washers, identify the country-pair and report
the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

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PART IV.--PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-4.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order large residential
washers from one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

IV-5.

Availability of merchandise.—Since January 1, 2009, have certain grades/types/sizes of large
residential washers been available from only a single source (domestic or foreign, including both
subject and nonsubject countries)?
No

IV-6.

Yes--Please identify all relevant countries (including the United States and
both subject and nonsubject foreign countries) from which you or your
customers prefer to order, and indicate why large residential washers
from these countries is preferred over product from other countries
(please note the specific product in your response).

Yes--Please identify the source and the grade/type/size.

Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased large residential washers from one
source although a comparable product was available from another source at a lower price, please
explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country, including the United States and both
subject and nonsubject foreign countries). Possibilities might include transaction characteristics
such as length of time to fill orders, minimum order size, reliability of supply, etc.

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PART IV.--PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-7. Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how large residential washers
produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV compares with large
residential washers produced in each of the other countries you identified (including the United States and both
subject and nonsubject foreign countries).

Availability .............................................
Delivery terms .......................................
Delivery time .........................................
Design/styling........................................
Direct discounts1 offered .......................
Ease of use ...........................................
Fit, feel, and finish .................................
Indirect discounts2 offered.....................
Innovative features ................................
Large capacity.......................................
Margin opportunity3 ...............................
Minimum qty requirements ....................
Packaging .............................................
Product consistency ..............................
Price4 ....................................................
Quality meets industry standards ..........
Quality exceeds industry standards ......
Product range .......................................
Reliability of supply ...............................
Technical support/service .....................
U.S. transportation costs4 .....................
Other (specify):

Inferior

Comparable

product from
Korea
compared to
product from
Mexico

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

product from
United States
compared to
product from
Mexico

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

product from
United States
compared to
product from
Korea

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PART IV.--PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
Continued.

Availability .............................................
Delivery terms .......................................
Delivery time .........................................
Design/styling........................................
Direct discounts1 offered .......................
Ease of use ...........................................
Fit, feel, and finish .................................
Indirect discounts2 offered.....................
Innovative features ................................
Large capacity.......................................
Margin opportunity3 ...............................
Minimum qty requirements ....................
Packaging .............................................
Product consistency ..............................
Price4 ....................................................
Quality meets industry standards ..........
Quality exceeds industry standards ......
Product range .......................................
Reliability of supply ...............................
Technical support/service .....................
U.S. transportation costs4 .....................
Other (specify):

Inferior

Comparable

product from
Mexico
compared to
product from
nonsubject
countries

Superior

Inferior

product from
Korea
compared to
product from
nonsubject
countries
Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

product from
United States
compared to
product from
nonsubject
countries

Superior

IV-7.

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PART IV.--PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-7. Continued.
Notes for question IV-7:
1 Direct discounts are all discounts, incentives, allowances, rebates, promotional amount, cash incentives for retail
sales personnel (SPIFFs) or other sales support, and/or any other form of payment or allowance to a retailer) that are
tied to sales of the specific large residential washer(s) for which the discounts are provided, whether or not such
discounts are given on the sales price to the customer or are in the form of a post-sale discount, rebate or other type
of sales support after the customer resells the product to its customer.
2 Indirect discounts are any discounts, incentives, allowances, rebates, promotional amount, cash incentives for
retail sales personnel (SPIFFs) or other sales support, and/or any other form of payment or allowance to a retailer)
that, while not specifically tied to the products in question, are properly allocable to sales of such products because
sales of such products were part of the basis on which the discount, incentive, allowance, etc. was given.
3 “Margin opportunity” refers to the profit margins for retailers for the product in question.
4 A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower
prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.

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PART IV.--PRODUCT COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-8.

Minimum quality.--How often does large residential washers from the following countries meet
minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

United States
Korea
Mexico
Other Countries
Other:
Other:

IV-9.

For top load washers that your firm sold in 2011 (both with and without agitators and
regardless of CEE tier rating or Energy Star rating), provide the volume and value as
follows:
Volume

Value

Under 3.7 cu. ft. DOE rated capacity:
3.7 cu. ft. and above DOE rated capacity
What factors influence a consumer’s decision to buy a certain capacity washer, regardless
of type?

What factors influence a consumer’s decision to buy a conventional top-load washer, a
high-efficiency top-load washer, or a high-efficiency front-load washer?