17-3-3702 U.S. Purchasers' Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 17-3-3702; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
LARGE RESIDENTIAL WASHERS
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by July 18, 2017
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its Inv. No. 201-TA-76, Large Residential Washers, under section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
§ 2252). The information requested in the questionnaire is needed to supplement data available to the Commission
from other sources and is requested under the authority of section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974. 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 (202-205-3270, [email protected]).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website address
Has your firm purchased large residential washers as defined on the next two pages from any source (domestic
or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2012?

NO

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

YES
(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)
Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking on the
following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: LRWS)
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, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Email address

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition for import relief, as amended and
properly filed on June 5, 2017, by Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, Michigan. Import relief may
be imposed by the President on U.S. imports of large residential washers as a result of this investigation
if the Commission makes an affirmative injury determination and recommends to the President that he
impose relief. The President may impose relief in the form of increased duties and/or other restrictions
on imports of large residential washers that are the subject of an affirmative injury determination.
Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2017/large_residential_washers/safeguard.htm
Products included in the scope of this investigation
Large residential washers.--The products covered by the investigation are all large
residential washers and certain parts thereof.
The term “large residential washers” denotes all automatic clothes washing machines,
regardless of the orientation of the rotational axis, with a cabinet width (measured from
its widest point) of at least 24.5 inches (62.23 cm) and no more than 32.0 inches (81.28
cm), except as noted below.
Covered parts.-- Also covered are certain parts used in large residential washers,
namely: (1) all cabinets, or portions thereof, designed for use in large residential
washers; (2) all assembled tubs1 designed for use in large residential washers which
incorporate, at a minimum: (a) a tub; and (b) a seal; (3) all assembled baskets2 designed
for use in large residential washers which incorporate, at a minimum: (a) a side
wrapper;3 (b) a base; and (c) a drive hub;4 and (4) any combination of the foregoing
parts or subassemblies.
Products excluded from this investigation
(1) Stacked washers-dryers & commercial washers
Excluded are stacked washer-dryers and commercial washers. The term “stacked
washer-dryers” denotes distinct washing and drying machines that are built on a unitary
frame and share a common console that controls both the washer and the dryer. The
term “commercial washer” denotes an automatic clothes washing machine designed for
the “pay per use” segment meeting either of the following two definitions:

1

A “tub” is the part of the washer designed to hold water.
A “basket” (sometimes referred to as a “drum”) is the part of the washer designed to hold clothing or other
fabrics.
3
A “side wrapper” is the cylindrical part of the basket that actually holds the clothing or other fabrics.
4
A “drive hub” is the hub at the center of the base that bears the load from the motor.
2

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

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(1) (a) it contains payment system electronics;5 (b) it is configured with an externally
mounted steel frame at least six inches high that is designed to house a coin/token
operated payment system (whether or not the actual coin/token operated payment
system is installed at the time of importation); (c) it contains a push button user
interface with a maximum of six manually selectable wash cycle settings, with no ability
of the end user to otherwise modify water temperature, water level, or spin speed for a
selected wash cycle setting; and (d) the console containing the user interface is made of
steel and is assembled with security fasteners;6 or
(2) (a) it contains payment system electronics; (b) the payment system electronics are
enabled (whether or not the payment acceptance device has been installed at the time
of importation) such that, in normal operation,7 the unit cannot begin a wash cycle
without first receiving a signal from a bona fide payment acceptance device such as an
electronic credit card reader; (c) it contains a push button user interface with a
maximum of six manually selectable wash cycle settings, with no ability of the end user
to otherwise modify water temperature, water level, or spin speed for a selected wash
cycle setting; and (d) the console containing the user interface is made of steel and is
assembled with security fasteners.
(2) Top load residential washers with PSC/belt/clutch
Also excluded are automatic clothes washing machines that meet all of the following
conditions: (1) have a vertical rotational axis; (2) are top loading;8 (3) have a drive train
consisting, inter alia, of (a) a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor,9 (b) a belt drive,10
and (c) a flat wrap spring clutch.11
(3) Front load residential washers with CIM/Belt
Also excluded are automatic clothes washing machines that meet all of the following
conditions: (1) have a horizontal rotational axis; (2) are front loading;12 and (3) have a
drive train consisting, inter alia, of (a) a controlled induction motor (CIM),13 and (b) a
belt drive.

5

“Payment system electronics” denotes a circuit board designed to receive signals from a payment acceptance
device and to display payment amount, selected settings, and cycle status. Such electronics also capture cycles and
payment history and provide for transmission to a reader.
6
A “security fastener” is a screw with a non-standard head that requires a non-standard driver. Examples include
those with a pin in the center of the head as a “center pin reject” feature to prevent standard Allen wrenches or
Torx drivers from working.
7
“Normal operation” refers to the operating mode(s) available to end users (i.e., not a mode designed for testing
or repair by a technician).
8
“Top loading” means that access to the basket is from the top of the washer.
9
A “PSC motor” is an asynchronous, alternating current (AC), single phase induction motor that employs split
phase capacitor technology.
10
A “belt drive” refers to a drive system that includes a belt and pulleys.
11
A “flat wrap spring clutch” is a flat metal spring that, when engaged, links abutted cylindrical pieces on the input
shaft with the end of the concentric output shaft that connects to the drive hub.
12
“Front loading” means that access to the basket is from the front of the washer.
13
A “controlled induction motor” is an asynchronous, alternating current (AC), polyphase induction motor.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

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(4) “Extra-wide” residential washers
Also excluded are automatic clothes washing machines that meet all of the following
conditions: (1) have a horizontal rotational axis; (2) are front loading; and (3) have
cabinet width (measured from its widest point) of more than 28.5 inches (72.39 cm).
The products subject to this petition are currently classifiable under subheading 8450.20.00 (statistical
reporting numbers 8450.20.0040 and 8450.20.0080) of the Harmonized Tariff System of the United
States (HTSUS). Products subject to this petition may also be imported under HTSUS 8450.11.0040,
8450.11.0080, 8450.90.2000, and 8450.90.6000. Although the HTSUS provisions are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise subject to this petition
is dispositive.
Reporting of information.--If information is not readily available from your records in exactly the form
requested, furnish carefully prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire
in connection with this proceeding (i.e., a producer, importer, and/or purchaser questionnaire), you
need not respond to duplicated questions in the questionnaires.
Note: If you submitted a response in the recently completed investigation of large residential washers
from China, Inv. No. 731-TA-1306 (Final), your firm must still complete this questionnaire, although you
may refer to your earlier questionnaire response as a resource.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 2252(i)). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.--The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all of your files, worksheets, and
supporting documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy
of the final document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other confidential business information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2252(i)) and section 206.17 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 206.17). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
large residential washers from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes large
residential washers.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers
I-1.

Page 5

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

Dollars

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, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of large residential washers,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.

I-3.

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

Confidential Business Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers
I-4.

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, which import large residential washers into the United States or which export large
residential washers to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-5.

Page 6

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce large residential washers?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

Page 7

PART II.--PURCHASES
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
II-1.

Purchases.-(a)

Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases by country source (either directly or
through a sales agent or broker) of large residential washers, if known. (Do not include
imports for which your firm was the importer of record; such imports should be
reported in your U.S. importers’ questionnaire).
2012

2013

2014

Item

2015

Jan-Mar
2017

2016

Quantity (in actual units)

Purchases of large residential washers
produced in:
United States
China
Korea
Mexico
Thailand
Vietnam
All other countries

1

Total purchases
1

Please identify these countries:

0

0

0

0

0

0

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

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Purchases.--

II-1.

(b)

Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases by manufacturers (either directly or
through a sales agent or broker) of large residential washers, if known. (Do not include
imports for which your firm was the importer of record; such imports should be
reported in your U.S. importers’ questionnaire).
2012

2013

2014

Item

2015

Jan-Mar
2017

2016

Quantity (in actual units)

Purchases of large residential washers
produced by:
Whirlpool and/or GE
Samsung
LG
1

All other companies
Total shipments
1

II-2.

0

0

0

0

0

Please identify these firms:

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
large residential washers from different sources have changed since January 1, 2012.
Source of Did not
purchases purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated
United
States
All other
countries

Explanation for trend

0

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers
II-3.

Page 9

Effect of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty orders.--Did your firm purchase large
residential washers prior to 2012?
No

Check if
applicable

Yes—If so, has the pattern of your purchases of large residential washers
changed since the United States imposed antidumping and/or
countervailing duty orders on imports from China, Korea, and/or
Mexico? Check all that apply.
Effect of AD/CVD orders on purchases
No, our pattern of purchasing is essentially
unchanged.
Yes, we discontinued purchases from China
because of the orders.
Yes, we reduced purchases from China because
of the orders.
Yes, but changes in the pattern of our purchases
from China are for reasons other than the
orders.
Yes, we discontinued purchases from Korea
because of the orders.
Yes, we reduced purchases from Korea because
of the orders.
Yes, but changes in the pattern of our purchases
from Korea are for reasons other than the
orders.
Yes, we discontinued purchases from Mexico
because of the order.
Yes, we reduced purchases from Mexico
because of the order.
Yes, but changes in the pattern of our purchases
from Mexico are for reasons other than the
order.
Yes, we began purchasing from sources other
than China, Korea, and Mexico.
Yes, we increased purchases from sources other
than China, Korea and Mexico.
Yes, but changes in the pattern of our purchases
from sources other than China, Korea, and
Mexico are for reasons other than the orders.

Explanation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

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II-4.

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-5.

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for large residential
washers since January 1, 2012. 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 2016.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2016 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
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
Contractor/builder
Distributor/ wholesaler
Other (Describe:
)

If your firm is a distributor of large residential washers, please answer questions III-2 and III-3.
III-2.

Competition for sales.--Does your firm compete for sales to customers with the manufacturers
or importers from which your firm purchases large residential washers?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

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III-3.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells large
residential washers?

III-4.

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

Substitute

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

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

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-5.

Demand trends.-- Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for large residential washers has changed since January 1, 2012. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Market

Fluctuate
with no
Overall
No
Overall
clear
increase change decrease trend
Demand since January 1, 2012

Within the United States
Retail/replacement

New home construction

Outside the United States

Explanation and factors

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers
III-6.

Page 12

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2016 purchases of large residential washers that required large
residential washers produced in the United States.

Purchases that did not require domestic product
Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be domestic product
(e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product
Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons
(explain:
)
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
III-7.

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2016
purchases of large
residential washers
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the large residential washers market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to large
residential washers?

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-11.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b)

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
large residential washers since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers
III-8.

Page 13

Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving large residential washers based on its
producer or country of origin?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your customers

III-9.

Availability of supply.--Has the availability of large residential washers in the U.S. market
changed since January 1, 2012?

Availability in the U.S. market

Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
No Yes changes.

U.S.-produced product
Imports from China, Korea,
Thailand, Vietnam, and/or
Mexico
Imports from all other
countries
III-10. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
large residential washers since January 1, 2012 (examples include placing customers on
allocation or “controlled order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing
customers, delivering less than the quantity promised, been unable to meet timely shipment
commitments, etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

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III-11. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of large residential washers (check
one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2012?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-12. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a flooring or purchase decision? Between
and
firms
III-13. Supplier negotiations.--Does your firm’s flooring or purchase decisions for large residential
washers usually involve negotiations between supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

If yes, explain the factors your firm generally negotiates and note
whether your firm quotes competing prices during negotiations.

III-14. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2012?

No

Yes

If yes, please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or
dropped, and the reasons for the change.

III-15. New suppliers or new country sources.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or
domestic, or new country sources (for imports) that have entered the market since January 1,
2012?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

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III-16. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell large residential washers to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
• The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
• A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-17. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2012, 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

If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.

III-18. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase large residential washers (examples include price,
profit margin, features, quality, promotions, availability, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

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

III-20. Customer flexibility top vs. front.-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-21. Cross product impact.—
(a)

Does the availability and/or price of a highly featured large residential washer (i.e., one
with many features such as large capacity heat, steam, color, etc.) affect the sales of less
featured large residential washers?
No

(b)

Yes

Explain

How often do price reductions on imported highly featured top-load and front load
washers put downward pressure on prices for less featured top-load washers
with agitators from the United States?
Frequency that price reductions on imported highly featured LRWs affect
the price of top-load washers with agitators from the United States
Always

Imported topload (impeller)
Imported front
load

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Explain.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers
(c)

Page 17

How often do price reductions on less featured top-load washers with agitators from
the United States put downward pressure on prices for imported highly featured topload washers and front load washers?
Frequency that price reductions of less featured top-load washers with
agitators from the United States affect the price on imported highly
featured LRWs
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Explain.

Imported topload (impeller)
Imported front
load
III-22. Cross supplier impact.—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

If 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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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

Page 18

III-23. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2012, did your firm purchase imports of large residential washers instead
of U.S.-produced large residential washers (e.g., GE, Whirlpool)?
Yes
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))

(b)

No

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was the imported product priced lower than the
domestic product?
Yes

(c)

No

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was price a primary reason for purchasing imports
rather than domestic product?

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity of
imports purchased instead of
domestic product since
January 2012
(in number of units)

No

If No, please indicate the reason
your firm purchased imports
instead of domestic product

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

Page 19

III-24. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2012, in connection with a sale or offer to sell large residential washers
to your firm, did U.S. producers (e.g., GE, Whirlpool) reduce their prices of domestically
produced large residential washers in order to compete with lower-priced imports of
large residential washers?
Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

(b)

No

Don’t know

If your firm responded “yes”, please provide an estimate of the reduction in U.S.
producers’ prices, and include other pertinent information, such as timing (e.g.,
months/years), frequency of price reductions, or other market/competitive factors.
Estimated
reduction in
U.S. prices
(percent)

Other pertinent information, including such information
as timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors

%
III-25. What factors influence a consumer’s decision to buy a top-load versus a front-load washer? To
what extent do differences in efficiency (e.g., Energy Star) contribute to the decision?

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

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PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Brand knowledge.--Please indicate the brands of large residential washers for which your firm
has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United
States
(e.g., GE
and/or
Whirlpool)

IV-2.

Imported
product
from LG
and/or
Samsung

Imported
product
from other
brands

Other brands (specify)

Interchangeability.--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)?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

No familiarity

If your firm reported that U.S.-produced large residential washers are sometimes or never
interchangeable with large residential washers produced in other countries, please explain
the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
IV-3.

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., 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?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

No familiarity

If your firm reported that factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor
in your firm’s purchases of large residential washers, please report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors :
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

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Confidential Business Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers
IV-5.

Page 21

Purchasing factor comparisons.--For each factor listed below, please rate the
importance of each factor in your firm’s decisions to purchase U.S.-produced large
residential washers and large residential washers produced in other countries on a scale
of 1-5, where 1 is “not important at all” and 5 is “very important”.
Ranking of importance
(1=not important at all;
5=very important)

Factor
Availability
Consumer preferences for particular brands resulting in high store turnover
Consumer preference for particular features resulting in high store turnover
Country-of-origin preference
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Desire to display multiple brands
Desire to display multiple price points
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Favorable margin offered by manufacturer
Frequency of returns/product reliability
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Special incentives offered by manufacturer
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs

Product from
United States

Product from
other countries

Confidential Business Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers
IV-6.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to any
question that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question
number and the explanation in the space provided below.

Page 22

Confidential Business Information
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –
Large Residential Washers

Page 23

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/title_7/2017/large_residential_washers/safeguard.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/

Pin: LRWS

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to [email protected]; include a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic documents
that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect their sensitive information from
unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop-box system and the Electronic Document Information
System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 cryptographic algorithms to
encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not use these
encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to unauthorized
disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non-encrypted method of electronic transmission, the
Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is assumed by you and not
by the Commission.
If your firm does not purchase large residential washers, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a
scanned copy to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.--If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 C.F.R. § 206.17). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary
(202-205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see
19 C.F.R. § 206.17). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.