I doubt if there really are any brands to choose from now I think most by same and just slap a different name on them

Here's a link that shows who makes what at Kenmore:
http://www.appliance411.com/purchase/sears.shtml

whirlpool includes: whirlpool, maytag, kitchenaid, jenn-air, amana, ikea and a few others.

I think Frigidaire also includes electrolux, gibson, tappan.

GE makes hotpoint.

I think LG and Samsung are single brand companies (for these types of appliances).

This may be worthless info but I'm adding it 'just in case'
We found about 15 years ago that it was impossible to buy regular toilets around here, they were all 'low water.' We had always heard bad things about their flushing and we live in 'the black swamp' so no water problems. We live within an hour of Canada so we crossed the border as we heard up in Canada they still had the old style.

We went to a Home Depot right over the border and the guy there said they sell ALOT of toilets to Americans for the same reason!
I do not know the reason for the newer washers, but maybe a Canadian?

thanks a bunch for the tip we are not that far away so maybe a trip coming up this summer I know I love shopping in Mexico I have gotten some clothes there that is much better than here almost like our old and anything leather well Mexico is the place to buy as all of our leather is sent there I love the purses that I get there and the vanilla so it goes you get the idea

I have never bought large appliances to last for years. They start to look out dated and I want to to change them out. I have learned what brands I like the best for each and now only buy Bosch dishwashers. The Bosch dishwasher I have now still looks great and works great and I don't prewash the dishes. I use Cascade Complete Action Packs and a rinse aid. It is so quiet, I have to put my ear to the door to hear it. This washer has an extra shine setting. I never used it but once DH did and I could tell a big difference. The glassware was actually shinning. LOL

I have my top loaders for over 17 years and it still works, My girlfriend had a front loader for 2 years and got rid of it because of many problems and went back to a top loader. At the price they want I would stick to a top loader if I have to replace mine

what we need to do is order a washer from China made in the USA and we'd probably get a great one. what is here for us to buy usually isn't the best. sad but true.

onobyone when did you buy your dishwasher this big change in the appliances has just come out in the last 5 years or so also has happened with sewing machines and many other things it really is a BUYER BEWARE out there shopping is not what it once was and nativetexan you may be right maybe if we could order from China but I really don't think there is much made in the U.S. anymore

That's interesting. We've been having trouble with our septic recently and the plumbers and septic company all think it's because of the low flow toilets (we're in a new house). They've all said the water to solids ratio is not ideal for washing everything down to the septic tank. We have one old toilet in our old house we can swap in but we need two. I've been thinking about looking up a way to modify one to hold more water.

eta: this is another reason we're happy that we went with the traditional speed queen washer. That way more water is being washed down to the septic tank.

In other words....they were HE's.
They still sell the regular washers, just keep shopping.
Sorry I'm no help to where but I got mine at Best Buy two yrs ago.