[harpseal]

Given the current artificial lowering the Chinese currency that washing machine would cost more in Chinese Yuan than the $200 US price.

Now if teh currencies were allowed to float the price might be somewhat comparable not necessarily exactly the same as temporary currency fluctuations up or down may inflate the price in one economy and deflate it in another.

[riri]

Thanks. I know the Nutri Grain analogy was a weak one but it was the only example I could cite at that moment. I have always wondered if we, Americans, were being soaked.

There is much talk about cheap products. Personally, I would rather pay a bit more for some things---if they actually worked and had a longer lifespan. I regularly buy things now and think of them as, pretty much, disposable. Irons, vacuums, blowdryers, phones, etc.