White and blue are ITW companies, if they source a part its from one of their other subs. Lets say (not sure howmany they make of each model) they need 6 inches of a common hose or a common part that can be used across 3 models or any number of other things it might get used for over dozens and dozens of models, you figure they cheap this 6 inches just for this job? Same with a lot of other parts, transformers, switches all that. Most of the pieces are "picked" off their own shelves. The only model that is exactly the same is the AC/DC Stickmate and the Tbolt, exact machine, different jacket and slightly different market with different sales price, you pay 100 bonus for blue. My HH came with Miller gun
We looked at some fridges, same base model, exact same chassis, one 400 and one 900 with different jacket and icemaker. They didnt make the operating part any "better". Some lines even price same parts different. People would be surprised on some items,, some car parts, 3 different price levels depending on the package its put in yet people will swear up and down by one. We used to package under a couple brands, have heard it all.
With some things depending on quanity it isnt worth it to make it cheaper, some companies market all 3 lines. Go to Walmart and look at hand can openers, there is about 6 or 8, one of the best is 2$ ant the expensive is 7 which is the exact same init with a brand plastic on the handle,,, so if you buy brand the vendor makes out like a fat rat, the deal for the consumer is in the 2 dollar and all the ones in the middle price range were inferior, customer shops up a class by price and really takes it.
Thje cost of raw materials being only a couple cents different, the cheap "commodity" wasnt fooled with to make it cheaper, another line, new dies, another crew, more inventory, instead of making it 2 cents less they focus on selling a few at 7$. Many wheel brgs in cars like this anymore. You can reaqlly tell when shopping net, white box, house brANnd like Napa or Auto value or brand name,,, all 3 made in china, one part number off on the package 45$, 90, 120$, part comes off the same line. After all,,,,, I wouldnt want to be a cheap sucker and put that 45$ one in my Cadillac,,, I will spend up and get the Napa,, ha I might not buy the top which is only 10% of the sales or buy the bottom which is 10% to say avg shopper so I go for the 90 and Napa makes 40 + extra for tossing it in their own box.
