I agree, and this is just a by-the-way comment about Smeg. I always assumed Smeg was a bargain-basement brand because of its espresso machines, which appear to

I agree, and this is just a by-the-way comment about Smeg. I always assumed Smeg was a bargain-basement brand because of its espresso machines, which appear to be rebadged Delonghi devices. There's one model that looks like a clone of the Dedica for example. As another commenter pointed out, coffee-makers are one area where people are willing to pay thousands, e.g. espresso machines made in Italy or Germany that are robust and largely authentic.* *Even though many follow virtually the same design and are made from near-commodity parts.