Yea, cocky for sure. Although if MY laminate company was on the top of consumer reports for 3 years straight, I would get a bit cocky too. I think Pergo has dropped the ball on design, they have some catching up to do.
Wilsonart did upset me a bit with a price increase, but that will not prevent me from buying it when I am ready. I love Wilsonart all around.
Great points on the fact that you can cut out the brand name and get similiar quality, I just want to make it perfectly clear, that not ALL laminates are the same. Alot of them have bells and whistles that may not be on another branded or unbranded laminate. Such as the Unilin click system, or high pressure manufacturing....
More great points by you about 25 year warranty, most people don't top over 10 years in their home, so the most basic of laminates should carry them thru it, although, back to the original point, when I buy laminate for my home, even though I will be looking at 7 years tops, there are too many other factors I need to think about including 3 roudy kids...things the warranties don't even talk about. so I will need all the help I can get.
There is no doubt in my mind that euro lam is quality, but the real question is, do they make the quality that will fit a particuliar lifestyle better? they probably do.... But the consumer needs to be informed WHY, instead of statements such as "this lam is the same as Pergo" cause that just don't cut it.
you know, this really plays out with ANY product. I buy the grocery store's house brand all the time to save money...some products if you look in the back to verify that the ingredients are the same, the ARE the same...some are a tad off, but close enough for me. But some brands I am loyal, because there IS a difference for some reason...taste, texture..whatever, and this can be crossed over to ANY material....If I KNOW it is the same in all the areas I am concerned with, I will buy it all the time.