One problem I see is that the higher priced items are not necessarily higher quality these days. A lot of brands are coasting on their reputation while selling cheaply made items at premium price.

Those appliances are built to handle much more usage, and for a much longer time. E.g. a washer in a laundromat will be used probably 10x compared to a consumer washer over the same amount of time.

Also, a laundromat wants the washer to last as long as possible, probably 20-30 years, but at least 10-15.

There’s no reason for consumers to spend 10x on commercial appliances, when they’re not used as often, and won’t need to endure the misuse/abuse that commercial appliances take.

Also, few residents stay in one place long enough to need an appliance to last more than 15 or so years, and most consumer appliances last that long.

I had a similar era whatever of Whirlpool's bargain basement brand was in my apartment in the city. That one did stop cooling reliably, but a $20 relay and 10 minutes fixed that right up. I didn't even bother to call the landlord.

With few exceptions you'll find similar stories from most well known brands up through the mid 00s.