10-3-2821 US purchaser questionniare

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 10-3-2821; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
IRONING TABLES AND CERTAIN PARTS THEREOF FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than February 5, 2010
See page 4 of the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its review of the antidumping duty order concerning ironing tables from China (inv. No. 731-TA-1047
(Review)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title
VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the
submission of records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire
can be obtained from Gerry Benedick (phone: 202-205-3244; fax: 202 205 2340; e-mail: gerald.benedick@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm purchased ironing tables (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any source (domestic or
foreign) at any time since January 1, 2004?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this review in any other import-injury investigations or reviews
conducted by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this review may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of this review or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official
Phone: (

Signature

Date

)
E-mail address

Fax (

)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that issues of
concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful, and as limited as
possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 40 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-1a.

OMB statistics.--Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of preparing the reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.
hours

dollars

I-1b.

OMB feedback.--We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this
questionnaire in general or the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your
response or send them to the above address.

I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire (see page 3 of the instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is
publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading symbol.

I-3.

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?

I-4.

No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Extent of
ownership

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing ironing tables from China into the United
States or which are engaged in exporting ironing tables from China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-5.

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing ironing tables from countries other than
China into the United States or which are engaged in exporting ironing tables from countries
other than China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

I-7.

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
are engaged in the production of ironing tables?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Business plan.--In Part III of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s business
plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal documents that
describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for ironing tables?
No

Yes--Please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART II.--PURCHASES AND RELATED INFORMATION
II-1.

Contact information.--Who should be contacted regarding the requested purchases and related
information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

II-2.

E-mail address

Purchases from U.S. producers and importers.—Report, as indicated below, your firm’s
purchases (either directly or through a sales agent or broker) of ironing tables. Report based on
delivery date, not order date. Report delivered values to your firm’s receiving location(s). If
your firm imported ironing tables, do not report such imports as purchases, but complete an
importer questionnaire.
Quantity (1,000 units) and value ($1,000)
2004
2005
2006
2007

Item
Purchases of ironing
tables produced in-The United States:
Quantity
Value
China:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:1
Quantity
Value
1
Please identify these countries:

2008

2009

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART II.--PURCHASES AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-3.

Purchases before and after order.-(a) Did your firm purchase ironing tables from China before 2004?
No--skip to (b)

Yes

If yes—
Has your pattern of purchasing ironing tables from China changed since 2004?
No, our pattern of purchasing is essentially unchanged.
Yes, we discontinued purchases from China because of the order.
Yes, we reduced purchases from China because of the order.
Yes, but we changed the pattern of purchases from China for reasons other than the
order (please explain below).

(b) Has your pattern of purchasing ironing tables from China changed during any part of
the period 2004-09, where your firm did not purchase the ironing tables from China prior
to 2004?
No

Yes—Please explain

(c) Has your pattern of purchasing ironing tables from nonsubject foreign sources (i.e., countries
other than China) changed since 2004.
We did not purchase from nonsubject foreign sources before or after the order.
No, our pattern of purchasing is essentially unchanged.
Yes, we increased purchases from nonsubject countries because of the order.
Yes, but we changed our pattern of purchases from nonsubject countries for reasons
other than the order (please explain below).

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PART II.--PURCHASES AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-4.

Changes in purchasing patterns.-- Based on your firm’s response to question II-2, if the relative
levels of your firm’s purchases of ironing tables produced in different countries (domestic and
foreign) have changed since 2004, state whether the relative share from that country increased or
decreased, and state the reason(s).
Source of purchases
The United States

Trend
Decreased

Explanation for trend

Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
China

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

All other countries

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

II-5.

Purchase from single country.--If your firm purchased ironing tables produced in only one
country during 2004-09, please identify the country and explain the reason(s) for doing so.

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PART II.--PURCHASES AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-6.

Types of purchases.—
(a) Approximately what quantities of your firm’s U.S. purchases of ironing tables were purchased
in the following manners?
Type of purchase

2004

2005

Purchases (in 1,000 units)
2006
2007

2008

2009

Traditional line-reviews/
negotiations
Internet auctions
Other (

)

Total

(b) Please discuss the purpose and factors considered in a line review, the length of shipment
period(s) covered in a line review, and the relationship, if any, between a line review and an
internet auction during 2004-09.

(c) Approximately what quantities of your firm’s U.S. purchases of ironing tables were purchased
separately or purchased bundled with other products?
Type of purchase

2004

2005

Purchases (in 1,000 units)
2006
2007

2008

2009

Purchased separately
Bundled with other
products1
Total
1

Please identify other products including any nonsubject ironing boards (e.g., over-the-door or table-top
ironing boards).

(d) Please describe, based on your firm’s U.S. purchases of ironing tables, the relative prices of
ironing tables with comparable features that were purchased separately and purchased bundled
with other products during 2004-09.

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PART II.--PURCHASES AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7.

Internet purchase/reverse auction.—For each internet/reverse auction purchase in which your
firm purchased ironing tables during 2004-09, please provide the following information. Attach
additional pages for more than one such purchase.
(a) When did the auction take place?
(b) What suppliers participated in the auction?
(c) What period did the auction cover?
Initial shipment date
Final shipment date
(d) Which metal-top ironing table products or product lines were being purchased through the
auction?

(e) When were the metal-top ironing table products to be shipped to your firm?

(f) What were the quantities of each metal-top ironing table product or product line being
purchased?

(g) Was there a pre-bid price established at the start of the auction?

No

Yes

If yes what were the pre-bid prices for each product or product line?

(h) Was your purchase auction for ironing tables “bundled” with requests for bids for other
products?
No
Yes--Specify the other products and explain.

(i) Who was/were the winning firm(s) and what was the winning bid on each metal-top ironing
table product or product line? Please identify the country of origin of products for each winning
firm and product.

(j) Please discuss the reasons for choosing the supplier or suppliers of the metal-top ironing table
products.--

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART II.--PURCHASES AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-8.

Comparison of mesh-top and perforated-top ironing tables.—
(a) Do you consider mesh-top and perforated-top ironing tables to be interchangeable in use?
No—Please explain

Yes

(b) How important were differences in performance between mesh-top and perforated-top ironing
tables for your firm’s purchases of ironing tables during 2004-09? Please discuss.
Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

(c) Did either type of ironing table command a price premium over the other for otherwise
comparable features in your firm’s purchases of ironing tables during 2004-09?
Yes—Mesh-top is priced higher than perforated-top
Yes—Perforated-top is priced higher than mesh-top
No price difference
II-9.

Importance of additional features.—
(a) How important were additional features (e.g., ironing rests, cord holders, clothes racks) in
your firm’s purchases of ironing tables during 2004-09?
Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Please indicate the major additional features in your firm’s purchases of ironing tables and their
degree of importance.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART II.--PURCHASES AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-9.

Importance of additional features.—Continued
For purposes of the following question—
High-end ironing tables: Floor standing, metal-top ironing tables with metal thickness of legs
greater than 1.0 mm and total table weight greater than 7.5 kg and suggested retail price of $70 or
more.
(b) Did your firm purchase high-end ironing tables during 2004-09?
No

Yes

If yes, please provide the total quantity and value of purchases of high-end ironing tables during
2009 that were produced domestically and that were imported from China.
Purchases of high-end ironing tables during 2009
Quantity
Value
Ironing tables produced in-(Units)
(Dollars)
United States
China
Please also describe the major characteristics that customers find in high-end ironing tables that
make them willing to spend more than they would for another type of ironing table.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART II.--PURCHASES AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-10.

No.
1

2

3

4

5

Supplier identification.-- Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s FIVE
largest suppliers of ironing tables during 2004-09. Please also provide the name and telephone
number of a contact person, the country-of-origin of ironing tables from that supplier, and the
percentage share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of ironing tables (based on your
firm’s response to question II-2) that each of these customers accounted for in 2009.
Supplier’s
name/country-oforigin

Share of
Telephone
2009
Street address (not P.O.
box), city, state, and zip
number or e-mail purchases
code
Contact person
address
(%)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.

Contact information.--Who should be contacted regarding the requested information on market
characteristics and purchasing practices?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

III-2.

E-mail address

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of ironing tables
(check all that apply) during 2004-09?
COMMERCIAL USER--SPECIFY(

)

RETAILER
DISTRIBUTOR
OTHER--SPECIFY (
III-3.

)

Competition for sales.—
(a) If you firm is a distributor or reseller of ironing tables, did you compete during 2004-09 for
sales to your customers with the manufacturers or importers from which you purchased ironing
tables?
No

Yes--Please describe

(b) In addition to any suppliers, who were your other major competitors for sales of ironing tables
during 2004-09.

III-4.

Types of customers.--If your firm is a distributor or reseller of ironing tables, what were the
major types of customers to which you sold ironing tables during 2004-09?

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-5.

End uses/end users.—
(a) Please discuss the U.S. end uses or end users (e.g., household, commercial, and any other
users) of ironing tables during 2004-09 and the relative importance of each in their share of total
U.S. demand for ironing tables.

(b) Please estimate the share of the cost of ironing tables in household budgets for such products,
in costs of furnishing hotel/motel rooms, and in costs of any other types of uses or user(s) of
ironing tables in the United States during 2004-09.

Uses or users

Share of cost accounted for by
ironing tables (percent)

1. Households
2. Hotels/motels
3.

(c) Please discuss the impact of the durable-product nature of ironing tables on purchase
decisions by U.S. end uses or end users.

III-6.

Changes in end uses/end users.--Have there been any changes in the U.S. end uses/end users
(e.g., the mix of household, commercial, and any other users) of ironing tables during 2004-09?
No

III-7.

Yes--Please describe.

Anticipated changes in end uses/end users.--Do you anticipate any changes in the U.S. end
uses/end users of ironing tables in the future?
No

Yes--Please describe and identify the time period. Provide any underlying
assumptions, along with relevant portions of business plans or other supporting
documentation that address this issue.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-8.

Decisions based on producer.--Did your firm (either reseller or enduser), and to the extent that
you know, did your customers (only for resellers) make purchasing decisions during 2004-09
involving ironing tables based on the producer of the ironing tables that you purchased?
Your firm:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Your customers:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, please discuss how your firm and/or, if a reseller, your customers
determined the producer and why this information was important.
Your firm:

Your customers:

III-9.

Decisions based on country-of-origin.--Did your firm (either reseller or enduser), and to the
extent that you know, did your customers (only for resellers) make purchasing decisions during
2004-09 involving ironing tables based on the country of origin of the ironing tables you
purchased?
Your firm:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Your customers:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, please discuss how your firm and/or, if a reseller, your customers
determined the source and why this information was important.
Your firm:

Your customers:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-10 Domestic purchases.--Was buying a product that is produced in the United States an important
factor in your firm’s purchases of ironing tables during 2004-09 (please check ALL that apply)?
No
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required by law or regulation (for example,
government purchases under “Buy America” provisions). This involved
percent of
all purchases of domestic ironing tables during 2004-09.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are not required by law or regulation, but are by your
customers. This involved
percent of all purchases of domestic ironing tables during
2004-09.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required for other reasons (please specify these
reasons below). This involved
percent of all purchases of domestic ironing tables
during 2004-09.

III-11. Purchasing frequency.-(a) How frequently did you make purchases of ironing tables during 2004-09?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Quarterly
Annually
Other (specify)

)

(b) Did you make significant changes in your purchasing pattern during 2004-09?
No

Yes—Please describe and explain.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-12. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers did you your firm generally contact
before making a purchase of ironing tables during 2004-09?

III-13. Supplier negotiations.-(a) Did your firm’s purchases of ironing tables usually involve negotiations between your
supplier(s) and your firm during 2004-09?
No

Yes--Please describe your firm’s negotiations. In your response, please
comment on whether your firm quoted competing prices as part of the
negotiation process. Also comment on whether larger quantities purchased
resulted in lower prices compared to smaller quantities.

(b) Did your firm tend to vary its purchases from a given supplier within a specified time period
based on the price offered for that period during 2004-09?
No

Yes—Explain and specify the time period.

III-14. Change in suppliers.--Have you changed suppliers of ironing tables during 2004-09?
No

Yes--Please list the supplier or suppliers and indicate whether the firm was
added or dropped as a supplier. Also give the reasons for the change and how
frequently you change suppliers.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-15. New suppliers.—
(a) Were you aware of any new suppliers of ironing tables, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the U.S. market during 2004-09?
No

Yes--Please identify the firms, the country-of-origin of their ironing tables,
and indicate how you became aware of them.

(b) Do you expect new ironing table suppliers to enter the U.S. market in the future?
No

Yes--Please provide details, noting the specific future time period in your
response.

III-16. Supplier qualification.—Did you require your suppliers to become certified or already be
certified or prequalified with respect to the quality, strength, or other performance/product
characteristic of the ironing tables they sold to your firm during 2004-09?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2009

Yes--all purchases

Please provide a general description of the certification or qualification process, and estimate the
time and cost required during 2004-09.

III-17. Factors considered vis-à-vis suppliers.--Briefly describe the factors that you considered when
qualifying a new supplier of ironing tables (e.g., quality of product, reliability of supplier, etc.)
during 2004-09.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-18. Failure to certify.—During 2004-09, did any domestic or foreign producers fail in their attempts
to certify or qualify their ironing tables with your firm or have any producers lost their approved
status?
No

Yes--Please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
whether they failed or lost the certification/qualification, and the reasons for the
latter.

III-19. Purchasing factors.--For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in
your firm’s purchase decision for ironing tables during 2004-09.
Very
Important
Availability .......................................
Delivery terms .................................
Delivery time ...................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit...........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements..............
Packaging .......................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets industry standards....
Quality exceeds industry standards
Product range..................................
Reliability of supply .........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs.................
Other (specify):
........
........
........

Somewhat
important

Not
important

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-20. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in descending order of their importance, the three major
factors generally considered by your firm during 2004-09 in deciding from whom to purchase
ironing tables for any one order (examples include current availability, extension of credit,
prearranged contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Other factors or comments:

III-21 Quality characteristics.--What characteristics did your firm consider when determining the
quality of ironing tables during 2004-09?

III-22 Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased ironing tables from one source
although a comparable product was available from another source at a lower price during 200409, please explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by also supplying country, including
the United States and both subject and nonsubject foreign countries). Possibilities might include
transaction characteristics such as length of time to fill orders, or minimum order size, reliability
of supply, etc.

III-23. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often did your firm purchase ironing tables that
were offered at the lowest price during 2004-09?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

If your firm answered “sometimes or never,” please explain the reason(s).

Never

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-24. Frequency of price changes.--How frequently did the price of the ironing tables you purchased
change during 2004-09?

III-25. Price leaders.—
(a) Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the U.S. ironing table
market during 2004-09. A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price
change, either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that
have a significant impact on prices. A price leader does not necessarily have to be the lowest
priced supplier. For those firms identified as a price leader, please specify the time period in
which a price change was communicated, whether the price change was upward or downward,
and whether it covered a specific geographic region or a specific product type.

(b) Please describe how the above firm(s) exhibited price leadership.

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-26. Changes in U.S. industry.-(a) Please identify and discuss any improvements/changes in the U.S. ironing table industry since
2004 and explain fully, to the extent possible, the factor(s), including the order under review, that
was responsible for each improvement/change.

(b) Please also discuss fully, to the extent possible, any improvements/changes that you anticipate
in the future in the U.S. ironing table industry. Identify the specific future time period covered in
your response, and discuss the factors that you believe would be responsible for each
improvement change.

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-27. Effect of revocation.--What do you think will be the likely effects of any revocation of the
antidumping duty order for imports of ironing tables from China? As appropriate, please discuss
any potential effects of revocation of the antidumping duty order on future (1) activities of your
firm and (2) the U.S. market as a whole. Please note the future time period to which you are
referring. Attach additional pages if necessary.
(1) Activities of your firm:

(2) Entire U.S. market:

III-28. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys, etc.
that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss ironing tables supply (including
production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2) each of the
other major producing/consuming countries, including China, and (3) the world as a whole. Of
particular interest is such data from 2004 to the present and forecasts for the future.

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-29. Cyclical/seasonal U.S. demand.—Was U.S. demand for ironing tables subject to any
cyclical/seasonal fluctuations, product cycles, or other U.S. competitive conditions of demand
distinctive to ironing tables during 2004-09?
No

Yes

If yes—
(a) Please check below the type(s) of demand fluctuations and then discuss the nature and timing
of these fluctuations and how they affected your U.S. demand for ironing tables during 2004-09.
In addition indicate whether any business cycles apply to the overall economy and/or specific
downstream sectors.
Cyclical (longer than one year for complete cycle)
Seasonal (within one year for complete cycle)
Product cycle (completed

within one year, or

longer than one year—Check one)

Other competitive condition(s) (specify

)

Discussion: --In addition, identify, if applicable, peak and lowest demand months in a year.

(b) Please explain how any U.S. cyclical/seasonal/other demand fluctuations affected your firm’s
purchase prices and quantities of ironing tables at any time(s) during 2004-09.

(c) Has the emergence of new markets for ironing tables since 2004 affected the business cycles
or conditions of competition distinctive to ironing tables.
No

Yes—Please explain any changes.

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-30. Demand trends.-(a) How has the demand within the United States for ironing tables changed during 2004-09?
What principal factors affected any changes in demand?
Increased

Decreased

Fluctuated

No change

(b) How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for ironing tables changed during
2004-09? What principal factors affected any changes in demand? If applicable, identify specific
foreign countries that you refer to.
Increased

Decreased

Fluctuated

No change

III-31. Anticipated demand trends.—
(a) Do you anticipate any future changes in demand for ironing tables WITHIN the United
States?
No

Yes—Please describe and identify the time period. Provide any
underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of business plans or
other supporting documentation that address this issue.

(b) Do you anticipate any future changes in demand for ironing tables OUTSIDE the United
States? If applicable, identify specific foreign countries that you refer to.
No

Yes—Please describe and identify the time period. Provide any
underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of business plans or
other supporting documentation that address this issue.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-32. Substitutes in demand in the U.S. market.—
Substitution in demand refers to products that can, based on market price considerations and householdconsumer/industrial-user preferences/technical requirements, reasonably be expected to substitute for
each other when the price of one product changes vis-a vis the price of the other product—some
consumers/industrial users may require greater price changes than others before they switch among the
alternative products.
Please list in descending order of importance any products (e.g., over-the-door ironing boards,
wall-mounted ironing boards, countertop or tabletop ironing boards, etc.), that may be substituted
for ironing tables. For each possible substitute product, please give examples of types of end
users (e.g., households, hotels, etc.) for which they are substitutes and indicate whether changes
in the price of the substitute affects the price for ironing tables, and the length of any time lag of
such an effect.

Substitute product

Description of types of end
users

Have changes in the prices of this
substitute affected the price of ironing
tables during 2004-09?

1.

No

Yes--Please explain.

2.

No

Yes--Please explain.

3.

No

Yes--Please explain.

4.

No

Yes--Please explain.

5.

No

Yes--Please explain.

III-33. Changes in substitutes in the U.S. market.--Have there been any changes in the number or
types of products that can be substituted for ironing tables or changes in the relative importance
of existing substitutes during 2004-09?
No

Yes--Please explain.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire –Ironing Tables

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PART III.—MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-34. Anticipated changes in substitutes in the U.S. market.—Do you anticipate any changes in the
number or types of products that can be substituted for ironing tables in the future?
No

Yes--Please describe. Provide any underlying assumptions, along with
relevant portions of business plans or other supporting documentation that
address this issue.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISIONS
IV-1.

Contact information.--Who should be contacted regarding the requested information on product
comparisons?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

IV-2.

E-mail address

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for ironing tables for which your
firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge during 2004-09.
United States
China
Taiwan
Other countries (Please specify

IV-3.

)

Interchangeability.—Were ironing tables produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications) in the U.S. market
during 2004-09? Please indicate below, using “A” to indicate that the products from a specified
country-pair are always interchangeable, “F” to indicate that the products are frequently
interchangeable, “S” to indicate that the products are sometimes interchangeable, “N” to indicate
that the products are never interchangeable, and “0” to indicate no familiarity with products from
a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

China

Taiwan

Other countries

United States
China
Taiwan
1
For each country-pair producing ironing tables which was sometimes or never interchangeable during
2004-09, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use and identify the associated
country pair(s):

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PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
IV-4.

Country preferences.--Did you or your customers ever specifically order ironing tables from one
country in particular over other possible sources of supply during 2004-09?
No

IV-5.

Yes--Please identify all relevant countries (including the United States and
both subject and nonsubject foreign countries) from which you or your customers
prefer to order, and indicate why ironing tables from these countries were
preferred over ironing tables from other countries (please note the specific
ironing table products/product lines in your response).

Availability of merchandise.--Were certain grades/types/sizes of ironing tables available from
only a single source (domestic or foreign, including both subject and nonsubject countries) during
2004-09?
No

Yes--Please identify the country source and the grade/type/size.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ironing Tables

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PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how ironing tables
produced in each country you identified in your response to question IV-2 compared with ironing
tables produced in each of the other countries you identified (including the United States and both
subject and nonsubject foreign countries) during 2004-09. If your responses are the same for
comparisons between one country (e.g., United States) and each of several other countries,
combine into a single response, but identify all of the comparator countries.

Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Lower price..............................................
Minimum quantity requirements..............
Packaging................................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
Lower U.S. transportation costs..............
Other (specify):

Inferior

compared to
product from

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

Product from

Inferior

Product from

Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Quality

Superior

Product from
United States
compared to
product from
China

Superior

IV-6.

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PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
Factor country comparisons.--Continued

Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price1 .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs1 .......................
Other (specify):

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

compared to
product from

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

Quality

product from

Superior

IV-6.

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PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
IV-7.

Minimum quality.-(a) How often did domestically produced ironing tables meet minimum quality specifications for
your uses or your customers’ uses during 2004-09?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or never

(b) How often did imported subject ironing tables meet minimum quality specifications for your
uses or your customers’ uses during 2004-09?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

China

(c) How often did imported ironing tables from nonsubject countries (i.e., ironing tables from
countries other than China) meet minimum quality specifications for your uses or your
customers’ uses during 2004-09?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Taiwan

IV-8.

Change in price.-- Since 2004, has there been a change in the price of ironing tables in the U.S.
market?
No

Yes

If yes—
(a) Has the price of U.S.-produced ironing tables changed more or less than the price of imported
ironing tables from China?
Prices changed by the same amount (check as applicable)

, or

U.S.-producer prices changed relative to prices of imports from China
(b) If the price of U.S.-produced ironing tables changed relative to the price of ironing tables from
China, the price of U.S.-produced ironing tables is now relatively—
Higher or

Lower (check one)-- than prices of the imported ironing tables from China