As many are aware, this sort of "manufacturer parts only" tech is everywhere. First printers, then k-cups, now water filters and I'm sure the list goes on. While, initially I share the outrage at massive upcharges on parts that should be super cheap, there's another problem they're fighting. The consumer will often buy the cheapest appliance regardless of continued cost down in the future. If you can offset that loss in profit with something else that's less prevalent on consumer's minds, you can compete with other sellers. Best Buy has to sell a TV for a couple bucks profit margin but then ask $50 for an HDMI cable to make up the profit. Why? Because if WalMart has the same TV for $40 less, the customer will go there to buy. If given the option, I bet most customers would not pay an extra $200 for a fridge even if you told them the filters are $35 cheaper.

I state the above not to give these companies an easy excuse out, I still think this is not the ideal solution. But what should they do instead? I witnessed this first hand years ago when I worked retail, people would come in and ask me questions about a printer and then drive to WalMart and buy the same printer for $15 less.