The $200 Toaster

There is something decadent yet fascinating about this toaster beginning with the price tag of $219. While toasted bread can certainly be ruined by a bad toaster, I believe toast can only be made so good regardless of price. So there is something else going on here. The copy on the web site says the toaster is commercial grade. Great, now you can make toast like the professionals do in hospital cafeterias. Hand assembled in England (where toast is almost the national dish). The toaster's heating elements are said to be award-winning. Who hands out those awards? I never considered a toaster as status symbol before but the Vario 2-Slice toaster by Dualit must be one.