The Instantaneous One has questions for All-Clad. But he has indeed hit on the situation: the margin on All-Clad is relatively large. Just talk to someone who retails it, and they'll tell you. All-Clad has an excellent marketing scheme.

Incidentally, I'm an All-Clad afficionado, using traditional stainless. I have the 10" fry-pan, the 10" non-stick fry-pan, a one-quart saucepan, a two-quart saucepan with lid, a 7" fry-pan, and a wok. Next on my list: the 10 qt. stock-pot/pasta cooker. As you can tell, I fry and saute a lot. I've also got a couple of sauces I do quite well.

My folks used to love Calphalon; for their 25th wedding anniversary, I gave them a 9 piece All-Clad stainless set, and now that's all that they use. My dad has even perfected cooking omlets in the 10" fry-pan (not non-stick).