NationStates Jolt Archive


Brand name vs Generic

Peechland
05-06-2007, 07:43
I'm not the kind of person who equates quality with expensive prices, but I will agree that sometimes you do get what you pay for. I save money any chance I get, so I frequently purchase the generic versions of many products. Let's face it, I dont need to pay $2.50 more per bottle of Acetaminophen just to have the name Tylenol printed on the bottle. Same with stuff like Saline solution,most other OTC meds. BUT...there are some things that generic is just a deal breaker.....for instance:

no genric ketchup...ugh. Hunt's or Heinz or keep it away from me.
Cheese: Kraft or Borden....all that other stuff is just like eating an orange floppy disk.

So whether it's food, clothing, cars,drugs....whatever, what are some things/brands you buy that you've found better suit your needs? What are your deal breakers and have you found some off the wall brand that surpasses all others?

A poll cometh....
Sarkhaan
05-06-2007, 07:49
ketchup (heinz)
pasta sauce (Newmans)
cheese (Land o lakes)
toilet paper (Charmin ultra)
electronics (depends what it is)
hot dogs (hebrew national)
hamburgers (ground beef, home made)
laundry stuff (tide, downy)
Orange juice (tropicana grove stand)
Beer (several)

most things I can do generic.

ETA: the only thing I will never go generic on is toilet paper. as my dad said, "It really sucks to go around with a sore butthole"
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 07:51
I think my generic tastes are reflective of my generic conversational skills. :)
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
05-06-2007, 07:54
I basically always go with store-brand (generic). Wal-Mart brand is usually good enough. :)
Barringtonia
05-06-2007, 07:57
I'm a sucker for packaging and/or design - doesn't matter if it's generic or not - I am shallow that way.
Sarkhaan
05-06-2007, 07:58
I think my generic tastes are reflective of my generic conversational skills. :)

strange and unpredictable, yet entertaining and full of spontaneous references?
Damaske
05-06-2007, 08:02
I mostly go with generic unless it is a food item.
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:08
strange and unpredictable, yet entertaining and full of spontaneous references?

:)
*bows*
You know, that's where the lack of balance is .... i don't have expensive or extravagant tastes in my products.
Peechland
05-06-2007, 08:11
I'm a sucker for packaging and/or design - doesn't matter if it's generic or not - I am shallow that way.

See, thats the rip. Here I am at the pharmacy section of Wal-MArt, comparing the pretty purple and pink packaging(whoa look at that alliteration)of the Benedryl to less than interesting white and barely pink outlined box of Diphenhydramine. It stresses me out and I end up having to get my generic panic attack meds filled.......why cant they make all the packaging equally delightful to look at?:confused:


one thing though.....the packaging of generic products has got to be what you pay for. Like the generic Benedryl I was talking about....try peeling back that little foil strip with ease. I have to carry a knife in my purse just so I can open the stuff up. The real Bene...no prob. You can peel that foil right back in 2 secs flat. The other....it's like they have people in the factory packaging it up going:" let's see these cheap bastards get this open." I dunno what the hell kind of adhesive they use, but damn.
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
05-06-2007, 08:12
I thought I'd mention, since I just made the big switch:

Wal-Mart Oats - just as good as Quaker. Hand to God.
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:16
I thought I'd mention, since I just made the big switch:

Wal-Mart Oats - just as good as Quaker. Hand to God.

Made by Authentic Wal-Mart Puritans?
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
05-06-2007, 08:16
Made by Authentic Wal-Mart Puritans?

No idea, but the taste is comparable. :)
Sarkhaan
05-06-2007, 08:17
:)
*bows*
You know, that's where the lack of balance is .... i don't have expensive or extravagant tastes in my products.

I'm willing to bet you splurge on beer.

hehe...splurge.
Heretichia
05-06-2007, 08:24
Mostly I go for brands since I know what I'm getting.
There are things I never buy generics of, namely:

Shoes, alwasy Nike, Addidas, Ecco or some other expensive brand, the generics kill my feet.
Jeans, Levi's, Lee or something similar. I avoid Diesel as the seams seem to rip easily.
T-shirts, no real brand fag here, but I go for nice ones with cool prints. No generic shit that doesn't fit.
Styling products, here I go for the insanely expensive shit, clay wax for 30 bucks a can.
Toothpaste, got one brand that works, the rest hurts my teeth, no choice there.
And as everyone else, Ketchup... Heinz or nuffin'.
Cabra West
05-06-2007, 08:25
I'm not the kind of person who equates quality with expensive prices, but I will agree that sometimes you do get what you pay for. I save money any chance I get, so I frequently purchase the generic versions of many products. Let's face it, I dont need to pay $2.50 more per bottle of Acetaminophen just to have the name Tylenol printed on the bottle. Same with stuff like Saline solution,most other OTC meds. BUT...there are some things that generic is just a deal breaker.....for instance:

no genric ketchup...ugh. Hunt's or Heinz or keep it away from me.
Cheese: Kraft or Borden....all that other stuff is just like eating an orange floppy disk.

So whether it's food, clothing, cars,drugs....whatever, what are some things/brands you buy that you've found better suit your needs? What are your deal breakers and have you found some off the wall brand that surpasses all others?

A poll cometh....

CHEESE has brand names??? :eek:
Heretichia
05-06-2007, 08:26
I'm willing to bet you splurge on beer.

hehe...splurge.

Beer is definitly one of the things where you get what you pay for... No wonder miller's lite is cheap...
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:28
No idea, but the taste is comparable. :)

You've eaten a few Puritans?
BTW - i'm a direct descendant of the Mayflower crew. :p

*wink, nudge*
Sarkhaan
05-06-2007, 08:29
CHEESE has brand names??? :eek:

well, I'm pretty sure Scarlet is talking about American Cheese...although, most cheese is at least distributed by a company
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:30
I'm willing to bet you splurge on beer.

hehe...splurge.
Wouldn't that be, "Splurge IN beer"?

I haven't had to do that since i had three roommates with lots of transient contacts - a while back.
Yes, i did that.

You know .... not beer, but Port, Sake, Whiskey, Cognac, Fire Water ... those kinds of things.
Not often though, since i really, REALLY loathe the depressant factor of alcohol anymore.
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
05-06-2007, 08:31
You've eaten a few Puritans?
BTW - i'm a direct descendant of the Mayflower crew. :p

*wink, nudge*

Heh. I think the original puritans and the Quakers are somewhat different groups in any event. :) The Quakers are that odd peace-loving group that gave us oats and Richard Nixon, rather than the witch-burning one that settled Massachusettes.
Sarkhaan
05-06-2007, 08:31
Wouldn't that be, "Splurge IN beer"?

I haven't had to do that since i had three roommates with lots of transient contacts - a while back.
Yes, i did that.

You know .... not beer, but Port, Sake, Whiskey, Cognac, Fire Water ... those kinds of things.
Not often though, since i really, REALLY loathe the depressant factor of alcohol anymore.

Curious. The depressant factor is exactly why I have a beer after work...gets me to sleep faster.

Welcome to the life of a functional alcoho...er....college student. ;)


and yes, I've done that too. 2 days ago. It wasn't my fault tho.
Peechland
05-06-2007, 08:33
You've eaten a few Puritans?
BTW - i'm a direct descendant of the Mayflower crew. :p

*wink, nudge*



You know, I think I had an Aunt who swabbed the deck of the Santa Maria.

or was it the Pinta?
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:35
Heh. I think the original puritans and the Quakers are somewhat different groups in any event. :) The Quakers are that odd peace-loving group that gave us oats and Richard Nixon, rather than the witch-burning one that settled Massachusettes.
The Quakers gave us Nixon? *grits teeth*
Hmmm. I really need to brush up on my history.

Witch burners ... there's another teeth gritter.
Makes me want to Ouija the bunch of ancestors just so i can involve them in such a "detestable" event, and whatever essence they still possess can be spent on self-abhorrance and torpor. :)
Cabra West
05-06-2007, 08:35
well, I'm pretty sure Scarlet is talking about American Cheese...although, most cheese is at least distributed by a company

Well, yes, sure, but that would be like Leerdamer being produced by one company, and Roche Baron by another. But they're completely different kinds of cheese.... :confused:
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
05-06-2007, 08:36
The Quakers gave us Nixon? *grits teeth*
Hmmm. I really need to brush up on my history.

Witch burners ... there's another teeth gritter.
Makes me want to Ouija the bunch of ancestors just so i can involve them in such a "detestable" event, and whatever essence they still possess can be spent on self-abhorrance and torpor. :)

Yes, Nixon was, I believe, the first and only "friend" in the White House. He deserves more credit than he gets though - for all his personal problems, he was still a decent guy. :) I don't doubt that if we had "tapes" on every president, Nixon would be among the cleanest. :p
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:37
Curious. The depressant factor is exactly why I have a beer after work...gets me to sleep faster.
I mean more like the nihilist attitude i get about things i shouldn't be that way about.

Welcome to the life of a functional alcoho...er....college student. ;)
My credits are still transferrable. I may enroll again soon, btw.

and yes, I've done that too. 2 days ago. It wasn't my fault tho.Not your fault? Sorta like American Pie? :p
Demented Hamsters
05-06-2007, 08:38
I have some preferences, up to a point. I'm more than willing to pay for quality, as long as the price reflects it. By this, I mean I doubt I'd ever buy anything from LV for myself. Whilst their stuff is extremely good quality and would last a lifetime, I still find it hard to justify spending >$1000US on a bloody bag.
Things like shoes I good for quality. One should never buy crap shoes - it's going to cost you more in the long run. I swear by 'ecco' footwear. I've had a pair over a year now, and they're still in fantastic nick.
Clothes - I go for what looks good on me, not what the label says. So I have stuff bought in the street markets for a few dollars. That said, the majority of my clothes are Armani xchange, because I find their style suits me very well. Prices are decent and quality excellent.

as for food - I usually go for the nice stuff, now that I can afford it. It's worth it. especially chocolate.
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:38
You know, I think I had an Aunt who swabbed the deck of the Santa Maria.

or was it the Pinta?

Really? Cool!
My ancestor (of note) was William Brewster. If anything, he probably was one of those dudes that told people how to feel about natural things and things they were told were unnatural.
Sarkhaan
05-06-2007, 08:41
Well, yes, sure, but that would be like Leerdamer being produced by one company, and Roche Baron by another. But they're completely different kinds of cheese.... :confused:
Well, let's try it this way. Swiss is the type of cheese. Now, when I go to a deli, I can get Boars Head, store brand, Land 'o Lakes, Sargento, etc.

I mean more like the nihilist attitude i get about things i shouldn't be that way about.true dat

Not your fault? Sorta like American Pie? :pdepressingly similar......:(

as for potential college, do it. Now.
Eraeya
05-06-2007, 08:43
For medicine etc. I buy the generic since it's exactly the same product.

But there are things you just can't replace, like good mayonaise that doesn't look and taste jelly. Or good fabric softener (the cheap ones smell like poo).
Quality is important in life, my friends!
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:45
Yes, Nixon was, I believe, the first and only "friend" in the White House. He deserves more credit than he gets though - for all his personal problems, he was still a decent guy. :) I don't doubt that if we had "tapes" on every president, Nixon would be among the cleanest. :p
He was clearly a better president than that smear of pus-ridden excrement we .. ah, i'm getting a little redundant.
Nixon, as it got on, turned more and more into a prick, seriously, but he was for the most part not a bad president.
Barringtonia
05-06-2007, 08:48
See, thats the rip. Here I am at the pharmacy section of Wal-MArt, comparing the pretty purple and pink packaging(whoa look at that alliteration)of the Benedryl to less than interesting white and barely pink outlined box of Diphenhydramine. It stresses me out and I end up having to get my generic panic attack meds filled.......why cant they make all the packaging equally delightful to look at?:confused:


one thing though.....the packaging of generic products has got to be what you pay for. Like the generic Benedryl I was talking about....try peeling back that little foil strip with ease. I have to carry a knife in my purse just so I can open the stuff up. The real Bene...no prob. You can peel that foil right back in 2 secs flat. The other....it's like they have people in the factory packaging it up going:" let's see these cheap bastards get this open." I dunno what the hell kind of adhesive they use, but damn.

Totally unrelated but a design flaw that really bugs me is: why can't ALL elevators/lifts have buttons that you can press twice to undo those (many) times you press the wrong button.

Secondly, can a computer manufacturer please, please move the Caps Lock key away from the Shift key?
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:49
true datToo much of that in life. Too much before. Never climbin' out if i don't stay on the level (heh, "level" is kinda funny) - but you know, kidney stones aren't much fun either :p

depressingly similar......:(
I honestly don't feel i could've been depressed about that kind of scenario with Tara Reid in those days - being single and all :D

as for potential college, do it. Now.Journalism, eh? :)
I'm working on photo-incorporation and a few other angles as well. A lot of my humanities are taken care of. WooT!
Peechland
05-06-2007, 08:50
For medicine etc. I buy the generic since it's exactly the same product.

But there are things you just can't replace, like good mayonaise that doesn't look and taste jelly. Or good fabric softener (the cheap ones smell like poo).
Quality is important in life, my friends!

yep yep.....righto about the fabric softener. The off brands just give the clothes a perfume smell....doesnt actually soften them or even help with the static cling.

Soda....I cant handle the Shastas, Dr.Thunder(how is that name even close to Dr. Pepper?) Coke is where it's at. generic soda= ick.

I can also vouch for the Wal-Oats. *nod*
The Brevious
05-06-2007, 08:52
swabbed It doesn't appear i can TG you :(

Still got my email? Laundry's done, gotta go nightie now.
*bows*
Thumbless Pete Crabbe
05-06-2007, 08:53
He was clearly a better president than that smear of pus-ridden excrement we .. ah, i'm getting a little redundant.
Nixon, as it got on, turned more and more into a prick, seriously, but he was for the most part not a bad president.

I think there will be a more fairminded re-assessment of Nixon in the future, after the particular cultural attachments of the baby-boomers are gone, when that generation stops writing the text books. Hopefully Nixon's ideals will be given a fair shake, even if his implementation of those ideals will always be known for its problems and shortcomings. :)
Cameroi
05-06-2007, 11:41
the question is irrelivant, durable functionality and environmentaly harmony are the rational criteria.

too bad the automatic little green pieces of paper seeking mechanism provides little or no incentive to reliably specify them.

(which is not to suggest i am awaire of any idiology being practiced that does, or even if any can. but something else can. sensible priorities based on the kind of world we actually do want to live in, within what its resources and cycles of renewal are capable of)

=^^=
.../\...
The Phoenix Milita
05-06-2007, 11:47
It depends on what you're buying. If its something like napkins or paper plates, go with generic. If its something important, like a condom or gallon of milk, then you have to go with the brand names, so you can sue the big corporation if the unthinkable happens (unwanted pregnancy/diarrhea)
Compulsive Depression
05-06-2007, 11:58
There are brands of milk?

Suing the condom manufacturer won't work; read the small print.

I tend to buy own-brands of most things (is there such a thing as a branded lettuce, anyway? Branded meat, NPI? Most fresh stuff doesn't have them), unless there isn't one, the brand is better value, or there's a significant functional difference. There aren't many cases... Heinz make some nice flavoured baked beans... Own-brand coffee (frankly, most branded coffee) is horrendous... Asda's own-brand washing up liquid is pretty insipid...

I do tend to buy the normal "own-brand" rather than the "super cheap" version, though; those versions often are nasty (and, in some cases, more expensive; eg. marzipan). "Smart-Price" loo rolls, ugh.
The Phoenix Milita
05-06-2007, 12:06
Oh yea, another tip, a lot of generic brand food products are leftovers from the brand name company that they couldn't sell.
Compulsive Depression
05-06-2007, 12:12
Oh yea, another tip, a lot of generic brand food products are leftovers from the brand name company that they couldn't sell.

That strikes me as a rumour started to discredit own-brand stuff. Besides, if it's beyond its sell-by date they won't get away with flogging it.
Considering, in some cases, you'll sell more own-brand of something than branded versions; Tesco's own-brand Antibacterial Washing-Up Liquid used to be the leading brand...

It's well known that some own-brand things are the same as the branded version, made in the same factory, merely with different packaging.
The Phoenix Milita
05-06-2007, 12:20
That strikes me as a rumour started to discredit own-brand stuff. Besides, if it's beyond its sell-by date they won't get away with flogging it.
Considering, in some cases, you'll sell more own-brand of something than branded versions; Tesco's own-brand Antibacterial Washing-Up Liquid used to be the leading brand...

It's well known that some own-brand things are the same as the branded version, made in the same factory, merely with different packaging.

No, they don't sell beyond the expiration date, but they can't sell it in time as the name brand to get it on store shelves before the date comes up. So instead they sell it to a supermarket brand. They make up the lost profits by not advertising.

And it may be a rumor, but I heard it from a former executive and current college business professor.

Also it doesn't really discredit own-brand stuff, since when you buy store brand, you are getting the same coca-cola just in a different can, that might be a few weeks older.
Compulsive Depression
05-06-2007, 12:33
Ah right, yeah that could happen.
Whereyouthinkyougoing
05-06-2007, 12:39
Peechy!! :fluffle: :)
Pure Metal
05-06-2007, 12:39
it really depends on the type of product. if we're talking about medicines then i always go generic (apart from hayfever tablets cos i'm just desperate to buy something that works...)

if were talking food then i pretty much always go brand name, because food and taste is very important to me

if we're talking clothes then i really don't care... i'll buy whatever takes my fancy in my price range

if we're talking technology then i tend to stick to brand names, or brands i trust, because its a field where you really do get what you pay for imo
The Infinite Dunes
05-06-2007, 12:48
I personally care very little for brand names. Mainly because most of the time what you are being sold is a 'lifestyle' rather than a product.

Brandnames that I buy - Marmite (there is only one marmite - anything else is a different product), Cinnamon Grahams (a recent discovery), half of my computer is made up of brandnames, shaver, aftershave crap, and a couple of shirts.

CHEESE has brand names??? :eek:I kinda raised an eyebrow when I read this. There's only one brand name that I know of that isn't associated with processed cheese, and that's President or something. A french brand that make various cheeses - I've recently been seeing their wares sold over here in the UK. They make various cheeses, mainly Brie, Camembert and Feta though.

There are brands of milk?Yeah, haven't you seen the adverts for Cravendale or whatever it is. It's the mineral water of milk. It's the only brand name that I know of though.

It's well known that some own-brand things are the same as the branded version, made in the same factory, merely with different packaging.I think the most obvious example of which in the UK is bread. There are two major bread producing companies. That vast, vast majority of all bread is made in their factories - brand names and generics alike. To get anything not made by these companies you have to go to a bakery, and even then there's a high probability that their using dough that was produced by these bread companies.

Allied Bakeries and British Bakeries I think they are called.
Bewilder
05-06-2007, 13:56
I used to work for a household textile company, organising the correct brand labels for the same completely bog standard products so I don't automatically assume the brand is any better, or any different to the generic product. My father is a boilermaker and has worked in several famous food factories and seen how many different boxes the products go into...

The things I am picky about are:

Colman's English Mustard
Heinz Ketchup (of course)
Fairy washing up liquid
Whiskey - don't give me any of those evil blends. ick.

Think that's all.
Compulsive Depression
05-06-2007, 14:02
Yeah, haven't you seen the adverts for Cravendale or whatever it is. It's the mineral water of milk. It's the only brand name that I know of though.

Nope, never heard of it. I don't really do adverts.
Suppose there's milkman-delivered milk, which is better than supermarket plastic-bottled stuff, but I don't use enough to make it practical.
The Infinite Dunes
05-06-2007, 14:17
Nope, never heard of it. I don't really do adverts.
Suppose there's milkman-delivered milk, which is better than supermarket plastic-bottled stuff, but I don't use enough to make it practical.Really?

Typical advert of theirs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNEljXQ56dw&mode=related&search=
Compulsive Depression
05-06-2007, 14:37
Really?

Typical advert of theirs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNEljXQ56dw&mode=related&search=

Heh, the cows are sinister. MOOOO!

But "it's filtered, to make it purer?" What kind of bollocks is that in a milk advert? Something never to buy on principle then.
The Infinite Dunes
05-06-2007, 14:43
Heh, the cows are sinister. MOOOO!

But "it's filtered, to make it purer?" What kind of bollocks is that in a milk advert? Something never to buy on principle then.Reminds me of the Dasani crap. Like your own personal water filter, only more expensive, less personal and worse for you.

I mean you couldn't make this stuff up... no wait... yes you could. *points at an episode of Only Fools and Horses*
Smunkeeville
05-06-2007, 14:48
almost all of the processed food I buy is name brand because there are certain foods that only have one brand that makes a safe choice. For example, only Kraft ranch dressing is gluten free, all others I have found have gluten. Only Hunts BBQ sauce is gluten free.....etc.

I would compromise if it didn't make me sick.

As far as "everything else" we buy name brand (Charmin Ultra) toilet paper, for obvious reasons (one of them being that we don't buy face tissue, so the Charmin doesn't hurt our noses when we have allergies)

I buy name brand jeans, and name brand make-up(the make-up thing because of gluten also) and name brand crayons (gluten also)......
Ralina
05-06-2007, 15:29
I use generic brands of everything. I am talking about things like the store brand, if there are cheaper available they usually do end up being nasty. I have a few exceptions to that though.

Ketchup has to be Heinz.

Shoes must be comfortable and well made, as I use them a lot (I live in the city and walk on average 4-16 miles a day.) I swear by Ecco for that.

Toilet paper...must be over 1 ply.

Everything else I go for cheap as long as its still functional. I buy my T-shirts from the 4 for 10 dollar bin at Walgreen's (they are all factory rejects but the flaws are either almost impossible to find or actually impossible to realistically find.) Its a good life.
Nouvelle Wallonochia
05-06-2007, 15:33
I kinda raised an eyebrow when I read this. There's only one brand name that I know of that isn't associated with processed cheese, and that's President or something. A french brand that make various cheeses - I've recently been seeing their wares sold over here in the UK. They make various cheeses, mainly Brie, Camembert and Feta though.

Here in France there are brand names for various cheeses. In my local grocery store there is President, as you said, and the store brand "Bien Vu" which isn't as good. There are some other brands, but I can't remember the names right now. Also, there is Babybel cheese (although I know a Frenchman who gets angry when you call Babybel "cheese) and some generic brand that I don't remember the name of.
Dakini
05-06-2007, 15:33
I'm only picky with certain items.

Well, first of all, I avoid anything made by procter and gamble because they preform unnecessary animal tests and I'm not cool with that. Aside from that, I'll usually try the generic stuff at least once and if it's good, I'll buy it again (some generic foodstuffs are as good or better than their brand name counterparts) if it's worse than the brand name counterpart then I won't buy it. Living cheaply is not worth living crappily, imo.
Ifreann
05-06-2007, 15:34
CHEESE has brand names??? :eek:

How can you live here and not know of Dubliner Cheese?
SaintB
05-06-2007, 15:42
I buy what I can afford. A lot of the brand name things are actually lower quality than some generic things I have found *shrug*.

For stupid things like tylenol I'll just by the generic stuff every time... who needs expensive dandruff shampoo when I can buy a bottle of the generic stuff for half the price, it does the same damn thing, and a bottle lasts longer?

I have found some brand anme things that are what they are cracked up to be though (Velveeta cheese is a prime example, the generic crap don't compare)
IL Ruffino
05-06-2007, 15:42
Pac Sun for clothes, K-swiss for shoes, Arm & Hammer for deoderant, Sean John for cologne. I prefer Jones, or this neat Japanese soda they sell at the mall. My chocolate is never generic, and we only use Heinz.

Is Fit & Active a generic brand?
Ifreann
05-06-2007, 15:47
Pac Sun for clothes, K-swiss for shoes, Arm & Hammer for deoderant, Sean John for cologne. I prefer Jones, or this neat Japanese soda they sell at the mall. My chocolate is never generic, and we only use Heinz.

Is Fit & Active a generic brand?

Is your beloved Bawls generic?
IL Ruffino
05-06-2007, 15:49
Is your beloved Bawls generic?

Oh! I forgot about energy drinks! I did mention Bawls, but then I took it out and was going to make a mention of energy drinks..

For energy drinks I love Bawls and blue Jolt, but every once in a while I'll just buy a random brand.
Soleichunn
05-06-2007, 15:53
I thought I'd mention, since I just made the big switch:

Wal-Mart Oats - just as good as Quaker. Hand to God.

Coles hazlenut choc spread, tastes almost the same as the Nutella equivalent yet is about 1/2 price.
Soleichunn
05-06-2007, 15:57
Also it doesn't really discredit own-brand stuff, since when you buy store brand, you are getting the same coca-cola just in a different can, that might be a few weeks older.

Mmmm; Tasty, tasty benzene...
Infinite Revolution
05-06-2007, 15:57
i only ever buy generic meds, or 'own brand' stuff if there's no generics. the only thing i really seek out a brand for ever is shower gel, i usually just buy the 'own brand' stuff from the local co-op, but i do like gillette shower gel so if i see it i buy it, despite the fact it's about 5 times the price of the 'own brand' stuff. i just like the smell. my ketchup and brown sauce are co-op own brand, i can't tell the difference to be honest. and the food i buy is always own brand, mostly super-saver own brand too. it's often better than the branded stuff, Wall's bacon is minging for example. actually, the other day i bought some steak sausages that were a local brand because they had a higher percentage of meat in them than the others on offer for a similar price. clothes i buy what i like, and i never buy clothes that have the brand emblazened across the front, i'm not a 'billboard'. i often get my clothes from charity shops and second-hand shops cuz you can find some awesome stuff in those.
Rameria
05-06-2007, 16:11
Running shoes are all that spring to mind; I always buy Asics.
Sarkhaan
05-06-2007, 18:58
Yeah, haven't you seen the adverts for Cravendale or whatever it is. It's the mineral water of milk. It's the only brand name that I know of though.

Don't know if you would have these over there, as it probably isn't logical to ship milk overseas, but there is Hood and Guida over here, plus a bunch of own-brand (stop and shop, shaws, stew leonards...). Also, Parmalat
Turquoise Days
05-06-2007, 20:30
Depends on what I'm buying. Some foods are fine when generic, its often just the packaging thats the main difference. Drugs definitely generic - it really is the same stuff. Clothes and stuff, I don't tend to like 'branded' clothes in the traditional sense of the word, look and feel is more imortant.

There are some things where the brand is necessary - hiking gear being my main one: If its a choice between a £20 pac-a-mac and a £200 Mountain Equipment Jacket then hand me my chequebook.
Dempublicents1
05-06-2007, 20:58
I buy generic unless I've found that a given brand-name product is truly better.
New new nebraska
05-06-2007, 22:35
De Ja Vou...only lat time it was Americans and Brits over who SAYS brand and generic names.