Name brands vs. generic/store brands

[azsnowman]

Do you buy store brands or name brands? Not just groceries but clothing, anything?

When it comes to groceries, I buy nothing but national brands....I used to buy generic but I had a bad turn of events about 6 months ago with canned veggies, we all got sick so from now on...it's national or NOTHING!!

Clothing etc., I'll buy off brands.

Paper goods etc, I'll buy off brands expect for toilet tissue.

[angelwing]

A little of both, generic cigarettes, personal items is name brand, cleaning items either home made (borax, vinegar, etc)and if I can afford it then I buy name brand cleaners (gotta have my Downy!)

Clothing, I can't see the sense of paying $100 for a pair of shoes when you can get a pair for $10, shoes are shoes are shoes as long as they are comfortable. Clothes, too, I don't care about fashion, as long as the clothes are clean and are comfortable, who cares, I can't believe some of the prices I see on some of the clothes for women! Men's too! And who in their right mind would pay $500 for a handbag, sheesh.

Sorry, got a little carried away, but generic clothes here

[Regit]

I always buy generic medicine. As for groceries, I buy some of both.

It's true that store brand groceries are usually national brands that just have a different label, but sometimes it's a national brand that isn't any good.

[CajunMama]

Generic and name brand for groceries. Clothing...i'll buy both but i notice the namebrand holds up much better than a noname brand of clothing.

[JonathanBelles]

name brand only

[tropicana]

A little of both it all depends.
Things like some food items, I only buy name brands. For example, once I bought store brand cereal and it tasted like cardboard, I had to throw it out. So things like that I only buy name brands.
But still some food items, I still buy store brand because I can see no difference.

Like things not consumable, def. I favor store brands. Unless the national name brands are on sale and then I tend to stock up that particular week. And live like I'm rich using the higher priced stuff.

It's a lot about pricing, but sometimes it has to do with taste. It's quite simple.

[GalvestonDuck]

It depends. Sometimes it's a matter of preference (Hellmann's mayo or none at all), sometimes it's a matter of quality (gotta have the right toothpaste or laundry detergent), and sometimes it just doesn't matter (paper towels? who cares...they're gonna get used and tossed anyway).

As far as clothes go, I lived through the preppy 80's and I had enough of wearing the right shoes, blazer, skirt, socks, headband, purse cover, polo shirt, sweater, turtleneck, watchband, belt buckles, ribbon accessories, and Add-a-bead necklaces. Now, I'm just not as concerned. Give me a basic pair of jeans that fit right and I don't care whose name is on the back. Same for all the other stuff, although I do like Hanes socks (soft, thick, and comfy).

Has anyone seen the new pair of sneakers coming out that only cost $14.99 for a pair?

[Cookiely]

Most groceries generic except for a few items (cuban coffee, kraft dinner and soups - love campbell's). I could care less about clothes or shoes so long as they fit. I detest shopping for clothes. Love to shop for household items. Most medications generic. I don't have a thyroid or diabetic problem but if I did I would get name brand only.

[Aslkahuna]

One of my meds is generic the other isn't available in generic. When it comes to OTC meds-it's store brand. Food-both depends upon sale prices, etc. Clothes-usually store brand.

Steve

[Miss Mary]

I frequently buy:

Kroger brand groceries
Kohl's brand for clothes (Croft & Barrow?)
Target's brand for clothes (Cheroke)

It all started years ago when I had kids in diapers. I read a local article about P & G (local based company) and it stated that P & G also made generic disposable diapers. They were the same quality as name brand ones they manufactured. That's all I needed to know. Each week I saved a bundle on Kroger brand diapers. From there I began to notice cereal, canned goods, frozen vegetables, etc. Some generic brands are subpar but most are not.

Someone recently told me about a grocery chain called Albi. Or maybe it's Albee. They sell generic brand groceries and produce. You save even more there but after this recent E coli outbreak from spinach, I'm leary. Anyone hear of this grocery store?

Mary

[JenBayles]

Miss Mary, I'm with you and Angelwing - I use a little of both. Since I rarely buy clothes, I wait for the Kohl's Wednesday sales and go in the mornings so I don't have to deal with a crowded store.

As for groceries - some store brands are just as good, if not better than national. For instance, most canned tomato products you can't even tell the difference.

As for meds, Dave and I both take Advil. We've tried the off brands and they either don't work as well or cause upset stomachs. Same goes for prescriptions. I'm in long-term pain management and there is definitely a difference between brand and generic as to effectiveness and nausea. They may have the same active ingredient, but the binders and buffers are different.

[angelwing]

Miss Mary, Aldi is what I think you're referrring to. I have one by me but Food basic is a heck of a lot cheaper (I just don't buy their meats I go elsewhere for that)A lof of bread is 68 cents, 18 eggs for 99 cents, a 2 liter bottle of coke for 89 cents, you just need to bring your own bags (Aldi is a bring your own bag too)

We don't have a Kroger or Costco here, though I think there migh be a Costco somewhere in Western PA, next time we get a road trip I might see if I can find it, I heard there were even cheaper!