Generics, store-label, or brand name?

[Cuban_Liberal]

Paddy and I both tend to be frugal, so we often by generics or store-label items, if the quality is comparable. An example is cream cheese; I defy the 'brand name only' folks to tell me the difference in a blind taste test, so why pay $.40 more per 8 oz. package, just so you can have 'Philly'?

:)

[fairfaxvadem]

1. do a lot of store brand...

most of those products are made by the same companies anyway. same with ibuprofen, etc. buy generic over the counter meds almost always.

There are a few things that I do buy brand name but that's usually after a taste test to compare. bread is one that I can think of...

[Donkeyboy75]

2. My wife says this too,

and we've had many taste tests. There's a huge difference for me. That being said, I eat few canned or prepackaged foods, so I don't have to worry too much about it anyway.

[NMDemDist2]

3. depends of what it is

peanut butter HAS to Skippy

frozen veggies i tend to the brand names

all others store brands do fine IMO

EXCEPT toilet paper :)

edit spelling

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. I buy store label or Shasta diet soft drinks

I get sick of cola, like flavors and just don't like paying several dollars for colored, flavored, carbonated water...

[Bertha Venation]

5. Remember "Plain Wrap?"

I remember when generics first came out as such. My mother -- god, she was still alive! She died in '74! -- shopped at Ralphs, and they had "Plain Wrap." Everything was in a white package with a light blue band and dark blue letters. One bought "Rice." "Dish Soap." "Bread." "Sugar." A few years after the grand intro, they started marketing "Mug." I thought that was a crack up.

I tried store-brand shells & cheese last week. I could taste the difference. No more skimping on that. Back to Velveeta.

Some things I buy the store brand or generic: rice, ice cream, milk, frozen veggies. But for somethings there are simply no substitutes. For example, any diet cola but Coca-Cola is :puke: nasty. But Safeway brand diet fruit flavor sodas are pretty good.

[ikojo]

6. With meds I compare ingredients and if they are

exactly the same to what I am used to taking it's generic all the way.

Around here the stores do a lot of sales on cereal (2/$5.00 etc) so I will buy name brand if it's on sale. Store brand if it's not.

[solinvictus]

7. Store brand or smaller companies

I like the smaller brand sodas, Double Cola and Ski being a local favorite. The only brands I have any loyalty for are Lea & Perrins worcestershire sauce, Dr. Pepper, Tabasco, and 20 Mule Team borax.

[dae]

8. Many items can be generic or store brand; however, there are some

things that cannot at least IMHO. For example Heinz Catsup is the only Ketchup I can stand, and my oldest daughter has been able to tell the difference between her favorite mayo (Blue Plate) even if another was put in the jar, since she was 3.:)

[Cuban_Liberal]

10. We still by some name brands.

Kraft Mac & Cheese, Heinz ketchup, Hellman's mayo are a few. :)

[Something Blue]

9. Depends...

No I don't mean the diapers... :)

I'm finally at a point in life where I buy *very* little prepackaged food. Lotsa fruit and veggies, and almost 1/3 of the meat I eat I shoot myself.

Paper products, rice, wraps, pasta, butter, milk, etc. - whatever's cheapest.

The rare soda has gotta be Cherry Coke.

Tomato sauce (when I run out of homemade) has got to be Classico.

and...

Life's too damn short to eat cheap ice cream and drink shitty coffee, and I have zero tolerance for either.

[Cuban_Liberal]

11. "Life's too damn short to eat cheap ice cream and drink shitty coffee..."

Agreed! We buy GOOD coffee and ice cream. :thumbsup:

[Deja Q]

12. Depends...

For drugs, unless there's a noteworthy difference, I go generic.

Food? Price/health ratio determines what I buy.

DVDs and CDs? Not much choice there. :D