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How often do you buy generics/store brands?

I was thinking about this while in the shower yesterday (truthfully) because the only body wash my SO and I have been able to find that we both like is the Kroger store brand, unscented. It is identical to the Dove body wash except for one thing--it doesn't use tallow (an animal product) as a possibility in its formulation, whereas the Dove does. Since my SO is veggie, tallow is a no go, and I'm okay with using the store brand for body wash, considering I rinse it off my body.

However, there are other things I refuse to buy store brand--like macaroni and cheese in a box. It HAS to be Kraft Dinner macaroni and cheese. I will not settle for anything less. Oh, I tried the generics and the store brands, but they're just not as good. The cheese sauce doesn't come together as well as it does with KD. And I absolutely will not ever buy soda that is a store brand. They can't achieve the same flavor profile as the brand names do, and I find their efforts to mimic it kind of gross.

Thinking about it, I like to give store brands a chance--who doesn't want to save some money?--but it does end up being a kind of trial and error thing as I figure out which products store brands are good for. Take ibuprofen--I buy the generic Kroger ibuprofen. Same with doxylamine succinate, the sleep aid we sometimes like to use. However, I do also buy Excedrin, a brand name, mostly because their formulation isn't available in generics.

So how about you? What do you buy that is a store brand or generic? What factors in to your decision to choose a store brand over a major brand? Are there some things that you always buy in the store brand? Are there some things you refuse to buy in a store brand?

Any medication that is available as a generic, I buy generic. I have a bottle of generic Excedrin, so it's definitely made, although I go for naproxen as a painkiller because ibuprofen raises blood pressure and my liver is under enough stress without acetaminophen. Lisinopril and zolpidem are generic and cost $5 with my insurance, and they work just as well as the name brands. Advair isn't available as generic so I get the purple disc.

When I buy brand name foods, it's for the same reason I buy certain organic foods, they taste better. Frozen veggies are almost all BJ's brand, they have a pretty good butcher's shop at the local one so I get meat there. Some basics like herbs and spices I get store brand, but the only BBQ sauce I use is Sweet Baby Ray's and as far as I'm concerned Frank's Red Hot is the only standard hot sauce there is. Stew Leonard's roasts their own coffee and I get it there because after roasting, beans are only good for about two weeks, mass produced pre-ground stuff is crap and so are drip coffee makers.

I use JR Liggett's natural shampoo bars and Garnier Fructis Sleek Shine conditioner because sulfate free shampoo and silicone free conditioner make long hair look so much better. For body soap, I use Dove antibacterial, it's the only thing that prevents my skin from breaking out everywhere. For shaving, nothing but Clinique exfoliating scrub and shaving cream, Clinique post-shave healer for days I use the Shick Quattro, Tend Skin on days I use the straight razor. Shaving is one of the things I will never cut corners on.

I also buy off-brand camera accessories like batteries and straps because there's no fucking way a $40 battery is ten times as good as the one I can get for $4 on ebay or Amazon. I've got a good body and lenses, which is what makes the difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSD (Post 2786241)

I have a bottle of generic Excedrin, so it's definitely made, although I go for naproxen as a painkiller because ibuprofen raises blood pressure and my liver is under enough stress without acetaminophen.

I think the reason why I don't get generic Excedrin (and I'm guessing, without looking at the store shelf where I buy this stuff) is because they've only just started releasing generics with the Rapid Release coating. Since I use Excedrin exclusively for headaches, the Rapid Release coating is important to me. Next time I run out, I'll have to check and see if they have it yet.

And I use the Clinique exfoliating scrub too--makes my face feel so nice and fresh and clean.

I often buy the off-brand meds and shower products, but never facial cleanser. Every off-brand I've tried has made my skin extremely dry and I stop using it. Otherwise (unless it's a gift from my practical mom) I use off-brand stuff.

I do buy some off-brand foods, mainly things like rice and beans, as they are the same thing just in different packages. I used to buy store brand soup, but it's a very low quality product. I do buy off-brand sodas at times, if I'm mixing it with something.

I buy the "mexican/ethnic/jesus candle isle" versions of spices, because you get more to a jar and it's cheaper (sometimes WAY cheaper). I buy my green salsa on that isle too.

I will say, a lot of times with things like soda, it's made by Pepsi/coke and just changed slightly, then packaged in a different bottle. Grocery stores pay to have their store brand made by Pepsi and bottled with their own label. Cheaper that way. My old marketing teacher taught us about that. Heard it was the same way with the cereals on the bottom of the cereal isle.

I buy anything I can medically in it's generic clone. The difference in price is significant usually. There are some items in the grocery store that are worth the difference to purchase the "name" brand and I opt to do that on all my preferences.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordEden (Post 2786256)

I will say, a lot of times with things like soda, it's made by Pepsi/coke and just changed slightly, then packaged in a different bottle. Grocery stores pay to have their store brand made by Pepsi and bottled with their own label. Cheaper that way. My old marketing teacher taught us about that. Heard it was the same way with the cereals on the bottom of the cereal isle.

This is true for some foods but it isn't true for soda, actually. Pepsi and Coca-Cola are fierce brand protectors. Most private-label soda brands are produced by companies such as Cott. Cott Home

Almost everything. A notable exception is Diet Mountain Dew but I only buy it when it's on sale for $2.50ish for a 12-pack (same price as generic cans).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lasereth (Post 2786321)

Almost everything. A notable exception is Diet Mountain Dew but I only buy it when it's on sale for $2.50ish for a 12-pack (same price as generic cans).

Hilarious. I buy generic everything except Diet Mountain Dew as well. Hah!

We try generic every time we see it. The issue we find is their inconsistency, at least when it comes to food. One week the generic Saltines will be palatable, the next time they're horrible. Sometimes it's just too much of a crapshoot.

Some things we've decided never to buy generic again:
- toilet paper
- paper towels
- Q-tips
- facewash
- tomato soup
We've had some pretty terrible experiences with the above items in generic form.

Things we currently have generic in our household, that we'd buy generic again:
- beans
- rice
- lentils
- flour
- sugar
- salt
- baking powder
- peanut butter
- horseradish mustard
- American processed cheese slices
- white vinegar
- bleach
- baking soda
- frozen veggies
- parmesean cheese

One name brand we've found that is consistently cheaper than generics:
- Ajax

I buy generic qtips, paper towels, toilet paper, dishwashing liquid (for the sink), condiments, all otc meds, and store-brand frozen chicken breasts. If any rx's of mine come generic, I get those as well. Some don't yet, like singulair for example.

Sugar, flour, other baking products are generic as well.

Things I will not go generic on are milk/oj/other juices, shampoo/conditioner, shaving cream, razors, facial cleansers, and if I think of any more, I'll let you know.

Generic brand razors are evil. My wife bought them once :(

Vegemite - every other 'mite' on the market tastes different. They'd probably be alright, but very hard to change to a different 'strong' taste like that.

I hardly ever do the shopping, so I can't tell you what else is and isn't store brand :(

Generic meds whenever I have the opportunity. Other items from time to time.

Does anyone here remember generic beer?

White cans with black lettering. It screamed generic. :lol:

http://www.gunaxin.com/wp-content/up...neric-Beer.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowy (Post 2786234)

However, there are other things I refuse to buy store brand--like macaroni and cheese in a box. It HAS to be Kraft Dinner macaroni and cheese. I will not settle for anything less. Oh, I tried the generics and the store brands, but they're just not as good. The cheese sauce doesn't come together as well as it does with KD. And I absolutely will not ever buy soda that is a store brand. They can't achieve the same flavor profile as the brand names do, and I find their efforts to mimic it kind of gross.

While I generally agree with your assessment, I have to say there is nothing better than President's Choice White Cheddar Macaroni. It beats the rather anaemic Kraft Dinner, hands down.

http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOn..._(500x500).jpg

In fact, I would suggest that the majority of President's Choice products, which are off-brand products produced for the grocery chain, Loblaw's in Canada, are exceptional. They have done more to introduce quality and excellent flavours than any other brand I can think off in Canada. All at a reasonable price point.

The one thing I will never substitute... Ketchup. It's Heinz or nothing.

The only thing I used to consistently buy in a store brand is bottled juice. As with many other products, I'm sure, the only difference is the label. Sometimes the bottle. That's it. However, I don't buy bottled juice anymore and if I do feel like drinking some, I have a friend who works at a juice factory and always has about 30 bottles in his pantry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by genuinegirly (Post 2786333)

Some things we've decided never to buy generic again:
- toilet paper
- paper towels
- Q-tips

Oh yeah, definitely never buying these generic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan (Post 2786574)

While I generally agree with your assessment, I have to say there is nothing better than President's Choice White Cheddar Macaroni. It beats the rather anaemic Kraft Dinner, hands down.

Unfortunately, President's Choice isn't available around here anymore. Fred Meyers used to stock it before they got bought by Kroger, but now they carry Kroger's store brand, which isn't nearly as tasty. I miss having access to PC products--they are an excellent store brand.

http://i.imgur.com/rnCYz.jpg

Way better than Reese's Minis and that's saying a lot coming from me! Put em in the fridge for an hour or so before eating to harden the peanut butter a little because they're really soft at room temp.

I'd like to add that Walgreens' ice cream, specifically Dutch Chocolate, is TO DIE FOR.

:D

Hmmm...everything in the shower is name brand, because that's generally where I splurge (and it's not even that much of a splurge, really... Noxema, Aussie, Caress, Venus...)

I buy Kroger brand Worchestershire sauce, since it doesn't have anchovies in it. Store brand soda doesn't bother me, though when I have a little extra money, I'm all about the Jones Root Beer or Vanilla Cola.

Hey, good tip on the Kroger brand Worchestershire sauce--I'll have to pick some up! Thanks Cinn!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plan9 (Post 2786325)

Hilarious. I buy generic everything except Diet Mountain Dew as well. Hah!

We'll have to get together and shoot up with it one day. I could get that shit pumped in through an IV I drink it so much.

Gotta have my Heinz Ketchup. Otherwise, I buy most of my OTC drugs from Kroger or Walmart brand. I get a good number of groceries at Sav-A-Lot and they are usually pretty good.

Oh, yeah-- definitely Heinz ketchup. Mom always buys Hunt's or store brands, and it's NOT THE SAME.

Oh, and Kroger is a local store chain, snowy, but they own Fred Meyer and Quality Food Center, so maybe you can find some there? If not, I'll send you guys a couple of bottles :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CinnamonGirl (Post 2786857)

Yeah, Fred Meyer carries the Kroger store brand. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan (Post 2786574)

Couldn't agree more. The PC brand White Cheddar mac and cheese blows Kraft out of the water.

Generally speaking I will buy PC brand stuff over name brand. Also Shoppers Drug Mart Life brand products are pretty much the same as the brand name stuff.

The only real exception, I will not buy the PC brand Cola over Coke.

I should point out that there is a standard clause in anyone visiting us here that they come with President's Choice White Cheddar Macaroni or they don't come at all.

Lunch meat I buy whoever has the cheapest price per ounce, my work sandwiches don't need to be masterpieces. Thrifty's ice cream makes name brand ice cream cower in shame, and tends to be a lot cheaper too. Mustards I've never had issues with, and anything other then that is on a per item basis. Costco tends to be the store brand I buy most of all, but that begins to be debatable in my mind if I would really call their stuff store brand or not.

President's Choice is an exemplary store brand -- the quality control is excellent. I rarely buy name brand products, except where there's no PC equivalent.

PC products are available in more than just Loblaw's. I shop at a Valu Mart and get them there; Wikipedia tells me that it's all part of the Weston empire.

Unlike Morpheus, I'm fine with the PC brand cola. In fact, I prefer President's Choice caffeine free diet cola over Coke or Pepsi.

I do buy name brad hair products, but it's mostly because I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to that stuff. I asked a friend of mine who was a hairdresser what to buy, and I buy what she told me to (Tresemme everything).

Well, in my own experience there is clearly a difference between the quality of food and beverage products when you compare private label/store brands vs. generic brands. PC is an excellent example of a private label brand that is on par or even better than national/name brands. Generic brand food/beverages generally suck and aren't worth it.

Case in point: PC's Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie.

They also make a great line of sauces and dips.

Generic brands I'm okay with when it comes to things like acetaminophen, antihistamines, cold medication, etc. It's all the same to me. It's all about the potency of the medicinal ingredients. I don't really take any of those at all anymore though.

From Consumer Reports' October 2010 issue:

Quote:

Store brands vs. name brands
In our latest taste-off, store-brand foods were often at least as good

Any smart supermarket shopper knows that buying store-brand products instead of big names can save big bucks. In our latest price study, filling a shopping cart with store brands saved us an average of 30 percent. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, those savings add up to more than $1,500 a year.

Yet some shoppers are still reluctant to try store-brand products. The top reasons from our recent nationally representative survey: "I prefer name brands," "The name brand tastes better," and "I don't know if store brands are as high in quality." Respondents 18 to 39 years old were particularly likely to question the quality of store brands.

Shoppers are quite leery of some categories. Although they'll snap up store-brand paper goods and plastics, at least half of our survey respondents rarely or never buy store-brand wine, pet food, soda, or soup. That may be especially true when the category includes a name-brand superstar such as Coca-Cola or Campbell's.

The message from our latest taste-off: Don't be reluctant to give any private-label product a try. In fact, our results may knock some of those iconic brands off their pedestals. Albertsons peanut butter was similar in quality to Skippy; Target's Market Pantry ketchup was as good as Heinz.

Overall, national brands won seven of the 21 matchups and store brands won three. For the rest, the store brand and name brand were of similar quality. A tie doesn't mean the taste was identical. Two products may be equally fresh and flavorful, with ingredients of similar quality, but taste very different because ingredients or seasonings differ. A case in point is ketchup. In Heinz, the spices stand out; Market Pantry is more tomatoey.

Although 17 percent of our survey respondents said that "name-brand foods are more nutritious," we found nutrition similar for most of the tested products. The most notable differences: Mott's applesauce has more sugar than Publix, Ore-Ida fries have more sodium than Jewel, and Kellogg's Froot Loops have 3 grams of fiber vs. 1 gram in Stop & Shop Fruit Swirls.

There's no reason store brands shouldn't hold their own against the big boys. After all, some of the same companies manufacture both. Among the big names that also make store-brand products: Sara Lee (baked goods), Reynolds (wraps, storage containers), 4C (bread crumbs, iced tea, soup mixes), McCormick (seasonings, extracts, sauces, gravies), Feit (lightbulbs), Manischewitz (frozen appetizers, soup mixes, side dishes), Joy Cone (ice cream cones), Stonewall Kitchen (gourmet condiments, specialty foods), and Royal Oak (charcoal).

Two examples of a different type of store brand—"second tier" brands, which may cost even less—fared worse in our tests. We tasted second-tier Kroger Value Sandwich Singles Imitation Pasteurized Process Cheese Food and Shoppers Value creamy peanut butter, bought at Albertsons. Testers said the Kroger faux cheese is inferior to Kraft and regular Kroger singles. It's salty and chalky, with the artificial-butter aroma common in microwavable popcorn. The Shoppers Value peanut butter is so-so, with off-notes (raw-nut flavor) and a bit of bitterness, probably from peanut skins. Those flaws were noticeable even when the peanut butter was spread on bread. Many chains sell second-tier brands, including A&P (under the names Savings Plus and Smart Price), Safeway (Basic Red), Stop & Shop (Guaranteed Value), and Food Lion (Smart Option).
Bottom line

Almost any store-brand product is worth a try. There's little risk: Most grocers offer a money-back guarantee if their products don't meet your expectations. (National brands often give unsatisfied buyers coupons, but the process might take a while.) And there's plenty of opportunity for reward. "The secret's out," says Lisa Rider, vice president of retail consulting solutions for Nielsen, the marketing-information company. "Store brands are just as good. Store-brand buyers are no longer seen as cheapskates but as savvy shoppers."

The results of the taste tests:

Quote:

In blind tests, our trained tasters evaluated 21 pairs of staple foods. National brands won seven times; store brands, three. There were 11 ties. Prices are based on an average of what we found. The store brands cost 7 to 60 percent less. click to show

The only brand name I insist upon is Kraft peanut butter.
Otherwise I'm pretty flexible.
PC Mac & Cheese is pretty good, though.

Off brands is all I buy. It saves me a lot of money. They are just as good as the named brand stuff.

Most of my drugs are generic, but a couple I use just aren't available in generic. The rest of my stuff is a bit of a mix. I like my skippy peanut butter, generic just doesn't work. Martinelli's is just the best apple juice out there bar none. Lot of the staples I use store brand, butter, beans, frozen veggies are usually trader joes.

For soda I usually drink mexican cokes, so bit of a snob there. I keep shasta lemon-lime and club soda for mixers. Deli meats and cheeses are whatever I can get at costco.

If I am cooking, it really depends on what I am cooking. When I make mac and cheese from scratch it's pretty top shelf. I like the premium thick noodles and usually stick to tillamook cheddar. If I am cooking at work, I usually just get the cheapest ingredients I can, but the same dish at home I'll use higher end stuff.

Stater Bros. has a really good bulk bacon and it's far cheaper than just about anything else you find. I usually get it for 2.50-3 bucks a pound. Kroger private selection is what I usually get for ice cream.

I shop sales on booze, so I tend to stick with better brands. I don't drink much, but when I do I stick to the (relatively) good stuff.

We buy generic if it tastes good or provides the same service.
I don't mind the Publix Greenwise papertowels... but I won't buy the ones from Great Value again. No generic q-tips, TP, lunch meat, S's milk, cheese, eggs, alcoholic beverages or bathroom products as a typical rule around here (except the Equate version of Aveeno's bath soak, because it's actually 100x better for my skin and less clumpy). "Generic" to me isn't the same as "store brand" for a lot of different places. Archer Farms comes pretty dang close in most non-meat items and Publix's Greenwise items are often better than some of the name-brand stuff. Their toasted oats are waaaay better than straight up Cheerios. But I'd never, ever buy the Great Value O's again. Ugh. I guess a lot of it is trial and error.

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodle (Post 2823282)

I guess a lot of it is trial and error.

It really is, that's for sure. I'm willing to give most items the generic/store brand try.

I also won't buy generic/store brand q-tips. Real Q-tips or nothing!

i hardly ever buy store brands.

usually big major brands because i know what i'm getting.

the only time i might buy a store brand is if i'm truly in a rush and just need something in the house until i can buy the proper thing.

things like tinned vegtables, baked beans, pasta, milk, cheese - I always buy store brands

things like breakfast cereal, toileteries... I never do, but Ive never really thought about why. I know for a fact a lot of times theyre made in the same factory as the brand name stuff... so I guess Im just under the influance of advertising. Some things I definitely am brand loyal too (ie - I always drink Pepsi, hardly ever coke)

i do as much shopping as i can at aldi's which is nothing but house brands. i drove tractor trailer and many times i would go to a food maker and pick upa mixed load of brand name and generic.accoring to the people who worked tere the only differnce was the label they used.same product made on the same line.

I don't know, I never bought generic stuff because I associated them with crappy things.