Today, I thought we'd chat about name brands versus generic. Or maybe I should say finer name brands versus discounted brands.
I just bought a graduation/house warming gift for one of my son's good friends (the daughter of some of our good friends) who graduated from college and is settling into a new house and job. I got her a couple of nice sets of towels at the Ralph Lauren Factory Store. They're beautiful, plush and heavy. I think towels are one of those things where you get what you pay for. We have really nice towels we got for our wedding (25 years ago) that are still in great shape! The cheaper ones we received at the same time haven't fared as well. They're frayed and worn--and some are now used for cleaning rags.
So...on what items do you splurge and buy name brand? And what do you feel is just as good when you buy generic or discounted brands?
I'll kick it off by saying I buy mostly generic/store brand of groceries (when possible) and of medicines. Although, for some reason I feel like Motrin works better than store brand for me (or maybe it's just in my head since my mom always told me that). :)
ReplyDeleteI do think you get what you pay for in shoes. I buy some discounted shoes (like my fun flip-flops!). But if I need a nice pair for daily wear (that I know will hold up well and last for years), I usually buy name brand--like Stride Rite, Born, Clarks... I like to save money on them, though, and usually look first at places like Kohl's, Steinmart and TJ Maxx. Then I head to Belk or Macy's if I need to.
I have to say I buy puma runners as I know they will fit well. If I buy the cheap ones or some other brands they hurt and even if they are cheaper they are a waste of money.
DeleteI buy some generic foods. the generic tuna from Woolworths is better than the dearer one. but I wont by cheap brand custard powder or corn flour or icing sugar. They are cheap and nasty same with canned spaghetti, pineapple and from although I dont buy them I have heard the coffee is pretty awful.
Cheap sheets are not good either I got some a year or so ago and they were rough as sandpaper!
Missy, I pay for good shoes, too. I just bought three pairs of the same sandal because of the construction. No more back pain or foot pain. Wow. Worth every cent.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of the places you mention like DSW, Steinmart and Homegoods. But sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.
One of our local smaller chains has the best store-brand beans I have ever had! My kids swore when they were little they could tell the difference in store veggies so I didn't go back to them until recently. But now I make the best and cheapest homemade hummus on the planet, thanks to store brands.
Peace, Julie
Yes, quality shoes are a must!
DeleteJulie - do tell. What brand are those shoes? Since I'm on my feet all day, great shoes are critical.
DeleteYeah, Julie, sometimes only name brand will do. Like Pop-Tarts. :) And a lot of skincare and cosmetics. That's another area I tend to splurge.
ReplyDeleteAs my boys were working on their Eagle Scout ranks, I came across a quote from John Wayne that has stuck with me: "The opposite of thrifty is cheap." Sometimes the cheapest item isn't the best deal - but sometimes it is.
ReplyDeleteI'll splurge on sheets and towels to get better quality - but it won't necessarily be name brand. Sometimes I don't have to splurge, though. The best sheets I ever bought were from Overstock.com - a brand I had never heard of - but they were 7 oz. flannel sheets. All the mail order places and department stores only carry 5 oz., and the price was better. That's my kind of deal.
I'll also go without something rather than buy a cheap version that will end up in the trash within a few months. I hate spending money on, say, a lamp or towel rack or chair, just to have it break or wear out. When I buy those kinds of things, I want them to last for years.
My dear husband and I disagree on this, though...he'll buy what we need now - and settle for what we can afford - rather than do without.
We're in the process of looking for a new dishwasher. It takes us months for a decision like that. I want quality, he doesn't want to spend money we don't need to spend. I don't want to have to replace the thing, ever. He's looking at a five year plan.
How did we ever stay married this long?
Jan, just watch the sales ads. You might be able to compromise. I found a $2500 french door refrigerator on clearance (last year's model) for $1400. Add in a 10% military discount and we saved even more!
DeleteMindy, I love those deals!
DeleteLOL, Jan! You stay married because you balance each other. :) My husband and I are the same way. :)
DeleteOver the years, I have learned to appreciate quality as opposed to instant gratification. Now I try to shop smart. Figure out exactly what I want then get it at the best price.
ReplyDeleteAt the grocery store, though, I tend to use store brand items on many of my pantry staples. Or I buy in bulk so it's cheaper in the long run. Often times, it's on a case by case basis, though. Like my kids eat yogurt like crazy, so they get the store brand while Mom gets the good Greek yogurt. They'd never appreciate it. However, I can bear to feed them no nutrition bread, so I spring for the more expensive brand that meets their softness standards as well as my nutrition standards.
Go figure.
Mindy, I do the same. Some things get bought for the nutritional value, even if I have to pay more.
Deletedrawing a blank but I buy a lot of generic for foods like mustard, canned beans/veggies, frozen veggies/fries but namebrand on A1 steaksauce and the few times I buy mayo(I like hellman's light!)also like Greek Yogurt and so far prefer chobani or fage (usually one is on sale every few weeks but still expensive) generic for paper towels nambrand for toilet paper. generic for most otc meds and every prescription I can get generic.
ReplyDeleteI'd splurge on good towels and sheets if I could find a decent brand! still can't find anything that holds up like it feels in the store. my mom and I liked one of the cannon lines at a condo we rented and got them but even those haven't held up like i thought they would - heck the ones I ot back in 87 at Mervyn's for college lasted a long time - they just weren't big and as fluffy as I'd have liked but I think I still have a couple around the house somewhere!
Susanna
Susanna, isn't if funny how we have our go-to brand or generic for certain products? And sometimes I buy both! For paper towels, I buy brand name for the kitchen since they tear off easier. And then I buy generic for cleaning. :)
DeleteOh I learnt buying the cheapest electrical good isn't good. I bought one or two radio/tape recorders that were cheap and just didn't last so after that I went middle of the range. The same with irons.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I am a sales shopper. I buy on special and with a lot of groceries like toilet paper, laundry power, spaghetti, tuna, cheese, and a few other things I normally dont need to buy it between specials. I try to do it with short cut bacon as I am having that for breakfast now, but missed the last special. Even other things I look for specials. I just bought most of the families christmas gifts yesterday.
oh and generic chocolate here is really yuck.