Name Brands vs. Grocery Store Brands

[Black A. Camus]

So I'm trying to stack for a house, which means saving money everywhere I can. One of the things that I noticed is that grocery store brands of common household items are a lot less expensive than their name brand counterparts. When it comes to things like cleansers and toiletries--i.e., things that we don't consume, I don't believe there is a noticeable difference in the quality.

When it comes to things like vitamins, fiber, contact solution, and cold medicines, however, I think there is a huge quality difference between grocery store brands and name brands, even though the active ingredient is often the same. For example, when I buy grocery store brand contact solution I usually have to change contacts everyday if I sleep in them; whereas otherwise with name brand contact solution I can sleep in my contacts for days without feeling a need to change them. Cold medicines are most noticeable. While I wouldn't go as far to say that grocery store brand cold medicines don't work, they usually take longer to work and the relief isn't as thorough and long lasting. All of this makes me think that sometimes it's better to spend the extra money than to take chances on grocery store brands.

Do you think there's a quality difference between grocery brands and name brands?

 

[doggish_098]

i can deal with no frills shit but my ketchup has to be one brand and one brand only Heinz. I cant eat cheap ketchup

 

[Flawless]

there is always a quality difference when u compare store brands to some of the big brands like craft. So it depends on the item, canned foods like beans and peas dont matter which you buy.

 

[Hellfish]

i can deal with no frills shit but my ketchup has to be one brand and one brand only Heinz. I cant eat cheap ketchup

 

[CoochieMonster]

Most of the Great Value stuff I've tried from Walmart have been just fine. I haven't tried any generic health products though.

 

[BKF]

So I'm trying to stack for a house, which means saving money everywhere I can. One of the things that I noticed is that grocery store brands of common household items are a lot less expensive than their name brand counterparts. When it comes to things like cleansers and toiletries--i.e., things that we don't consume, I don't believe there is a noticeable difference in the quality.

When it comes to things like vitamins, fiber, contact solution, and cold medicines, however, I think there is a huge quality difference between grocery store brands and name brands, even though the active ingredient is often the same. For example, when I buy grocery store brand contact solution I usually have to change contacts everyday if I sleep in them; whereas otherwise with name brand contact solution I can sleep in my contacts for days without feeling a need to change them. Cold medicines are most noticeable. While I wouldn't go as far to say that grocery store brand cold medicines don't work, they usually take longer to work and the relief isn't as thorough and long lasting. All of this makes me think that sometimes it's better to spend the extra money than to take chances on grocery store brands.

Do you think there's a quality difference between grocery brands and name brands?

A lot of that no frill shit is made by name brand companies. In other words the only thing different is the packaging.

 

[HeavyArmz]

Man go wipe ya ass with charmin, then try cheap store brand. There's a huge difference.

 

[THREAD_CRITIC]

Walmart great value is pretty good

 

[Multi - Personality]

 

[Black A. Camus]

Man go wipe ya ass with charmin, then try cheap store brand. There's a huge difference.

There is a huge difference with toilet paper. I used to buy the toilet paper that had aloe vera in it. Best shit paper ever, but it cost too much. I got over it, and started buying the double ply dollar store toilet paper. The dollar store toilet paper is definitely worse but not that bad, especially when I know I'm saving $3 or $4 bucks a pack.

 

[Flawless]

Man go wipe ya ass with charmin, then try cheap store brand. There's a huge difference.

tried that shit once, I might have well as wiped my ass with printer paper

 

[BKF]

There is a huge difference with toilet paper. I used to buy the toilet paper that had aloe vera in it. Best shit paper ever, but it cost too much. I got over it, and started buying the double ply dollar store toilet paper. The dollar store toilet paper is definitely worse but not that bad, especially when I know I'm saving $3 or $4 bucks a pack.

Yeah a lot of shit is just too over priced without there being that much of a difference. You are mainly paying for the name.

 

[Nine O Nine]

Fresh and Easy Brand is damn good and in some cases better

 

[Black A. Camus]

A lot of that no frill shit is made by name brand companies. In other words the only thing different is the packaging.

I've always heard that, and I believe it to an extent. It's just that when I'm shopping I don't know which specific products are made by big manufactures and are being re-sold to grocery stores under their own brand name. In other words, I know that big manufactures do it, but I don't believe every generic grocery store brand is made by a big manufacturer.

 

[BKF]

I've always heard that, and I believe it to an extent. It's just that when I'm shopping I don't know which specific products are made by big manufactures and are being re-sold to grocery stores under their own brand name. In other words, I know that big manufactures do it, but I don't believe every generic grocery store brand is made by a big manufacturer.

They aren't. That why I said most and other products are made by some general manufacturer that makes the rest of the shit. Some no frills products are either a hit or miss.

 

[max-dawg]

i buy everything from napkins to butter IN BULK from sam's club.

the member's mark laundry detergent, dish washing liquid, butter, bottled water, etc., have all been just fine for years.

and since y'all talking about TP, the extra quilted TP by member's mark is definitely worth it.

 

[Sentra52]

Just compare the product labels for foods. They usually state that " this product produced by XYZ for Wal-Mart." They usually come from the same production line, just labeled differently. As far as paper products, brand names are usually better than generic in quallity. Pre-mixed cleaning products like Windex, CLR,Draino are no better than the generics...just compare the active ingredients. Most of these type products are just like medicines. once the patent/trademark expires then any company can make the product under a "generic" name.

 

[Black A. Camus]

Just compare the product labels for foods. They usually state that " this product produced by XYZ for Wal-Mart." They usually come from the same production line, just labeled differently. As far as paper products, brand names are usually better than generic in quallity. Pre-mixed cleaning products like Windex, CLR,Draino are no better than the generics...just compare the active ingredients. Most of these type products are just like medicines. once the patent/trademark expires then any company can make the product under a "generic" name.

Even when they use the same active ingredients I believe there's a difference in the way that generic products are made, whether it's the quality of the active ingredients or the ratio in which they're combined with other ingredients, sometimes the difference is just too noticeable. This especially true for cold medicines, and vitamins and supplements--such as whey protein and fiber.

 

[dwnsouth]

your better off buying on sale and using coupons....

 

[Cock Head Jones]

Man take these 2 steps.

1. get a costco card
2. kirkland for the muthafuckin win.

 

[big_black68]

tried that shit once, I might have well as wiped my ass with printer paper

 

[The Pope]

Most of the Great Value stuff I've tried from Walmart have been just fine. I haven't tried any generic health products though.

with the exception of the cereal I can't hardly taste the difference between them.

 

[Black A. Camus]

your better off buying on sale and using coupons....

^^^
This is good, in theory.

First off, there's never coupons for shit I actually buy. When I see a coupon for something that I would actually buy it's usually more expensive with the coupon than what I normally buy without a coupon. Secondly, I'm kind of irresponsible: I'll clip coupons but then go grocery shopping and forget to bring them. I've lived with woman for most of my life, I'm too used to letting them handle shit like coupons.

Part of me wants to either get married, or have another live in girlfriend so I can stop worrying about food and other household stuff. (I say this now, but I know once I get another one I'll be looking back on this moment preferring to deal with stuff like this instead of her ignorant ass )

 

[moblack]

If its the comparable product its the same thing. I worked for a company who would package our product then periodically put another companies name on the same product and ship it out. Had the same specifications from the lab. Unless something is extra loaded with something like sugar go with the cheaper brand.

 

[Black A. Camus]

If its the comparable product its the same thing. I worked for a company who would package our product then periodically put another companies name on the same product and ship it out. Had the same specifications from the lab. Unless something is extra loaded with something like sugar go with the cheaper brand.

Here's what I don't get: if that were always true how can name brand manufactures compete with generics? Moreover, how can grocery stores afford to buy the same quality ingredients, have the same quality control on those ingredients, and employ the same manufacturing processes and sell those items for less than name brand manufacturers?

 

[Sentra52]

Even when they use the same active ingredients I believe there's a difference in the way that generic products are made, whether it's the quality of the active ingredients or the ratio in which they're combined with other ingredients, sometimes the difference is just too noticeable. This especially true for cold medicines, and vitamins and supplements--such as whey protein and fiber.

You are correct, in some instances there are differences, but in others, they are produced identically at the same factory...IE CVS and WalGrens have several of their store brand Cold Meds produced by the original makers but are several dollars cheaper and you get more per volume. Alot of Bayer product for example are run on the same line and packaged under license to major retailers. Some of Home Depot's ZEP cleaning products are made by a Johnson & Johnson subsidary under license to HD. The companies make money either way, it's just that there is no marketing/branding cost for the generics.

 

[trick20]

i cant buy generic brand foods (major difference) i remember the first time i actually had real cheese and
Tony Chachere's is a must for me as far as seasoning

but stuff like toilet paper etc...its definitely store brand...i mean there is a difference but i came up poor shit i know i ain't the only one thats wiped my ass with napkins

 

[moblack]

Here's what I don't get: if that were always true how can name brand manufactures compete with generics? Moreover, how can grocery stores afford to buy the same quality ingredients, have the same quality control on those ingredients, and employ the same manufacturing processes and sell those items for less than name brand manufacturers?

They don't have to pay for advertising, more to run facilities, or research and developement. They just pay a wholesale price for stuff that is packaged for them. Plus they don't pay workers to manufacture the products either. Whoever makes it for them pays it for dirt cheap.

 

[tuckdog]

A lot of that no frill shit is made by name brand companies. In other words the only thing different is the packaging.

Grocery stores don't have plants to make all the store brand shit they sell. That Food Lion ketchup came out of the same vat as the Heinz.

 

[Flawless]

Grocery stores don't have plants to make all the store brand shit they sell. That Food Lion ketchup came out of the same vat as the Heinz.

might be from the same factory but there is some modifying done to not make the generic equal in quality to the brand

 

[Black A. Camus]

might be from the same factory but there is some modifying done to not make the generic equal in quality to the brand

^^^
Makes sense and is empirically true.

 

[tuckdog]

might be from the same factory but there is some modifying done to not make the generic equal in quality to the brand

Probably so

 

[Flawless]

Probably so

not probably so, I've tried going the store brand route before and stuff like mac and cheese, cereal, baby formula and diapers are garbage compared to the brands. Can produce are the only things that u cant really tellt he difference

 

[easy_b]

 

[tuckdog]

not probably so, I've tried going the store brand route before and stuff like mac and cheese, cereal, baby formula and diapers are garbage compared to the brands. Can produce are the only things that u cant really tellt he difference

I only get shit like condiments and certain cooking ingredients. I can't tell a difference.