Author Topic: Everyday items: Generic vs. Non-generic  (Read 2898 times)

Inkedup

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 175
  • Location: USA
  • Striving for FI.
Everyday items: Generic vs. Non-generic
« on: November 28, 2014, 07:48:05 AM »
Although I'm fine with buying generic versions of some products (toiletries, kitchen, etc.), there are some cases in which only the name brands seem to cut it.

Just for fun, what are some products you always buy in generic form? How about non-generic? 

I'll start with mine. 

Generic:
1. Paper towels (I realize that re-usable is best, but there are some jobs that call for them...)
2. Aluminum foil
3. Toothpaste
4. Shampoo
5. Bar soap and dish-washing soap

Non-generic
1. Razors
2. Feminine hygiene
3. Plastic wrap
4. Hair conditioner
5. Deoderant
« Last Edit: November 28, 2014, 01:21:47 PM by Inkedup »

Frankies Girl

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3899
  • Age: 86
  • Location: The oubliette.
  • Ghouls Just Wanna Have Funds!
Re: Everyday items: Generic vs. Non-generic
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2014, 08:22:29 AM »
I differentiate the categories as store brand and name brand, but pretty much buy 90% of our household or personal grooming products as store brand.

Store brand:
Meds (pain relief/discomfort/cold & flu)
Soap, paper products, feminine hygine stuff, TP, razors, toothpaste and mouthwash, most groceries...

Brand name:
Air filters, shampoo/conditioner (I get a sufate free S&C as I have baby fine tangly hair that is technicolored), and the husband's soap and razors... Im sure there are a few other things, but that is mostly it.

Rural

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5051
Re: Everyday items: Generic vs. Non-generic
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2014, 08:42:33 AM »
I usually buy the brand name of one particular kind of barbecue sauce my husband loves. Everything else is store brand or generic as long as there's one available. For what it's worth, I've never seen a generic deodorant, or a store brand either, so I just buy the cheapest one.

sheepstache

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2417
Re: Everyday items: Generic vs. Non-generic
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2014, 09:12:06 AM »
Store brand is the default except of course if there are sales you have to check that the name brand isn't cheaper.

Exceptions:
mac 'n' cheese
peanutbutter (a particular type I like)
according to my SO, dishwashing soap and laundry detergent because the generic may be a watered-down version

Irishtache

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 145
Re: Everyday items: Generic vs. Non-generic
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2014, 09:58:07 AM »
Interesting thread. I buy almost all generic, store brand. We have two chains of low cost stores, both German, Lidl and Aldi. I buy wine, bourbon, generic 'diet' cola, cat food, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shower gel and toothbrushes in either or both. DW buys vegetables, butter, some meats, fruit etc in either. Fresh meat we get in a different chain(slighly dearer). Interestingly, when I bring home generic washing up liquid, she points out that it is very watered down compared with Fairy Liquid! I have experimented with low cost ketchup and brown sauce but it's not worth it, Chef and Heinz sauces for me. I used to buy Weetabix like generic in Lidl but have now switched to homemade granola - I am an addict! I prefer Zip firelighters over generics usually. I buy disposable razors and cheap shaving foam. We still spend too much on food though!

The Borgs

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 80
Re: Everyday items: Generic vs. Non-generic
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2014, 01:37:32 PM »
Over here with catalogue specials, quite often the name brand ends up cheaper than the stores own discount brand. So I'll just get the cheapest thing regardless. Only 2 exceptions to this (now we don't have a mortgage, previously even these were just the cheapest), my tea is Twinings and my chocolate of choice is Lindt (and both of these get bought when they're heavily discounted).