Brand name items

[JanH]

I know that in a lot of cases, I go with generic, store brand items. But there are just some things that I have to stick with the brand name. One thing for me is toilet paper. I have to stick with my brand for my comfort. What is your item that you have to have the brand name.

[pearlieq]

Heinz is non-negiotiable.

Other than that, I'm willing to try a store brand on just about anything. Many things I buy don't have a generic equivalent, but I would be willing to try a store brand if one were available.

[JanH]

Heinz is the brand my Hubby won't negotiate on either!

[jodi]

I gotta have my Charmin. I also like Colgate - I have tried some really bad off brand toothpastes - ick. Tissues have to be name brand, but not any specific brand (I just think the generics are too scratchy). Other than that, I'm pretty open to experimentation.

[JanH]

Yep. Charmin it is for me.

[greedy4chips]

Originally Posted by jodi

I...Other than that, I'm pretty open to experimentation.

I like you and your carefree attitude!

Diet Coke, Campbells, Welchs, Tombstone, Heinz, Crest, Charmin, Prego, Miracle Whip, etc. Basically nothing generic or store brands for me! I know they are cheaper, but honestly name 1 thing other than pasta that you buy generics or storebrands that tastes as good or better than the nationally recognized brands.

I would never eat generic pasta plain either...smother mine in Prego, meatballs, and parmesan cheese thank you very much!

[PRICEPLUS]

Heinz Ketchup, Guldens Mustard, and Hellmans Mayo are items I don't compromise on. Everything else can be generic.

[tgavin71]

I'll try just about anything and then make up my mind. If the generic is passable then that's what I have. I shop at Aldi and find 90% of the items to be of high quality. The only time I buy brand name items is when I need the item for a competition.

[pearlieq]

Originally Posted by greedy4chips

but honestly name 1 thing other than pasta that you buy generics or storebrands that tastes as good or better than the nationally recognized brands.

I don't know whereabouts in Wisconsin you are, but do you have Jewel (Albertson's company) grocery stores around you? Their private label, President's Choice, is superlative! It's usually BETTER than name brand! Standouts include their chocolate chip cookies, macaroni & cheese, and canned vegetables.

We've had really good luck with store brands. Almost all we've tried have been as good or better than brand name.

I've never had a bum product from Aldi. A great deal of Aldi products actually ARE name-brand products, just packed for Aldi. Ever notice how the bakery goods look exactly like Entenmanns? The cereals and canned good are often run on the same lines as brand products. They literally will run the brand products Mon - Thurs and then run PL on Friday. I got this info from my old boss who used to be an exec at Aldi, and my DH was able to confirm it when he took a job with a food distributor.

The only real duds so for have been from a PL brand called Shurfine. I've had a lot of quality issues with those and won't be buying them again.

[Crystallas]

Big companies also create their own generics to compete on the low end. Usually selling the same exact products as the Mother brand, but with little marketting involved to bring down prices and keep them from losing profit from consumers that buy strictly generics.

Big companies try to keep this under wraps. But its also a very good way to save a buck if you know what products you like can be found for a discount.

I only know of a few self-made generics, but I would like to know more.

[greedy4chips]

Originally Posted by pearlieq

I don't know whereabouts in Wisconsin you are, but do you have Jewel (Albertson's company) grocery stores around you?

No Jewel stores around Central Wisconsin.

I honesty have to shop at Aldi's just one time. It is not near a part of town we usually go to so we just never headed over there to see what they have.

I see a road trip coming up! (very short)

[LuxLiving]

Must haves are Krafts REAL American Cheese slices, Pepsi and Hellman's Mayo!

What is this nasty plastic cheese wrapped in more plastic, Coke & Miracle Whip of which you speak?? Gag me!!

~~LLFrugalis
Yes, I AM trying to start a range-war!!

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by greedy4chips

I know they are cheaper, but honestly name 1 thing other than pasta that you buy generics or storebrands that tastes as good or better than the nationally recognized brands.

How long of a list would you like?

I have found Shop Rite and especially Wegman's to have consistently good store brands. There are even some items that we prefer the store brand.

My wife will only buy Shop Rite pretzels. No Reisman or Rold Gold or any other national brand. She also won't buy any other store brand. Has to be Shop Rite.

I think Wegman's yogurt is as good as Dannon or Yoplait. It is actually the same price as Yoplait but I still buy the Wegman's brand, so cost isn't an issue.

We also buy Wegman's pita bread, orange juice, breakfast cereals and many other items.

I also prefer Wegman's version of Chex Mix, mainly because it has about 20% less sodium than the brand name. The brand is just too salty for me.

There are plenty of others, but those were the main ones that came to mind.

[geojen]

I have to have Heinz ketchup for sure. I also have to have Orville Reddenbacher's popcorn--nothing else pops as nice! Other than that, I am willing to experiment as long as store brands also have healthy choices.

[disneysteve]

Another store brand item we use is dryer sheets. We've never been able to tell the difference (except in price). We also use the dollar store brand of shower cleaner spray and it works just fine. We used to use the brand name and when we switched, the shower stayed just as clean.

[Ima saver]

I have to agree with brand name toilet paper and kraft cheese!

[kealina]

yep to the heinz and we're pretty much open to anything else...
we just shop the loss leaders, whatever they are and supplement them with salad and chicken from SAM's...

[disneysteve]

We ALWAYS used to buy New Yorker brand American cheese at the deli. It's made by Land O Lakes. One time, we tried Wegman's own brand and saw no difference. NY brand is $6.99/lb. Wegman's is $2.99/lb. We've stuck with Wegman's ever since.

ETA: Wegman's brand of Pop-Tarts. I actually prefer them. They aren't as sweet as Kellogg's.

Shop Rite or Wegman's brand of trash bags. They are just as good and just as thick as Glad or Hefty. We've never had one break or tear or leak.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by JanH

What is your item that you have to have the brand name.

I just realized that I never actually answered the original question.

We will only buy:
Charmin Ultra toilet paper. Kleenex or Puffs tissues. Bounty paper towels. Diet Coke or Pepsi. Morningstar Farms vegetarian products. Arm and Hammer laundry detergent. Dawn dish washing liquid. Dove soap.

Not so picky on food items as much as cleaning supplies and paper goods. The off brands just don't seem to be a soft or as long lasting as the brands. We also buy everything unscented - soap, detergents, dryer sheets, etc. and a lot of times the store brands don't offer an unscented option.

[Snoopy2645]

A few things I cant go generic on tp I have to have charmin due to a health problem I have had since birth. Tide I tried generic once & it turned my clothes blue!! And diapers I had to have pampers & luvs & none of my kids ever had a diaper rash or a leaky diaper I did find these really cheap though alot so I got lots of good diaper deals when I had kids in diapers thankfully just recently we are done forever with them!!!!