Mudcat Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 (edited) In our disagreeable economic circumstances, many of us have crossed a line or two in an attempt to cut corners where we can.Few questions.In what area have you chosen "knock offs" instead of name brand?Were you pleased with the results? ...andWhat areas of your purchases do you still consider brand before price?Sounds like a shopping questionnaire or a MLM pitch.. it isn'tBut "inquiring minds want to know" what you think. Namely me. Edited February 9, 2011 by Mudcat Link to comment
volgadon Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I bought a "Gucci" belt in Russia for 100 rubles. I paid too much... =) Link to comment
Libs Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I buy a lot of generic brands, but I'm picky about some things.I only buy Tide detergent. You can use less and it gets the clothes cleaner.Other name brands I use:Green Giant canned veggiesStouffers pizza breadCan't Believe It's Not Butter (really good! )Marie Callendar's Chicken Pot PiesDel Monte's sweet pickle relish (all the others are mushy)Hefty Gripper Kitchen Trash BagsCampbell's soups (for the most part)Entenmann's donuts (chocolate..yum!)I'm sure there's more...will have to think. Link to comment
nicolasconnault Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Correct me if I'm wrong, Mudcat, but I think that by "knock-off", you are referring to counterfeit items, that are designed to look like the original but are of inferior quality and sold at ridiculously low prices. Sunglasses and handbags come to mind, but I've also come across counterfeit batteries (Sanyo's Eneloops) and counterfeit badminton rackets (Yonex).Personally, I consider the manufacture of these items to be illegal and unethical, and I don't have a high opinion of the practice of buying them knowingly. A defensive argument is often given that the big brands charge too much and this is a good way to get back at them, but I literally don't buy it. Link to comment
bluebell Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I buy generic stuff all the time, but never knock offs. I thought those were illegal? Regardless though, i live in a smaller city in an area where fashion doesn't mean that much so i've never even seen a knock off let alone bought one. Link to comment
Mudcat Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Correct me if I'm wrong, Mudcat, but I think that by "knock-off", you are referring to counterfeit items, that are designed to look like the original but are of inferior quality and sold at ridiculously low prices. Sunglasses and handbags come to mind, but I've also come across counterfeit batteries (Sanyo's Eneloops) and counterfeit badminton rackets (Yonex).Personally, I consider the manufacture of these items to be illegal and unethical, and I don't have a high opinion of the practice of buying them knowingly. A defensive argument is often given that the big brands charge too much and this is a good way to get back at them, but I literally don't buy it.I wasn't meaning actually meaning direct counterfeit items.. like the "Rolex" you can by for $20 at a flea market. Sorry, my wording wasn't to clear. But your points are relevant. I was thinking more along the lines of generic reproductions or perhaps products that don't market their name in any relevant manner.We are big soda drinkers at the house. Seems every grocery store has it's own version of Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, Sprite and so forth. I was excited to discover at a particular store a drink called "Mountain Holler" ... the family prefers it to Mt. Dew and it's only .69 for a 2 liter. So we are happy with the knock off.Though in our quest for less expensive Dr.P we haven't been so lucky.On grocery items, I will try generic items and if they work, will keep them.On clothes I don't lean one way or another either. If it seems well cut and well constructed I will likely buy it. Footwear, I always go with branded items. If it's something I plan on using a lot... tools, guitars, electronics and that sort of thing. I usually go with branded items. Link to comment
bluebell Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I wasn't meaning actually meaning direct counterfeit items.. like the "Rolex" you can by for $20 at a flea market. Sorry, my wording wasn't to clear. But your points are relevant. I was thinking more along the lines of generic reproductions or perhaps products that don't market their name in any relevant manner.We are big soda drinkers at the house. Seems every grocery store has it's own version of Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, Sprite and so forth. I was excited to discover at a particular store a drink called "Mountain Holler" ... the family prefers it to Mt. Dew and it's only .69 for a 2 liter. So we are happy with the knock off.Though in our quest for less expensive Dr.P we haven't been so lucky.On grocery items, I will try generic items and if they work, will keep them.On clothes I don't lean one way or another either. If it seems well cut and well constructed I will likely buy it. Footwear, I always go with branded items. If it's something I plan on using a lot... tools, guitars, electronics and that sort of thing. I usually go with branded items.That's pretty much how we are. Cheaper is not always cheaper-if it wears out or breaks more quickly than a name brand, you lose money in the purchase usually and would do better to get the more expensive brand first.Other times, generic is the way to go. Link to comment
Jigglysaint Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I tend to just buy what's on sale. I'm single, so I end up living off of microwave dinners and stuff. I bought some frozen pizzas that are pretty good that were only like under $2 each.The only thing that really have a brand loyalty to are Kraft Singles. Well not so much a loyalty as a very strange addiction. For some reason those cheese slices taste better than the other kinds. I think it's because they taste more milky and less cheesy, which is what I prefer. Link to comment
LDS Guy 1986 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 In our disagreeable economic circumstances, many of us have crossed a line or two in an attempt to cut corners where we can.Few questions.In what area have you chosen "knock offs" instead of name brand?Were you pleased with the results? ...andWhat areas of your purchases do you still consider brand before price?Sounds like a shopping questionnaire or a MLM pitch.. it isn'tBut "inquiring minds want to know" what you think. Namely me.I have always used knock off store brands for everything but pop tarts and root beer. Store brand toaster pastries are junk as well as store brand root beer, I got to have Pop Tarts brand and A&W everything else is store brand always. Link to comment
Blossom Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Now we're talking! I love those Vera Bradley cloth purses so I found some material, quilted it, and made one that looks like a Vera Bradley purse. Cost for a Vera Bradley: $65. Mine: $11.Store brands vary from place to place, though. I use lots and lots of coupons at stores that double or triple them, and I work at Walmart, which gives me a decent discount. Discount plus coupons -- yeah!A fun thing to do with coupons you don't use: As I'm doing my shopping, I leave them on top of items I don't buy for other people to find and use. Some pet foods, baby food, etc. A little savings go a long way.Blessings,Blossom Link to comment
Moon Quaker Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I'm usually fine with store-brand items, but not for Macaroni & Cheese. Sam's Choice is awful; gotta stick with Kraft. Link to comment
Calm Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I'm usually fine with store-brand items, but not for Macaroni & Cheese. Sam's Choice is awful; gotta stick with Kraft. My daughter agrees, one thing I cannot find a substitute for. They all belong in the toilet as far as I'm concerned, Link to comment
Blossom Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 LOL! Mac and cheese....I make my own and hubby loves it!Blessings,Blossom Link to comment
TAO Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 LOL! Mac and cheese....I make my own and hubby loves it!Blessings,BlossomHomemade Mac' and Cheese = Awesomeness! Hehe, my mom is an expert too . Link to comment
frankenstein Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) on my mission I made a bologna sandwhich, the bread, meat, mustard, cheese and soda to wash it down were all generic. I got heart burn that night and had heart burn for 2.5 years after that sandwhich, this heart burn was terrible, terrible, terrible. And yes, I attribute it to generic brands. lately though, due to finances, we purchase generic or store brand. It is really difficult to buy RSTB free milk for 2.49US when the RSTB milk is 1.50US. Or name brand cereal for 4.00US when the store brand is 2.00US. (though last week got a great deal on cereal 2.00US a box on name brand.) I wont buy seafood, to include fish, which does not come the US or Canada. I wont buy generic cheese, I like kraft single slices (72 pack) and the best deal on those is at Sam's Club less than 8.00US v. 12.00US or 13.00US at the regular grocery store. Edited February 10, 2011 by frankenstein Link to comment
Garden Girl Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) I usually stick pretty much to brand names, even with groceries though I watch for sales, coupons, etc and manage to save...In clothes I always bought above average quality to high quality... Now that I'm not working I only "dress up" on Sundays or a special event so I'm still wearing clothes I bought 5 - 7+ years ago. And I have some hanging in my closet that if I can ever lose the extra pounds will be just as fashionable as when I bought them because I chose quality, "classic" lines vs fads in fashion. I believe you get what you pay for... that's why when I had to buy a new car, I bought a more expensive van than a cheaper compact model and paid cash though it made me cringe to do so. The upside is that I have no car payments, and a lifetime warranty on the drive train, and almost all other items too like air conditioning, electrical, etc etc. So I expect my van to last the way my old one did... 14 years or more.GG Edited February 10, 2011 by Garden Girl Link to comment
Calm Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) on my mission I made a bologna sandwhich, the bread, meat, mustard, cheese and soda to wash it down were all generic. I got heart burn that night and had heart burn for 2.5 years after that sandwhich, this heart burn was terrible, terrible, terrible. And yes, I attribute it to generic brands. lately though, due to finances, we purchase generic or store brand. It is really difficult to buy RSTB free milk for 2.49US when the RSTB milk is 1.50US. Or name brand cereal for 4.00US when the store brand is 2.00US. (though last week got a great deal on cereal 2.00US a box on name brand.) I wont buy seafood, to include fish, which does not come the US or Canada. I wont buy generic cheese, I like kraft single slices (72 pack) and the best deal on those is at Sam's Club less than 8.00US v. 12.00US or 13.00US at the regular grocery store.Depending on the store brand, sometimes it's just the same thing as the name brand repackaged. If you have intolerances to food, it might be wise to invest in a consumer report service that focuses on food or health as this may help identify which cheaper stuff is okay.The pharmacists generally say generics are identical to the brand names, but sometimes minute differences in even the filler products make a difference for sensitive patients. It is very frustrating for those whose insurance won't pay for a particular brand that works for the patient but insists on something less effective because it's cheaper. Edited February 10, 2011 by calmoriah Link to comment
Calm Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) For those who do a lot of painting, the Kilz (sp?) brand available at Walmart is rated best by Consumer Reports...at least it was last I checked, new formulations are coming out with primer included so perhaps ratings have changed.When buying significant amounts, stopping off at one's local library and checking the Consumer Reports for free (one can search online to find what magazine reports on what you want usually and then call up your library, sometimes the librarian will even look up the info for you) is well worth the time investment if only for peace of mind if you end up buying the same thing you had planned on buying.I used to get this newsletter on health and nutrition, really liked it: http://www.cspinet.org/Looks like Consumer Reports has a lot of stuff available for free these days (it's been years since I checked them online), including food: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/index.htm Edited February 10, 2011 by calmoriah Link to comment
thesometimesaint Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I compare price, quality, serviceability when buying any product, and reviews if available. Sometimes the Name Brand comes out cheaper in the log run, and some times it is the knock off brand. Don't be afraid to try new brands, because that is how Name Brands became Name Brands. Link to comment
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