Generic brand groceries VS name brand?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Generic brand groceries VS name brand?

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:31:45 PM EDT

Just thought of this yesterday when I bought Best Choice cream of mushroom for about half of what Cambell's cost. Couldn't tell any differance as it went into some chicken and rice.

So, when is it best to buy the name brand stuff?

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:32:38 PM EDT

[#1]

Oreos
Pickles
Olives
Mac and cheese
Pop tarts

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:33:07 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
Just thought of this yesterday when I bought Best Choice cream of mushroom for about half of what Cambell's cost. Couldn't tell any differance as it went into some chicken and rice.

So, when is it best to buy the name brand stuff?

You have to test them out. You will occasionally get burned. But the taste test doesn't lie.
If it is just as good, go with Generic or store brand.
One caveat being that if you can buy a USA product over foreign, do it.
If I can buy Texas product, I do that also.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:34:37 PM EDT

[#3]

I always sample the cheap stuff. If it's just as good I'll switch. Many times it's better.

Fresh and Easy has a lot of their named brand stuff that is very good.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:35:29 PM EDT

[#4]

Many store brand items are every bit as good (sometimes exactly the same, just re-branded) as the big names. Others are not. Only way to tell is from experience.

Sometimes you may even find you like the store brand better.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:35:34 PM EDT

[#5]

I find its best to stick with name brand regarding dish soap and laundry detergent. I'm sure there are a couple other ones but I can't remember them at the moment.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:35:58 PM EDT

[#6]

Sugar.

Why would I pay more for a 4lb name brand, when I can buy the "old normal" 5lb bag of Wal-mart sugar for less.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:37:09 PM EDT

[#7]

One I know that doesn't hold true are Cheez its and the generics. Name brand were consistent, tasty, and correctly baked. The next lower in price were okay but with some deviations with a few burnt ones or overly greasy. The cheap 89 cent box were mostly irregular with lots of burnt bits and off tasting.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:37:39 PM EDT

[#8]

I try the store brand once of everything and stick to it if it's good. 9 out of 10 times I buy the store brand.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:38:14 PM EDT

[#9]

Nearly all generics here. Keep the old containers though, sometimes certain people get picky and have to have the name brands.

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Posted: 7/5/2012 1:40:06 PM EDT

[#10]

Beer If the can just says "Beer", stay far away.

Oh, yeah, and Spam.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:42:25 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
I always sample the cheap stuff. If it's just as good I'll switch. Many times it's better.

Fresh and Easy has a lot of their named brand stuff that is very good.

+1 Fresh and Easy's Rocky Road icecream is some of the best I've been able to find on the market today.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:43:24 PM EDT

[#12]

I often times buy generic or store brand. Rarely is it a must to buy name brand stuff, but I do this with detergents and cleaning products. For foods I usually get the store brands. Now, if I was a POS parasite and was on welfare and had a EBT and WIC card I'd buy all the name brand stuff like they do.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:49:47 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Many store brand items are every bit as good (sometimes exactly the same, just re-branded) as the big names. Others are not. Only way to tell is from experience.

Sometimes you may even find you like the store brand better.

+1
My father worked forty+ years as a divisional Grocery Merchandising Manager for Safeway Stores.
Although many grocery chains run or own their own bread, egg, milk or ice cream operations, they contract with the same canneries as Green Giant, Dole, Campbell Soup, etc. Safeway even used local bottlers to produce their soft drinks. In Arkansas it was Dr Pepper who made Safeway softdrinks for decades.

This doesn't mean the product inside the can will be identical, but the quality control is.

Quoted:
Sugar.

Why would I pay more for a 4lb name brand, when I can buy the "old normal" 5lb bag of Wal-mart sugar for less.

No kidding. I worked part time at Safeway in high school and often wondered why anyone would pay more for "name brand" sugar or salt vs store brand......other than the label they are identical.

Posted: 7/5/2012 1:54:10 PM EDT

[#14]

Welfare people buy name brand

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:03:27 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Beer If the can just says "Beer", stay far away.

Oh, yeah, and Spam.

Not true!

For my own taste test, the cat wouldn't touch SPAM. I can't really tell the difference, but kitteh loves the ALDI's brand variety.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:09:15 PM EDT

[#16]

Sometimes it's the same stuff, and other times it isn't. If you're adding it to something it probably doesn't matter.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:09:59 PM EDT

[#17]

I always just pick up the lowest priced Himalayan sea salt.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:13:57 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Welfare people buy name brand

Ain't that the truth.

Meanwhile I'm stuck behind them with my generics.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:15:53 PM EDT

[#19]

The funny thing is that the store brands are often manufactured for the store by the same companies, factories and people who make the name brands. In many cases, it's the same stuff with a different label.

You just have to test the store brand to see if it works for you. If not stick to what you like.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:16:22 PM EDT

[#20]

I buy generic frequently. The only things that I have never seen a generic able to repicate are Cheeze Its, Doritos and Oreos. Although Aldi Oreos come surprisingly close.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:17:10 PM EDT

[#21]

I usually buy store brands.

Except diet coke, I can't stand the taste of the generic diet colas.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:17:11 PM EDT

[#22]

I'd like someone to tell me that generic mayo is anywhere near the deliciousness of Hellmans or other quality branded mayo

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:19:41 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
I'd like someone to tell me that generic mayo is anywhere near the deliciousness of Hellmans or other quality branded mayo

http://22.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ksgc53vkcX1qzdq7oo1_500.jpg

This. Also, don't ever buy fake cheese. It's for the children.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:19:57 PM EDT

[#24]

I only buy VanKamps pork and beans.

I can't tell much difference between most other canned vegetables.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:20:31 PM EDT

[#25]

For me, there are just a few things that I buy name brand of - Hershey's syrup, Oreos, and a couple of specific breakfast cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch are all I can think of off hand. A couple of other things I have a specific brand that I like, such as Caesar salad dressing and BBQ sauce and a couple of spice mixes, and for those specific things I'll usually stick with that one brand because I prefer their specific version, not because I think they are better quality but just because I prefer the specific flavor of that brand. But that's not always name brand either - my favorite Caesar dressing is a store brand, come to think of it.

For almost everything else, I buy the store brand. Most of the time it tastes the same or better IMO and the price difference usually makes it worth it.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:22:29 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
I'd like someone to tell me that generic mayo is anywhere near the deliciousness of Hellmans or other quality branded mayo

http://22.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ksgc53vkcX1qzdq7oo1_500.jpg

I'll say it. I can't tell any significant difference between Cub foods' store brand mayo and the major name brands.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:27:47 PM EDT

[#27]

I want name brand ( Peter Pan) peanut butter. Other than that I don't care much. Oh, and only Hellmans or Duke's mayo.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:34:24 PM EDT

[#28]

Don't buy generic Fruity Pebbles

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:35:16 PM EDT

[#29]

One thing I don't skimp on is pasta, only buy Barillas. Had pretty good luck with Krogers store brand raisin bran and crunchy raisin bran. I generally don't buy Walmart store brand stuff. Well, I do buy their nuts, but that's about it.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:38:46 PM EDT

[#30]

Kirkland (Costco) and the Aldie store brands are top notch, at least what I have tried so far..

Even some "name brands" are much cheaper but taste better. Del Monte ketchup tastes much better to me/mine than Heinz at 2/3 of the price.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:40:26 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I always sample the cheap stuff. If it's just as good I'll switch. Many times it's better.

Fresh and Easy has a lot of their named brand stuff that is very good.

+1 Fresh and Easy's Rocky Road icecream is some of the best I've been able to find on the market today.

Their ice cream is great. Check out the Chipotle Ranch.....excellent for onion rings.

I always hit FE 15 minutes before they close and raid the discount section. I'm a cheap ass discount shopper, worse than a chick with a coupon book.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:43:38 PM EDT

[#32]

I was amazed that the Stop & Shop house brand tuna was without a doubt much higher quality that Bumblebee and Starkist. The Kirkland Brand (Costco?) is just as good too.

Posted: 7/5/2012 2:49:34 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I'd like someone to tell me that generic mayo is anywhere near the deliciousness of Hellmans or other quality branded mayo

http://22.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ksgc53vkcX1qzdq7oo1_500.jpg

I'll say it. I can't tell any significant difference between Cub foods' store brand mayo and the major name brands.

Please report to the nearest medical facility and donate your tongue to science. You obviously don't need it.