There are some generic products that are just as good as the real thing, but different. Every product is different, so you have to try them all to figure out which are good and which are bad.
Example: generic ziplocs just as good as the brand name ones, and cheaper. Example: some brands of generic contact lens solution are awful. I avoid them.
@Fej I remember my eye doctor specifically recommending against some brand because it wasn't as sterile as they claimed and people were getting crazy eye infections.
Anyway, I can't remember which kind it was but I'm sure it's all sorted out by now so rest easy contact wearers!
@Fej the last box of generic ziploc bags I bought were a huge pain in the ass bordering on impossible to get a proper seal on vs the name brand bags that had a wider zip "strip", for lack of a better term. Never again.
@kapj I bought some from American Scientific and Surplus (A. S. S.) and the zipper sealed like a champ, and they were super heavy duty too. Unfortunately it wasn't attached to the bag, except on the ends. :-(
It all varies. Some generic/store brand stuff comes from the same name brand plant, so there is no difference in quality at all. In other cases, the difference is significant, like canned-whole-kernel-corn-shouldn't-resemble-creamed-corn difference.
@narfcake It could come from the same brand factory and be different. For example, you might find green beans that are brand name and generic that come from the same company; however, the better beans are reserved for the brand name and the less than perfect ones are also canned but labeled as generic.
i will try the generic at least once. when i lived in florida, i lived pulix brand, almost everything publix brand was awesome and way cheaper than name brand. i haven' found a store brand in CA that is that solid. Trader Joe's is notoriously rebanded name brand stuff, i will use trader joes stuff. i'm waiting impatiently for us to get an aldi. aldi and trader joe's are the same company but slightly different brand goals.
@WINTERMUTE honestly i want to try their chocolates, one of the candy blogs i follow is always raving about their reasonably prices chocolates. the only canned goods i eat would be soup or black beans. i don't grok canned vegetables. we always had fresh or frozen growing up and the texture/smell difference for canned veggies is something i can not deal with. i supposed canned veggies are ok in casseroles. i know people who are the other way with frozen veggies, only liking canned.
@vampje Aldi is the best! I don't do canned veggies either, but their frozen veggies are good. Their meats, frozen foods, and dairy are all great. Their milk is the cheapest around. Like @WINTERMUTE says, there are a few things to stay away from. Ramen is one. I also didn't like their spaghetti sauces or their noodles as much as brand names. Anyway, I can get the majority of my shopping done there and just supplement a few things from a regular store.
I'll try it to see if I like it. If the product is good/works good, then that's what I'll consistently buy. For example, Kirkland wienies: better than most brands; that strawberry jelly that is 2 strawberries in a jar of corn syrup: bad!
@AnnaB i heard it actually is made by grey goose, but is a special kind made for costco. That being said, my god drink something more interesting than vodka
There are certain products I have found where the name-brand is superior to any generic variant. Q-Tips, for example. I have not found any generic that has the same amount of cotton on the tip or the strength in the ... um, shaft. Yeah, anyway, I don't buy generic Q-Tips. And don't get me started on generic Triscuits!
So are there American knock-off products in China?
@Fish_Kungfu
@Fish_Kungfu
@communist HAHAHA excellent!
There are some generic products that are just as good as the real thing, but different. Every product is different, so you have to try them all to figure out which are good and which are bad.
Example: generic ziplocs just as good as the brand name ones, and cheaper.
Example: some brands of generic contact lens solution are awful. I avoid them.
@Fej I remember my eye doctor specifically recommending against some brand because it wasn't as sterile as they claimed and people were getting crazy eye infections.
Anyway, I can't remember which kind it was but I'm sure it's all sorted out by now so rest easy contact wearers!
@Fej the last box of generic ziploc bags I bought were a huge pain in the ass bordering on impossible to get a proper seal on vs the name brand bags that had a wider zip "strip", for lack of a better term. Never again.
@kapj I bought some from American Scientific and Surplus (A. S. S.) and the zipper sealed like a champ, and they were super heavy duty too. Unfortunately it wasn't attached to the bag, except on the ends. :-(
@Fej @JonT Back when I wore contacts I preferred the Target brand saline solution over the Bausch & Lomb recommended by the optician.
@kapj Ziplocs hate me. I can't get a seal on any brand!
It all varies. Some generic/store brand stuff comes from the same name brand plant, so there is no difference in quality at all. In other cases, the difference is significant, like canned-whole-kernel-corn-shouldn't-resemble-creamed-corn difference.
@narfcake It could come from the same brand factory and be different. For example, you might find green beans that are brand name and generic that come from the same company; however, the better beans are reserved for the brand name and the less than perfect ones are also canned but labeled as generic.
The obvious: When it's cheaper.
I buy generic for just about everything. There are a few food items that I'm picky about, but mostly the 'store brands' are perfectly fine.
Yeah, house brand food 4 lyfe! Except for cereal and snacks because bleh.
i will try the generic at least once. when i lived in florida, i lived pulix brand, almost everything publix brand was awesome and way cheaper than name brand. i haven' found a store brand in CA that is that solid. Trader Joe's is notoriously rebanded name brand stuff, i will use trader joes stuff. i'm waiting impatiently for us to get an aldi. aldi and trader joe's are the same company but slightly different brand goals.
@vampje I've found aldi brand stuff to be hit or miss. Their canned goods are as good or even better than name brand but their ramen was inedible.
@WINTERMUTE honestly i want to try their chocolates, one of the candy blogs i follow is always raving about their reasonably prices chocolates. the only canned goods i eat would be soup or black beans. i don't grok canned vegetables. we always had fresh or frozen growing up and the texture/smell difference for canned veggies is something i can not deal with. i supposed canned veggies are ok in casseroles. i know people who are the other way with frozen veggies, only liking canned.
@vampje Aldi is the best! I don't do canned veggies either, but their frozen veggies are good. Their meats, frozen foods, and dairy are all great. Their milk is the cheapest around. Like @WINTERMUTE says, there are a few things to stay away from. Ramen is one. I also didn't like their spaghetti sauces or their noodles as much as brand names. Anyway, I can get the majority of my shopping done there and just supplement a few things from a regular store.
I'll try it to see if I like it. If the product is good/works good, then that's what I'll consistently buy.
For example, Kirkland wienies: better than most brands; that strawberry jelly that is 2 strawberries in a jar of corn syrup: bad!
@2many2no heh, you said wienies.
@jsh139
When I can get what I need from the product in a generic form, I'll buy generic.
Kirkland vodka. The Costco brand. I can't tell the difference between it and Grey Goose. And it's $20 for 1.75 liters.
@AnnaB i heard it actually is made by grey goose, but is a special kind made for costco. That being said, my god drink something more interesting than vodka
@Twiminy I drink other things, too. But I love an ice cold vodka martini.
There are certain products I have found where the name-brand is superior to any generic variant. Q-Tips, for example. I have not found any generic that has the same amount of cotton on the tip or the strength in the ... um, shaft. Yeah, anyway, I don't buy generic Q-Tips. And don't get me started on generic Triscuits!
@jsh139 I've never had a generic 'Oreo' that held more than a passing resemblance to the real deal.
@brhfl Yes, absolutely! Generic Oreos are terrible.
The best generic brand:
@JonT Agreed. I buy many Kirkland products.
@JonT True. Consumer's Report agrees with you as well. Wish we had a Costco here.
Things I don't buy generic: soda, cereal, headphones, assorted generally cheap consumables, soap/razors/shaving cream, shoes and clothing in general.
I've found that generic athletic socks in particular almost always, always suck.