The MLP Arena
Pony Talk => Off Topic => Topic started by: Sarahlacewing on May 29, 2012, 08:58:27 PM
-
I've noticed that I have odd name brand preferences. If its ok and anyone is interested I thought I might start a discussion board. I know if will be tough since we are scattered across the globe.
I'll go first. For my name brand I must have jiffy peanut butter. I will not eat any other peanut butter because many of the generics around here taste like wax paper.
But I have a strong preference for generic string cheese, if it is Kraft or any other name brand I can't handle the taste.
So I was just curious. Do you look at bands, price, or both? Is there any difference or is it all in my mind.
-
It depends on the product. I'm fine with Target-brand foil, but I've found that Glad cling-wrap just works better than the generic stuff. So I'll try both, and just see which works/tastes better. (Or if they work/taste the same, I'll go with generic).
But since you mentioned peanut butter, I like Laura Scudder's old fashioned peanut butter. :) I know you have to mix it, but I like that it doesn't taste as sugary as Skippy or Jiff (but I like using the Skippy when I bake peanut butter cookies).
-
I only like generic Walmart chili but other things must be very specific name brands and still others it doesn't matter much one way or another. I just get what I like best regardless of anything else.
-
I only prefer brand names when it comes to health and beauty products. With food, I'll go with the store brand if it's cheaper and the ingredients sit well with me (I'm a strict vegetarian, and you'd be surprised how many sneaky animal by-products are in things.)
-
I use Rembrandt toothpaste 'cause I like the painter. I also use Barbasol shaving cream 'cause I like Jurassic Park.
Other than that, I don't really care. I don't eat any processed foods, so it's not like there's a lot of difference between potatoes, rice, and lettuce.
-
I wasn't thinking about health and beauty Eviecorn but now that I think about it I have to say that there can be a huge difference. I got some generic pore strips the other day. They were horrible. From now on it's name brand for me. ;)
-
Root Beer must be brandname. Off brand root beer is terrible :P
-
I'm not too brand picky, except for art supplies. XD
For example I pretty much have to have Stadeler or a similar brand for my sketching pencils or else they tend to fall apart, and for sketchbooks now I use Boldmere ones I can grab at the Works for 99pence for 30 sheets. I used to use WHSmith own brand but they changed the paper and frankly, it sucks, I can't erase on it without the paper falling apart and the paper has a weird texture to it now.
Oh, and for my hair for some reason only Pantene seems to work on it. :/ And for pony grooming I like to use Alberto Balsam stuff, partly as it smells nice (like green apple, mmm) and also because I can get it cheap at the pound shop. XD
-
So I was just curious. Do you look at bands, price, or both? Is there any difference or is it all in my mind.
For me, if its food its all about the taste (and like Eviecorn, whatever doesn't have animal byproducts). I'll try generic if the price is right but in the end I'll buy what tastes best.
For cosmetics and toiletries I always buy name brand. I have brands I like and just always get those.
Paper products and trash bags etc.. ALWAYS store brand. Cheaper the better.
-
I read the labels to find out which is the same recipe but usually off-brand...
-
Usually we'll go with generic if it's something we're not picky about (or we're happy enough with the generic - plus it's cheaper). But there are a few things that must be the name brand or nothing (ie hubby must have his Heinz ketchup, no others).
-
I will only buy Archer Farms (a Target Brand) of coffee if I can help it and I try to stick to name brands I trust when it comes to the creamer I use, but with most other stuff I don't care.
-
there are things i am extremely brand picky and loyal to. certain cosmetics, where there really is a quality difference. and certain guilty pleasure snacks - there is no substitution for goldfish crackers. other things i'm not at all picky. some things i am even generic brand loyal. kroger brand vegetable juice v8 knock off is the only bloody mary mixer for me!
and then there is my coffee. i drink community coffee brand. period. i spend a small fortune ordering my louisiana coffee online and shipped 10lbs at a time. but a girl needs her coffee with chicory. and cafe du monde (the only chicory blend available here) is vile.
-
and then there is my coffee. i drink community coffee brand. period. i spend a small fortune ordering my louisiana coffee online and shipped 10lbs at a time. but a girl needs her coffee with chicory. and cafe du monde (the only chicory blend available here) is vile.
I very rarely drink coffee, but when I do, it HAS to be Community. Thank god they started carrying it in stores in TN.
-
oh now that's just not fair! north carolina is right next door and no CCs. hmph.
man do i miss the community coffee houses. like starbucks, but delicious.
-
oh now that's just not fair! north carolina is right next door and no CCs. hmph.
man do i miss the community coffee houses. like starbucks, but delicious.
Do you guys have Bi-Lo stores in NC? That's where I get mine. Target is worth a check too if you haven't looked there already.
-
Actually I look at the ingrediants over anything else, since theres alot that will set my stomach off :)
-
I can't think of things I'll only buy name brand of off the top of my head, but there are a few.
Most of the time I don't care if it's branded or generic, though.
-
I find that still even those 'compare to -insert name brand-' are still not always the same. Some stuff is of course :). I buy generic tylenol and band aids and stuff. But I also use pantene and the fakie pantene, It has the same ingredients but it must not be in the same quantity or something because I feel like the generic is thinner. But of course it's cheaper so they probaby use a bit less of the pricey stuff.
I'm always so torn because the price is right but I don't want too go too far in value. Like toilet paper. *headdesk* The really cheap stuff is like tissue paper and you have to use twice as much.
-
Jif or Panner peanut butter only. They taste the same.
I've really gotten into SavALot foods because most of them have short ingredient lists of natural food ingredients and they taste great. I'm all for natural foods over more processed brands. The only downside is that coupons and sales usually are for processed crap like Kraft and Proctor & Gamble.
Oh, and grape soda must be Welch's because all the other brands taste like children's tylenol.
-
I think I remember Panner peanut butter. I will have to try and get a hold of some and see how it measures up. I am so picky about my peanut butter lol. It's one of the few things I really an choosy about.
Well now that I'm pregnant my tastes have changed a bit but I am still down with the peanut butter.
-
I like Waitrose stuff. Waitrose is good.
-
It totally depends on the product. A lot of foods generic/off brand is fine. Not the boyfriend's Kraft cheese though. He also tends to buy actual hamburger helper versus a generic version.
I have a certain shampoo I buy because it really treats my hair wonderfully. But I intersperse using it with generic suave shampoo so I don't use as much. Because I'm a cheapskate and it works well that way. Like, ever other hair wash or so I use the cheap stuff.
Computers... I'm an HP lover as I've never had problems from them while having had problems with lots of others.
But for the most part, generic or off brand is ok.
Beef stew MUST BE Dinty Moore though!
-
For some things, like Peter Pan peanut butter, I insist on brand name. For others, like whole wheat pasta and Indian food, you don't have a choice about whether you'll get brand name or not.
Stuff like band-aids and frozen fruit/veggies and dry goods, off brand. I also love off brand cola.
EDIT - DS, yes!! HP and Dinty Moore ALL THE WAY!! God, I haven't had Dinty Moore in like 2 years. Now it's all I want! I make awesome stew but it just isn't the same, you know?
-
I was thinking I was a generic girl, but then reading over this ya'll reminded me of a lot of things I just must have from a certain brand!
Probably the thing I'm most adamant about, like some of ya'll, is Heinz Ketchup- well, Heinz Red-Sugar Sauce, I suppose it should really be called XD- but I've got a few things that need to be specific. My... do you call it Cola? Has to be Coka-Cola/Coke brand, but that's because I have heart problems and need to be sure what I'm drinking is caffeine free. Peanut butter has to be one of a few specific brands (One of which is store-brand/off-brand) that don't have sugar in them, but so long as there is no sugar the brand doesn't matter. Yoghurt has to be Yoptimal brand, which is delicious. I did not like yoghurt until I came across Yoptimal, it is amazing stuff (And comes in a lactose-free version, which is great). I also prefer brand-name toilet paper, Oreos, animal crackers and toothbrushes (That might be an odd one XD), along with a few other things.
The only thing I can think of I strongly prefer the store-brand/off-brand for is beef hotdogs/wieners/what-have-you.
-
All my food is store brand, because most of the time I find it is the same taste with different wrapper. Also with medications. I'm not spending a couple of quid on paracetamol when I can buy it for 16p :cool:
All my toiletries are from Lush though. All my cleaning products are brand name. Also, chocolate has to be Lindt 99% of the time. And alcohol. Store brand wine is not so good!
And obviously... all my ponies are Hasbro! :silly:
So yeah, I guess all my favourite things are brand names. And I thought I was thrifty :cry:
-
All your ponies are Hasbro, lol. Mine aren't. If Lanard were sold here more often, than a much smaller percent of my ponies would be Hasbro.
-
The only thing I must buy brand name is ketchup. My hubby would die if it's not Heinz.
I prefer certain brands for health/beauty but they're not a must.
-
I tend to buy the more organic brands, so in those cases, there's not always an option for store-brand. I'm not very "brand loyal" though, except for Seventh Generation toilet paper, Marcel napkins, JIF peanut butter, and tomato sauce (Bertolli's OK, or Barilla), or cans of crushed tomatoes to make sauce myself...the store brands I've tried taste too sour. Typically, I don't think the store brands of foods taste the same as the brand-name food, but I don't always have a preference either. Oh, and there are only two brands of Chinese dumplings/potstickers I'll buy, Ling Ling and a Chinese brand that I can't remember the name of.
-
I'm secretly excited to see so many Jif fans out there. Peanut butter I feel like is one of those things that has a lot of variety from one brand to the next.
I also just realized today that I like cheez-it brand crackers better than the generic brand. Actually the name brands are kind of winning for me I think. I need to take a trip to aldi or somewhere and pick up some generic puff corn.
-
Oooh, just remembered another one. I only eat Kraft mac'n'cheese.
-
Root Beer must be brandname. Off brand root beer is terrible :P
Which brand do you drink, or does it not matter?
I drink IBC and I can tell the difference between it and other root beers. Now I can't drink the others.
The only soda (besides IBC) I'll drink is Pepsi. Not Pepsi products, just Pepsi. No off-brand, no name brand, just Pepsi.
It all depends on the product. I buy name brand health products as well. I only buy name brand pizza (Digiorno, the mini ones), ice cream, any and all pet products, macaroni and cheese, string cheese and cereal. I won't let my childhood be ruined by off-brand cereal!
-
I only buy Pert shampoo. It's the only one I've found that makes my hair look clean, soft, and shiney. I also love that it has a clean scent, not perfumy. Name brand hamburger helper, and I have have to have name brand root beer, Barq's. Off brand tastes nasty. Peanut butter I'm not particular about, but then, I don't eat a lot of it.
I also quit buying a lot of the walmart off brands since they switched over to the all white labels. Just about everything is horrible now. The canned veggies was more stalks than actual veggies.
-
I also quit buying a lot of the walmart off brands since they switched over to the all white labels. Just about everything is horrible now. The canned veggies was more stalks than actual veggies.
Isn't it terrible? I bought a couple cans of Wal-Mart black eyed peas, and there was nothing in them but water.
I only buy Del Monte now.
-
If I can buy it in Poundland, I'll use it or eat it. I don't wear makeup enough to be picky about it, and now my eyeliners tattooed on I don't need to worry about that bit, which was the only brand loyalty I had.
I don't like Sainsbury Basic meals though. Even my cats will turn their noses up at those, which is probably a good indicator.
-
I dont post often on off topic so I shall give it a go? :) I have tried non brand names before I think it really has to deal with the product. I also go with whatever tastes better. Lately I did switch to a no name toliet paper.. I shall never go that route again.. its like sandpaper! Also the same with trashbags they are way too thin and they don't hold very well. So some things with no brand name aren't always better. :/
-
I dont post often on off topic so I shall give it a go? :) I have tried non brand names before I think it really has to deal with the product. I also go with whatever tastes better. Lately I did switch to a no name toliet paper.. I shall never go that route again.. its like sandpaper! Also the same with trashbags they are way too thin and they don't hold very well. So some things with no brand name aren't always better. :/
^ This is soo true. I don't know if it's just the generics we have in our area but both are unbearable to use. lol
I don't like Sainsbury Basic meals though. Even my cats will turn their noses up at those, which is probably a good indicator.
The banquet meals we have here are that way. They cost a dollar... but they taste like they cost a dollar. :yucky:
-
offbrand toilet paper.... eek! here in chez kaninchen we have a fairly strict rule about products and the, um, navel-to-knee district!
-
For my vitamins and minerals in pill form, I have no problem with generics.
For migraine meds, CVS's brand of Excedrin migraine. Since Excedrin STILL hasn't been brought back to the public, I had to hunt around for over the counter migraine meds that had the same ingredients, and CVS is the ONLY one I've ben able to find in stores in my area.
Peanut butter? Must must MUST be ShopRite store brand creamy style. All other peanut butters either taste too dry or too sweet, and I don't like chunks of peanuts in my peanut butter. They get stuck in my teeth.
Blended seasonings? Morton Salts Natures Seasonings.
Aside from those, I'm good with jumping from one companies products to another.
With the exception of Walmart brands. BLECH! Will NOT eat food under the Walmart label, it just never tastes right.
-
I found a flake that looked like wood in my walmart brand corn flakes once. Didn't sue but maybe should have. Never again will I buy walmart brand for any food. I'm not really all that cheap with food but I didn't think plain corn flakes would make much difference.
-
I also quit buying a lot of the walmart off brands since they switched over to the all white labels. Just about everything is horrible now. The canned veggies was more stalks than actual veggies.
Isn't it terrible? I bought a couple cans of Wal-Mart black eyed peas, and there was nothing in them but water.
I only buy Del Monte now.
Yep, we stick with name brand canned veggies, just watch for sales and coupons. Iused to like the WM brand spaghettios more than the named brand, but now the wm brand is watery and bland. I sent them an email complaining about the way the qualitys gone down, but all I got was a form letter back.
-
Name Brand musts: Oreos, Cheez-its, COCA-COLA, herbal essences shampoo, heniz ketchup, TP, garbage bags, laundry detergent (must be chemical-free), ritz crackers, POP-TARTS, Quaker granola bars
Off-brand: most sauces, dressings, tomato products, frozen veggies, cleaning supplies, plastic bags, only CVS genearic meds (ibuprofin, tylenol, naproxin s0odium, etc)
I like the Kirkland generic products from Costco a lot. Some WM products are OK. Target generics are generally better then most other genarics.
-
I like the Kirkland generic products from Costco a lot. Some WM products are OK. Target generics are generally better then most other genarics.
We buy a lot of the generics from Costco. The Kirkland shampoo is one of the better shampoos I know and it's vegan! I also buy Kirkland dog food.
-
Ewwww to Kellog's Pop Tarts. On the opposite scale of brands I'm loyal to is brand names I will not buy and pop tarts are one of them. I prefer toast'em brand. I also do not like Hostess cakes at all but do love Little Debbie.
-
I am a Jif peanut butter fan. (Reduced Fat is my fave!) I won't buy a generic pb but will try Skippy, Peter Pan, or Planter's if I have a coupon.
Since I've been couponing I haven't picked up many generics. I do prefer Walmart brand tuna to anything name brand. If I see just one tiny bone I am freaking out and giving it to the cats! Star Kist always has a bone in it, Great Value maybe 1 in 25.
As for health and beauty products, since I started couponing I haven't paid for much of it. I use thekrazycouponlady blog to match up sales with my coupons and most of the time I can get the store to pay me to take an item (or 20)! You can't do that with generics. :lookround:
-
I have a couple of food items that I actually insist on being generic. Walmart has really fabulous-imo mind you- vegetarian refried beans. A they don't taste all oily and weird like the name brand stuff. Whenever I go I stock up on a few cans. I also really like their generic unsalted crackers :3 they've got a really good flavor that's better than saltines.
Things I insist on for brand names though are definitely toilet paper. I'm not a fan of offbrand sodas. I've worked at a high end chocolate store for 2 years so it's ruined other chocolates for me and now I have to go name brands. Orange juice I have to go namebrand for because the offbrand doesn't offer the low-acid. Oh and cream cheese. It doesn't act right unless it's philadelphia cream cheese.
-
I have a couple of food items that I actually insist on being generic. Walmart has really fabulous-imo mind you- vegetarian refried beans. A they don't taste all oily and weird like the name brand stuff.
So agreed! I prefer Walmart's store-brand vegetarian refried beans to all name brands.
-
It's so hard to get brand variety when it comes to vegetarian and vegan meat substitutes in my opinion. There just isn't enough out there and it is all very pricey.
Seems like the better things are for you the more they cost... some kind of conspiracy?
-
When my sister and I moved out we switched to a lot of generic things, but there are some things we just wouldn't budge on. Granted, she's pickier than I am and insist on brand soda (I'll take the generic stuff but I rarely drink soda in the first place so I guess I can't judge), as well as Del Monte tomato sauce. But the one thing we both agree on? Tillamook Medium Cheese. <3 Pure love. Expensive for cheese but something we both need name brand for.
As for generic...what can I say, I'm cheap. I dig the generic cereal, and actually, the Costco Kirkland chocolate covered raisins are AMAZING, better than Raisinettes, that's for sure.
-
InkyMilk I am OBSESSED with generic cereal. I don't know why but I feel like it tastes better and its so cheap. Esp fakie lucky charms and fakie frosted wheat. *wants some now*
-
There is definitely a difference between some generic and name brand products and other times there is none at all. My grandmother thinks I'm crazy for thinking there's actually a taste difference between some items though because she's under the assumption that there is no difference between the two but the price :P
I prefer Kraft mac & cheese over basically any generic kind, the cheese always tastes gross to me.
I know there is a whole list of generic that I prefer over name brand and name brand that I prefer over generic but for the life of me I can't think of them :lol:
-
Mom told me when her and Dad were first married, Dad insisted on eating nothing but name brand Miracle Whip. He refused to eat any store brand because they were all nasty, and he could taste the difference. Mom got sick of paying so much more for it, so she saved an empty Miracle Whip jar, and would buy store brand and put it into it. Dad never knew the difference, until he caught her doing it! :lmao:
-
I have to say, I am kind of perplexed at how many different sorts of...stuff you guys have.
HOW MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHEESE IS EVEN NECESSARY
/obvious farm childhood is obvious/
-
I have to say, I am kind of perplexed at how many different sorts of...stuff you guys have.
HOW MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHEESE IS EVEN NECESSARY
/obvious farm childhood is obvious/
You remind me of my Mammaw, it's something she would say.
Mammaw this jelly is great what kind is it? *stares for a bit*
Honey, it's strawberry jelly
Lol no no I mean where did it come from?
Oh! Well Miss Jean (you remember her, story about miss jean) down at church had some extra when she jarred her preserves and she asked me if I would want a jar and of course I say yes.
It's just different in the country. People have gardens and stores have a different kind of personality. It's kind of nice.
-
Mom told me when her and Dad were first married, Dad insisted on eating nothing but name brand Miracle Whip. He refused to eat any store brand because they were all nasty, and he could taste the difference. Mom got sick of paying so much more for it, so she saved an empty Miracle Whip jar, and would buy store brand and put it into it. Dad never knew the difference, until he caught her doing it! :lmao:
LOL!! OMG, are we related?! My mother does this to my dad ALL THE TIME. Lotion, soap, food, lightbulbs, whatever! Poor Dad is none the wiser but he thinks he's being spoiled so I guess it works out?
EDIT:
HOW MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHEESE IS EVEN NECESSARY
Exactly 3: colby-jack for snacking/sammiches, Swiss for cooking, and shredded cheddar for less fancy cooking. :D
-
Please don't get me started.. :drunk:
I am ridiculous when it comes to brands. Given that my food habits are insane and obsessive anyway, everything has to be of a brand or a label with myself.
I believe in quality over quantity. My mom doesn't often understand why I'd rather spend £20 on a single shirt at Topshop than buy 5 shirts for the same price at Primark, but think about it: everyone wears Primark clothing in this depressing town of mine. It's cheaply made and doesn't last very well, and the way in which it's produced isn't economically friendly either (they often use sweat shops and child labour). I prefer the material of H&M, Topshop, Next, insert more labels here.. as well as the overall design and wearability of the product.
I've been awful with shoes since I was very small. I will only wear certain brands and I won't wear fake Converse or Vans. With boots I usually get Doc Martens but like other stompy goth boot brands like Demonia, Tuk and New Rock.
With food, I have to know exactly what goes into it. And I stick with what I know. No ingredients listed? No calorie values? Forget it. And if it's mass produced and sold for ridiculously cheap prices, I really can't trust the quality grade of whatever is inside it. Even tea and coffee have to be specific brands, like Twinings and Douwe Egberts. Also, I'll only drink coffee when I'm out if it's Costa.
As for cosmetics.. I will only use Body Shop and Lush shower gels, Simple cleansers and Got2Be hairspray. I won't use anything animal tested and try to use as many organic or fairtrade products as I can.
Some call me a snob.. well, I prefer 'refined', thank you very much :lmao:
-
HOW MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHEESE IS EVEN NECESSARY
Exactly 3: colby-jack for snacking/sammiches, Swiss for cooking, and shredded cheddar for less fancy cooking. :D
Rubbish.
You need mozarrella, parmesan and another hard Italian to make a decent carbonara sauce, Edam or Gouda for fondue or raclettes, Cheddar is fine for the topping on onion soup, you can make thin crisps out of Monterey Jack, sandwiches depend on whatever, Goat's cheese and feta are for salads or summer nmming, Brie goes lovely with Nutella for some reason, and Roquefort makes an absolutely divine blue cheese sauce that goes very well with a beef fondue. Others are best sampled after meals with a nice wine that suits it.
I do not count processed cheese to be food. It is plastic product in a can.
-
HOW MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHEESE IS EVEN NECESSARY
Exactly 3: colby-jack for snacking/sammiches, Swiss for cooking, and shredded cheddar for less fancy cooking. :D
Rubbish.
You need mozarrella, parmesan and another hard Italian to make a decent carbonara sauce, Edam or Gouda for fondue or raclettes, Cheddar is fine for the topping on onion soup, you can make thin crisps out of Monterey Jack, sandwiches depend on whatever, Goat's cheese and feta are for salads or summer nmming, Brie goes lovely with Nutella for some reason, and Roquefort makes an absolutely divine blue cheese sauce that goes very well with a beef fondue. Others are best sampled after meals with a nice wine that suits it.
I do not count processed cheese to be food. It is plastic product in a can.
Ah, but you asked how many are necessary. For me, those 3 are all that are needed, since I can get them in low-fat or fat-free versions. :)
I do Weight Watchers and cheese is a disproportionate number of daily points, so the more fancy cheeses are usually out as I won't waste the points on them. I agree you need mozarrella or parmesan for Italian cooking, but they're also high in points so I don't use them often, and when I do I usually only get a tablespoon or so. Goat cheese and feta don't count as dairy (not enough protein or somesuch) so I don't like to waste points on them even though I adore them, I never developed a taste for soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert (though Mr. Skeen inhales them) or any kind with mold on or in them, and despite living in wine country for several years, I never got past the "this tastes like vinegar" stage of wine sampling. I tried, I really did.
But I agree that squeezy cheese isn't cheese. Neither are Cheetos, unfortunately, though that is another thing I will not go generic on.
I like generic dryer sheets, now that I think of it. They're not as heavily perfumed.
-
One thing that just came to mind (while making a sandwhich) is pimiento cheese. It has to Price's. I will not buy any other brand. Ever.