Tips on When to Buy Brand Name vs. No Name
In many cases, it’s better to buy a knockoff than it is to buy a brand name item. Some exceptions do exist, however, and in certain cases brand names are definitely the better bet. Find out which products are worth big bucks and which ones aren’t with Ask Men’s guide:
1. Bottled water - As long as it does not appear tinted or impure when you grab it from the shelf, go for the generic brand; it can add up to a surprising savings each month.
2. Milk - There isn’t a huge difference between brand names such as McArthur or store versions for a lesser price. The USDA regulates the homogenizing process necessary to bottle and sell milk, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t save a few bucks by opting for the store brand.
3. Knives – Depending on how much cooking you do it may be smart to invest in good brand-name knives. You only need one or two versatile, high-quality pieces, rather than an entire set of cheap ones you will have to replace every few months.
4. Athletic Shoes - This is a category in which you should really spring for a reliable brand name. Whether you exercise occasionally or run marathons on a regular basis, injury prevention is of key importance. High-quality athletic shoes are designed to offer you support and keep injuries at bay, so avoid cheap knockoffs at all costs.
5. Cordless Phones - With the advent of cell phones, home-based cordless phones have fallen by the wayside in the last few years. The good news is that prices have gone down considerably. Then again, you don’t need a high-end model, either. Opt for a brand with a reliable warranty, such as GE, but there’s no need to get their most expensive model.
6. Medications - Most major pharmaceutical companies have subsidiaries that distribute generic versions of their products. These no-name versions can be 50% to 75% cheaper than their brand-name counterparts, and since the U.S. Food & Drug Administration regulates and monitors these products for your protection, there’s generally no reason why you shouldn’t choose them. When it comes to prescription drugs, the smartest thing to do is to ask your doctor or pharmacist if generics are an option.
7. Computers - Today, computers are so relatively inexpensive that most IT professionals will advise customers to replace rather than repair them. Don’t waste hours toying with drivers, optical drives and countless operating system reinstalls; simply go with a brand name and a good warranty.
8. Tires - With most auto makers competing for market share by boasting warranties that range from 36 months to 10 years, consumers are only responsible for maintenance in a few basic areas, one of which is tires. When it comes to high-performance, speed-demon types or if you live in an area where snow and ice are common, specialty tires are probably a good bet, even though they’re a bit pricey. If you’re more of a day-to-day routine type, most manufacturers have subsidiaries or partners that put out off-brand versions of their more recognized product lines, which can typically save you about 1/3 of the price. The key is to have access to an independent tire specialist who won’t try to push you toward his own brand.
Comments
Not true, Nike has its own factories. I used to live in Asia, and in Korea and Vietnam you can easily buy the Nike products from the factory (sometimes they have factory sales, sometimes you pay an "entrance fee") - everything in those shops has a Nike symbol on it.
I think you need to know the difference between shoe brands. New Balance are meant to be real athletic shoes, so you're paying for the support they give. With Nike, you're paying for the name, they're a status symbol. Of course, if you're buying them for your kid, you might be buying a $300 way to get your kids shoes stolen.
The $300 Nike and the $50 New Balance shoes are made in the same factories.
He didn't say buy a new PC to avoid installing a driver. He said buy a PC from a good brand with a good waranty to avoid having to fix every error and system problem yourself. I think its good advice for the average PC buyer (including myself). Of course DIYS types won't adhere to this one.
If you buy a new PC to avoid installing a driver, you are not living frugally.