Anyone remember the huge OP (Ocean Pacific) brand craze of the mid-1980’s? When I was kid, OP was the brand to have. Especially the curduroy shorts that were so short you had to be careful not to expose yourself when sitting down Indian style. I remember they were on the expensive side and my parents refused to buy them. But I wanted them so bad that my Mom would actually take the shorts I did have and sew a wannabe OP logo on the front pocket!! Looking back on it, it was really pathetic. Despite her best efforts, the ‘OP’ just didn’t look right and most of my friends knew it.
Amazing how brand awareness starts at such a young age. I am starting to fight it at my house recently with some knock-off Crocs. I wrote about this at Lynnae’s blog, Being Frugal.net, a couple weeks ago.
This made me think about the times in my life today when I tend to shop name brands because I perceive them as a better value. The one thing that I have discovered is that perception does not always equal reality. But here are a few times I do shop the brands:
- Tools. I made the mistake of spending less on some power and hand tools awhile back. Big mistake, they all either broke or are so frustrating to use I want to throw them in the ocean. So I went and bought a Ryobi cordless drill, a Stanley handsaw, and a Craftsman blower and life is good again.
- Athletic Shoes. I am willing to spend more on tennis shoes and sneakers because they flat out last longer. I am pretty hard on my shoes and generics will only last a few weeks before they go in the trash can.
- Beer. This one is pretty funny. My Dad actually used to buy generic beer that had a white can, and it just said “BEER” in blue letters. Hilarious, and terrible to drink. I don’t drink beer very often, but when I do I spend a little extra to get Fat Tire or Pacifico. My 2 current favorites!
When are you a brand name shopper? And why?
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Tags: Frugal Living15 Comments
15 responses so far ↓
Kyle, you really need to start brewing your own beer. It’s far more fun to drink your own.
Here’s two situations where I’m a brand shopper:
Computers. Out of the thousands of alternatives out there, Apple has me hooked with their reliable and powerful operating system OS X. Even if it was possible to install OS X on generic PC hardware, I would stick with Apple’s hardware because it just works.
Vehicles. Honda and Toyota only. People who’ve owned a Honda or Toyota before don’t need an explanation. For the people that haven’t, buy one. You won’t regret it.
Aaron, nice additions! Toyota recently became #1 in auto sales worldwide for a reason.
Can’t vouch for the Apple as my Dell workhorse has been running strong for 2+ years without a problem. (knock on wood of course!!)
Oh, and as for the beer…send me a sample or 12!!
If you ever come up this way, be sure to let me know. I’ll drink a few with you. I actually haven’t brewed for about five years. Somehow I couldn’t find the time with my marriage, graduate school, adoption, two more kids, moving three times, living in an RV for a spell, building a house, and some other things that I’m sure I forgot.
Deal! I’d love to have a cold one with ya!
Did you have one of those Mr. Beer brew kits? I was thinking of getting something like that for my Dad.
I’ve never had any beer from a Mr. Beer brew kit, so I’m not sure if that’ll result in a decent beer.
I started with Midwest Supplies Brewing Basics Equipment Kit. That’s almost everything you’ll need. You still need ingredients, a big pot for brewing, and special bottles. Most beers are carbonated at the time of bottling, so you need special thicker bottles that can withstand extra carbonation which tends to happen when beer is carbonated naturally.
The most important part of brewing is to sanitize everything. As long as you keep wild yeasts out of your beer, it should turn out okay if not great.
Kyle,
I’ll agree w/ Aaron on the computers. As an I.T. professional, I just can’t go generic on PC’s and associated parts. It’s Dell and Apple for our house.
Also, I agree with you on wine and beer. 2 buck chuck and cheap beer just don’t cut it. I wait
for favorites to go on sale and stock up!
Finally, we won’t cheap out on pet food, makeup, home electronics and tea! As with everything else, we wait for specials or deals on our favorite things so we enjoy the brands AND the savings.
With a few things:
1) Motor vehicles: Toyota
2) Computer operating systems: Apple (not necessarily hardware) or Ubuntu
3) Shorts: Surf Line
4) Soda: Diet Pepsi
Here are my brand loyalties:
Dansko shoes for work. Last a full year while others only last about 2 months. Works out to be less money that way.
Athletic shoes for family- more comfortable and last much longer.
Faberwaare Perk coffeemaker - we drink about 3 pots a day and these last like no other!
hmmmm….were you snooping in my saved folder? lol - I JUST posted about this today. I wrote it over two weeks ago but was saving it for a slow day. How funny that ours coincide.
I usually buy whatever is cheapest, which is often the brand name if on sale when I have a coupon. I was thinking I don’t have any real brand loyalties (though my husband is very particular about his deodorant) but then I looked in my cupboard and realized I only use real SaranWrap plastic wrap and would never put my food in the freezer except in a Ziplock freezer bag. The whole point is to save food for another day and the generic brands just don’t do the job!
I’m also a big fan of Cascade action packs for the dishwasher, but not so much that I won’t buy other stuff. I just think they do the absolute best job.
Carlie, great minds think a like!! I will swing by and read your post today!
Kansas Mom, totally agree on the Ziplocs, the generics just don’t do it. I hate freezer burn on my food and Ziploc does a pretty good job keeping it out!
DJ Fuzzy, agree on the pet food, we buy Iams for our dog and it keeps them healthy and there is less poop!
Kristen, agree on the shoes, especially for work! Thanks for coming by and commenting.
I remember being in 5th grade and wanting Op stuff sooo badly! And those hypercolor shirts that changed colors when you touched them…
I buy brand name running shoes/socks (New Balance or PearlIzumi) and high-end pet food - both well worth it. I tend to buy expensive brand clothing, but I always get it in thrift stores and almost never pay more than $5 for anything. I like getting a good brand that I know will hold up, but I never buy clothing new. I like going on scavenger hunts in my favorite thrift stores
And I’m partial to Seventh Generation dishwasher soap and Burts Bees shampoo.
I love my Lexus. It has 175,000 miles on it and still drives better than any other brand new car I’ve driven–and we rent quite a few because of DH’s travel. Right now I don’t plan to ever buy another vehicle that isn’t made by Toyota.
I buy my kids used Gymboree clothes and then resell them after they wear them for as much or more than I paid for them. Can’t beat free clothes! Gymboree holds up and looks new through kid after kid.
I don’t think of myself of much of a name brand person however there are somethings that I only purchase name brand. Charmin, only tp allowed in our home by order of the dear hubbie, Clorox bleach, tried others but don’t like them, Tide(with bleach), I use other detergents but for my white clothes I keep coming back to this one, Glad trash bags with Force Flex, LOVE these bags very much.