Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Explain Which Name Brands They Refuse To Replace With Generic

Everybody loves to save pennies.

In this time of financial worry saving money is a must.

One of the ways we've always saved is by buying generic.

Sometimes the name doesn't always matter.

But there are instances when those extra pennies need to be spent.

Sometimes name equals better quality.


Redditor AndrewIsMyDog wanted to discuss what things they will always spend a little extra on just because of the name.

They asked:

"What 's a name brand item you refuse to replace with generic?"

I do mostly generic, except when it comes to vodka. Quality matters when it comes cosmos friends.

Vest of...

cerkl team GIF by CerklGiphy

"Post-It Notes And practically anything else made by 3M."

Fun-Director-4092

"3M is S tier. Basically every product they have is the best version of that product."

Timoth_e

Swing

"Swingline stapler. If they took my Swingline, it'd be the last straw."

siliconsmiley

"I inherited my grandpa's Swingline when he passed away. He had his own business and had the darn thing for years prior. He's been gone for 23 years and that stapler ain't never gonna quit."

crissyjo618

"I just looked over at my favorite stapler at work and saw its a Swingline. The thing was like $30 but it takes a beating and has never jammed."

MissAcedia

Store Brand

"Sharpie."

shoobsworth

"Cheaper doesn't always cost less. Story below..."

"I worked at a Lab and for a little while they had a program where if you made an improvement that saved the company money you got a reward for a portion of the savings (10%). It was meant for process improvement, increased efficiency, etc. but the person who worked in purchasing got one for saving money on office supplies by switching to cheaper 'store brand' supplies. I think they got about $20,000 for it."

"Anyway I went from having a Sharpie last 1 to 2 months of writing on glassware, slides, petri dishes, etc. to going thorough a pack of knock off sharpies a week. Any savings in per unit cost were wiped out, and then some, by increased consumption of supplies. They switched back to the previous supplies within a couple months."

"I'm guessing someone had some serious explaining to do to the senior executives once they found out they gave someone $20k for an idea that cost them money."

Winter_Principle4844

God, it's so good...

"Also Crayola crayons, markers, color pencils. I’m all for the store private label options in other areas. However the off brand art products are crumbly and produce mediocre results."

Leather-Mixture-2620

"I buy Crayola not only for their overall quality, performance, and durability, but also and most importantly I buy them for their iconic scent. God, it's so good. All core regions of my brain light up when I take that first hit off a fresh 64 pack."

CoolClementine

"Crayola ultra wash is the only brand of marker and crayon allowed in my house because it is really easy to get off of most surfaces."

busybee223

Be Clean

Season 5 Episode 10 GIF by SpongeBob SquarePantsGiphy

"Dawn dish soap. It's just good, and really not that more expensive."

Ok-disaster2022

"I've used blue Dawn to take old oil stains out of concrete."

RossLH

As you get older, you don't realize how important dish soap is.

Top of the Line

Agt GIF by America's Got TalentGiphy

"This is pretty specific but Scotch Commercial-grade Packing Tape. The Uline tape is freaking terrible."

IntoTheMystic1

Flavors

"Nilla Wafers. The off-brand versions tend to be flavored differently and they leave a funny aftertaste."

TD5023

"Slayton Bakery Vanilla Wafers are so much better! H‑E‑B has them in Texas. They make Nillas taste like the crappy store brands."

ilikeme1

"Swap a graham cracker crust with a nilla wafer crust. Especially with something like lemon cheesecake. Way better. In both taste and texture."

LB4184

The '09

"409 cleaner. Nothing else works the same."

Neon_Camouflage

"Same. But I've been noticing that Clorox is downplaying 409 in favor of Clorox brand, the amount of shelf space of 409 is shrinking."

jorsiem

"They also keep changing the freaking label or adding all these different product lines... 409 Plus! 409 Bathroom! No, I just want the regular 409 cleaner."

prestigious_delay_7

Lead Perfection

"Ticonderoga pencils. All the other ones don't hold up to intense note-jotting."

FloridaFlamingoGirl

"The Dixon Ticonderoga set the bar for pencils. But, friend, you haven’t lived until you’ve taken a spin on a Papermate Mirado Black Warrior. https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Mirado-Warrior-Pencils/dp/B00006IEES"

Strict_Bit260

"You freaking pedestrians aren’t ready for the Palomino Blackwing. 'The Cadillac of pencils.' - Wirecutter https://blackwing602.com/products/blackwing-602-set-of-12"

GloryGoal

Wrapped

Wrap Moving GIF by 3 Men MoversGiphy

"Plastic wrap. It's worth it to buy the name brand because the box doesn't fall apart."

clocks212

"Have you heard about our Lord and Savior, Kirkland? I've been using my same roll for years."

flibbidygibbit

Generic is a good deal. But sometimes you need an upgrade.

What would you add to this list? Let us know in the comment below.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Doug Savant on 'Melrose Place'
FOX

'Melrose Place' Star Reveals Why His Gay Character Wasn't Allowed To Show Affection On Show

With the plethora of LGBTQ+ characters and storylines being normalized on various TV shows and streaming platforms, it might be difficult for younger generations to fathom that it wasn't always like this.

The cast of the popular '90s drama Melrose Place had a poignant discussion on the Still The Placepodcast.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Scott Jennings and Abby Phillip
CNN

CNN Host Drops Truth Bomb After Republican Guest Explains Why GOP 'Likes' Kash Patel For FBI Director

After conservative commentator Scott Jennings defended President-elect Donald Trump's choice of Kash Patel for FBI Director, CNN host Abby Phillip dropped a truth bomb, drawing an apt comparison to the GOP's election reform crusade.

Jennings said the following about Patel, whom he suggested would restore trust and "public confidence" in the bureau:

Keep ReadingShow less
Image of Melania, Barron and Donald Trump on election night
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Rare Video Of Barron Trump Talking On Election Night Has People Doing A Double Take

A rare video of President-elect Donald Trump's son Barron Trump speaking has many social media users doing a double take, with many pointing out the similarities between his and his father's speech patterns.

In the clip, Barron greets one of his father's supporters:

Keep ReadingShow less
John Rich; Lindsey Graham; Pete Hegseth
Steve Jennings/Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

MAGA Country Singer Rages At Lindsey Graham For Waffling On Confirming Pete Hegseth

John Rich, one half of the country duo Big & Rich, furiously took to X to question "RINO" Senator Lindsey Graham's manliness after the South Carolina GOP politician called the allegations against Trump Cabinet pick Pete Hegseth "disturbing."

Hegseth, a Fox News host who is President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, faces scrutiny after CNN reported that he paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in a settlement agreement that included a confidentiality clause.

Keep ReadingShow less
Flavor Flav
Bryan Steffy - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Flavor Flav's 'Spirit Is Broken' After NBC Kicked Him Out Of Backstage Area At Tree Lighting

Rap icon Flavor Flav was dispirited by the way NBC treated him in a backstage area at the tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center on Wednesday.

The 65-year-old cofounder of the rap group Public Enemy said he was kicked out for no reason.

Keep ReadingShow less