Are you trying to figure out the difference between generic brand vs. name brand? Read this article to learn which is best.

Experiencing times when money is tight really puts your previous financial decisions into questions. Things we once took for granted now seem far too expensive. You think, do I really need that artisanal barbeque sauce?

Why have I been spending $10 on deodorant when there’s a brand with the same ingredients for $3? Is there really that much of a difference?

We’re going to explore the idea of purchasing a generic brand vs name brand in this article, giving you some food for thought on what the difference actually is.

Generic Brand vs Name Brand: What’s the Difference?

When you really start to question your purchasing decisions, you open up a wormhole of questions about the products on the shelf.

You start noticing how the store places its products, showcasing the more expensive ones while tucking the cheaper, generic brands down toward the bottom. It’s no wonder that stores do this, though, their goal is to make money.

You turn the containers around and read the ingredient list on both, finding that there’s very little difference between the cheaper product and the name brand one. The only difference, you think, is that one company simply has a far larger marketing budget, and they’ve made their way into the mainstream.

Commercials, advertisements, sponsorships, and more all help turn a product from something unknown into something that we imagine we need.

At the same time, if you and your grandmother were given the same ingredients to bake a batch of cookies, whose cookies would be better? Odds are the person who’s had more experience and practice will create a better product.

Difference in Quality

Brand name products are often those that we have gotten used to. With that in mind, they set the standard for what is considered good and what is not.

For example, picking up a box of Oreos seems like a safe bet. Trying out a generic cookie that looks like an Oreo is a little riskier. You’re used to the taste and feel of the old product, and the new, generic one is bound to have some differences.

All kinds of products are going to be a little different, and it would be difficult to make a blanket statement about all generic and brand name products. The advantage in one company’s marketing budget might come from the fact that they skim on ingredient quality.

Further, a lack in the generic brands marketing could mean they put more stake in providing quality ingredients. Quality also has a large element of preference involved.

In other words, how “good” something is gets largely determined by the tastes and preferences of the person consuming it. With these things in mind, the only way to truly judge quality is by trying something and comparing it.

Difference in Safety

Safety is another thing altogether. A brand that has grown to the status of “brand name” is likely to have proven itself to be safe.

Although marketing plays a large role in becoming a brand name, customers are also needed to support a product. When enough customers support something, it can be safely assumed that they had a positive experience with it.

This is something called social proof. The idea is that when someone you know likes something, it must be something worth liking.

When a product falls into a market that is largely unregulated, we recommend trying the brand name. Regulation is what ensures safety and, to a degree, quality.

When a product falls into a market that is heavily regulated, however, you will find that the cheaper option is probably pretty close to the brand name. This is especially true in the case of drugs and medications.

This post can help you to understand the reality of brand name and generic drugs. While they have identical chemical makeup, their branding and packaging can skyrocket prices for the exact same product.

Making Selections and Feeling Confident

Unfortunately, there’s no one answer as to whether a brand name is the same as a generic one. That is, except when it comes to medicine with the same chemical composition.

Outside of that, though, there are some principles you can follow. The first thing you should do is examine the ingredient list. If the ingredients are largely the same, you should be pretty confident that the generic product is the one to buy.

This is especially true in the case of material products and other non-edible things. Examine the ingredients of food products closely and try the generic option if you think they’ll be the same.

When it comes to single ingredients, generic products are almost always the better option. Things like flour can’t vary too much from one package to another, so it makes complete sense to choose the cheaper option.

That said, when ingredients are combined into a product, the flavor will always vary from company to company. In this case, you’ll have to take the taste test.

Buying Online

The web is the ultimate spot to find generic products for fractions of the cost of even the generic products at the store. This is great, as it allows people to get the products they need at near-wholesale costs.

At the same time, it’s important to look deeply into the product and companies that you support online. Many sites are just center points for a number of companies to sell their goods. Those goods may or may not be regulated and safe.

You’re always taking a slight risk when you buy these goods. That said, customer reviews and comments, accreditations, and other accolades that mark qualities companies can boost your confidence.

The important thing is to know the ingredients, know the company, and be absolutely sure that the product is safe to bring into your home or put into your body.

Want to Know More?

Life is full of little hacks, tips, and tricks to saving money, staying healthy, and maximizing your potential. Whether you’re looking to understand a generic brand vs name brand or how to parent more effectively, we’re here to help.

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