Comments on: Generics: For Better and Worse

By: brandie

brandie — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:32:25 +0000

I used to have a problem with some of the store brand mac n’ cheese, but now I’ve achieved a zen-like appreciation of how store brands don’t taste “worse” than the brand-name blue boxed mac n cheese. Generics just taste “different”. After all, just what is boxed mac n’ cheese supposed to taste like? Even the brand named stuff isn’t as good as homemade! So, I now have no qualms about just getting whatever’s cheapest. Same with Ice cream, cold cereal, salad dressing, etc. I have noticed some generic laundry detergents don’t quite cut it, but again, if you buy the store brand at say, Safeway, and you’re not satisfied, they’ll refund your money. So they say. I’ve never bothered, but a stickler for this kind of guarantee would probably feel braver about trying generics if they’re willing to follow thru with voicing their opinion if not satisfied.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:45:58 +0000

I have 5 bags of CVS Maxi Pads in my bathroom. Love them! I’ve never had any problems with them…ever.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:31:49 +0000

My husband is pretty picky about generic food brands; I usually don’t mind them. One thing in particular is Orange Juice. Name brands are so much more expensive, and we go through a ton, but generic brands are just not as good.

By: Tracy - Hair Tools

Tracy - Hair Tools — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:27:31 +0000

Generics are pretty hit or miss! Razors are a horrible idea, and most of the food is not quite as good but edible. Though I do notice that the Wal-Mart brand generics are a little better than say the Dollar General kind. Though I am not a big fan of that large retail chain they do save you money.

By: Vinessa

Vinessa — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:54:00 +0000

Ooh, thanks for the tip on CVS benzoyl peroxide. I use On The Spot daily – it’d be terrific to have a cheaper alternative! I’ll definitely give it a try.

By: b

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:12:42 +0000

We too are on a restricted diet. It is hard to find things where the name brand is fine but the generic is not.

I think it is funny once you try a generic you know if it is good and buy it again and again or if it was bad and stay away. But someone else may think it was fine. There are a few things where it is worth the extra money to buy the name brand.

By: Milehimama

Milehimama — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:55:23 +0000

I’ve found generics hit or miss, too.

My son is on a restricted diet, and cannot have petroleum-derived lard substitutes (BHA/BHT/TBHQ). We pretty much can ONLY buy name brand crackers, like Triscuit or Wheat Thins – every generic brand contains cheap substitutes.

On the other hand, I SWEAR by WalMart generic diapers. I’ve used them for 10 years, for 7 different children, and both genders. LOVE THEM! But my sister despises them.

By: Sheri

Sheri — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:05:15 +0000

I always sort my dried beans. (Stones that are about the same size as the beans can get in there with any brand, as the manufacturers wash and dry the beans on mesh racks.) My little daughter helps me to pour about 1/3 of a pound at a time into a pie plate, where she looks through them and picks out any “funny ones.” She loves it when she finds a pebble!

By: karen aka marrid66

karen aka marrid66 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:22:20 +0000

I’ll have to try some of these. Another one I like is I use a lot of Suave products. They aren’t generic, but really reasonably priced.

Karen aka marrid66

Here On Columbia Avenue
Da Boss And Bryguy
4 Cats Make Me Crazy!

By: Left Right Out

Left Right Out — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:37:52 +0000

CVS noncomedogenic, non-salicylic moisturizer with sunscreen

We find that Cetaphil works really well in our house. Very smooth, with a pleasantly light scent. We had the same experience as you with the CVS stuff — why is a moisturizer gritty?