By lovelyliz

November 10, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

When it comes to dat-to-day groceries, I have no brand loyalty anymore. I always check the price and buy whatever is cheapest. There just isn’t enough of a difference to justify otherwise.

By Clay

November 10, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

We buy a lot of Publix branded items. Some things, though, we do not. In terms of canned vegetables, we only buy Del Monte. We’ve tried others (including store brands) and Del Monte tastes the best to us. We do not buy store brand paper products. Bounty, Cottonelle (or Charmin), and Kleenex (or Puffs) only, please. We also do not buy store brand medicines. We learned years ago when our children were young that store brand acetaminophen does not hold down a fever as well or last as long as real Tylenol.

Just about anything else is fair game. I buy Publix brand milk, cheese and ice cream almost exclusively.

By Alecia

November 10, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Brand loyalty-General Mills cereal. There is a difference in taste. Also, we use name brand paper products. Store brands don’t cut it. Generic-crackers Kroger’s are vile. However, the Publix brand saltines are great. If we are buying plain bread, generic. However, if I am in a foodie mood only the bread from the Publix or Dekalb Farmer’s Market bakery. Frozen vegetables taste the same whether they are generic or not. Have not had problems with generic medicine.

By Critic

November 10, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

I’ve only had one, but the Publix Premium frozen pizza was pretty good. I have found that every edible Publix branded item I’ve tried to be at least equal to the name brand. The Publix Mystery Coupon pays for the daily subsciption to the AJC nearly every week.

By Ryan's Nana

November 10, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

If anyone looks in my pantry, they can tell there is a Kroger nearby. There are very few things that I buy name brand anymore. I really can’t tell the difference between most generics and brand names.

By Steve

November 10, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Although I have a decent job, I brave the poor customer service, dirty store, long lines and get the best deals at Kroger. I enjoy their organic food aisle selections the most. I just buy products that are the cheapest, generic or name brand…but I avoid generic paper products.

By Sugar

November 10, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

I’m with Ryan’s Nana, except there is a Publix closer to me….

My kids were raised on Publix brand cereals. Yes you can taste a little difference, but the price is MUCH better for Publix brand.

By georgia peach

November 10, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

I have learned to enjoy all generic frozen veggies, the only generic bread i like is laura lynn (ingles brand) it taste identical to colonial bread. some generic cereals are ok, such as cheerio’s, fruit loops, captain crunch and honeycombs. generic milk is ok although i prefer publix because they don’t use antibiotics in their milk. Certain things i just can’t substitute, such as Tide, Crisco, and Heinz Ketchup. oh yeah, generic soups are horrible, campbells only in this house.

By My kids' mom

November 10, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

We buy alot of Laura Lynn (Ingles) brand items. My son prefers their shells mac/cheese to namebrand. We buy their breads, buns, flour, sugar, pasta, milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and a number of other items. We stick to NAMEBRAND ONLY for pickles, canned veggies, chocolate chips, crackers, etc. For us, we try it and then see what my family will eat.

By mystery poster

November 10, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Store brands for most things, exceptions:

Cool whip - store brand is runny and doesn’t have the texture. I buy it only once or twice a year so it’s not a huge issue.

Cheez-it crackers - store brands don’t hold a candle. I only buy them when they’re two-for-one at Publix, which makes them cheaper than the store brand.

By Debby

November 10, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

I love Aldi for most things. They’re detergent is comparable to Tide, and I have had good luck with just about everything there—all store brand. Won’t shop Publix at all because I think they’re way overpriced. Walmart or Food Depot for everything not available at Aldi.

By Joe

November 10, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Kroger brand Mac and Cheese is around $0.70 and tates just as good. Awesome stuff.

By Snoopermom

November 10, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

My 2 dogs and 1 cat absolutely refuse to eat the Publix brand of their food. I must have Heinz ketchup, Cheezits, and Premium Saltines … oh yes, and Cottenele toilet paper. Other than that, I ususally buy generic/store brand items.

By rid0617

November 10, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

What people don’t realize is stores make more profit on store brands than they do name brands. If they want me eating the seconds of the food industry they’ll make the discount more.

By Steve

November 10, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Ingles brand orange juice is AWFUL!

By shane

November 10, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

The Private Selection products at Kroger are better than most name brand items. The Private Selection ice cream, especially the cookies n cream is some of the best I have ever had. Private Selection white cooking wine is also excellent.

By Stacey

November 10, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

I buy mostly store brands but I am brand loyal to a few items such as ketchup, mayonnaise, vegetable oil, tea, soap & laundry detergent. I’m sure there are a few others but that’s what come to mind. My husband is the biggest cereal eater in my household and he would not eat store brand cereal until very recently (he said it got soggy too quickly). Lately cereal prices have nearly doubled in the past year and where you used to save 75 cents off of one box, the coupons are now (typically) $1.00 off of 3! Kroger brand cereal was on sale 4/$5.00 and Kellogg’s was $4.59/box so even hubby agreed to switch to Kroger brand.

By Maniac is accurate

November 10, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Remember the first generics with the plain white packaging and just what was inside in plain, black type, i.e. “Beer,” on the outside? Then, in Kroger, you had the plain Jane yellow-and-black “Cost Cutter,” items? Store brands today are much better and a great value. I go for them all the time.

By Mr Charlie

November 10, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Believe me, there is a BIG difference in taste in Quaker oatmeal and the store-brand variety.

By CheapskateShopper

November 10, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

Some things are really good in the store brands and they do save money. For powdered coffee creamer - Publix is spot on - but for liquid - Coffeemate (Original) only. Sometimes you really need to check the unit prices to see if you are getting a true bargain on things - and using a coupon on a brand name when the item is on sale is sometimes cheaper than store brand. Store brands have gotten MUCH better than they were originally - but no matter how much cheaper it is - if no one in your household will eat or use it - then you lose money. Careful shoppers take it all into account.

By PM

November 10, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

My family has relied upon generics since the old days of the stark black-and-white labels. Well, that stuff was awful. But the current generics are an amazing value.

Kroger does a very good job with their store brands. Publix is about the same but will much less selection. Walmart’s store brands are a definite step down in quality. They have much to learn. Winn Dixie has stopped making many of their better store brand items since they left Atlanta. True, they did make some bad ones back in the day. But things have improved a lot.

I still make trips over to Alabama to get some WD store brand items. They sell a few things that NOBODY else even comes close to making, like the deli counter barbeque beans. My god those are good and absolutely worth a road trip. I do not care how bad they are for me! The WD Chex-brand Diet Freshy drinks are how Fresca used to be before Coke broke it.

Anyway, it’s not just the major grocers any more. Smaller, focused stores like Aldi and Trader Joes make it a breeze to load up on groceries and not sacrifice quality at all. And heck, TJs is a huge step UP in quality most of the time. Cheaper and better? That is a double win!

One thing I do not skimp on is pet food. I once fed my dog generic food (some vile stuff like Sunshine) thinking I was saving a buck, but she would not eat it and eventually broke out of the yard to go find something better to eat.. Seriously. She got hit by a car and died.. I learned from that that it’s fine to cut corners on the people food but not on the animal’s food. Those are the only brand names I do not mind buying.

By Noelle

November 11, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

We buy a lot of store brands (which aren’t truly the same as generics; those usually have black-and-white labels and are complete trash). We’ll try just about anything in store brand. Some are fine and some aren’t — it’s really about personal taste more than cost in most cases. One exception is Mayfield skim milk; it’s so much better than everything else, but it also costs twice as much. We usually buy Publix brand instead.

Brand or nothing for us: Heinz ketchup, Hellmann’s Light mayonnaise, French’s yellow mustard, and toilet paper (I like Scott, my sister prefers Charmin). Some other items we’ll only use brand names but aren’t picky about the specific brand, but for most things, we’ll at least try out store brands.

By Dave

November 11, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Once people try generics and find here is no difference few stay loyal. If you look at Consumer Reports in some cases generics are at the top always in the ratings on most things.

By Leslie Mulherin

November 11, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

It may surprise you to learn that if a truck load of milk comes to the Publix warehouse for use in their dairy plant, but does not meet Publix standards, the truck then heads down the road and sells it to a very expensive name brand.

By Leah

November 11, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

I have found a slightly different twist to saving money. I seek out name brand items on clearance. Kroger usually has a good selection of clearance items like vegetables, soy products, desserts, beverages, deli/bakery items, meats and fish. They don’t sell anything that has already expired, only what will expire in the next few days, and I only buy items I can consume within the week.

By Nancy

November 11, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

I’m a Trader Joe’s fanatic. I came from California and missed it for 20 years. There TJ brands are better than most name brands and cheaper. Also, they have things no other store has.

By koala

November 11, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

I try to buy as much store-branded items as I can. Most of the time, you can’t tell. You basically get used to it. Who cares? You save a lot of money — just grin and bear it.

In the meantime, the fat orange cats get to eat very expensive SCIENCE DIET dry food! Ha. As if those food vacuum cleaners would eat anything less. :) The only cheap food they love is shredded varieties of Nine Lives wet food. Damn cats… They rule my life.

By Rhonda K.

November 11, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

It depends on the product and who in our home uses it….my daughter uses ketchup by the gallon, so I buy what is on sale….we don’t buy the Kroger brand chips(gross!) and generally don’t buy house brands for paper products….I shop at Kroger more, but I think the Publix house brand products tend to be better quality than Kroger(Kroger has better sales in my opinion).

By peach girl,

November 11, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

I buy Publix yogurt,milk,but I buy brand name ceareal(Cheerious) from Walmart my kids will not eat generic cheerious!Also Publix have buy one get one free brand name items every week even if you only buy one item you will pay half prize.also Kroger napkins are as good as Bounty.Sugar,peanut butterjelly I buy generic you cannot tell the difference.,

By JC

November 11, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

If you shop at Publix, you’re already paying too much.

By NY Transplant

November 11, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

I buy generic everything including paper products. I find Kroger brand generics to taste just fine, but I think Publix is too high priced, but their knockoff Tide detergent is awesome and a great price, especially when it’s on sale. Cereals just cost too darn much and when I was a single mom of a small child, couldn’t afford the cereal that he liked so started buying generic and have never looked back!

By Becky

November 11, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Kroger brand soup is awful..I’ll buy just about anything else store brand except bread, mayo (has to be Blue Plate)..

By Sunny

November 11, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

I shop at Publix and buy many of their store brands. Surprisingly, their trash bags work great. I stick to name brands on paper products, though. I get Publix brand milk,cereal, butter, ice cream, salad mix and a few other items. Other items I like brand names such as soup, OJ, frozen dinners and only Kraft Mac and Cheese for me! I agree that ,overall, Publix is more expensive than Kroger - but the stores are so much cleaner, have way better customer service people and are just friendlier stores. It is worth it to me to pay a few cents more. Every Kroger I have ever been in to is so DIRTY!!

By Dan

November 11, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

Many of the store brands are simply name brands in different packaging. I am pretty sure there is no Kroger or Publix plant pumping out green beans or garbage bags. The key is to find out which of the name brands is actually producing the generic brand and go from there. Some things people just develope a liking for and may have to stick to their favorite. Kraft/Hellmans, Heinz/Delmonte, Guldens/Frenches etc

By JJ

November 11, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Does anyone use generic perscriptions? What about pain medicine.

I always ask for generic RX’s, and generally use store brand pain medicine. Read the labels, they have the exact same ingredient.

By mystery poster

November 11, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

One thing I absolutely will NOT buy is generic cat food. Used Walmart’s “Special Kitty” brand once, and it gave my cat the worst gas. It was absolutely disgusting. No such problem with the name brand foods.

By Cheryl Norwood

November 11, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Got to go with the majority and say I use a lot of store brands. I think Publix has higher quality store brands but I use Kroger store brands, too. I use store brand paper towels but not toilet tissue. The sheets split and get wrapped around the roll and you end up wasting your savings. Same thing on store brand foil. I only buy name brands if a store brand is not available or if I have a coupon that will make the name brand cheaper than the store brand. Coupons rule—Kroger even has them from time to time on their store brands which is great.

By Buckshot

November 11, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

one comment on generic medicines—they change the shape and color of the pills a lot so you have to be careful. Just when you get used to it looking a certain way they change it so you need to question it with your pharmacist to make sure you get the right pill and dosage. It can get confusing. One month it’s round and white, next capsule shaped and yellow! That’s the only caveat I would say.

By Denise

November 11, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

I buy almost all Kroger brand if I don’t have a coupon that makes the name brand cheaper or the same price. I do not find my Kroger dirty. I strive to save 30% every week with my Kroger coupons and manuf. coupons and my Kroger Card. Last week, my bill was $140.00, then I scanned, my Kroger card and coupons and my bill was $87.00. The only time I shop at Publix is for their BOGO deals (w/a coupon) and their Sun/Mon penny item. I think they are wayyyyyy overpriced. OH, I love Aldi’s too, but there is not one convenient to my house. I get my dishwasher soap, trash bags and pet food at Costco.

By Momofthree

November 11, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

I mix it up with some store brands and some name brands, depending on the product. The only store that I have consistenly had bad luck with their store brand items is Walmart. Everything under the Great Value brand has been awful-from bread to pickles to ketchup and cereal. I gave it a fair shake, but no more. I particularly like Kroger’s brand of many items. We eat store brand cereals with the exception of Cheerios and Honey Bunches of Oats-those taste too different as store brands. Peanut butter has to be Jif. I have tried lots of different brands/types of paper products but tend to stick with Bounty for paper towels. I like BJ’s brand of TP though. You just have to be willing to try many things to find what works for your family.

By Sideshow Rob Roy

November 11, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Call me crazy, but I rather enjoy Publix brand food items. Rarely have I tried something of theirs and preferred the name brand. Their premium coffee is just as good as Starbucks or Seattle’s Best and their ice cream tastes better than Mayfield.

Haven’t used Kroger in ages due to the poor quality I’ve seen at the stores in Tucker, but their gasoline seems to be fine.

I’ll shop Target for paper towels and TP.

ALDI doesn’t so much have an in-store brand as product from smaller companies to keep the cost down; whichever supplier will meet their bid, that’s the can of carrots you’ll see on sale that week.

By FCM

November 11, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

I do not generic my coffee. I get it from Trader Joe’s, along with a group of other items (hummus, brie,etc) about once a month for $40.

Charmin & Bounty are another that has to be brand. (Hence my using the brand name here). There are probably a few others.

Most everything else is open to being replaced. I have used generic OTC and RX Meds since I worked for Eckerd’s in the 80’s. Most of the generic brands volunteer to go through additional testing that is not required by the FDA. I have not found a difference.

I do not go low end on facial skin care products. My make up is branded and high end. So is my hair color. These I see as necessary for my career and I budget them as such an expense.

By IAMADOGPERSON

November 11, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

KINDA DON’T HAVE A CHOICE THESE DAYS !

MOST OF MY $$$$ GOES TO FOOD AND SNACKS FOR MY 4 DOGGIES. SO LATELY THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING STORE BRAND SNACKS. BUT I KNOW THAT “OFF BRAND” DOG FOOD WILL JUST BE A WASTE OF MONEY SPENT. AND I JUST HAVE TO HAVE TIDE…NOTHING ELSO WORKS AS WELL. JUST ME AND HUBBY, SO MOSTLY ALL ELSE IS NOT A PROBLEM.

By Glen

November 11, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

I used to work @ Winn Dixie, before they imploded, and they pushed HARD on their brands, so I got in the habit of seeking out store brands as they are an awesome way to save money.

About the only store brand stuff I won’t buy are sodas, toaster pastries, and toilet paper. Coke and Pop-Tarts have spoiled me, and my wife insists on Cottonelle.

By shels

November 11, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

I worked in a canning factory during college, most people don’t realize that they put 3 different labels on all the cans. Many times the name brand and store brand came out of the same field and were canned in the same line.

Also, walmarts poptart are so much better than the name brand and cost 1/3 the price.

By Danny Boy

November 11, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Super Target’s generic brand- Market Pantry is pretty tasty…

By Pamela

November 11, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

Store brand items - for the most part - are just as good as name brand items. Publix has the best store brand items. Everything from their sliced cheese to their ice cream to their bread is very good and it usually do not cost as much as their named brand items. Their spaghetti sauce is also delicious! I have noticed lately that store brand items are emptying the shelves much faster than named brand items. Money is too tight to purchase named brand items.

By Pamela

November 11, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

Publix brand cereal is also good. I read a post where someone said that they can only eat Cheerios…believe me when I say that Publix brand Cheerios is just as good if not better than named brand. Their peanut butter can put Jif to shame!

By Stan

November 11, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

Generics are for the Democratic thugs!

By mr. cheapskatin'

November 11, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

Great suggestions, one and all. Lots of shoppers out there who have samples generics.

Your comments reminded me of more likes (milk, salad dressing) and dislikes (crackers, soup) among the store brands.

I just brought home a package of Publix hot dogs — and am a bit scared to try them. Silly of me, eh?

Speaking of which, Critic mentioned that the Publix one-cent item — my hot dogs cost a penny — usually pays for the cost of the Sunday AJC. Thanks for the plug. And it’s true. Many of the one-cent products are worth two bucks or more, which means you essentially get a free Sunday newspaper.

By Melissa

November 11, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

I will buy anything (almost) if it is Publix brand. I’m more discriminative at Kroger, but still do buy a lot of their stuff. Nothing tops the FMV Paprika for only $1. The best way I’ve learned to sample the Publix brands (and how I got hooked) is to take advantage of the penny item each week. Yes sometimes you get something gross like Publix hot dogs (not good!) but most of the time you get really yummy things like Publix brand apple juice.

By Matt the Brave

November 11, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

I have been buying Kroger brand since I went to college, and I can taste the difference with certain things (ie: some cereals, some different beans), but I can handle it when it comes to prices. Also, my wife and I belong to Sam’s Club, and we buy our meats there. You can always upgrade the taste of meats with certain spices!

Some of the Kroger Value branded things are the EXACT same as the normal Kroger items…however, don’t use the cheese. THAT is nasty!

By luv2eat

November 12, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Publix dairy products are hard to beat. They have their own plants and are very quality control concious. Wal-mart, Food Depot and a lot of independants bread is baked by Flowers ( Natures Own, Sunbeam ). When it comes down the line it is just bread. It is sliced and wrapped and then becomes whatever brand the bag says. The ONLY difference is the bag. Earthgrains (Colonial) makes Publix and Ingles brands. Kroger bread comes from a plant in Anderson SC that they bought from Flowers.

By yujlko

November 12, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

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By Laura

November 12, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

1st - forgive the double post that’s sure to happen (computer always does it for some reason). I buy more & more store brand items these days. Milk, medicine, detergent, etc. Based on other posts, I’ll gladly try their pasta sauce, cheese and some other items. I do shop at Publix b/c the Kroger by me always seems somewhat dirty. And the employees always act as if they wish they were anywhere else. Some are often rude.

I do have a Q - how does the Publix penny item coupon work? I’ve seen it advertised in the store but have never asked about it. I get the Sunday paper & would love to benefit from this. Any help??

By Laura

November 12, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

1st - forgive the double post that’s sure to happen (computer always does it for some reason). I buy more & more store brand items these days. Milk, medicine, detergent, etc. Based on other posts, I’ll gladly try their pasta sauce, cheese and some other items. I do shop at Publix b/c the Kroger by me always seems somewhat dirty. And the employees always act as if they wish they were anywhere else. Some are often rude.

I do have a Q - how does the Publix penny item coupon work? I’ve seen it advertised in the store but have never asked about it. I get the Sunday paper & would love to benefit from this. Any help??

By Heidi

November 12, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Laura—the penny coupon is good on Sunday/Monday only. When you walk in, normally it’s listed on the door or just inside as to what it is. I think you must spend $10 for it to be valid. If you can’t figure out what it is, ask…Publix employees are always willing to help!

By kar

November 12, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

I’m another one who won’t skimp on petfood. Too many stories of ash or other nonsense in the cheap varieties. Plus, the brands that I get from the vet has never been recalled in recent years (knock wood)

Also nervous about non-generic hamburger patties. Again, those tend to get recalled because of possible exposure in CO, NM, wherever.

Be careful of OTC drugs. Usually there’s no problem but sometimes, it’s like Generic/Name Brand Rx.

Someone mentioned coupons for name brands but usually they’re processed food that I don’t eat anyway. Or I don’t save enough to warrent buying the newspaper in the first place.

By Penisa

December 29, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

outgoing space for buddy. craving to get more from your side :)