Smart people buy generic brands....

[lwien]

This was a bit surprising.

Is this going to change your buying habits or do you already mainly buy generics?

http://money.cnn.com/2014/07/25/news/economy/generic-brands-smart/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

 

[CarolKing]

When at Costco I always buy Kirkland Products. I find their store brand is better than most brand name products.
CK

 

[SSVUN~YAH]

Frugal doesn't always equal smart, so I don't like the title. It's similar to grocery stores, some people will say the cheaper stores have lower price because of lower quality. I don't see it that way, most of the time. I say why pay for advertising? Read the ingredients/contents and size/weight and determine for yourself. I also love coupons and some people snub their nose at them, and not only the cashier who has to scan them...

 

[Vicki]

Generic's are not always so great. Example, my Synthroid. I cannot take the generic because it just does not work. I've had similar experiences with other medications.

It would seem it happens to others as well. Here is a copy and paste from that article:

Found out that my "generic" Atenolol from Walgreens changed from bidding period to bidding period. What does that mean? It means that most discount pharmacies buy in 3- to 6-month batches. They find the lowest possible price-point then buy what they'll need for that period. That introduces a WIDE degree of variability within the context of both efficacy and efficiency. No one is doing anything wrong in this, but consumers need to understand that if a drug is suddenly not working for them, more often than not it is because a generic has changed and the drug is simply not working for that individual.

 

[syrupy]

I'm still getting over childhood trauma of walking down aisles filled with nothing but those ugly yellow-and-black boxes and cans.

At least now they package generics to look a little like brand names.

 

[max]

Generic's are not always so great. Example, my Synthroid. I cannot take the generic because it just does not work. I've had similar experiences with other medications.

It would seem it happens to others as well. Here is a copy and paste from that article:

Found out that my "generic" Atenolol from Walgreens changed from bidding period to bidding period. What does that mean? It means that most discount pharmacies buy in 3- to 6-month batches. They find the lowest possible price-point then buy what they'll need for that period. That introduces a WIDE degree of variability within the context of both efficacy and efficiency. No one is doing anything wrong in this, but consumers need to understand that if a drug is suddenly not working for them, more often than not it is because a generic has changed and the drug is simply not working for that individual.

OTC medicine (and other products) with the same contents, in the same proportions, are as good as the brand names. Ibuprofen is always cheaper than Advil and it's the same product. Generic prescription drugs OTOH, can be a different story. I've heard lots of stories about poor performance from generic drugs that makes me think it can be a crap shoot in that dept., depending on the drug in question.

 

[Vicki]

OTC medicine (and other products) with the same contents, in the same proportions, are as good as the brand names. Ibuprofen is always cheaper than Advil and it's the same product. Generic prescription drugs OTOH, can be a different story. I've heard lots of stories about poor performance from generic drugs that makes me think it can be a crap shoot in that dept., depending on the drug in question.

We buy generic Neosporin, Aleve, Tylenol, etc. When it comes to RX drugs, you are right, it's a crap shoot.

 

[basement farmer]

I'm still getting over childhood trauma of walking down aisles filled with nothing but those ugly yellow-and-black boxes and cans.

At least now they package generics to look a little like brand names.

Vague recolections from my youth. For some reason the yellow cans of "BEER" stand out the most.

I usually buy whatever is cheapest, which may or may not be generic. Sometimes the savings don't translate into value.....such as the case with BEER.

 

[Kief]

When at Costco I always buy Kirkland Products. I find their store brand is better than most brand name products.
CK

I use a lot of Kirkland products and normally agree, but not their Bath Tissue... that stuff got a "two thumbs down" vote from everyone at my house. I'll stick to Charmin and buy it at Costco with their coupon (every other month). Because its a better product, we use less and probably save more in the long run.

I shop for value, sometimes that means the cheapest generics and sometimes it's far from it. If I do buy generics, it needs to be of the same or better quality. Even the most expensive item can be the best choice when it means I'll get more out of it in the long run.

I also don't like the article title... it's about being informed, you don't need to be smart.

 

[grokit]

I agree about prescription generics, and about coctco and kirkland products. Costco doesn't always have the cheapest deal, but they usually have the best deal if that makes any sense. I have had good luck with almost all of my prescription generics from Costco's mail order service, as well as from their in-store pharmacies. The only exception was once with their generic vicodin, it didn't have the entric coating of the name brand so it upset my stomach more. I think that since they only sell generic scripts that they do a decent job vetting them, like they do with all of the products they sell. I hardly use any otc stuff, only two things; the antihistamine I use is generic, yet I prefer the bayer brand for my aspirin (both from costco).

 

[Caligula]

You people are talking about two very different things. Medications and consumable products are apples and oranges in the generic world.

IMO, for consumable products, it really depends. As most have mentioned there are specific products where quality matters (toilet paper and paper towels for example), and then there are others where generics really wont matter much other than packaging (last time I checked there are no "brand name" cows giving milk or "brand name" chickens laying eggs). Basically, you need to figure out where that sliding scale is for you regarding quality of life and frugalness. I mean, how far do you want to take this whole "saving money" thing?

"It's okay, its clean"


*On the Rx medication front, I can assure you that the active ingredients are just as pure and effective as those in the name brand meds. In fact, the medications are often made at the same factory by the same people, using the same machines and ingredients. There are laws and regulations in place (within the US anyway) that make sure of this. So basically, if you're looking at the efficacy of the medication, generics will be equal to the name brand in every way.

Of course that's just talking about the active compounds. The main difference is going to be taste/smell/size. The companies that make brand name products use a lot more funding to research and buy binders, colors, flavors, etc which are just better. Ever wonder why your generic pill is like 3x as big as the brand name? Its because they use a cheaper binding agent and there's a lot more of it. Same reason why some generics taste or smell like crap compared to the brand names. This can also lead to other issues if your body doesn't like these cheaper "non active compounds" in the generic. People with these sensitivities can have issues like getting an upset stomach, etc...

The best suggestion here is to ask your pharmacist what he/she thinks about the generics vs brand name. They will be able to get right to the point and lists the major differences (taste, odor, etc) as long as you make sure to let them know you're aware the active compounds are the same. In fact, I suggest asking a pharmacist over a doctor since the former is the one who deals directly with the medications on a daily basis. It's literally their job to know this stuff.

In any case, given the cost difference its always best to at least TRY the generic (unless your MD or pharmacist tells you otherwise) first. You can always switch to the more expensive stuff later if need be.

*Citation: This information comes directly from my lovely wife, who finished her graduate degree at the USC School of Pharmacy.


edit: I guess meds and consumables aren't so different after all. It all just depends on each individual, lol.

 

[SD_haze]

I buy generic medication because it works just as well.
Lots of CostCo generic Kirkland products in my house.
But I buy Charmin, not kirkland toilet paper! @Kief

 

[lwien]

e.
But I buy Charmin, not kirkland toilet paper! @Kief

I tried Charmin a few times. I hated it. Fracking fingers always poked through. For me, Scott works the best. Guess my butt hole isn't as smooth as you guys.

 

[Caligula]

I tried Charmin a few times. I hated it. Fracking fingers always poked through. For me, Scott works the best. Guess my butt hole isn't as smooth as you guys.

Sounds like you need to scrunch instead of fold. Also, I hear solid cloth feels pretty "comforting" in your hand when wiping.

 

[lwien]

Sounds like you need to scrunch instead of fold.

I always fold. Never thought of scrunching.

 

[CarolKing]

Fuckin toilet paper snobs. Don't like Kirkland Toilet Paper. It gets the job done in my house.

 

[Caligula]

I always fold. Never thought of scrunching.

Bro, its all about scrunching. You maximize surface/scrubbing area while increasing the amount of product between your fingers and arse. It's science!

 

[lwien]

Bro, its all about scrunching. You maximize surface/scrubbing area while increasing the amount of product between your fingers and arse. It's science!

Fuck science (and no, I'm not a Republican). Folding Scott works great.

 

[Caligula]

Fuck science (and no, I'm not a Republican). Folding Scott works great.

There are lots of things I do with my hand(s) that "works great". Doesn't mean other things don't work better.

 

[CarolKing]

These work really great and their generic. Try wiping your ass with these. Remember you can only flush one down the toilet at a time. I think I have a years supply.

 

[grokit]

We had a poll in a college class one time to see who crunched and who folded. It was divided 50-50, with the vast majority of both sides having never considered trying the other's method.
My parents were wrong, and I've been scrunching since then
Another one that's a pretty even split: how do you load the roll in the tp holder, over or under? As I said the split was pretty even, but this one was divided pretty solidly along gender lines!

 

[basement farmer]

There are lots of things I do with my hand(s) that "works great". Doesn't mean other things don't work better.

Ass wiping asside (and Scott offers excellent ass wiping value IME), it always suprises me when big pharma conspiracists discount the effacacy of generics when what truelly matters is ingredients, not brand name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Pharmacopeia

 

[Chill Dude]

there are others where generics really wont matter much other than packaging (last time I checked there are no "brand name" cows giving milk or "brand name" chickens laying eggs).


*On the Rx medication front, I can assure you that the active ingredients are just as pure and effective as those in the name brand meds. In fact, the medications are often made at the same factory by the same people, using the same machines and ingredients. There are laws and regulations in place (within the US anyway) that make sure of this. So basically, if you're looking at the efficacy of the medication, generics will be equal to the name brand in every way.

True, there are no brand name cows or chickens, but there is organic milk and cheese from grass fed cows that are hormone free and you can buy organic poultry where the chickens are hormone/antibiotic free as well. So, there are in fact major differences in the quality of food between brands....

Yeah, I hear what you're saying about generics having the exact same active ingredient. However, for what ever reason I've talked to several people who notice that certain generics aren't as effective as the name brand. I've even had doctors tell me to stay away from certain generic drugs and pay more for the name brand. For the most part, generics are virtually the same as the name brand medicine, but as I said, there are defiantly exceptions to the rule regarding certain generics.

As to toilet paper, the softer the better. Myself, I'm a Northern type of guy! And remember not to wipe too hard as it can cause asshole inflammation and mini tears. An irritated sphincter can be very uncomfortable....

 

[Caligula]

True, there are no brand name cows or chickens, but there is organic milk and cheese from grass fed cows that are hormone free and you can buy organic poultry where the chickens are hormone/antibiotic free as well. So, there are in fact major differences in the quality of food between brands....

Those two things aren't mutually exclusive. I buy organic generic (generic organic?) milk/eggs/butter/cheese all the time...

http://www.vons.com/ShopStores/O-Organics/OODairyEggsCheese.page?cmpid=co_kw_von_org_gn_ggl

 

[grokit]

I've even had doctors tell me to stay away from certain generic drugs and pay more for the name brand.

I agree about these differences, but don't forget that most doctors are influenced by the fact that
there's no kickbacks for generics like there is for name brands.