BRANDED PRODUCTS is it WORTH IT? Do you BUY it?

If the quality is exactly the same, it's ridiculous to buy branded products just for the label. There is a demographic out there that thinks the label is the most important thing. And I have bought my share of labels. I have learned the expensive way that labeled is not always better. On things that need to last, vehicles, appliances, home improvements, furniture, it pays to do your research and learn as much about the product, its manufacture and any warranties before purchasing. You may end up with a name brand lable, but if it's truly the best for the money, then that's what you should do. Many of my clothes are well known labels (although not the most expensive labels, by an means!) but I am old enough that my size doesn't change from day to day as a child's seems to. I have found that they look better and last longer. I have some suits and jackets that are 20 years old. And because they were good quality to begin with and well-maintained, they look great. I tend to buy classic styles so the age is not obvious by the styling. I also shop clearance. I buy most of my clothing in the off season. You can do this with certain other big ticket items, too. Christmas is a great time to buy a car, because they will wheel and deal. I got 40% off the sticker on my last new car purchase. By last I also mean I will probably never buy a new car again, but rather a late model used car... and save even more money!

I always look for a generic and give the generic a try! If it tastes as good (in the case of food items) or performs as well (as in the case of non-food items) I continue to buy the generic. Why on earth would I pay more just for the brand name? I would rather stretch my dollar and have more to spend on other things! Many of the generic items are made in the same factory with the same standards as the name brand ones! I had a friend who worked in a sock factory. They made mens white tube socks. The factory had packages from several top names as well as generic bags. You guessed it, same sock...different packages! They would run a set and have them placed in one name brand bag. Restock the bagger, run a set and put in different brand name bag ...and so on. And people pay more for the branded ones...when the socks in the generic bag were made the very same way!!