Buying better brands for better value

Linda32

Hello all,

I was wondering if other people have ever noticed this.

These very little I buy which is branded, Fairy and Marigold washing up gloves are two that I can think of as they both seem to last longer than the equivelent own brands.

However, I bought Andrex as I had 50p off voucher as apposed to Tesco own brand, (not value) and also breakfast cerial Tesco Finest Fruit and Fibre was on offer so I bought this box (500g) I'm certain it has lasted longer than Tesco's own brand. I'm wondering if the fruit and cerial is more bulkier IYSWIM which means you get more in the box even though the weight is the same. Hope that makes sense.

I'm all for saving money, as we all are, but not false economy. I wonder if others have noticed anything similar. The more expensive items actually lasting longer.

BitterAndTwisted

I'd argue that the perceived benefit to you of buying that cereal is psychological unless there's a radical difference in the proportions of ingredients between the two. Cereals are cheaper than fruits and nuts, so perhaps there's more of it, which should keep you going for longer and therefore you could need to eat less of it.

Or it's voodoo

Justamum

Linda32 wrote: »

breakfast cerial Tesco Finest Fruit and Fibre was on offer so I bought this box (500g) I'm certain it has lasted longer than Tesco's own brand. I'm wondering if the fruit and cerial is more bulkier IYSWIM which means you get more in the box even though the weight is the same.

500g is 500g so you get the same as they are sold by weight and not volume.

Milge

I agree with the other post'ers in regards to cereal - weights weight at the end of the day - however in light of tolilet roll I have had this debate before and now buy branded in bulk from where ever it is on offer. Not sure whether there are actually more sheets on a roll, can't say I checked, but I have strong suspicions my other half uses twice as much of the own brand stuff to make it 'softer'!

LondonDreamer

I was in the "always buy Fairy liquid" group until the last bottle I got. Seems quite runny and I'm going through it a lot faster than my previous bottle which lasted nearly two years (we have a dishwasher, so it's only for the handwash stuff). Going to try something different when this runs out, I think!

Linda32 wrote: »

However, I bought Andrex as I had 50p off voucher as apposed to Tesco own brand, (not value) and also breakfast cerial Tesco Finest Fruit and Fibre was on offer so I bought this box (500g) I'm certain it has lasted longer than Tesco's own brand. I'm wondering if the fruit and cerial is more bulkier IYSWIM which means you get more in the box even though the weight is the same. Hope that makes sense.

You'd have to look at the ingredients as the proportions may be different. I don't eat cereal (other than porridge) so don't know, but I'm guessing the finest might have a higher percentage of ingredients which would make you feel fuller (e.g. maybe oats or nuts?) so you actually use less than a cheaper one that has more filler in it. I know when I use my multi-grain porridge I use way less than when using regular oats, as it's so filling!

Milge wrote: »

however in light of tolilet roll I have had this debate before and now buy branded in bulk from where ever it is on offer. Not sure whether there are actually more sheets on a roll, can't say I checked, but I have strong suspicions my other half uses twice as much of the own brand stuff to make it 'softer'!

I compared the branded loo roll I get with the own brand that my in-laws insist on buying because it's cheaper. There's 20 sheets more per roll on the own brand, but you'd definitely go through it faster as you need more to make up for the fact it's thinner. The ironic thing is that I always pay less than they do per roll as I wait for the branded to go on offer, where they buy the own brand at full price! :doh:

BitterAndTwisted

Some of the value or own-brand cheapo loo rolls are less tightly wound, so you get fewer sheets on a roll. Also I've noticed that the cardboard spools on some of the cheaper ones is bigger, so you think each roll is costing less per roll, which they do, but you're getting less paper on it. Dunno if the difference is worth much money. Not to me, as I live alone and only use one a week but the luxury brand my sister uses feels like it's made from J-cloths and is very nice. I wavered but am still on the Lidl cheapo recycled. That's over 17 pence a roll now but I really won't pay 30 to 50 pence a roll for anything, not even if it's embossed with gold leaf.

luxor4t

Very, very tempted to give in to the lure of branded loo paper - we're a Tesco value establishment and it just does the job and certainly lacks the "velvet soft puppy" effect ...!

daska

It's certainly true of some things, Fairy is a good example, IIRC last time I looked Which? reckoned it was the best. Pans are another good example. When it comes to foodstuffs I look at the contents. You'll often find that the own/cheapie brands of cereal are higher in sugar and lower in more nutritious ingredients (sugar is often used to mask less pleasant tastes). In other foodstuffs you'll often find proportionally more bulking agents to main ingredients than with the more expensive product. It isn't always true, there are very good things within the cheaper ranges but it's worth looking at what you're actually buying.

anna_d_2

We use the Tesco Value - I find very little difference between it and the fancier brands. It lasts just as long (We're a family of four and a packet of 4) will often last two weeks. Yes, the softness isn't quite velvety but my rear end isn't that precious.

I do buy Fairy though - but bulk buy when it is on offer. Similar with Daz washing powder - refuse to pay full price and will buy an economy box when on offer (just got a 85 wash box for £10 - that will last two-three months).

Ches

We prefer Branston baked beans because we think there are more beans in the tin. One tin is plenty for the 2 of us but one tin of the cheaper brands means skimpy portions. We buy when on offer and stock up.

lally666young

The only toilet roll we really like is Velvet as that does last for ages. Even with a toddler who likes to wrap it around her hands at least 10 times!!! But some of the other stuff I cant see the difference. I still think it is snob value with brands. Mind you DH will only have proper tommy K as he doesnt like any other. But beans my kids love aldi ones and they know when I by the real ones as they call them bullets!