Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Brands

Why do we use the brands we use? While there are some things I buy that it makes no difference to me which brand I get, there are many products that I will only buy a certain brand. I started thinking today about how I came to start using some brands I use. There are some interesting and varied reasons.

For example, I've used Gain laundry detergent for over 10 years now. Before that I used all kinds of detergent. But one weekend in college I was babysitting for a professor, and his wife told me I could do laundry at their house. I guess she said I could just use their detergent and I did. It was Gain, and I loved the way it smelled. I decided right then to start using it and have ever since.

I recently decided on my brand of peanut butter. I switched to natural peanut butter about a year ago and have tried half a dozen brands. Many have to be refrigerated, which causes them to become too stiff to spread. But Archer Farms (the Target brand) makes a great natural peanut butter that doesn't need refrigeration. It's my brand of choice now.

I'm still trying to decide on a new brand of foundation. Cover Girl was my choice for years, but now that they discontinued my foundation I am trying to find a new brand. I blogged about it a while back, and still haven't found one that I like completely.

I recently decided to only buy Bounty paper towels. I used to buy cheaper ones. But a few months ago Cody brought home some paper towels he bought that were just terrible. They shredded in my hands as I tried to wipe Lucas' face after meals. They were worthless! That was the moment I decided to only buy a brand that I knew would work.

I only buy Windex window cleaner for the same reason. Cheaper brands do not work as well. I learned that the hard way. For me, paying a little more is worth it to get a product that really works.

I've used Colgate toothpaste for a long time. I just like it way better than Crest. I buy the paste, not gel. I don't remember how I first started using it, but I can't imagine buying any other brand.

I also use only Lever soap. I love the way it smells. I don't remember how I came to use it, but I can't imagine trying any other brand.

On the opposite end, here are a few items for which I have no brand loyalty. I get something different all the time:
dryer sheets
canned soup
dusting spray
juice
deodorant

What brands can you not live without? What items do you buy all different brands of?

3 comments:

Amberly said...

Before, I could have told you exactly what I was brand loyal to... but, I have learned to be very flexible living overseas. Nothing is guaranteed to be in stock, so I don't have the luxury of only buying one brand. There are times I've hated it & there are times I have been pleased to discover something new.

However, just from your list, I was shocked to see that you are not brand loyal on deodorant. I guess I just assumed everyone had their own favorite that once you find works, you never want to switch. Maybe it's just me, though! :) I only use Degree for Women. I've tried others & the results have not been pleasant. My poor mom just had to ship me a box that I ordered on drugstore.com because I couldn't find Degree here in Subic. Such a pain!

Other than that, back in Texas, I only purchased Charmin toilet paper. So worth it. And, I'm pretty particular when it comes to sanitary products. Although that might be more than you wanted to know...

Supermom-In-Training said...

I am the same way about Tide (has to be powder, not liquid). It is the only detergent that I can guarantee won't break my skin out into hives. I am also loyal to Cascade for my dishes and Scrubbing Bubbles for my cleaner of choice. Nothing else cleans better! I guess I'm pretty loyal to my deodorant too - Secret Powder Fresh. It is amazing what a brand snob I am!

Amanda said...

I'm pretty loyal on several things:

1. Target Brand Method Sweet Water Foaming Hand Soap
2. Dove Ultimate Clear Deodorant
3. Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion
4. Ouidad Climate COntrol Heat and Humidity Gel (its' a defrizzer)
5. Kleenex tissues, not because of the product necessarliy. I just don't like store brand tissues, and I hate the type of box Puffs uses, you kind of tear off the front of the box.

I've used Mary Kay foundation for a couple years now and really like it. They happen to have a color that matches my skin tone pretty perfectly, much better than any other I've tried.