My wife does not really pay attention to brand, but with my degree in marketing it always serves and an interesting thing to me to look at branding and what it has come to mean or not mean.

Branding:

For example, my wife bought some sort of juice thing called "Splash Smooties", but at the top it had the V8 logo.  Would you buy a fruit product merely because it had the V8 logo which if my memory serves me correctly stands for Vegatable 8 or Eight Vegatables?

How about Mountain Dew?  It used to describe a flavor.  Now it has several different flavor combo's.  Do you buy the other Mountain Dew products just because of the name?

Then there are product endorsements.  We bought fresh grapes a while back and saw on the bag when we got them home that they were the "official grapes of NASCAR"  How would this endorsement effect your purchasing decision?  What does NASCAR know about grapes that would make these grapes a sure thing?  They were grown in Chile btw.  Or do you buy the grapes because you know they had to give NASCAR a chunk of change for the endorsement?

Last but not least is branding of legislation.  Our governement creates and installs the largest social spending plan since "The New Deal" and many fiscal conservatives embrace it because it has the Republican brand name stamped on it.  Do you keep buying legistalative products because of the party brand stamped on it?

bimmerbob:

Then there are product endorsements.  We bought fresh grapes a while back and saw on the bag when we got them home that they were the "official grapes of NASCAR"  How would this endorsement effect your purchasing decision?  What does NASCAR know about grapes that would make these grapes a sure thing?  They were grown in Chile btw.  Or do you buy the grapes because you know they had to give NASCAR a chunk of change for the endorsement?

You bought sour grapes?

Brand names are about 80 - 90 % important to me.......but it depends on the product . Ive been buying Nikon cameras since 1970 and even my oldest ones have lenses that work with their latest digital camera bodies , same goes for my Facom and Craftsman tools , my Adcom and Snell stereo equipment.....buy good stuff and it lasts . Some stuff it doesnt matter.....at least to me , toothpaste at least major brands is toothpaste , toilet paper as long as its Scott is toilet paper ( I was told years ago by a guy who pumped out my septic to use Scotts.....so far so good  ) . Some things matter and some dont , as far as being the offical whatever of NASCAR or MLB etc....who cares , after all it was a bought endorsement .

There are somethings I buy for "brand name" when it is a brand I have used and has offered superior services. If I have no opinion and the prices are comparable, I admit I'll buy the "official NA$CAR" brand simply because part of the money goes to a sport I watch. Kroger's has a policy that if you buy one of their Kroger brand products and don't like it they will replace it with whatever "namebrand" you usually buy. Needless to say we now buy a ton of kroger brand stuff because it is measurably cheaper and "just as good". I look at quality first and price second on most things. I won't buy ANY tool that says "ryobi" on it.

As far as clothes? I haven't a clue of one "namebrand" from another. I do know that I have several of the thick cotton Polo button downs that while quite expensive at the time I bought them have lasted 10-15 years. So was 75 or 80 bucks a huge expenditure 25 years ago when I'm still wearing the same shirt?

If I have good or bad "luck" with a particular brand, it makes a difference.


For instance, I've always had great luck with Sharp products.  I fully realize Sharp is mid-level at best, but I've always gotten great service from my Sharp products at a price less than some other brands.

Sony - I realize they put out some great stuff and put out some .  So, I know if it says "SONY" and it's inexpensive....it's .  If it says "Sony" and it's on a more expensive level...it's probably good stuff.

Like Blubberbutt, I look at quality first and price second.   And, if all else is relatively equal as far as I can tell, I'll go with a brand name if I've had past good luck with their products.  And won't go with one that I've had consistantly bad luck with.

CosmicMaskedAvenger , I have a Sony 36" Wega TV , its been replaced twice by Sony and twice has crapped out . One time the people under contract to Tweeters brought it back and said they replaced the tube ( after 6 months ) I had them remove the back of the set and I asked them how they managed to put my name and SSN on the new tube ! Before they picked up the set I had etched / written my name etc on everything that looked expensive or important . The guy was at the least at a loss for words. When living in Japan I had trouble with a Sony CD player and they shipped me a brand new one and didnt even ask for the old one back . So my experience with Sony is about 50 / 50 .

When we were in Guam we purchased a Whirlpool washer and dryer.  The dryer still works (after 23 years) and we had to replace the washer a few years ago (with another Whirlpool).  Since Guam, when ever we've had to replace appliances, we've always chosen Whirlpool and have not been disappointed.  If I am uncertain of a product I usually ask family and friends what they use, and go from there.  Advertising has little or no effect on what I buy.

mizz jlb:

When we were in Guam we purchased a Whirlpool washer and dryer.  The dryer still works (after 23 years) and we had to replace the washer a few years ago (with another Whirlpool).  Since Guam, when ever we've had to replace appliances, we've always chosen Whirlpool and have not been disappointed.  If I am uncertain of a product I usually ask family and friends what they use, and go from there.  Advertising has little or no effect on what I buy.

 

I've also had good luck with Whirlpool appliances. Both washer and dryer.

I just hate it when the washer gets lopsided in the spin cycle and scoots itself all over the floor.

When we moved into our house 13 years ago, we needed a fridge, a stove and a dish washer and we purchased Whirlpool products and are still using them - withoug any problems.  Our washing machine stays put - which surprises me because most don't.