[dropcap style=”light” size=”4″]W[/dropcap]ith customers paying extra dollars for a pack of Gold Medal brand flour compared to Great Value flour or Simply Orange over Market Pantry orange juice, a survey taken from the Krazy Coupon Lady surprisingly found that oftentimes a less known brand would taste just as good as the pricier name brands.  Customers are also able to save money when all they do is sacrifice themselves a name brand logo.
Lifehacker even found that sometimes name brand companies own smaller companies and market the same product as a cheaper brand, but a more expensive price.  Estee Lauder, for example owns Mac, Clinique and Bobbi Brown but also lesser known brands sold at Kohl’s.  Old Navy, Gap and Banana Republic often use the same materials for products.  Toiletries such as makeup can definitely save customers money since some major cosmetics companies own other branches and makeup lines.
When it comes to products such as Ziploc bags and paper clips, freshman Jadyn Lisenby believes settling for a good deal is the better than buying overpriced items almost identical to any other brand.
“It’s not worth it to pay more for name brand.  Sometimes you can buy something that works just as well or maybe even better for a cheaper price,” Lisenby said. “Name [brands are] advertised everywhere, so when it is seen next to a cheaper item, [people] recognize the name brand. Name brand may just be the more appealing choice because it’s [being] used by many people, which makes it more popular.”
However, when it comes to clothes and shoes, students such as Lisenby don’t mind paying extra because often times paying more for an item results in better fabrics and material.
“I think it’s about what looks good to have,” Lisenby said. “If everyone has something that is a certain brand, it’s hard not to also follow the trend and get it, too. For something I wouldn’t use often, I wouldn’t spend extra money, but I would for things like clothing.”
Like Lisenby, sophomore Jillian Barnett believes that when it comes to fashion, an accommodation can be made for high quality.
[quote]“I would pay for name brand clothes because they usually last longer and look nicer,” Barnett said. “So many people buy name brand because it’s what everyone else has.  A lot of times the style is what draws people to buy an item.”[/quote] With trends among teens including shoes like Uggs and the infamous Nike swoosh, these brands are manufactured to be copied, but for a fraction of the price.  From here, it’s in the hands of the consumer: whether they will spend more or settle for something on a budget.
On the other hand, sophomore Zainab Ibitoye finds it difficult to pay extra when an option for half the price is available. When it comes to purchasing goods and being a smart shopper, it’s about saving money in Ibitoye’s case.  
“When you buy name brand products over generic brands, you are essentially just paying more money for the same thing. The only thing you’re paying extra for would be for the brand,” Ibitoye said. “For things like over-the-counter drugs, the ingredients are exactly the same.  In this case, there is no need to buy the name brand.”
For items basic needs, Barnett finds it difficult to pay more for a name brand logo imprinted in her purchase. She would rather get a product that gets the job done rather than worry about the popularity of a brand.
“Buying great value is a better idea to save money,” Barnett said. “It wouldn’t be worth [it] to buy the name brand when it’s something so small and it won’t matter if you have the real thing or not.”  
Do you think a name brand item is worth the money? Let us know in the comments below.