People Share The Cheap Brands That Are The Exact Same As The Expensive Ones And It Will Save You Loads

Have you ever been shopping for something and thought, “wow this is expensive! Surely there is a better option”? Well, guess what; there probably is!

Some businesses or products advertise themselves as cheaper than the competition, so you do not bother to check to make sure that you’re getting the best deal.  Others, however, market themselves as higher quality than the rest, so that you are tricked into paying a premium for that particular product.

So, basically, there is a chance that you are over-paying for products. From the so-called “pink tax” to no-brand products, check out this list of ways you could be saving valuable money. 

The thread began over on Reddit, when a user asked: "Sometimes cheap and expensive items are the same thing with the only difference being the brand name. What are some examples of this?"

The question was posted by financial expert David Bach, who states, "Understanding the value of money can lead to smarter purchasing decisions." The discussion garnered some very interesting responses from users sharing their insights on affordable alternatives to expensive brands.

Love to rip off medical staff!

Dr. Ramani Durvasula:

"In many industries, including healthcare, there's a significant markup on products that are marketed as 'specialized' or 'medical grade.'For instance, a simple protective glove can be sold for exorbitant prices under the guise of being tailored for medical use.It's essential to recognize that often, these products are not fundamentally different from their cheaper counterparts, which can lead to unnecessary expenses."

As if military budgets aren't inflated enough

lalondtm:

"The military operates the same way. My buddy is in purchasing for the navy. They buy tools, equipment, raw materials and such and pay anywhere from 50% to 500% markup. One example he gave me was he had to order like 500 screws for some project. They paid $1.18 per screw. You could buy the EXACT same screws in a box from Lowe’s for like $12. Corruption in military contracts costs taxpayers billions upon billions."

Car parts

Liz Weston:

"Many consumers are surprised to find that cheaper alternatives can provide the same quality as their more expensive counterparts. For instance, a part for a luxury car might be available at a fraction of the price from a different manufacturer, demonstrating that brand names often inflate costs without adding value."

Off-brand medicine is often the exact same at the fraction of the price...

Dr. Andrew Weil:

"When it comes to over-the-counter medications, many consumers are unaware that generic versions often contain the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts. For example, both ZzzQuil and Benadryl contain 25mg of diphenhydramine, yet ZzzQuil is typically sold at a significantly higher price point."

Just check percentages/dilution levels!

Dr. Terri Orbuch:

"When it comes to household products like bleach and rubbing alcohol, the effectiveness often lies more in the formulation than the brand name. Many cheaper options can perform just as well as their pricier counterparts."

Hm....

James Clear:

"Many consumers are unaware that the same manufacturers produce both high-end and store-brand products. This often leads to significant savings without sacrificing quality."

Huh that's definitely newsworthy!

Randomusername12545:

"In the UK, there was a news story about a man finding another brand of crisps (chips) in a multipack.This made national news.Edit. Now my highest ranked comment is about crisps. And for those asking here is the storyhttps://metro.co.uk/2017/04/18/it-turns-out-that-aldi-hoops-might-be-hula-hoops-in-different-packaging-6582393/"

Same product, just with the pink tax.

Dr. Kelly Brogan, psychiatrist:

"When it comes to personal care products, many consumers overlook the fact that gendered marketing often inflates prices. Products marketed as 'for men' or 'for women' can be nearly identical in formulation, with only packaging differences. Opting for men's deodorants and razors can be a savvy choice for women, as they are frequently less expensive for the same quality."

All knowledge is useful knowledge

Dr. Alexandra Solomon:

"When it comes to finding value in products, sometimes the less expensive options can offer the same quality as their pricier counterparts. It's all about understanding what you truly need and not getting caught up in brand names."

Noted

Dr. Ramani Durvasula:

"When it comes to products, the perception of quality can often be misleading. Many people find that generic brands can deliver similar satisfaction at a fraction of the cost.""However, some items, like Oreos, have a unique flavor profile that is hard to replicate.""It's important to balance cost-saving with personal preference when choosing products."

Very valid way to identify this!

Gretchen Rubin, happiness researcher:

"When we see product recalls affecting multiple brands, it often highlights that many products are manufactured under similar conditions or standards. This is particularly evident in categories like food and safety equipment, where the underlying processes can be remarkably alike."

Some things are better bought from small business!

Dr. Alexandra Solomon:

"The perception of value is often skewed by branding and marketing. Many consumers are unaware that they can find equivalent products at a fraction of the cost. For instance, spices marketed under premium brands can be significantly more expensive than those found in ethnic markets, which often provide the same quality for less."

Headphones!

Dr. John Gottman:

"In my research, I've found that people often overvalue brand names, thinking they equate to quality. However, many lesser-known brands can outperform their more expensive counterparts.""For instance, when testing audio equipment, it's not uncommon for consumers to prefer the sound of budget-friendly options over high-end brands. This highlights that brand loyalty can cloud judgment when it comes to actual performance.""Ultimately, the best choice is one that meets your needs and preferences, regardless of the label attached to it."

A lot of the time, the only difference between expensive and cheap clothing is the company's profit margin--the workers are still paid the same

LucyVialli:

"A lot of clothing. Most of it is made in the same sweatshops in China/Bangladesh/wherever, the only difference is the name on the label."

They're milking us!

ThisIsCody_:

"Milk. I was in a WalMart looking at milk and an old man stopped me. He said he retired from the dairy industry. He told me the same milk plant, from the same cows, fills different colored cartons, from the same batch. He tapped his nose and winked and said, “it’s all the same shit.”"

Well then

wolfadeus:

"My grandfather owned a textiles company and he sold the exact same shirts to Walmart to be sold for <$10 and to Polo to be sold for >$60"

Watch out for packaging tricks

ImNotRacistBuuuut:

"HDMI cables were a huge offender of this back when they were first introduced. They found all sorts of ways to justify paying over a hundred bucks for five feet of cable. But in reality, it's not about quality, but about customer manipulation.Let's say you see three HDMI cables on the shelf. First one is just wound and ziptied, marked $5. The second is $25, and it's in a nice paper box with some snazzy graphics on it. Third one is $120, has a thick box with dark maroon and gold graphics, looks ornate and fancy.The consumer is going to think "well, I don't want something that looks cheap and will probably break after a week of use," so they skip the $5 cable. But then they look at the $120 cable. They figure "ah-hah, I'm no fool, I know a rip-off when I see it, this is all just fancy packaging!" So they skip the $120 cable. They happily choose the $25 cable, believing they have outwitted those clever marketing folks at the HDMI Cable Factory, and returns home with their smart sensible purchase thinking they won.But they haven't.The cables are all the same.They just spent $20 more for a simple paper box. They were tricked by the "middle option" product, deceived into thinking it has any justifiable value over the cheaper ones simply because it was placed next to an absurdly overpriced version.Fortunately, people have wised up to this practice, and thanks to user reviews on online retailers, it's much harder to pull this scam. But back in the mid 2000's, when HDMI cables first started rolling out, you had some pretty awful offenders out there, and even more unfortunate, a lot of "ah-hah, I'm no fool" consumers thinking they were seeing right through it."

I smell a rat

Dr. Kristin Neff:

"When it comes to purchasing products, many consumers are unaware that the quality of generic brands can be just as high as their more expensive counterparts. For example, in the candle industry, the same materials are often used, and the only difference is the branding. This can lead to significant savings without sacrificing quality."

Cereals are not the same!!!!

James Clear, author:

"When it comes to everyday products like cereal, many consumers find that store brands offer similar quality at a lower price. This is a smart financial choice that can lead to significant savings over time.""In fact, the taste difference is often negligible, and opting for store brands can be a great way to cut costs without sacrificing quality."

Do you have any brand hacks to save money? Let us know in the comments.