Question

Article on 'a big brand doesn't necessarily means big value

Answer 1

A product brand is more than a catchy name, a recognisable logo and a unique colour scheme. Marketers spend millions of dollars, year after year, to create an image and reputation for their offerings. They want you to develop trust in that name. Buy, with nothing more than that vague subconscious feeling of trustworthiness in mind, and you could be paying too much. Pharmaceuticals and vitamins are prime examples. So are many toiletries, cosmetics and skin care, laundry products, processed foods, drinks, sports shoes and clothing, and more. The rising popularity of generics and home brands is testimony to the fact that shoppers are gradually realising that big brand does not automatically mean value for money. It doesn’t even necessarily mean the best product in terms of quality and effectiveness. Before choosing a brand name, the least you should do is consider alternatives and check the listed ingredients. Particularly in the case of pharmaceuticals there is often no difference between the formula of a glossy packaged brand name item and that of a generic equivalent. It’s bad enough to succumb to the snobbery of wearing designer label clothes and accessories. At least you may receive some satisfaction from parading your apparent wealth, if not your good sense. But to pay perhaps double or more for an identical pill or potion, for no other reason than someone has subtly manipulated you, reflects a greater loss of good sense.