Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Name Brand or Private Label: Pick Your Poison

Why are so many consumers scared of the off brand products like Kroger, Kirkland Signature, Great Value, or Sam's Choice? I'm sure if you are reading this and you shop in America then you have most likely heard of one or more of these "Private Label" products. But why do some consumers stay away from private label products all together. I've certainly been guilty of buying the name brand products that have a catchier label and a reputation of excellence. But why am I doing this? Lets break it down to an analytical stand point.  If you read the back they have virtually the same ingredients, virtually the same nutrition facts, and in theory are the same in all aspect. Is it the label that gets us to buy name brand or is it their marketing strategy that has been ingrained in our minds from watching too much TV and listening to too many radio ads? Why would someone be willing to pay twice or even three times the fair value price for a product just because they've seen it advertised some place at some time? The consumer mind does unexplainable things. So answer me this scenario question.  You go to the doctor and you have a bad case of depression. The doctor tells you that its a very serious case and that it needs to be treated with medication.  He tells you that you need Abilify which can be up to $800 for a month supply. He also gives you the option of an off brand medication which will treat the exact same depression symptoms that you are suffering from at a third of the price. Which do you choose? Is your health worth paying a cheaper rate for? Sure, the off brand product will treat your symptoms, but will it give you the peace of mind that in this situation you so desperately need? Next time before you purchase the name brand product for a much higher rate ask yourself, why you are willing to pay the additional price for the same good?

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Quick Weight Loss Supplements


I am a huge advocate of physical activity including running, hiking, and working out at the gym.  Because of this mindset I don't understand many of these commercials that want men and woman to take pills or some kind of crazy weight loss supplement everyday to lose weight.  I can't help but think that most of it is a hoax. There is no substitute for good old fashioned hard work. SlimQuick, for example, was one of the pills that I despised for their negative influences on the physical well beings of Americans and their cheesy commercials didn't help out either.  I'm not so ignorant to think that everyone has the same body type, but I think that we would be better off as a society to commercialize physical activity as a weight loss option rather than taking a pill and sitting on our butt's until we lose weight. Kim and Khloe Kardashian aren't fooling anyone when they say how they have lost TONS of weight with the QuickTrim supplement that they advertise. Give me a break! Don't be tricked by all of the mumbo jumbo that these companies commercialize to you. Work hard and be happy with the person you are.