Most people think generic brands save you money, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, if you want a quality product you may pay a little more up front, but it is cheaper over time. When you buy generic, you oftentimes get a lesser product, and so must replace it sooner, while the name brand version of the same product might cost more now, it will last much longer and, in the long run, save you money. Here are some products you should always by the name brand.
Computers
Computers are expensive. You can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on off-brand or name-brand computers. Are name-brand computers, such as Apple and Dell, truly worth the extra money in the long run? Will an Acer or Asus last just as long and perform just as well? The answer is no on both fronts. LaptopMag.com has rated the top 10 computer companies for the last five years in a variety of categories such as innovation, display, design, etc. In 2015 Apple retained their place at the top of the table with an overall rating of 85 out of 100. However, Apple did drop the top spot in a variety of categories to Dell, which took the highest score for innovation as well as value and selection. Asus, on the other hand, only scored 5 points out of 20 in the tech support category, and Samsung (while not an off-brand) only scored an 8 out of 15 in the keyboard/touchpad section.
While Apple might have a high price point, it’s consistently the best brand out there and has the reviews and stats to back up that claim. While Dell isn’t far behind as of 2015, Dell doesn’t have the consistency of Apple.
Tires
While tires can cost a lot of money, don’t sacrifice the quality of your tires because of the expense involved. While generic tires may cost less, they won’t hold up over time. Go for name brands such as BF Goodrich or Continental. If you’re worried about the cost of buying name brand, you can save money, even on top-of-the-line tires, if you shop online. When you shop for tires online, you’ll likely have a larger selection than if you were in a shop. While premier tires oftentimes seem more expensive, they typically last longer and deliver true value in their durability. In the long run, they are less expensive than off brands.
Shoes
Get the most use out of your shoes. Don’t buy off brands as they’ll fall apart sooner than expected and leave you shopping for another pair. Whether you’re out with friends, on your feet while at work all day, or spend your weekends on adventurous hikes, name-brand shoes last longer and are more comfortable. When you think of big shoe brands such as Reebok and Nike, you probably think of durability and comfortable versus expense. The truth is big brands such as these use quality materials in the creation of their shoes. Name brands have a reputation to uphold that off-brand shoe companies just don’t. An off-brand shoe might cost less now, but they will likely not last as long, tear or even hurt your feet. When you buy an expensive shoe, you actually save money in the long run.
