HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
Many stores offer generic brands at a fraction on the cost of brand name products.
We went looking to see how much consumers could save at the grocery store. We bought several generic items and compared them to the taste and cost of brand name items. We chose Jif peanut butter, Sunbeam bread, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes and Juicy Juice apple juice.
We rang up the generic brands first. The total came to $10.04 and our brand products rang up to $12.73.
Next, I found three eager participants who would help me compare the taste of the generic brands and the brand products. The items, un-labeled, were lined up side by side with generics on the right and brand on the left.
Chandler Wait and Walt Thomas tried the bread first. Both agreed the Sunbeam was better.
Next up was the apple juice. Jan Camp first took a sip of the Food Club brand and then the Juicy Juice.
"Well, actually I prefer the first," said Camp.
The guys claimed they really couldn't tell much of a difference between the two. All three said they would buy the Food Club brand to save money.
"I have a couple of great grand children and they go through a lot of this, so yes I would buy the generic," said Camp.
Chandler and Walt tried the Frosted Flakes and again they didn't taste too much difference between the Food Club version and Kellogg's.
Last, but not least was the peanut butter. All three had a different opinion when it came to taste. Jif was first, followed by the generic.
"The generic one seemed to be a little thicker," said Walt.
All agreed, they preferred the Jif over the generic and would spend the extra 84 cents for better taste. When it came to saving money at the grocery store, most said they would buy the generic if there was a two or three dollar difference. That two or three dollars can add up when you consider the average family of four spends $1,200 a month on groceries. Camp said smart shopping is the key.
"I would think it behooves every American to price, shop gracefully and make the dollar stretch because we don't know how long it's going to be before the economy has an upswing and improves so every dimes going to count," she said.
Which will also add up to more savings.
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