Brand Loyalty
Posted by Gail | Filed under Smart Shopper
Once upon a time consumers could be counted on to be loyal to a brand. There are still people who are die-hard Toyota drivers, wouldn’t rinse their clothes with anything other than Downy or keep their accounts at a bank because that’s the first place they opened up an account.
I have a few brands I love. I’m a Dawn dish-liquid girl because it does cut the grease and I like its environmental policy: Dawn helps clean up oil-slicked birds. I use Meaningful Beauty on my face because even though I’ve tried several other brands, I like the way this particular brand makes my skin feel and look. And I’m partial to Lindor chocolates, the red ones.
Sometimes the brands we buy are dictated by others. Boyo only eats Vector cereal and Miss Vickies salt and vinegar chips. Buying anything else means it’s not going to get eaten.
The internet has changed our focus on brand loyalty to a large extent. Since the world wide web has shrunk the world, it is easier for consumers to get information about the brands they like, and competitive brands, before they buy. I used to be a Maytag appliance girl, but I wouldn’t dream of buying a new appliance today without doing a thorough investigation into what’s new and improved.
We take a lot of things into account before we choose a particular brand. It’s not enough anymore that this is what our mommies and daddies used, or that it has the largest market share. Now it is more likely to be our experience – and the experiences of others – that seal the deal. Witness the popularity of travel rating sites like tripadvisor.ca.
Smart consumers aren’t loyal to a particular brand anymore because they’re always keeping their eyes open for the next good deal. They want a good price, they want quality and they want service. Sites and magazines like consumerreports.org have built their business of consumers shopping around.
Heaven help a brand that disappoints. Facebook, Twitter and Google+ et al will spread the bad news before the brand manager has the chance to pull the fire alarm. When my trip to the Bahamas with Malcolm was shadowed by a crappy hotel stay (really, Sheraton, you can’t find an orange or banana for the breakfast buffet on a tropical island?) I tweeted it seven ways from Sunday. The hotel tried to mollify me, but it was too late. A bigger room wasn’t going to make up for a run-down property and really really bad food (I’m talking duck in cherry sauce made with… wait for it… wait… maraschino cherries!).
Some brands can recover from a bad showing. Remember New Coke? And when I had a sad experience with a chocolate covered blueberry product, I wrote and told the company and they Fed-Exed me a replacement bag. That’ll keep my business as long as I don’t have another negative experience with the product.
Are you brand loyal? Has your attitude towards a particular brand changed recently? If you’ve been unhappy with a particular brand, under what circumstances would you go back to it?
January 25, 2013 at 7:04 am
The only brand I am loyal to is Volkswagen. My parents had one and now I do too. I feel safe and secure driving it no matter what season and the diesel has the best fuel economy out there. I bought pre-owned and haven’t looked back.
Everything else? Who will give me the best bang for my buck.
January 25, 2013 at 7:38 am
I, too, am brand loyal to Volkswagen. I have bought only Rabbits and Golfs since I got my first car in the seventies. I’ve already saved enough to buy a new one when that time comes.
I’m also loyal to a few facial products but try to get them on sale or use points to reduce cost.
January 25, 2013 at 8:02 am
I used to be brand loyal but no more.
January 25, 2013 at 8:37 am
I love my Starbuck’s French Roast coffee. I love the taste. I buy the beans in bulk at Costco and brew it myself at home to save money but I won’t give it up. I’ve tried other coffees and while they’re good.. they’re never AS good as my Starbuck’s French Roast.
January 25, 2013 at 8:48 am
Secret deoderant, Old Dutch chips (if you’re from Manitoba, you’ll know why), And I REALLY want a Subaru one day. Birkenstock sandals. Other than that, best value for my dollar, please.
January 25, 2013 at 9:09 am
@Dawn–I’m totally with you on Old Dutch chips!!
January 25, 2013 at 9:30 am
I am a loyal Toyota Camry driver. I have had three in my life and bought them all used. That car is one that lasts. I also like pc products at superstore and sensodyne toothpaste and lubriderm cream.
January 25, 2013 at 9:30 am
I’m a Chevy girl all the way…my last vehicle purchase was a Silvarado and I’ve loved it since the day I got it. I did a lot of research into many vehicles before buying though. I always do when it’s a big purchase. Consumer Reports is awesome for this. Otherwise, brand loyal to few things but mostly price and quality check. I love Dawn dishsoap, Gain laundry soap and Oil of Olay moisturizer.
January 25, 2013 at 9:44 am
Hmmmm…. good question. I really have to think hard to figure out what brands we always buy. In our house, DH must have Coke with no substitutes. I am loyal to Heinz Ketchup (lots of other no name products in our house, but they don’t stack up for some reason). I always buy Sunlight detergent because it doesn’t irritate my skin like other laundry detergents (and I only use about half of what they recommend with no difference in cleanliness I might add!). Otherwise, there is very little that I stick to brand-wise.
January 25, 2013 at 9:50 am
Became a fan of Bogs boots. My daughter liked the easy on easy off, outgrew a pair, so I tried them, and I love them!
Heinz Ketchup is a brand that we always buy. I like Columbia outerwear, but not committed to it. Not a big brand person.
January 25, 2013 at 9:55 am
I am more brand loyal on some items than I realized, I must have:
Dawn (the blue one)
Royale Bathroom tissue – 3 ply ultra, dble rolls
Royale Tissues – 3 ply ultra
Tide (although I will use Sunlight if I have to)
Rieds Dairy Chocolate Milk
Minitmaid frozen juice Bars
Ziploc Baggies
Glad Press & Seal
Alcan aluminum foil
Like Gail, Lindt chocolates, I prefer the red bar, which is like the red balls but in a small square, I find the balls a bit too much
Moroccan Oil Hair Products
Clinique Toner (and d.d.m.l. for my daughter)
Lysol toilet bowl cleaner
Lays chips
P.C. frozen OJ
Heinz ketchup
Allens Apple juice – low acid
Italian Bath & Body products, in particular Risarium
Liz Claiborne purses, although the just seem to the the styles I like and the fact that it’s a Liz Claiborne is secondary
Basically I like my products to work and be of good value at the best sale price I can find, and then stock up. We have had a couple of VW’s in our lifetime, I also really like Subaru; and our appliances are all from Sears ~ with all major purchases checked out via Consumer Reports 1st. I also speak to friends and family for their input depending on the purchase.
Another area I am quite loyal to is who I give my charitable donations to; I have vetted my fav’s and regularly contribute to them, and if a new one is introduced to me I make sure to check them out before I donate also.
@Gail – a coincidence you should mention Meaningful Beauty, I was thinking about giving it a try. How long have you been using it?
January 25, 2013 at 9:58 am
@Dawn,
My experience with Subarus–meh, too high maintenance. They’re an expensive car with good interior, but AWD requires a lot of upkeep and it’s not as sturdy as implied. You can’t go mudding like their commercials suggests without serious alignment problems with the tires. And not every shop wants to work on a Subaru so I was pretty much limited to expensive dealership repairs.
My latest car has been a humble Hyundai Elentra. One-half the price of a Subaru and I couldn’t be more pleased with it!
January 25, 2013 at 10:25 am
I’m a brand girl. If I’ve been treated well, if the product works, then I’m loyal. I’ll stay loyal too because I like being able to count on something. I don’t care if other places are cheaper or if all bloggers love it, I’m happy with my brand, it satisfies my needs and I’m sticking to it.
TOYOTA ROCKS!
Dawn is the only dish detergent that works.
January 25, 2013 at 10:38 am
@ Psychsara – I’m a diehard coke fan too like your husband. Accept no subsitutes!
January 25, 2013 at 10:47 am
I was VW girl my entire life! However, when I sold my first car (an ‘88 Cabrio!), my husband and I started doing our research about replacing it with a newer VW. Unfortunately, the price point didn’t equal a quality vehicle anymore. We checked out the Lemonaid Car Guides at our local library and were stunned to learn that he even gave some of the newest models a ‘Do Not Buy’ rating! (I highly recommend these books!) Not to mention the repair costs were astronomical! We ended up not purchasing a VW after all – we went with a little Hyundai: reliable, inexpensive to purchase and maintain. I’m still a VW girl – always will be – but I can’t justify the price for the quality anymore.
Other than that, I have a few things I’m brand loyal about. Either NatureClean or Seventh Generation laundry soap, Seventh Generation dish soap. A local grocery store (Farm Boy)’s Greek salad dressing. Beyond that – I couldn’t care less. I’m all about a deal BUT that’s also friendly to me, my family and the planet.
January 25, 2013 at 11:09 am
I appreciate certain brands when I’ve compared them to others, but when I see a brand I haven’t tested I’ll buy it just to try (if it’s cheaper). I never buy soda at home, but when I’m in a restaurant and they have Coke, I’ll drink that. I love Clark’s shoes, Arctic Gardens frozen vegetables (they always seem plumber than other brands once thawed), Heinz ketchup, Kraft peanut butter, Twinning’s Earl Grey tea, Nutella hazelnut spread, Crayola.
Sometimes, I have no brand favorite, but I have brands that I will never buy. And in other categories, I have no loyalty to brands, my appreciation is linked to quality service and quality product: bank services, cars (I had a Pontiac, a Toyota and a Chevrolet), car mechanics (I haven’t yet found one I feel I can trust), hair dresser, appliances, tv/phone/internet services.
Being a savvy consummer takes a lot of time. There are times when I just can’t read all the info or watch the prices everywhere.
January 25, 2013 at 11:12 am
I would agree that my brand loyalty/disloyatly comes from my own experiences with the product. For example I use Ladyspeed stick deodorant because when I tried using other brands I either ended up with hives under my pits or I felt it didn’t last as long. And I definitely consult online for items/brands I’m not familiar with and also ask friends,family and colleagues. I recently decided to get some contacts for an upcoming event and I asked a couple of glasses wearers at work and what they had to say about dailys,monthlys etc opened up my eyes to things I hadn’t considered like how often I planned on wearing them and how often they wore them and what they found to be the best solution for themseleves. So when I went into my appt I knew exactly what I was looking for in terms of contacts.
On a side note: Last week Friday we wanted to order in KFC (not the healthiest choice but we wanted to order in take out they we had coupons in the mail) Any ways when I told them my address they said unfortunately they do not deliver to our area. The KFC is like a 10min bus ride….at that moment I declared to my family that if KFC can send me flyers but not deliver then they will no longer get my business anywhere! I just felt that was silly to not deliver when we are so close by and why am I giving my money away to a company who is willingly to NOT provide me service.
January 25, 2013 at 11:16 am
I think that French’s mustard is the only brand that I’m 100% loyal too – I just hate all other mustard.
January 25, 2013 at 11:32 am
Reading Sheri’s post, I realized I was a brand person too…
Charmin ultra resistant toilet paper
)
Lysol toilet cleaner
Vim for the bathtub
Mr Net to clean everything else
Aveeno shower gel (I live in Calgary, where it is really, really dry)
Redken shampoo
Matrix hair products (thank you daddy for being a barber and getting me my stuff for Christmas
Intuision rasors (their expensive, but so userfriendly)
Ikea for furnitures (cheap, great look, last long)
Make up forever for make up (I know, it is WAY too expensive… but it is just so easy to use, the colors are right, and it last longer than the stuff at the pharmacy)
In fact, a brand becomes mine when I try it and I love it. But when it comes to clothes, I dont really care what it written on it. I will buy a brand if it fits well. I bought a London Fog winter jacket two years ago. It fits awesome on me, and it is warm enough for the Calgary winter. Was 40% off. Still expensive, but didn’t blow my budget. So I bought it and I’m still happy I did
January 25, 2013 at 11:56 am
Kitchenaid small appliances….. the best quality work horses etc….. maybe yesteryear and no more today. Made the mistake of buying a Kitchenaid food processor – while the motor lasted a year the bowl did not. A replacement bowl cost almost half a new food processor, had to be shipped from the US and was back ordered. It was in fact on back order for >6 months. Now reading reviews this is clearly a problem that the company should address – many more of these cheep quality plastic bowls need to be made in a ratio exceeding the produced motors. Now Breville I’m impressed with. Excellent customer service. Bought a panini press which overheated – the company paid for shipping return of the defective one and sent a replacement promptly. Needless to say we now have a Breville food processor and stand mixer too and so far are very happy with the performance of these.
Maytag may have made great washing machines yesteryear too. Amazing how the old machines have lasted 20 plus years. Ours bought 9 years ago lasted until the warrantly ended. Now have a Bosch and couldn’t be happier. Always research new purchases – companies get taken over and unfortunately planned obsolescence has become the norm.
January 25, 2013 at 12:20 pm
I’ve got quite a list
based on many years of trial and much error.
Here’s what works for me: Eveything else I am pretty flexible on
Heys – Luggage
Coach OUTLET – handbags, and other small carrying accessories – camera case, wallet (but only buy when a 30% off deal is on)
Makeup etc: Nars, Stila, Couture Color
Kitty Litter – Shopper’s Brand
Garbage Bags – Billy Boot
Vacuums – Dyson
Cars – Chevy
Camping and Cold Weather Gear – LL Bean
Magic Baking Powder
January 25, 2013 at 12:31 pm
I stick with a brand as long as it continues to meet my standards. So we’ve had 5 cars in 30 years, all Toyotas.
One product that lost YEARS of my loyalty was Cascade. With our new (*&^&*%*) high efficiency, low water, low energy dishwasher, Cascade left a horrible white residue on everything. We had to switch to Finish to get rid of it. I’ve been told it’s because the USA forced changes eliminating phosphates from dishwasher detergent. No phosphates plus low water machines seems to equal white residue. I’m still quietly hoping Cascade will figure out there’s a problem and fix their product…..
January 25, 2013 at 12:52 pm
hmmm…I had to think about this but I came up with:
Heinz ketchup
Renees salad dressings
Coke only and rarely
Heys for luggage
Tide for laundry and Downy for fabric softener (but doesnt always happen)
Cheemo perogies
Colgate/Crest for toothpaste (only one or the other)
I think that is it….
January 25, 2013 at 12:57 pm
I’m a VW girl too. Love my Jetta and love the Customer Service at my dealership. They KNOW what Customer Service is. (Emil is Amazing)
I also am loyal to Ivory bar soap and Hellmans Mayo.
As for other products, its more about Where I buy them. I buy at Shoppers drug mart when the prices are right and I get my Maximum optimum points.
I like Superstore for their return policy, “don’t like it, bring it back” and I like Longos for the quality (but only on sale, sometimes they are pricey).
I also like Costco for many things. Frozen berries and mangoes (for smoothies) are better priced than Superstore and with superior quality. Same goes for their Almonds. We eat them like candy and the price/quality is great. (I don’t have a membership, I go with my business partner, so I have no Membership fee to factor in)
January 25, 2013 at 2:08 pm
Thinking on brands, these are ones we never stray from;
Apple for MP3 player
Coach purses/wallets
Tide/Downey/Snuggle
Dawn
Clinique
Miracle Whip
Heinz
Coca-Cola (for hubby, kids get store brand for treats)
Samsung for TV/Monitor
Bose for headphones
Crispex and Cheerios cereal (only kind the boys eat)
Even within those brands, we’re price/value conscious and often don’t buy til there’s a sale.
January 25, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Bet Crook!! Thanks for enlightening me as to why my dishes were coming out white!!! I normally use Costco dishwasher detergent, but on a vacation once I bought a small box of Cascade for the condo we were in. Brought the remaining soap home and poured it into the large Costco container I keep in the basement. Of course when I refilled the jar I keep under my sink I had totally forgotten about the Cascade that was mixed in….all of a sudden crappy while dishes. Mystery solved thank you!!
As for brands, I usually try to stick to one brand for everything. If I buy a different brand or type of bologna my picky kid will notice it and it won’t get eaten. I tried to switch from Shreddies to the store brand…she noticed the difference there too. It makes it quicker in the grocery store too. Need spaghetti sauce? I just always reach for the one that our whole family enjoys…and when I walk down that aisle at the grocery store…I check the price whether I need it or not and when it’s on sale I stock up. For items for the adults (less picky, willing to try new things) I will switch brands to test it out.
Otherwise, I usually have two “acceptable” brands and choose between the two depending on the price. ie…Jiffy or Kraft peanut butter, Becel or Safeway Margarine, Oikos or Liberte greek yogurt.
What I don’t like….is when when Shreddies introduced Honey Shreddies…I saw the sale price, I saw the Shreddies box, but totally missed the word “Honey”. Kids hated them. I didn’t even notice that I’d bought Honey shreddies until the kids said….EWWWW these taste gross. Dad and I had to eat them, and we gave the other box to the food bank.
January 25, 2013 at 2:37 pm
I think my most serious brand-loyal item is Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce. And only General Motors or Chrysler cars for our house.
January 25, 2013 at 2:41 pm
I am brand loyal to a handful, after trial and error. I have become extremely brand loyal to Geox and Gusti for my kid’s winter clothing. They are very very expensive, but they last, are warm and waterproof, wear very well, are good for hand me downs and have excellent resale value.
I am also loyal to Nature Clean. The products are wonderful and it is rare to have anything else in my house.
Cars are not as important to me, but I will not buy domestic….I think that is more just superstitious, than brand loyalty.
I find that a lot of brand loyalty is tradition based. You buy what your mother bought. You drive what your father drove. It takes a lot of “mindful” spending to break those habits.
January 25, 2013 at 2:41 pm
That’s interesting about the dishwasher soap. I am so loyal to Kirkland Signature products, but I noticed that they changed their dishwasher soap. All of my white coffee mugs are now coffee stained so they look dirty…yuck. Guess I will be looking for a replacement. The brands I tend to stick with are Twinlab vitamins, Dawn dish soap, and Yankee candles. Everything else in my house is Kirkland or Aldi grocery store products.
January 25, 2013 at 3:00 pm
No way. Apple people really freak me out sometimes. It’s often almost a cult-like mentality. Doesn’t matter if a new product isn’t very good, they gotta have it.
Looking around my apartment a few years ago, I noticed it’s mostly Panasonic stuff. They must have a price to quality ratio that I like. Although I’m not a fanboy of Sony, I have to admit that they’re Playstation video game things rock. …And I buy my pants at Bluenotes specifically because they’re the only ones that make jeans long and thin enough to sort of fit me.
January 25, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Brands
Definitely Heinz ketchup, The others are too vinegery, most other things I notice no difference, also once worked at a canning factory, only difference (that I saw) between name brand and not was the label.
Wine is Stoneleigh especially for white (pinot grigrio) slight more expensive then the 10 dollar bottles but worth it. That said i usually buy the cheapest red.
Clothes so far my Arcteryx. I will pay more for better quality (an the brand) on outergear, Brand name shoes, Kswiss and New Balance have always help up really well. Current hiking shoe is Merrill, will buy that brand again.
Sears appliances, my mom has a freezer that has lasted.
Household and other clothes I do not have a brand preferences. Will buy what is available and on sale, I never notice a difference in quality.
January 25, 2013 at 3:17 pm
I forgot to mention BOSE,
Recently bought speakers, on sale at costco. After we got them home I said that if we ever bought speakers again I would go with Bose. They work really well and you tell the difference in quality between the cheaper Bose and the more expensive Bose.
I also got expensive ear phones for christmas (not Bose). I can really tell the difference between my old cheap pair and my new ones. This comment might be more for the cheap vs quality blog.
January 25, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Sometimes the array of products out there is so dizzying that it’s nice to be able to stick with a brand that’s known and liked. I feel it saves money overall, to not buy a new brand when it doesn’t work out and then it has to be given away, thrown out or worst of all used up but completely hated.
It’s nice to find a clothing line where the sizes and styles are right. I like Talbot’s tops, for instance, and waiting for the winter sales netted shirts for $30 instead of their regular $90 price. I will buy some cosmetics even without any hope of a sale, like MAC lipsticks; I simply like them a lot.
January 25, 2013 at 4:10 pm
Brand schmand. I’m in PR I know how this works – usually the brand with the biggest marketing budget sells the most/gets the better placement on shelves in the grocery stores. In the case of dish or laundry soap – unless it’s eco-friendly they all have the same ingredients!
Good value for money, and environmental concerns top my family’s buy list. Phosphate free, septic safe, recycled, less or recyclable packaging, locally made or sourced to support our community, “real” food (miracle whip is not mayonaise people) and future cost of service/operational costs and are what drive our spending decisions.
With some basic research skills and a willingness to try new products – we’ve found some great products out there. Also eating local foods mean we’re eating healthier (no chemicals, hormones etc) and we’re supporting our community.
We spent a little more on our side load washer/dryer set from Sears (I think it’s Kenmore) 12 years ago and it’s still going strong for literally pennies a wash (uses less water/electricity). My mother-in-law bought the cheapest top-load washer/dryer they could and it takes 2 dryer cycles to dry 2 sets of sheets – now how is that economical?? They did the same with their “cheaper” heating system in their house. Now their electric bills are thru the roof. We paid extra for heat/air exchange to be installed 5 years ago, but our monthly electric bills are less than a 1/3 of theirs and we live in the same town.
Trying to be sustainable (economically, environmentally, socially & to help our community) through thoughtful consumption. We should all try it!
January 25, 2013 at 4:14 pm
I am not brand loyal at all and will shift brands based on what’s on sale that particular week. I do tend to stick to big brands as no names don’t seem to have the same level of quality. I also look for products that are safe for me and the environment.
January 25, 2013 at 4:27 pm
Now that I am reading everyone elses responses I realize that HEINZ Ketchup is a total must have in our household. (Apparently the no name brand “tastes wierd.”)
I also realize that I am very partial to my riding boots, I tend to wear them until they are busted and Ariat has never let me down! I’m on my third pair of paddock boots in … I don’t even know how many years.
@ Maggie-I would LOVE a new VW. Not for that price though! We have two 2001’s
(The Tdi has 408,000 km on it now and it’s still going strong!)
January 25, 2013 at 4:42 pm
I was always a Toyota girl… but then we had baby #3 and didn’t want (couldn’t thoil) a minivan. So I got a Mazda 5. It was smaller, a little less expensive and better on gas. I don’t love it. I dream about the day when my oldest (16 now) will have her own car and I can go back to a little Toyota.
January 25, 2013 at 4:47 pm
On the topic of brands..i don’t know how mr clean magic erasers are still being sold. They don’t work at all!!
January 25, 2013 at 5:14 pm
I’m generally not a brand person – when I buy, the most important considerations are quality and price (in that order). For food, I’m very careful and very picky – I don’t buy much processed food, cook a lot from scratch and I tend to prefer either fresh, local veggies and meats or organic stuff – which tends to add up. But me and my guy love good food and for the sake of our health we don’t want to fill our bodies with junk, so we budget for a delicious and healthy diet and avoid most prepackaged, processed stuff. For appliances, we have brands we avoid (we’ve had bad luck with LG and whirlpool, for example), but other than that it’s features, quality and price. On cars, same thing – current car’s a 5 year old Nissan Versa, which we’ll probably keep another year or two. I will admit to being an Apple fanboy – I’ve got the iphone, ipad and Mac desktop, and as long as Apple maintains their quality and ease of integration, I will stick with them – my challenge is to not run out and buy each new product
For wine and beer, I’m not a brand guy at all – a big part of the fun there is trying new things!
January 25, 2013 at 5:22 pm
I like the new “Simply Heinz” the best, but any Heinz will do. I guess when I find something that works for me and is within my idea of what it should cost, I stay pretty brand loyal. I like Bare Escentuals makeup because it looks nice and doesn’t break me out, like most things do. I have lots of preferences with brands, too many to list! But that includes certain store branded food and household items, if the less expensive product works I stay with it. And I coupon and look for sales no matter what we’re talking about, Target and Safeway have excellent on line coupons that include their own brands. I research any appliance carefully, not as much about brand as function with those.
January 25, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Le Creuset cookware – quality I will pass down to my daughters; MaraNatha natural peanut butter and Liberte greek yogurt both taste the best; Spectra Gel facewash, Dove Beauty Bar, Pantene shampoo – clean, soft and fresh for not much money; Ford Flex – for space, comfort and reliability cannot imagine driving anything else while my 3 children are still at home; Apple – for intuitive ease of use and reliability (have had my MacBook for 7 years with not one problem).
January 25, 2013 at 5:53 pm
For cleaning products, I usually try to stick with Seventh Generation (or similar brands).
For food, I try to avoid processed foods as much as possible and try as much as I can to stick with making stuff from scratch (which means a lot of fresh veggies and fruits, grains, nuts & seeds, and sometimes fish). As such, I have no food brands that I’m loyal to, since I don’t buy much food that would come in a package. I do try to go with organic foods wherever possible. But I guess I do have loyalty to a local grocery store that has a consistently great selection of fresh produce.
January 25, 2013 at 6:57 pm
CASCADE – I’ve been finding the same thing with my (#$*%) high eff, dishwasher lately. Have they changed it? At 1st I thought it was happening if I used the short wash, but I’m getting the white wash on everything no matter which cycle is used.
I heard mention above about Electrosol (I used to like it better than Cascade but have trouble finding it now), sorry to hear it’s doing the same thing.
Has anyone tried something lately that works and leaves dishes clean and shiny? I do use Finnish in my rinse cycle but that doesn’t seem to be of any help….
TIA
January 25, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Sorry – meant to say Kirkland, not Electorsol leaving the white film.
January 25, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Realized I’m a fan also of Sunlight dish detergent. Was told years ago when being trained for catheterization by a nurse from CHEO, that it was the only brand they trusted for cleansing when not sterilizing.
Not a fan of Tide laundry detergent. Never had success with it and hard water.
I use Jason body wash and Kevin Murphy hair products. Also only use Sensodyne toothpaste myself, but kids aren’t as loyal or fussy for theirs.
January 25, 2013 at 7:54 pm
re: Heinz Ketchup, my kids will ONLY use no-name or any brand But heinz. Its too sweet for them. Crazy!
January 25, 2013 at 8:24 pm
@Julie Bo
I also love the Starbucks French Roast. I also have bought them at Costco. You are right, no other brand is AS good. I drink it because its gentler on my stomach because the acidity in darker coffee is lower and so is the caffeine content. I love the smokiness of it all. I also enjoy the Starbucks Italian Roast and wish I could get that in bulk also. Such a good coffee.
January 25, 2013 at 8:34 pm
Subaru, always and forever.
Birkenstocks.
Tide
Diet Pepsi and oddly enough if I have to have regular, it needs to be Coke. Diet Coke leaves the worst after taste for me, blech, can’t stand it.
There are others that I buy out of habit, which I guess would make me loyal to an extent, but if they weren’t available I’d buy other brands.
January 25, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Sorry forgot my biggest brand loyalty of all – BlackBerry, I will only go Android (never iPhone) if there is absolutely no other option – don’t care how much it costs me or how far I have to go to keep my BB!
January 25, 2013 at 9:02 pm
Paderno Pots and Kitchen utensils. Love them, wouldn’t buy anything else.
January 26, 2013 at 12:17 am
ONLY Coke Zero; otherwise I’ll go without! Benefit mascara (I know-expensive but unequalled quality). Dawn because they are so environmentally-friendly.
I find there are more brands I won’t buy, than those I stick to faithfully. I prefer Downy, but will purchase another if the cost is better. Love VW, but own a Hyundai Santa Fe (had to go to an automatic after I had my knee replaced-saddest moment of my driving life). Will absolutely NOT fly certain airlines, and if no one else flies where I’m going, I will find another way to get there. Never a Ford! And no Uggs-what a rip-off. No Victoria’s Secret (aka: Vicki No-Tell) because I feel they market in an unhealthy manner.
I like Consumer Reports and do a lot of research because I like to support those brands who truly are environmentally friendly. And I really like the comment about making your own detergent-it’s just so right on so many levels! Thanks for mentioning it; I will make my own from now on.
January 26, 2013 at 1:19 am
I am a complete sell out. I didn’t realize how many brands I am loyal to until I read through all the comments. I won’t bore you all with a list but it begins with Apple and ends with Ziploc. Crap
January 26, 2013 at 3:12 am
Mr Clean Magic Erasers work great, IMO. Use them at work cleaning commercially, and they are our go-to product for quick and easy removal of scuff marks on white walls and baseboards. Not sure what you’re using them on Sam that makes you think they don’t work?
January 26, 2013 at 9:25 am
Forgot to mention, that for those of you who believe Dawn is an environmentally friendly product, think again:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/09/14/greenwashing-labels-marketplace.html
January 26, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Toyota Corolla – mine is from ‘95 (I bought used at a relatively low mileage) and it’s easy on gas for its age – certainly nothing on a hybrid, but quite close to what the 2012 Corolla offers in efficiency! I also only paid $3000 for it so I figure it’s got several years before the gas+repair bills even start to approach what financing would cost me.
As for other stuff, I like Kraken rum more than Bacardi but it’s not like I’d refuse it. I will only drink Coke, though. I was the person that would take the Pepsi Taste Challenge and vociferously talk about how good Coke was, because I CAN tell.
January 26, 2013 at 5:48 pm
I have combination skin so facial wash is tricky for me, has to be The Body Shop because it works and they have fair trade and environmental policies that I agree with. For jeans I only buy from Garage because nothing else fits right. It’s also good value, about $50 and they last me five or so years. Dress pants can be from anywhere, go figure.
January 26, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Where to start? Not too many; Apple, because it hasn’t disappointed in 10 yrs, & hardly ever needs attention. Ditto the iPhone because it links in with everything. I buy underwear from Calida in Switzerland because Calida doesn’t sell in Canada, alas. It lasts forever, is pure cotton; the nightgowns are made in Portugal & the underpants are made in Switzerland; the money stays where it started. We’ve had Volvos since 74, & the best mechanic in Ottawa services them. The money also stays in Canada. I buy Canadian where I can; best quality I can & repair things. I’m not very keen on changing fashions; I buy classic stuff & repair it.
January 26, 2013 at 9:41 pm
I should say; I cook, lots, & from scratch; buy locally, buy Canadian.
I don’t stock loads of stuff in the basement. We were with the Foreign Service so I packed up every 2-4 years.
And I will start to sew again.
January 27, 2013 at 12:56 pm
While I will say I am brand-specific on many things, it’s because of quality/taste/usefulness, not because of some lovely commercial on TV, the radio, Facebook, etc.
First, I don’t watch commercials. That’s what they invented the “MUTE” button for (and also a good excuse to get off the butt and do SOMETHING (even a potty break) while watching TV.
Second, re: food, taste matters. My parents by cheap store brand cereal. It all tastes the same (if you like cardboard, try Food Basics’ store brand). It’s horrible stuff, but they say “it tastes the same”….until I bring the name brand over. Then they eat all of that BEFORE going back to the “tastes the same” store brand. Hmm…..
Third, I buy a lot of Kirkland brand (Costco). You MUST know your prices before you get all gung-ho at Costco, but there are deals there. Their toilet paper is fabulous, as is their laundry detergent, laundry sheets, paper towels. BUT…we don’t go out of our way to go to Costco, it’s on the way home from work. For this reason, we also buy milk, bananas, apples (if they’re nice), Kirkland OJ (tastes close to Old South, but more economical), meat, cranberry juice (again, Kirkland…more cranberry juice/less sugar that just about any other brand I’ve tried–tastes great!), and some other items. Again, it’s CONVENIENT to go there, we have an upright freezer so we buy in bulk and meal-size package it ourselves, we have storage room for what we buy, plus there are three adults living here, so nothing is wasted.
Finally, if it tastes like crap, no one here will eat it, so it’s false economy to buy something for price over taste. Lots of things taste the same, cook the same, and in those cases, who cares what the brand is.
That was mostly about food…. I am also a fan of Toyotas (I have a 2005 Matrix that runs like it’s brand new), Royal Bank (34 years later, it’s still working for me, BUT I’m not averse to looking for better interest rates, etc)., Shell for gas…
It’s not all about money for me. Sometimes you just have to go with what you like, what works for you, what’s convenient (not just the lazy person’s “out”) AND what fits the budget. And yes, I’ve done Gail’s Debt Free Forever (I am) and have just learned some more from Money Rules (iplementing the ‘learning rule’–I’m educating myself on investing and TFSAs). Try Gordon Pope’s book about TFSAs. I’m partially through it and it’s very easy to understand).
I guess what it is for me is not “brand loyalty” but “Lori loyalty”. I buy what I will consume with the least waste (be it recycling, garbage or unnecessary spending).
January 27, 2013 at 3:15 pm
I don’t have brand loyalty, but I do have review loyalty. I try to ensure that i research everything i buy. The few times I don’t, I end up regretting it. My favorite starting place is thewirecutter, which chooses a simple best based on referenced reviews and then personal testing.
January 27, 2013 at 5:13 pm
The only brand I am loyal to is my bank (RBC). I started banking with them as a teenager and really appreciated the way that I was treated. It didn’t matter that I only had a hundred dollars a month to invest they did their vey best to look out for me. Though I shopped around for my mortgage I went with them because I knew the lady who handled the mortgages and knew that I would be treated with well and with respect despite my young age.
January 27, 2013 at 7:08 pm
I’m loyal to a brand if I have always been happy with it. Why change what is not broken.
I drive an Opel, even though they have a bad rep, but they work fine for me. I have my favourite brands for shoes (think!, Baer, Gabor) and Jeans (G-Star, Lee) because those usually fit me.
For electrical applicances I get Siemens or Bosch, because I live close to an outlet store. A 50% discount buys some brand loyalty, and the devices are generally long-lived.
I have my bank account at the local credit union, because they have to re-invest their profit into the community.
Other than that, I tend more towards favorite shops than favorite brands, and once I have decided that I need something, know how much I am willing to pay for it and have the money in my pocket, the rest is impulse shopping. If I let myself comparision-shop too much, I will never buy anything.
January 27, 2013 at 9:04 pm
ziplock for me and thats about it.. and its ziplock cause it gives me the best value. My loyalty is to my savings account.
January 28, 2013 at 12:25 am
How many people orgot to mention these – Q-TIPS!!
I also must have Aveda Lip Saver. They cost $11-14 in Toronto, but I try to buy mine in the USA where they’re sold for $9. I buy at least a dozen for my family a year… but it’s worth the price.
January 28, 2013 at 12:26 am
Ah, that should be Forgot….
January 28, 2013 at 2:05 pm
I agree with the above poster that I tend to be loyal to particular stores soemtimes rather than products, but I do have a few, and they are mostly food related. I think that goes to show that sometimes off-brand is just as good, but not all products are created equal…
Must haves (and I;ve tried the others!):
Kraft peanut butter
Q-tips
Allens apple juice
Yoplait yogurt
Ziplock freezer bags
Zero laundry detergent
Doritos Cool ranch chips
Caffine free diet coke
Heinz ketchup (especially for fries!)
Kraft dinner
It’s funny how many of these things also have to do with what you were fed as a child – now nothing tastes the same
.
January 28, 2013 at 7:00 pm
“Smart consumers aren’t loyal to a particular brand anymore because they’re always keeping their eyes open for the next good deal. They want a good price, they want quality and they want service. Sites and magazines like consumerreports.org have built their business of consumers shopping around.”
Gail, reading through the comments it seems the above message of your article was a bit lost. But on the up side the comment section of this post is great for free brand endorsement…you should ask for an advertising royalty. ; ). I have subscribed to Consumer Reports online for many years, its worth the ~$26 USD. But I always do a general ratings and review search before I buy pretty much anything. A good tip is any vehicle despite the brand has better rated years than others. I never buy on a new release or update year to wait for the bugs to be found and fixed. I do have preferred brands but am always open to changing if it’s the best quality at the best price. But that’s a VERY old and well known saying.
January 30, 2013 at 12:32 pm
President’s Choice products, when available
Clinique lash curling mascara, expensive but I love that it doesn’t smudge (removed by gently pulling off in the shower)
MAC Mineralize Liquid Foundation, now discontinued
Green Beaver body products, free from sulphates, etc. and they’re Canadian
Coca-Cola, for mix
Organicville ketchup, had always been a Heinz person but this has the BEST flavour
OB tampons, best protection and I see no need for an applicator
Q-Tips, the no name ones do not compare
Water Babies sunscreen, the foam is great for application
Haagen Dazs, if I’m going to indulge I might as well have the best
Tide sensitive, cheaping out on detergent results in ruined clothing in my experience
Aveeno unscented products, gentle on sensitive skin and very moisturizing
All that being said, I am open to trying new options as they come available, particularly if the price is significantly lower!
January 31, 2013 at 4:10 am
I used to be a lover of the Dawn liquid, for the same reasons you mentioned Gail. Until I saw Marketplace. The main reason I was buying it was because of the ducks they are supposed to be saving. They are actually contributing to their deaths, not saving them. See Marketplace’s show on it and this: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/09/14/greenwashing-labels-marketplace.html
February 3, 2013 at 2:38 am
I can honestly say that I started experimenting with House brands over 25 yrs ago and I have found some great ones and some not so great. There are some things we don’t compromise on, and try to buy them on sale whenever possible to stock up. My list is not as long as I thought it would be;
Hienz Ketchup
French’s mustard
Kraft cheese slices
Latancia skim milk(does not taste like skim)
Cascade -All in ones (only one that works with our well water so dishes are not spotted beyond belief)
Botanic’s eye cream – only one who carries it now is US Target stores and is half the price Shoppers used to charge)
Hienz tomato juice
Wisk laundry detergent
Olay cream
Shreddies
Zest
Illy coffee
Liberty yogurts
Skinny Cow treats
For everything else we pretty much rely on Costcos or sale flyers for. Major purchases are researched to death by hubby before we buy to make sure we get the best bang for our buck that we can. Some stuff like laundry soap etc is determined by allergic reactions more than sales. Tide causes one family member to break out into a nasty rash so we stopped trying to use it.
It has taken nearly 20 yrs but I have finally figured out if I send my husband out to do the “pick up a few things” that is all he brings home. Whereas I can be counted on for my list and the stuff on sale I pass by in the store. I have a trick I found works…list on the fridge for things we run out of and a weekly look at all the flyers from the stores we shop at regularly. I may write the sale stuff on a list on Friday. If by Tuesday I have not bothered to go to that particular store yet then what I wrote down can’t be that important to pick up.
February 3, 2013 at 2:51 am
I agree with Lori J., if it tastes like crap or wears out too fast or breaks down it is false economy. I did forget the clothes in the brand loyalty though. Ecco shoes for hubby and Rockport for me. Last forever, fit great and can be bought at a reasonable price interest outlet Stores or on Ebay. He likes Wranglers and I am an old navy girl. Both on sale are about $25 a pair and are long wearing. Found out years ago bad or cheap shoes will eventually get you back. A good pair of shoes will last a couple of years if you take care of them and your back will thank you for it.
February 3, 2013 at 3:01 am
For Sherri
When they took out phosphate from dw detergent they remade the product and many will not work with well water or hard water. I spoke to both the Finish and Cascade companies and the only one that had something that would work with well water or hard water was the Cascade All in One. Try it and see if it helps. I would run a quick cycle with vinegar first to get rid of the soap deposits interest DW and then try the all in ones. Use a rinse agent as well and if u can adjust the amount to max. I went as far as to bring in Sears to check the machine thinking it was malfunctioning and there was nothing wrong. That is when I started the research on the soap. Was getting tired of doing them by hand after every meal. Call us spoiled.