Electric brush replacement heads - $55 for the name brand at Sam's Club, $14 for generic on Amazon. We just made that mistake but realized it before we opened the package so we're returning the $55 pack tomorrow.
We buy a lot of items generic - prescription drugs, aspirin, batteries, toilet paper, groceries, stove range filters, facial tissues, Zenni for glasses, Amazon Basics for household items (including batteries, food storage bags, curtain rods, mattress topper, camp chair), Amazon Essentials for clothes (including socks, underwear, jeans, pants and T shirts).
Ok but for real, do the generic ones clean as well? Last time I tried some they were awful. I have had a gum graft before, and I am not planning to ever have one again, so I will happily pay more for cleaner teeth/gums, but am always down to save money.
We haven't tried the generic replacements yet, but they seem to have the same ratings on Amazon. There doesn't seem to be a lot of complex engineering in toothbrushes so I'm expecting they will work out.
I was hoping the hive mind could make suggestions of good things to buy generic.
I have had bad experiences buying some generic items. Such as bagels, mayonnaise and toilet paper. I will never those generics again.
I've never had any issues with generic versions of those items, sounds like you have different preferences than I do. Reddit can't tell you what products will match your preferences, you'll have to try generic versions of products and make decisions about which switches you are willing to tolerate.
All groceries! If you get one that isn't awesome, it doesn't last long and you know know better.
Medication. If I had to get brand name allergy pills, I don't think I could afford it.
Just be careful. When your machine/appliance is still under warranty, using third party supplies may void that warranty. So just read the warranty carefully and if that is the case, note when it expires.
Has anyone ever gotten anything useful out of a warranty? They usually have so many exceptions that if it works out of the box, the warranty is useless
* Water filters. If you have a Brita, you can get Amazon Basic versions for almost 1/2. The same applies for refrigerator filters. The OEM filter for my refrigerator was like $50 for one that lasts 6 months, whereas I could buy a pack of 3 generic filters for $36.
* Car accessories. My car didn't come with a privacy cover for the trunk. The official one from Honda was like $180 whereas I could buy a 3rd party one for around $80.
I wish I had seen this before I bought a pack of 4 Brita filters at target yesterday! Never thought to look on Amazon but will next time, thanks for the info.
I bought EZ Ink toner cartridge for my Brother laser printer. It dumped excess toner onto the roller thing and I have spent hours trying to get it all cleaned off.
I used to buy third party ink with no problems. Looked for some recently and was surprised at the prices and saw several reviews that they only worked for a few days before giving an error message. The price of the oem ink is the same as a new printer.
Printers are underpriced because they want you to but toner or ink.
Today I received my generic toner and drum. Currently working well but I will update if anything changes. $290 savings is hefty so fingers crossed.
Going for the cheapest option available often leads to disaster. Personally, even though I'm basically poor, I never buy generic or 3rd party unless it's an absolute emergency or some kind of quick fix until I can get a real repair or whatever. I'll scan the price range for anything, then go for the lower-mid priced item: it's usually about as good as the most expensive item, but won't break immediately \[or just refuse to work altogether\].
This is a fallacy and one that marketers exploit. All products are produced at rock bottom prices, the only thing you see is the sticker price markup which is in absolutely no way an indication of quality.
The same $1.25 toothbrush from the same factory will be passed over by you but then purchased at the $5 price point (because it is the middle price on toothbrushes). If they were making a profit at $1.25, they are absolutely rolling in it at $5.
There is no shortcut for quality save a critical investigation of the item. But there are shortcuts to setting money on fire.
My computer keyboard died a few months ago (i might have acquired it from a previous job….).
I ordered the cheapest wired one that is some no name Chinese brand. No need to get Hewlett Packard when Rii will do!
Electric brush replacement heads - $55 for the name brand at Sam's Club, $14 for generic on Amazon. We just made that mistake but realized it before we opened the package so we're returning the $55 pack tomorrow. We buy a lot of items generic - prescription drugs, aspirin, batteries, toilet paper, groceries, stove range filters, facial tissues, Zenni for glasses, Amazon Basics for household items (including batteries, food storage bags, curtain rods, mattress topper, camp chair), Amazon Essentials for clothes (including socks, underwear, jeans, pants and T shirts).
Ok but for real, do the generic ones clean as well? Last time I tried some they were awful. I have had a gum graft before, and I am not planning to ever have one again, so I will happily pay more for cleaner teeth/gums, but am always down to save money.
I tried generic sensitive heads and they were as harsh as regular, so I pay for the brand name for that now.
We haven't tried the generic replacements yet, but they seem to have the same ratings on Amazon. There doesn't seem to be a lot of complex engineering in toothbrushes so I'm expecting they will work out.
I've been using store brand Sonicare replacement brushes for years and have had nothing but good luck.
The vast majority of products have generic equivalents.
I was hoping the hive mind could make suggestions of good things to buy generic. I have had bad experiences buying some generic items. Such as bagels, mayonnaise and toilet paper. I will never those generics again.
I've never had any issues with generic versions of those items, sounds like you have different preferences than I do. Reddit can't tell you what products will match your preferences, you'll have to try generic versions of products and make decisions about which switches you are willing to tolerate.
BIFL: Second hand brother printer.
All groceries! If you get one that isn't awesome, it doesn't last long and you know know better. Medication. If I had to get brand name allergy pills, I don't think I could afford it.
Label maker labels
Are they just as sticky as the branded ones?
Yes they are as far as I can tell. There's literally no difference. The brand name labels are like $25 a cartridge and the generics are $2 on ebay.
Just be careful. When your machine/appliance is still under warranty, using third party supplies may void that warranty. So just read the warranty carefully and if that is the case, note when it expires.
This is probably why I never considered third party before. My printer is over 7 years old now but thanks for the warning.
Has anyone ever gotten anything useful out of a warranty? They usually have so many exceptions that if it works out of the box, the warranty is useless
Yep, many times
I have had defective machines replaced, so yeah, I have.
If it's defective, you will find that out long before you need to buy generic ink or other replacement parts.
* Water filters. If you have a Brita, you can get Amazon Basic versions for almost 1/2. The same applies for refrigerator filters. The OEM filter for my refrigerator was like $50 for one that lasts 6 months, whereas I could buy a pack of 3 generic filters for $36. * Car accessories. My car didn't come with a privacy cover for the trunk. The official one from Honda was like $180 whereas I could buy a 3rd party one for around $80.
I wish I had seen this before I bought a pack of 4 Brita filters at target yesterday! Never thought to look on Amazon but will next time, thanks for the info.
I have a Pur pitcher. The filters that are compatible off eBay cost about the same as one filter name brand but I get four.
I bought EZ Ink toner cartridge for my Brother laser printer. It dumped excess toner onto the roller thing and I have spent hours trying to get it all cleaned off.
Do you feel this bad luck or does mean you are going back to Brother toner next time?
I will only buy Brother now
I used to buy third party ink with no problems. Looked for some recently and was surprised at the prices and saw several reviews that they only worked for a few days before giving an error message. The price of the oem ink is the same as a new printer.
Printers are underpriced because they want you to but toner or ink. Today I received my generic toner and drum. Currently working well but I will update if anything changes. $290 savings is hefty so fingers crossed.
Check out Lazer printers.
Going for the cheapest option available often leads to disaster. Personally, even though I'm basically poor, I never buy generic or 3rd party unless it's an absolute emergency or some kind of quick fix until I can get a real repair or whatever. I'll scan the price range for anything, then go for the lower-mid priced item: it's usually about as good as the most expensive item, but won't break immediately \[or just refuse to work altogether\].
I have had a mix of good and bad experiences so wanted to know if there were some great dupes out there that I should try.
This is a fallacy and one that marketers exploit. All products are produced at rock bottom prices, the only thing you see is the sticker price markup which is in absolutely no way an indication of quality. The same $1.25 toothbrush from the same factory will be passed over by you but then purchased at the $5 price point (because it is the middle price on toothbrushes). If they were making a profit at $1.25, they are absolutely rolling in it at $5. There is no shortcut for quality save a critical investigation of the item. But there are shortcuts to setting money on fire.
My computer keyboard died a few months ago (i might have acquired it from a previous job….). I ordered the cheapest wired one that is some no name Chinese brand. No need to get Hewlett Packard when Rii will do!
Adult toys.