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PaperclipPerfector  4mo ago (text post)   2840 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for December 17, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Why do people buy name brand over generic groceries? They're often identical. Are people just stupid? But it's such a blatant case about which product is better. They'll be identical products, next to each other on the shelf, except one costs about 25% less. The only difference is that the other product has commercials advertising it. I have friends insist that name brand tastes better, but the contents are literally identical.

How do you know that the contents are literally identical? Can you give me an example of the products you're talking about?

Many generic products are subtly worse, or at least different in ways that one might rationally prefer the name brand. And figuring out which is which takes time and energy, for every Kirkland Signature albacore tuna which is superior there's JoeJoes trader Joe's knockoff Oreos which are in-fucking-edible. Trying those has costs involved, so people just buy name brand.

I assume someone must like the shitty generics enough to make it worth selling them, so tastes as always differ. Consider that you might have a less discerning taste regarding, idk, pasta sauce or whatever.

You're just wrong, joe joes are delicious.

Exactly my point, you could get me cross faded and have me hike ten miles and I'd still leave a box of Joe Joe's alone on the table.

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