To think that a supermarket's "own brand" stuff shouldn't be crap?

[gail734]

Basically I'm here to "name and shame" one product and to ask for your similar experiences. I grew up near a Safeway store and my mum often bought their own brand stuff. When presented with Heinz baked beans, my brothers thought they tasted funny!
Last weekend I bought Tesco's version of a Magnum (choc ice on a stick) lolly. It's called Chocolatino, three for £1. Literally inedible Weirdly chalky and went in the bin. I would have taken them back if I could work out the logistics of returning an ice lolly. Maybe I was BU to expect something decent at that price? Surely their own brand stuff should almost be a loss-leader, to get you into the store?

[CloudsAndTrees]

Own brand stuff is always cheaper, so you get what you pay for. It's usually made by the branded companies, but they use lower quality ingredients and cheaper production methods.

YANBU to think it shouldn't be crap, but YABU to think that it should be cheaper but still as good as branded stuff.

[wonderingsoul]

it dpends on y our tatste really doesnt it, you may not have liked them, but some one else, may have. esp children... children arnt so fussy when it comes to icecream and chocolate.

but ynbu :)

[BookieMonster]

I think it's trial and error. Some own brand stuff is great, others not so much. Chalk it up to experience!

[HollyBerryBush]

Own brand is made by the branded factories - eg Crosse & Blackwell make Tesco own brand baked beans.

Brand snobs amuse me no end. Because there is no difference apart from the packaging.

[FadedSapphire]

I prefer Tesco everyday value jaffa cakes to original.
Not tried their own brand magnums.

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

Some of its good, some of its crap. Much the same as branded stuff really.

[gail734]

Po I am aware that this is a sad topic for a fred, but DD has just fallen asleep on me while BF and I'm enjoying the peace, so I'm not moving.
It's not the ice cream, it's the feeling that I've been robbed. It wasn't just a bit duff, it was properly disgusting. It may have put me off real Magnums! Noooo!

[Tee2072]

Find my Tesco Everyday Value coffee thread. Great list of good own brand products in there.

[MrsMook]

I find own brands vary. Generally I like Morrisons, but find ASDA rather poor. I did an online shop at Sainsbury's a couple of months ago and binned the digestives as they tasted very oily- no issues with Morrisons value (same ingrediant list) or Lidl. Normally Sainsbury's are fine, but even the 2yr old wouldn't touch them!

[SoleSource]

Co~Op own brands are usually vile.

[gail734]

On the other hand, DH loves Tesco houmous so much that he would really like me to go out of my way and pass other supermarkets to get it. HollyBerry My bonkers MIL hates Estee Lauder and much prefers Jo Malone - (owned by... Estee Lauder, ha ha). Not exactly houmous and ice cream, but still..

[Aworryingtrend]

I bought Sainsburys own brand balti curry paste thinking it would be virtually the same as Pataks. Wrong. It smelled and tasted like lemon kitchen cleaner and was inedible. I meant to complain and never got round to it.

[GoatsHaveStrangeEyes]

You can walk into a Tesco with or without your receipt and even without the product. Say it was vile and you threw it away and they will refund you the money.

[LottieJenkins]

Sainsburys Value Tea Bags are fab! 27p for 80 and they are Fair Trade too! I have converted three friends to them too!

[Flobbadobs]

I find the own brand in general to be no different. The Value stuff though is very hit and miss. I have less than fond memories of the holiday breakfast served up the year I bought Asda Value weetabix instead of the own brand! Cardboard covered in milk IMO..

[Flobbadobs]

Smart Price. Not Value.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I have sainsburys value tea too. After 2 years and 5 months I've still not told dh we don't have pg tips anymore.

[plainjaney]

I find it hit and miss, I use Ocado and I'm happy with all of the Ocado/Waitrose value range (The mandarin cheesecake at £1.99 is just out of this world).

I've had a few Tesco Value bits that I wouldn't buy again but I'm not adverse to trying them :)

[tomorowisanotherday]

after a period of financial instability we downgraded from premium A brand products to B brand products.

Our financial status meant we had to cut the cloth further and downgraded again.

we currently have a cupboard full of own brand and lidls. I agree that it does take a little getting used to, but now DD will only eat lidls spaghetti hoops and refuses all other spaghetti hoops!

I think that half the problem is the perception of the product... i bet most things wouldn't score so badly in a blind test.

OP... I'd have insisted you eat them, or give them to to the kids (and the kids friends) because wasting food is criminal, when there are so many people in this country and the rest of the world not knowing where their next mouthful of food is coming from.

[Crinkle77]

I think it's trial and error with supermarket own brand stuff. Some stuff is ok but if I try it and don't like it then just don't buy it again. I would not expect the value range to be as good as the more expensive ranges

[Tee2072]

Here's the thread I meant.

Lost of 'own' brand reccs.

[gail734]

Thanks, Tee. I looked for it but couldn't find it. Will click your link now.