Consumer tip of the day
04-20-2010, 06:50 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Consumer tip of the day
It occurred to me that most of us Vintage folks try to spend our money wisely, and not throw it away. When we run across a deal why not share that information here when a quality item, product or service that is equal to a brand name can be had for a less expensive price without sacrificing quality.
I believe that I have run across such a bargain.
The wiper blades on our Infiniti needed to be replace and over the weekend I was at Costco where I ran across Goodyear wiper blades. I did not even know that Goodyear made wiper blades. Not only are they made in the USA (quite a surprise) but they are $7.99 per blade regardless of the size. I picked up one 21" passenger side blade for $7.99 (compared to $19.99 at Advanced Auto Parts) and a 22" drivers side blade for $7.99 (compared to $20.99 at Advanced Auto Parts) I state compared to because in my opinion while replacing the Rain-X blades that were worn I was surprised to see that they are the same in every detail but one. On the Rain-X blade it has a small ID logo that is in the identical place that the Goodyear blade states: Goodyear. Every other aspect of the wiper blades seems to be identical.
Along these same lines years ago I compared Kirkland jeans at $12.99 to the Calvin Klein jeans that Costco also sells for $29.99, and short of the stitching on the back pockets they were identical in ever other detail including the weight of the denim. They even have the same rivets on the pockets and the same zipper.
This is not intended to be an endorsement of Costco but I just happen to find two examples there.
Do you know of any bargains like this where the quality is the same but the price is not? In today's economy most people can not afford to spend foolishly and I thought that this thread may be helpful.
Just my two cents.
04-21-2010, 04:27 AM
#2
Matt started this thread? I would have thought it would be a PA Jerry topic for sure. 
Most everyone watches their pennies these days.
CVS brands of Advil, Tylenol, are the same as the "real" deal. With a discount card from my health insurance company, I save another 20% on many store brand items, as long as they are not on sale.
We've tried store brands for various products over the years. Some are winners, some not.
When it comes to clothing. I don't want junk, but it does not have to be a high end brand name.
Most everyone watches their pennies these days.
CVS brands of Advil, Tylenol, are the same as the "real" deal. With a discount card from my health insurance company, I save another 20% on many store brand items, as long as they are not on sale.
We've tried store brands for various products over the years. Some are winners, some not.
When it comes to clothing. I don't want junk, but it does not have to be a high end brand name.
04-21-2010, 04:42 AM
#3
Water heaters are all made by A.O. Smith and Rheem. There is a third manufacturer, but they only sell to plumbers. If you need a water heater, just find out who makes the different labels and then you can compare prices for what are essentially the same heaters.
04-21-2010, 06:17 AM
#4
Registered User
04-21-2010, 08:02 AM
#6
Matt, thanks for startiing this thread. The only thing that I can offer is potential savings on auto/home insurance. I had my insurance agent run a credit check on me last year and it saved me 25% on car insurance. Many insurance companies charge higher premiums to people who have low credit scores. So if you have a good credit score you may want to check with your agent.
04-21-2010, 08:48 AM
#7
Registered User
^^what insurance company are you with?
Bill I have a Polaris water heater, are you sure it's made by A.O.Smith or Rheem? It's a $5000 water heater, needed to heat our warm floors, the only heat source in our house. (heats 50 gallons from dead cold to 130 degrees in less than 15 minutes)
Bill I have a Polaris water heater, are you sure it's made by A.O.Smith or Rheem? It's a $5000 water heater, needed to heat our warm floors, the only heat source in our house. (heats 50 gallons from dead cold to 130 degrees in less than 15 minutes)
