Are branded goods that are promoted with advertising of higher quality than similar “no-brand” items? That’s a question that has been around for at least a hundred years. Here’s a 1917 National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) ad which argues that consumers should, “Buy advertised goods – Do not accept substitutes.”
A Hundred Years Ago 
Some things don’t change.
I agree. 😊
Wow! Didn’t realize that!
I was surprised by how strongly this old advertisement promoted the importance of branding.
Advertising has a long history 🙂
How true. 😊 Advertising has probably been around in one way or another for as long as people have been selling things.
Of course those that advertised would say that 😀 Wonder what cookies disappeared due to no advertisments?
It’s a little sad to think about the small businesses that probably made high-quality products, but who couldn’t compete when it came to promoting a brand.
Except for the Fig Newtons and the grahams I don’t recognize any of the others. I’m pretty sure Nabisco still makes ginger snaps but they aren’t called ZuZu now. I’m probably half and half on brands and a lot of times it just loyalty based on tradition. For example, worchestershire sauce…always buy Lea and Perrins because that is what my mother bought and I never saw a reason to try another. But graham crackers? Anyone that is the cheapest…they all smash up the same into crumbs.
I also often purchase a brand based on tradition. Sometimes it just seems easier to buy something that I’ve purchased in the past than to try a different brand.
An aside – Lea and Perrins Worchestshire Sauce has been around for more than a hundred years. I have seen ads for it when browsing through magazines from the 1910’s.
Lol! Some things never change… I will use some generic brands.. but never in mayonnaise or miracle whip.
There definitely are taste variations for some foods across brands.
We’ve been suckered by advertising for more than a hundred years now… 😉
Sometimes I am surprised by how quickly things were becoming commercialized in the early 1900’s.
I recognize the Fig Newtons, the Uneeda Biscuits, and of course the graham crackers. There are some so-called “store brands” that I’ll buy, but very few. There’s no sense paying a premium for things like canned tomatoes or frozen veggies, but there are other things, like yogurt and ice cream, where there’s an obvious difference in quality.
I agree – there definitely are taste and quality variations for some products.
I always buy off brands and I am rarely sorry! :/)
I buy a mixture of branded and generic items. My favorite laundry detergent is the generic store brand, but when it comes to paper towels I always buy one particular national brand.
I will take a different viewpoint than many–something that is “unbranded” has no responsibility to protect its name, whereas a brand wants to protect itself. So if I buy Oreo’s cookies they are likely to be better than a generic cookie of the same sort. That said, I much prefer a homemade or even baker cookie to an Oreo ;).
I also tend to consider the likelihood that the quality will vary when making purchasing decisions. For example, when deciding which variety of sugar to buy, I might buy the generic brand since it is relatively inexpensive and I generally can’t see much variation in quality from one brand to the next; but I will always buy the more expensive brand-name spices because I think that the quality is higher.
I don’t believe them. Lol.
A like skepticism is always healthy. ☺️
Interesting… I go back and forth as my mood changes, although I do have some brand loyalty for a few processed foods. Doubt if I could pass a blind taste test for most kinds of food, though…
I am about like you. For some products, I have definite brand preferences; for others I don’t.
Surprising there are so many advertised brands in that photo that are still popular today.
I also found it surprising.
I’m guilty of this…I have some brands that I trust and buy over others (even when the others are cheaper), simply because I’m used to them. I guess I’m an advertiser’s dream!
I have brand loyalty for some items; for other things not so much.
Such fun to see what she is serving her ‘guests.’ And to think several of the items are still popular today!
It’s amazing how many products have existed for more than a century.
A-hundred-year-old ad!