We will try about anything generic once...
The brands we stick with that I can think of:
Always (tried Target brand once...
)
Pampers or Huggies for Diapers...no generic ever worked.
DH uses Pert Plus
Biolage shampoo for me
Dove body soap
Bandaid Tough strips if it is for a place that is hard to keep a bandaid on
Hunts Tomatos with peppers and onions for chili
MIDS spagetti sauce
Thomas thin bagels
Laughing cow light cheese
We tend to go with better brands on longer lasting items as well...for example if we buy an electronic we will go either with a sony or a brand that made their name making that product...ie olympus or canon for cameras
Eyeglasses are another place we spend lots of money to get great frames and lenses since we don't replace them often.
Another key I think is learning about industries and what generics are made by what companies and how those industries are regulated. I had friends growing up whose dad worked for the generic industry and they swore by generics and would always look for them since it was dad's industry. The medical industry and baby formula are two of the safest.
One thing I have found disturbing recently is the quality of dollar tree goods. I bought some toothbrushes to use as soft brushes to clean younger DD's hair (she has cradle cap). The brushes were inside and sealed container with dirt on them. GROSS! I won't buy toothbrushes there again. I cleaned them off and they worked fine for my purpose, but there is no way I would have stuck them in one of our mouths!
)
