Branding Response

This is in response to L.B.’s Blog:

How do you feel? Do you come to expect certain things from certain brands? Do you prefer and insist on certain brands or are you open to anything?

When it comes to certain brands, I am pretty open to buying anything unless I am making a large purchase. The way the product looks and the quality of it is usually most important to me. I don’t necessarily think that particular brands have a higher quality than generic brands. For example, Uggs are a brand of boots in which all college female students have except for me probably. I can’t imagine spending $180 on a pair of boots that are not necessarily durable. My friend has a pair of Ugg boots and since the winters are sometimes intense, the salt from the roads has ruined the leather. Just because that is the new trend doesn’t mean I am going to buy them. I like certain brands because of the way the products look, but not really because of the quality. The only product that was an expensive purchase of mine was my Dansko shoes. I needed them because I was always on my feet at work and my back was starting to bother me. Not only are the handmade and durable, but they are comfortable and help support you feet well. If I am going to spend a lot of money on a product, then I want something that will last me a long time so I won’t have to replace it quickly. Do you agree with this? Do you prefer certain brands over others?

Product Variable~ Branding and Packaging

Products surround us in our daily lives, and all across this earth. When we buy products, the brand on the label is usually important to the consumer. The brand consists of a name, term, design, symbol or other feature that identifies a seller’s product and differentiates it from a competitor’s product. People tend to buy products of certain brands because it is a sign of status, brand loyalty, provides a form of self-expression, and evaluates the product’s quality. I feel that if I am buying a product that is fairly expensive, I tend to search for a good brand of that product because I want it to last a while. I don’t buy products of certain brands just because it is the new trend. For example, I work in a restaurant and am always on my feet so I bought a pair of Dansko’s which have helped my back. So for me it depends on the product that I am buying.

Packaging is an important factor when buying products. It involves the development of a container and a graphic design for a product. Product packaging has functions involving the protection of the product from being damaged, convenience to customers, and communicating its features. Some people may enjoy buying a particular brand, but sometimes convenience is better and consumers will buy another brand of the same product. I feel as if the packaging is very important when attracting the attention of customers. My attention would be drawn more to a package full of color than a packaging with only black and white. People want heavy duty packaging for items that are especially fragile. For example, my parents bought a patio set and when they brought it home and opened it, the glass was shattered in an area of the table. So they were very disappointed and sent it back.

Overall the brand and packaging of products is very important when buying certain products. I think that it is very important to focus on these two aspects because they can make a difference not only for the buyer, but also the seller. Brands and packaging make the products stand out from others. Do you agree? Do you think that people focus more on the brands or on the packaging of products? Do you believe that they are both very important?