What is a brand? When I was younger, it was a patch on the back of blue jeans that we couldn’t afford. It was a label to be identified with. As I’ve gotten older, I find myself seeing brands in a new light. When I’m purchasing an item either online or in a store, I find myself torn over which product to purchase. Do I go with the Extra Value can of black beans, which may in fact contain beans (possibly mushy or flavorless) or do I pay 5 cents more per can for Bush’s, which I’ve eaten? While the difference is only 5 cents in price, am I willing to gamble?
Most times a brand name company starts a product out on the ground level. A need or desire for the product is determined and development begins. That development can take years to make it to the shelf. During that time the product is tested, approved by governing bodies and then marketing is put in place to educate and sell to the public. Then, the brand’s representatives are educated on how to sell and support the product.
A generic company acquires a formula to a product that is already on the market. There is no development, because it’s an existing product, and it can go immediately to the shelf in a different package. No education is developed because that doesn’t fit into the generic manufacturer’s budget. Instead of a representative, there’s a 1-800 number on the package of the product, which puts you on the line with someone in Asia, maybe. Otherwise you are sent to a voicemail that never returns your call. Either way, you’re on your own.
When it comes to spraying hundreds of gallons of anything, you certainly want to know that it does what it’s supposed to. If it doesn’t work, you want to have a face, name or an existing customer service department to contact. If you’re the gambling type, you’ll need to stomach to swallow the lack of control on your targeted species. As for Edko, we’ll take our herbicide like we take our beans; branded.