Branding has the power to make us believe we’re getting something special—even when the reality doesn’t quite match the hype. It turns everyday products into must-haves, transforms copies into icons, and convinces us to pay more for the same thing just because of a name. Here are five products that prove just how much branding can influence what we buy and how we perceive value.
From the “Jeep Wave” to “Ducking,” the Cult of Jeep Life has turned this automaker into one of America’s most iconic.
All of us have probably felt a tinge of envy watching a Jeep roll down the road, doors off on a bright summer day. However, for a vehicle with such a dedicated following, you would expect it to be of higher quality.
Jeep has been raking in the awards, but not the ones they want. In 2022, Consumer Reports named Jeep as America’s worst car brand. But was 2022 a wake-up call? Not at all. In 2024 Consumer Reports came back and named the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee as two of the 10 least reliable vehicles this year.
So why is Jeep considered so iconic, even with such poor quality?
Branding.
The Jeep brand evokes a sense of adventure and freedom, while providing a unique driving experience that leans into those staple brand values. If only one of those values were reliability…
I love Oreos, you love Oreos, the world has loved Oreos since their inception, but did you know that Oreos are actually a knock-off? The ORIGINAL sandwich cookie was called Hydrox and was invented by Sunshine Biscuits in 1908. Nabisco took notice and released their own in 1912.
What resulted was a brand so successful that consumers soon believed Hydrox was the cheap knock-off.
You have to feel for Hydrox, but who really thought that name was a good idea? Maybe they shouldn’t have given their cookie a brand name that sounds like a toilet bowl cleaner.
Apple is the poster child of iconic American branding. Say what you will about iPhones being the same each year, but at least their price is similar to their top competitors.
The same cannot be said for the Mac Pro Wheels or Pro Stand. The Mac Pro Wheels, which literally are just wheels for the bottom of your Mac Pro, cost an INSANE $699. That is $175 a wheel.
The Pro Stand, not to be outdone by mere wheels, comes in at $999? I cannot imagine why a stand used to hold a monitor should cost more than most high-end monitors themselves. To make matters worse the Ergotron LX Desk Monitor offers the same functionality at just $250.
Apple’s design philosophy of keeping things sleek and simple, as well as their push to retain customers in their ecosystem, has allowed them to charge some absurdly high prices for their accessories.
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Tylenol and Advil both have generic alternatives (Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen) and yet they are still titans charging a premium in their industry. Here is a product listing for Tylenol and here is a listing for its generic sibling. Same strength, same count, same recipe. The difference? One costs $6.97 and the other $1.13. That is a 617% price markup! I promise you it is not 617% stronger.
Purchase generic and your wallet, too, can be cured of a headache.
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Does the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser work? Yes. The first time I used one, I thought the good folks at Procter & Gamble had come up with a cleaning miracle. This long-lasting scrubber truly does live up to its name. So what is the issue?
The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is mainly composed of one key material: melamine-formaldehyde condensate foam.
In fact you can purchase melamine cleaning sponges at a fraction of the cost of the Magic Eraser. A 6-Pack of Magic Erasers from Target will set you back $5.49… which does not feel like robbery until you realize ONE HUNDRED of these bad boys can be bought for $6.98 from Amazon.
They may function the same, but the generic sponges won’t have the same reassuring smile that only Mr. Clean can provide. And for some, that handsome devil makes the extra cost worth it.
If there’s one thing these five products prove, it’s that branding can be just as powerful—if not more—than quality, function, or even common sense. Jeep sells adventure over reliability. Oreo rewrote history. Apple turned necessity into luxury. Tylenol and Advil have mastered the power of familiarity. And Mr. Clean? Well, he made a piece of generic foam feel like magic.
Consumers don’t always buy the best product—they buy the product that makes them feel something. Whether it’s nostalgia, status, trust, or just really good marketing, branding has the power to elevate a product beyond its actual worth.
So, the next time you reach for a name brand over a generic, ask yourself: Are you paying for quality… or just the story they’ve told you?