What wouldn’t you downshift on?

7 April 2014

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Our Downshift Challenge is all about trying dropping one brand level, as the savings can be huge. Often, you can’t notice the difference, but that’s not always the case.  And if the quality’s worse, going cheaper can (on occasion) be a false economy. Which of these 18 common downshifts WOULDN'T you skimp on? (Only vote on items you buy.)

Our Downshift Challenge is all about trying dropping one brand level, as the savings can be huge. Often, you can’t notice the difference, but that’s not always the case.  And if the quality’s worse, going cheaper can (on occasion) be a false economy.

Which of these 18 common downshifts WOULDN'T you skimp on? (Only vote on items you buy.)

Results

Alcoholic drinks (9058 votes)

Skimp away		4557 votes (50%)
Quality counts		4501 votes (50%)

Baked beans (9903 votes)

Skimp away		4921 votes (50%)
Quality counts		4982 votes (50%)

Bin bags/ liners (9816 votes)

Skimp away		6542 votes (67%)
Quality counts		3274 votes (33%)

Cola drinks (8731 votes)

Skimp away		3345 votes (38%)
Quality counts		5386 votes (62%)

Fruit and veg (10186 votes)

Skimp away		5816 votes (57%)
Quality counts		4370 votes (43%)

Haircuts (using a cheaper hairdresser/ DIY) (9815 votes)

Skimp away		5502 votes (56%)
Quality counts		4313 votes (44%)

Painkillers (9932 votes)

Skimp away		9200 votes (93%)
Quality counts		732 votes (7%)

Pet food (7759 votes)

Skimp away		4413 votes (57%)
Quality counts		3346 votes (43%)

Razors/ razor blades (8786 votes)

Skimp away		4097 votes (47%)
Quality counts		4689 votes (53%)

Sausages (9687 votes)

Skimp away		1546 votes (16%)
Quality counts		8141 votes (84%)

Shampoo/ conditioner (10079 votes)

Skimp away		4909 votes (49%)
Quality counts		5170 votes (51%)

Shoes (10093 votes)

Skimp away		3600 votes (36%)
Quality counts		6493 votes (64%)

Socks/ tights (9585 votes)

Skimp away		7178 votes (75%)
Quality counts		2407 votes (25%)

Tea bags (9914 votes)

Skimp away		3424 votes (35%)
Quality counts		6490 votes (65%)

Tin foil (9772 votes)

Skimp away		8336 votes (85%)
Quality counts		1436 votes (15%)

Toilet roll (10320 votes)

Skimp away		5053 votes (49%)
Quality counts		5267 votes (51%)

Underwear (9941 votes)

Skimp away		4533 votes (46%)
Quality counts		5408 votes (54%)

Washing-up liquid (10223 votes)

Skimp away		5136 votes (50%)
Quality counts		5087 votes (50%)

           11,156 people have voted.

We try to use technology to limit voting to one per person. Occasionally, this may erroneously block a few people's votes (eg, from shared offices). Apologies for that.