Gillette vs. Sure antiperspirant

As a new fan of the 99-Cent Store, it was my husband’s idea to try out 99-Cent Store products that could potentially replace more expensive, every-day products. Every few weeks or so my goal is to experiment with a 99-Cent Store product and see if it really could replace a product I use on a regular basis.

Our first product test drive: Sure Deodorant to replace Gillette Clear Gel

Many of the HBA products we purchase are name brands that cost a few dollars more than generic, our deodorant is one of them. We’ve been using the same deodorant for a while now, Gillette Clear Gel. I use it as well, though the smell is definitely more masculine than I’d prefer. However, the clear gel is a great feature, I don’t have to worry about white powder smearing onto my clothing. It also is a true antiperspirant and works great in warm climates.

Active Ingredient: Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex GLY 20%

What makes an antiperspirant work is its active ingredient. Finding a similar product at the 99-Cent Store was a bit challenging. After searching through the 99-Cent Store’s variety of deodorants, we lucked out and found Sure Max Unscented. We choose this brand mainly for its active ingredient and the delivery method; it oozes out of the top the same way as the Gillette Clear Gel.

Results

A few days of test driving the product, we found that it could potentially replace our current deodorant. Overall, if I were to score Gillette as an A product, I’d give Sure a B+ for the following reasons:

• Even-Steven: White deodorant dries clear as long as it is evenly applied. However, there is a higher chance of its white cream smearing on clothing.
• Even-Steven: Antiperspirant actually works just as well as the Gillette brand.
• Pro: No smell. The unscented deodorant truly is unscented and doesn’t smell like anything. I like that feature.
• Pro: A better priced item. Ounce per ounce, Sure costs .36 cents an ounce, where as Gillette on sale costs $1.00 an ounce.
• Con: Availability is a bit sketchy. After purchasing Sure and deciding we liked it, we went back to the 99-Cent Store the very next day and all the Sure deodorants were gone. I’m unsure (pardon my pun!) of the future availability of this product.
• Pro: Both products are made by Proctor & Gamble.
• Con: Sure’s packaging and roll-up wheel appears a little more quirky and makes noise compared to Gillette’s more expensive packaging.

Summary

I’m switching to Sure if I can find it again!

Mini-Roundup (Haven’t done this in a while!)

• Money Beagle with Apparently I’ve Been Using Too Much Soap : What happens when you mop the floor with only water? Suds appear!
• Family Balance Sheet with Are You Wasting Time and Preventing Yourself from Your Million Dollar Dream? Using a grocery store delivery might increase your chances of becoming a millionaire. Hmmm….
• Girl with the Red Balloon with I’m going to be an Aunt! But not a Mother. Apparently this poor gal has been getting pressured to have kids since the tender age of 19! Just say no is my motto. (p.s. I like kids, I just like seeing in the classroom, not in my home )

99-cents only

To reduce the amount I spend on my groceries and household items, I’ve started shopping at the 99-cent store. Of course I can’t buy everything there, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by a few items, such as shaving gel. However, many times, I arrive only to be greatly disappointed by the items on hand, the wilted and bruised produce (you read that correctly, a few of our stores here carry groceries), and the lack of brand-name items. Yet, I’ve realized there is a trick to obtaining the best quality items for only 99-cents: Call to find out what days they receive their deliveries!

It turns out that Tuesdays and Fridays are the best days to shop at my local 99-cent store because those are the days they receive their shipment of goods. So, Tuesday morning I headed over to my local store (now that I’m on summer break, I can do this in the morning!) Not only was I pleasantly surprised by their food goods, their produce was fresh and they had a large variety of fruits, veggies, and breads. Fresh strawberries and blueberries were stocked for only 99-cents, in contrast to my local grocery store where they are selling for $2.49 to $3.99 a pack. They also had name-brand items such as cases of Sparklett’s bottled water, a case of 30 individual bottles for $2.49! I also noticed an increase in shoppers, the ones that I’m sure are savvy to the 99-cent store delivery schedule.

This strategy, of calling to find out a store’s delivery day, got me thinking about how it could be beneficial for scoping out other retailers such as Cost Plus, Ross, even Goodwill. If the best quality items and the most variety of any item happens on a delivery day, then wouldn’t it be beneficial to call a favorite store and ask them about their delivery days? I know that from here on out I’ll be calling my favorite stores to find out when they can expect their next delivery. I’ll become one of those regular shoppers who appear on delivery days along with the little old ladies who learned this trick years ago!

Do you shop at the 99-cent store or discount stores? Do you call ahead to find out when they receive deliveries?