Ashley wrote this note to the producers of our favorite source of listening entertainment on our bikes, This American Life. If you haven’t checked out the show – do it.

Hi all –

I’m a fairly new listener to TAL, but I thoroughly enjoy the show

I was eating cereal this morning when a question entered my thoughts:

What is the difference between name-brand and off brand? How can they afford to produce the same product (more or less) at a reduced price? Is there a reduction in quality? What are the economics behind that?

I’d love to hear a show talking about this. As a young couple we frequently buy both types of product — it seems like that is a part of this American life, at least for us.

Thanks and all the best,
ashley