8 brands boomers trust that younger people know are overpriced

Growing up, I watched my parents religiously buy certain brands without questioning the price tag.

They'd reach for the same products every single time, convinced they were getting superior quality.

But here's the thing: younger generations have grown up with the internet. We've learned to compare prices, read reviews, and understand that a higher price doesn't always mean better quality.

Today, I'm breaking down eight brands that boomers swear by, but that younger shoppers recognize as seriously overpriced.

1. Bose speakers and headphones

Walk into any boomer's home office and there's a good chance you'll spot Bose equipment somewhere.

My dad spent nearly $400 on Bose headphones a few years back, convinced they were the absolute best. When I tried them, sure, they sounded good. But did they sound $400 good? Not really.

Younger consumers have discovered that brands like Sony, Sennheiser, and even budget options like Anker produce audio equipment that rivals Bose at a fraction of the cost. Audio enthusiasts on Reddit and YouTube have done countless blind tests showing that Bose's sound quality doesn't justify the premium pricing.

The truth is, Bose built its reputation on being first to market with certain technologies. But the competition has caught up, and in many cases, surpassed them.

2. Harley-Davidson motorcycles

There's something almost sacred about Harley-Davidson to the boomer generation. It represents freedom, rebellion, and American manufacturing at its finest.

But ask any millennial or Gen Z motorcycle enthusiast, and they'll tell you a different story.

Harleys are notoriously expensive to purchase and maintain. You're paying for the brand name and the lifestyle image, not necessarily superior engineering. Japanese brands like Yamaha, Honda, and Kawasaki offer bikes with better performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency at significantly lower prices.

I've mentioned this before, but brand loyalty often blinds us to better options. Younger riders have done their homework and realized that the Harley premium doesn't translate to a premium riding experience.

3. Designer jeans like True Religion and 7 For All Mankind

Remember when spending $200 on jeans was considered normal among certain crowds?

Boomers latched onto these premium denim brands in the early 2000s and many never let go. They see the price as an indicator of quality and durability.

Here's what younger shoppers know: the markup on designer jeans is astronomical. You're paying for a label stitched onto the back pocket, not materially better construction or fabric.

Brands like Levi's, Uniqlo, and even Target's house brands now produce jeans that fit well and last just as long for a quarter of the price. As noted by fashion industry analysts, the cost to manufacture a pair of designer jeans versus a mid-range pair is often negligible. The difference is pure branding.

4. Cable television packages

This one might seem obvious to younger folks, but it's worth discussing because so many boomers still refuse to cut the cord.

My parents pay over $150 a month for a cable package with hundreds of channels they never watch. When I suggest streaming services, they insist cable is more reliable and offers better value.

Do the math though. Netflix, Hulu, and a couple of other streaming services combined cost less than half of what they're paying for cable. Plus, you actually get to choose what you watch instead of being tied to broadcast schedules.

Younger generations grew up streaming content on demand. We can't fathom paying premium prices for the inconvenience of scheduled programming and endless commercials.

5. Hallmark greeting cards

Five to seven dollars for a piece of folded cardstock with a generic message inside. Let that sink in.

Boomers see Hallmark as the gold standard of greeting cards. They believe that showing you care means buying an expensive card from a recognized brand.

But younger people have realized this is wasteful in multiple ways. Financially, you're paying an absurd markup. Environmentally, you're contributing to paper waste for something that gets displayed for a week and then thrown away.

Dollar stores sell perfectly acceptable cards for a fraction of the price. Or better yet, younger folks often opt for digital cards or simply write heartfelt text messages. The sentiment matters more than the brand name embossed on the envelope.

6. DirecTV and premium satellite services

Why are we dedicating another point to television services? Because satellite deserves its own callout.

DirecTV and similar satellite services charge premium prices while offering less flexibility than modern streaming options. Installation fees, equipment rental, early termination fees, the list of additional costs goes on and on.

Boomers were sold on satellite as the ultimate TV experience, especially in rural areas where cable wasn't available. They've stayed loyal even as internet speeds have improved and streaming has become viable everywhere.

This is backed by market research showing that satellite TV subscriptions are declining rapidly among younger demographics. We see these services as outdated technology with outdated pricing models.

7. Craftsman tools from Sears

There was a time when Craftsman tools represented the best quality you could buy. Boomers remember when the lifetime warranty actually meant something.

But here's what changed: Sears sold the Craftsman brand, and quality has declined while prices remained high. Many of the tools are now manufactured overseas using the same facilities as budget brands.

Younger DIYers and professionals have figured this out. We've discovered that brands like Tekton, Harbor Freight's house brands, and even Amazon Basics offer comparable quality at much lower prices. Professional mechanics often use a mix of brands based on what offers the best value for specific tools, not blind loyalty to a name.

The Craftsman brand is coasting on its historical reputation, and boomers are still paying for that history rather than current quality.

8. Land O'Lakes butter and other premium grocery brands

Watch a boomer shop for groceries and you'll notice something interesting. They reach for specific brands without checking prices or considering alternatives.

Land O'Lakes butter, Grey Poupon mustard, Hellmann's mayonnaise. These products can cost twice as much as store brands that are literally manufactured in the same facilities.

As noted by food industry insiders, many store brand products are made by the same companies that produce name brands. The only difference is the packaging and the price.

Younger shoppers have grown up during economic uncertainty. We've learned to read labels, compare ingredients, and recognize when we're paying extra for nothing more than familiar packaging. Blind taste tests repeatedly show that people can't distinguish between premium grocery brands and their store brand equivalents.

The bottom line

Look, I get it. There's comfort in brands you've trusted for decades. And to be fair, some of these companies did deserve their reputations once upon a time.

But markets change, companies change ownership, and new competitors emerge with better value propositions.

Younger generations aren't necessarily smarter shoppers. We just grew up with tools that make it easier to research, compare, and make informed decisions. We've also lived through economic conditions that forced us to question every purchase.

The brands on this list aren't necessarily bad products. They're just overpriced for what you're actually getting. And in a world where information is freely available, paying for brand prestige alone doesn't make much sense anymore.

Next time you reach for that familiar brand, maybe take a second to ask yourself: am I buying this because it's genuinely the best option, or just because it's what I've always bought?