Antifreeze a 50/50 chance....and I blew it twice!

I bought a car for the first time in my life and I have not a clue really what happens inside this monster machine. So when the display said to me "It is time to change the antifreeze/cooling liquid" I walked into the gas station and asked them what antifreeze I should have and they responded blue as there is also a red. That was over a year ago and now we need to fill it up again so I thought maybe I should check with the mechanical firm just to be sure. They said it should be red not blue liquid. Ups...OK so now we had to surrender the car and get it emptied and refilled with RED antifreeze. The cost!? well, 1500 SEK around 150 Euros. That was an expensive antifreeze...Then I spoke to my car crazy brother-in-law and he claims that I was fooled again! That it does not matter which colour it is as it is just two different manufacturer and it is all the same. Lord Oh Mighty!!!