Aldi?

[TwoMisfits]

I joke that the vibe at our Aldi's is the Utopian vision of how the UN should work. We've got all ages, genders, and races represented and everyone is polite and friendly, giving away their cart without taking back a quarter, giving away extra newspaper Aldi coupons, helping find stuff, etc. Last month, I was amazed that when I was there and the Christmas stuff all went to 25 cents and 50 cents (literally while I was in the shop), and it was all in one tight aisle, no one pushed, no one shoved, no one stole each other's stuff, no one fought for items, people helped grab items for others, and it was the most pleasant "free for all" I've ever been in...I also got the best stollen right from Germany and regret only getting 2 of them for 50 cents each...but my waistline is probably thankful!

 

[Bunch0rz5]

Love shopping here !!

 

[agavegirl1]

Another fan of Aldi's here! We buy most of our groceries here! Just recently tried their garbage bags and dishwasher tabs. Love them!

Tell me more about the dishwasher tabs. I abhor paying the prices I do for them even though I do buy brand name at Sam's Club.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I love Aldi! We actually have 2 stores nearby. One of them has a sort of grumpy vibe, lol. The other is super friendly, bright & cheerful! The thing is, you have to realize that each time you go they may offer different items. I sort of think of it like a treasure hunt haha. Their organic produce is really reasonably priced compared to the regular grocery stores. Not sure what your food allergies are, but we're a gluten free, organic family & find so many great offerings at Aldi that are literally a fraction of the cost of other stores. Also, we've found their organic meats (when they have them) to be terrific!

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Tell me more about the dishwasher tabs. I abhor paying the prices I do for them even though I do buy brand name at Sam's Club.

I'd like to hear more about the trash bags too!

 

[kidshop]

I'd like to hear more about the trash bags too!

I use the trash bags, the cheap ones that are 80 for 4.99. I have never had one break or leak. They suit my needs just fine.

 

[mrsabbott]

The trash bags are Boulder.. They are the white, scented ones that are slightly stretchy and have the drawstrings. Just as sturdy as the Hefty brand. I've had no breakage or leaking issues at all. The dishwasher tabs are Reeva brand. Comparable to cascade or Finnish (which is the brand I normally use). No complaints at all with them! Dishes are clean, no powdery or filmy residue. Now, we have hard water so I do use Lemi-shine sometimes, but even when I don't the dishes look great!
I tried them out of desperation. I am hesitant when it comes to some generics, but our budget was minimal that week and we were out of both things! I was pleasantly surprised and will continue to buy these from Aldi's!
I also tried their TP, which wasn't bad at all, but Hubs is more picky than I am and prefers name brand. Also, their baggies are good too but they never carry the snack sized which we use most often.

 

[nugov2]

I agree the friendliness varies. My regular is super friendly and the other ones I bit from time to time are not crabby, but not as friendly. Probably just because I don't know the workers like I do at the regular. People are always letting people go in front of them who only a few items and i notice that happens at all of them.

 

[LilyWDW]

Okay, so I had to get out of the house today for some "me" time and I decided to swing by Aldi. Mostly I just looked around though I bought a few things. Prices were really good, especially on their snack type stuff like others pointed out. There was quite a selection of items that I could have which surprised me (a lot of cheap products use soy as a filler and I am soy free among other things). I picked up some cookies, granola bars, blueberries (amazing price!!), a can of peaches (to try their brand), corn bread mix, sandwich bags, and slow cooker liners. When my next grocery day comes up, I will head there first to get what I can before going to my main store. There were a few items that were the same price as the Giant Eagle brand at Market District and I wasn't very happy with the look of the meats so will most likely skip those.

 

[lvillotta1]

We love our Aldi!!!! My store is big,bright and very clean. I buy everything there except meat. Our produce selection is amazing. Everything turns over so fast that the food is so fresh. I always ask the cashiers when the trucks will be coming in and what time they will have fresh produce out and plan to be there. Aldi's has been such a huge financial help as our cash flow is tight and I feel I can get plenty of food for 2 weeks unlike other stores I can not. I am always excited to go in and see what new stuff they have.

 

[Dakota731]

DH's coworkers refer to Aldi as the food stamps store.

Our store is the opposite - very upscale shoppers. We have a Price Rite nearby which the clerk told me I was the only customer who didn't use food stamps that day! I save about $30 a week if I go to Aldi versus my chain grocery store. They don't always have every item on my list but they are coming closer and closer.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I love Aldi! We buy less than half of our food there, but I get so excited about the things go I can buy there. Wild caught shrimp, yummy cheese, cheap dairy, fresh berries, etc. I LOVE their imported olive oil, and most of the baking goods. The Clancy'a cheetos are better than the name brand, IMO.

DH's coworkers refer to Aldi as the food stamps store. Such small minds.

It amazes me how some people make class based assumptions when something is associated with a lower price point. I bet most of those people have never set foot in an Aldi store. Reminds me a lot of the types of assumptions I see made a lot on these boards with regards to who stays offsite or at the value resorts. Most people would be surprised at the demographic of people that frequently shop at Aldi. A few months ago I saw a seasoned anchor woman from one of our regional television stations park her Mercedes Benz in the Aldi parking lot and got out of her car with her two kids and went into the store. She had her quarter and reusable bags ready too . I've also seen my local bank's branch manager and our pediatrician at Aldi too.

 

[amcc]

Yeah, the people who look down on Aldi don't know what they are missing. Alot of their specialty food is imported from the source - Italy for their Italian event, German for Oktoberfest, European chocolates for Easter - at prices that are unreal for China sourced junk from other stores. Last night I made my last pack of oatmeal, cranberry, walnut ready to bake cookies that I bought for $0.25 right after Christmas and they were, by far, the best ready to bake cookies I've ever had.

 

[quagmire0]

Biggest knock on Aldi for me is the selection. It just isn't there. That means I have to make an extra trip to another store or two. I will say that they prices on stuff I have purchased have ranged from great to equal to what I have found elsewhere. If you're someone who generally has very simple grocery needs, it's perfect. If you do a lot of organic or cooking that requires more 'exotic' (for lack of a better word) ingredients, shopping there will drive you nuts.

 

[havaneselover]

It amazes me how some people make class based assumptions when something is associated with a lower price point. I bet most of those people have never set foot in an Aldi store. Reminds me a lot of the types of assumptions I see made a lot on these boards with regards to who stays offsite or at the value resorts. Most people would be surprised at the demographic of people that frequently shop at Aldi. A few months ago I saw a seasoned anchor woman from one of our regional television stations park her Mercedes Benz in the Aldi parking lot and got out of her car with her two kids and went into the store. She had her quarter and reusable bags ready too . I've also seen my local bank's branch manager and our pediatrician at Aldi too.

http://www.businessinsider.com/whole-foods-customers-vs-aldi-2015-5

My $0.02 is that Aldi in my area does not appeal to the upper middle class.

 

[havaneselover]

I live somewhere where we have oodles of grocery chains with more on the way. Prices are already very low. I find sales prices are better than Aldi. I tried to like Aldi and I love to save money, but it just wasn't worth it for our family.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

http://www.businessinsider.com/whole-foods-customers-vs-aldi-2015-5

My $0.02 is that Aldi in my area does not appeal to the upper middle class.

It certainly may not appeal to a variety of people of varying income levels (low or high) depending on their shopping preferences. You certainly aren't able to grab a cup of Starbucks on your way out the door at Aldi like you can at the popular chain grocery store in my area. But my prior post intended to dispel the broad assumption that shopping somewhere with lower prices reflects class status. You certainly don't have to be on food stamps, or over 60 with a fixed income or a SAHM (like the article in your above link profiles) to be someone who enjoys shopping somewhere where they feel they are getting a good value for their dollar.

 

[TippeeCanoe]

http://www.businessinsider.com/whole-foods-customers-vs-aldi-2015-5

My $0.02 is that Aldi in my area does not appeal to the upper middle class.

It doesn't here, either. I prefer a store with great selection, great quality, clean, bright and fantastic customer service.

 

[havaneselover]

It certainly may not appeal to a variety of people of varying income levels (low or high) depending on their shopping preferences. You certainly aren't able to grab a cup of Starbucks on your way out the door at Aldi like you can at the popular chain grocery store in my area. But my prior post intended to dispel the broad assumption that shopping somewhere with lower prices reflects class status. You certainly don't have to be on food stamps, or over 60 with a fixed income or a SAHM (like the article in your above link profiles) to be someone who enjoys shopping somewhere where they feel they are getting a good value for their dollar.

Of course you don't. But the typical Aldi customer is very different from the typical Whole Foods customer. That's the article's point.

But my bigger point is Aldi doesn't give me good value for my dollar because I live in a hyper-competitive grocery market. I do much better understanding sales cycles, thoroughly reviewing circulars, and using Walmart Savings Catcher to get all the chains' loss leaders in one stop. Also, whether or not it's good value for your grocery dollar obviously is dependent on the basket of goods you purchase.

 

[aprincessatlast]

I live somewhere where we have oodles of grocery chains with more on the way. Prices are already very low. I find sales prices are better than Aldi. I tried to like Aldi and I love to save money, but it just wasn't worth it for our family.

Hmm you bring up a good point. I tried Aldi's as well. I noticed prices were higher too. Maybe if it is a weekly item, but we stock up when we see a sale. For example cans of vegetables or something there is a 50cent difference, on top of which I am getting a name brand I know. Meats were pricey too as I get organic chicken and ground beef for $2.99 lb. I also tried the fresh fruit and vegetables and it went bad within a few days where as I get a week or more from Kroger. Cheeses were priced good but my family noticed a taste difference. I was bummed as I was hoping to save more! Maybe I am doing something wrong?