Aldi is not "all that".

[DawnCt1]

Today was the opening of an Aldi in our area. I had never been in one. The have essentially no other brands. I wasn't impressed with the savings and didn't see them as any better than the "loss leaders" and rotating sales at the local supermarkets. Milk was more expensive than Costco and I didn't stick around to price much else. The big thing for me is they do not take American Express or any other credit card, just debit cards. I don't want to be bothered with having to log the debit into my check book, etc. and I don't usually carry more than $10. I gave my coupons to another shopper and saved 52% at Big Y with the usual coupons and "silver coins", and it went on my Amex.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I like Aldi, but it is hit or miss. Ours is always cheaper than the othe stores for milk and eggs. But if I go there, I still have to do shopping somewhere else as well b/c of the lack of selection. It is okay...but I still hit up the other grocery stores for a lot of stuff.

 

[Robinrs]

I love Aldi's, mainly because I'm the cheapest human being in the world and I definitely work hard to find bargains.

Their produce is cheaper and better quality than the other grocery stores in my area. Their milk is much cheaper and so is their ground beef, especially on sale days.

I like their brand Fit Active foods, everything but their "fake Hot Pockets" my son calls them!

Don't like their pet foods or breads, though.

I got accustomed to the debit card thing, was a bit taken aback at first but now I know to do it. Never post debits in a checkbook, I just keep up with all posts online and debits come off immediately.

It's not for everyone, it takes a bit of comparing, and all Aldi's are not the same. I have 3 in my area and only like one of them.

 

[Angelhalo]

Down here ours are cheaper for just about everything.

I go to Aldi first and buy everything I need that they have, then for the few other items they don't have I go to Lowe's Foods. I'm not too picky about brands except for just a couple of items, so the Aldi brand is just fine for me. I can buy a heaping nearly overflowing cart of groceries at Aldi for about $75. The same cart at a regular grocery store would be nearly $200, so that is a big price difference for me. DH and I don't use any credit cards so the debit thing isn't a big deal. I don't log anything or balance a checkbook or anything like that so it doesn't bother me. I just check my account online now and then.

For us, Aldi is definitely all that, and a low priced bag of chips!

 

[Angelhalo]

I like their brand Fit Active foods, everything but their "fake Hot Pockets" my son calls them!

Ditto on their Fit N Active brand! We love the little 100 calorie cupcake thingies. Only difference is my DH likes the fake hot pockets and takes them for lunch everyday! Thank goodness because it's easy for me to just throw into his lunchbox! LOL!

 

[punkin]

Their European Chocolates are wonderful and cheap.

 

[jme829]

Down here ours are cheaper for just about everything.

I go to Aldi first and buy everything I need that they have, then for the few other items they don't have I go to Lowe's Foods. I'm not too picky about brands except for just a couple of items, so the Aldi brand is just fine for me. I can buy a heaping nearly overflowing cart of groceries at Aldi for about $75. The same cart at a regular grocery store would be nearly $200, so that is a big price difference for me. DH and I don't use any credit cards so the debit thing isn't a big deal. I don't log anything or balance a checkbook or anything like that so it doesn't bother me. I just check my account online now and then.

For us, Aldi is definitely all that, and a low priced bag of chips!

what she said!

 

[tar heel]

It is rare to see a loss leader here that's even close to Aldi's price on walnuts, pecans, cocoa powder, basic spices, pineapples, avocados, jalapenos and flour tortillas, just to name a few. It's not my main store, but I go there when I need specific things (nuts, for example). I went last weekend because I was making banana bread and needed nuts -- $3.97 for a pound at Aldi.

 

[Angelhalo]

It is rare to see a loss leader here that's even close to Aldi's price on walnuts, pecans, cocoa powder, basic spices, pineapples, avocados, jalapenos and flour tortillas, just to name a few. It's not my main store, but I go there when I need specific things (nuts, for example). I went last weekend because I was making banana bread and needed nuts -- $3.97 for a pound at Aldi.

You are soooo right on Avocados! I love them and sometimes can get them at Aldi for 50 cents each!!! That is INSANE!!!!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Ah, I miss Aldi's! We don't have one near here.

Aldi's is great for staples, and a lot of their own brand stuff is good. Love the chocolate, and a lot of the frozen stuff is really good (and cheap). It's like anything else--it depends on the particular store, and what you think of the taste of particular items. For example, ours didn't have great produce, and I didn't care much for the fresh meat. My gang loved all the store brand cereals except the fake Cheerios.

We love some of the specialtiy items--Mexican at Cinqo de Mayo, German specialties at Christmas, that sort of thing. Great prices on plants sometimes, too. Not everything is a bargain, but I used to go there weekly and saved a lot. But, if you like name brands or have a small family, you're not going to save a ton. And it's not for everyone.

 

[bettymae1121]

I was in one a few years ago and don't remember being impressed. Oddly enough, they also own Trader Joe's and I love TJ's so much that I do the bulk of my shoping there!!!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I love Aldi, OP I think that if you knew going in that they only carried one brand, you'd like it a bit more.

Today the DH just went there to get me the outdoor patio heater for $99, as he was picking it up the manager told him to wait a minute as he's just about to mark them down to $69......SCORE!!!

 

[sbell111]

We shop at Aldi for lots of stuff, but it will never be a complete replacement for our regular grocery store. Of course, Aldi isn't trying to completely replace other grocery stores. This is from their FAQ:

How much of my weekly shopping can I do at ALDI?

That will depend on you, but our customers find they can do as much as 90% of their weekly shopping at ALDI. We carry everything from fresh meat and produce to frozen foods to dairy, bakery, canned goods, and paper products. Visit our Grocery Selections section to learn more.

The normal prices at Aldi tend to be somewhat lower than other grocery store's sale prices. Our local store has a very good meat selection, but I have been largely unimpressed with the quality of their produce, so I don't buy fresh produce from them. Bagged salads: Yes. Fresh produce: No.

I second the mention of their chocolates. They are quite yummy and reasonably priced. Their potato chips are also big winners.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I was in one a few years ago and don't remember being impressed. Oddly enough, they also own Trader Joe's and I love TJ's so much that I do the bulk of my shoping there!!!

I would love, love, LOVE to try Trader Joe's, too. Closest one is near my MIL's--next time I visit her, I'll have to make the trek.

 

[emma'smom]

We love Aldi's because the prices are consistently cheaper on everyday products. I don't have time to run around finding the loss-leaders at 20 different stores. I go to Aldi's first...and then hit my local supermarket for gourmet stuff, specialty products, and items that Aldi's doesn't carry.

P.S. We like TJ's too...but we have to drive an hour to get to one.

 

[DawnCt1]

It is rare to see a loss leader here that's even close to Aldi's price on walnuts, pecans, cocoa powder, basic spices, pineapples, avocados, jalapenos and flour tortillas, just to name a few. It's not my main store, but I go there when I need specific things (nuts, for example). I went last weekend because I was making banana bread and needed nuts -- $3.97 for a pound at Aldi.

You are soooo right on Avocados! I love them and sometimes can get them at Aldi for 50 cents each!!! That is INSANE!!!!

I love Aldi, OP I think that if you knew going in that they only carried one brand, you'd like it a bit more.

Today the DH just went there to get me the outdoor patio heater for $99, as he was picking it up the manager told him to wait a minute as he's just about to mark them down to $69......SCORE!!!

I will definitely keep the avocados, nuts, spices, etc in mind. My first stop is always Costco and I fill in the "blanks" with my other shopping. We have five grocery stores all within less than a mile of each other so bouncing around is almost routine for me now.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Love Aldi! We have one opening soon, can't wait, it's going to save us so much money. We always stop at one in a neighbor town when we're in the area.

 

[plutotek]

I love Aldi's, mainly because I'm the cheapest human being in the world.

We'll meet in Talledega, I'll bring the gloves and you and my wife can duke it out for that title.

Like others here, she hits Aldi's first, then Kroger or Walmart for the remainder. We really like the bacon wrapped filets. My sister will have us pick up the max number of gallons of milk for her (she has 5 kids) when we visit because they're cheaper than anywhere else she shops.

 

[Aimeedyan]

My costco has never had milk for 78 cents a gallon, which is what Aldi was selling it at near me. Or eggs for 48 cents a dozen. I love Costco, but milk and eggs are always $$$ at mine.

I hit Aldi for a few basic items and produce, they are always DIRT cheap, and then hit the nice grocery store for the rest. Saves us a lot of money.

The debit card thing doesn't bother me; Costco has limited forms of payment, too, as does Neimans and it doesn't stop me from going there. We are a cash (by way of debit/checks) family only.

 

[Crystal0608]

I love my Aldi's. I usually get milk, eggs, spices, and frozen meal stuff there. I love their spring rolls. They also have cheap produce- bananas .39lb and blueberries $1/pt. Last week I bought a firepit for $34, similar ones sell for $75. I don't like the taste of their fit products or their raw bacon, but I like the precooked bacon circles.