Aldi is not "all that".

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I have been there about 3x. I'm surprised that they can stay in business, locally. They are in the same strip center as a Walmart with a grocery store in it. Is that a Super Walmart?

Anyway, The only reason I would go is for their Millville granola... it's every bit as good as the stuff my wife was buying at whole foods, but for 1/3rd the price. So, when I go I get the granola and milk... Not much else.

I know I once bought those hash brown patties - Like McDonald's has - and my kids really liked them.

And whenever I have been there, there is only one cashier, and almost everybody is paying with some combination of check, WIC, debit card... and it takes about an extra 5 minutes per shopper to get checked out. I was there last week, and someone n front of me used 4 different methods of payment.

 

[Christine]

I love Aldi flower bouquets and stop in every other week fora bouquet all winter. Where else can you get 1/2 dozen roses for $4? I'm also a fan of their nuts and dried fruits which I pick up when I'm there for the flowers. All their flowers last a long time and are a huge mood lifter. Much better than meds for the winter blues IMO

Okay, these other Aldi's are better than mine. There was not ONE flower in my Alidi's. These other Aldi's sound more like Trader Joe's.

 

[Angelhalo]

Okay, these other Aldi's are better than mine. There was not ONE flower in my Alidi's. These other Aldi's sound more like Trader Joe's.

Awwwww boo hiss!!! Ours has flowers!

 

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

Their European Chocolates are wonderful and cheap.

Yes! I love them!

 

[C.Ann]

In the years that Aldi's have come to the areas I have lived in I have literally saved thousands of dollars on staples; produce; dairy products; speciality breads; pastries; snacks; etc.. Everything has always been fresh - and of a very good quality.. Just the savings on items for my baking alone have always been astronomical - the same items in any of the local supermarkets were easily two to three times as much - even on sale.. I have also had luck with finding name brand items at Aldi's that occassionally come in with the weekly shipments..

When everyone was selling bananas for 99 cents (and up), Aldi's was always 25 cents.. When potatoes were running $3 for 10 lbs., there were 99 cents at Aldi's.. I use nothing but evaporated can milk in my coffee (at least 12 cans a week) and when others were charging 99 cents a can (on sale) all the way up to $1.19 a can, Aldi's was 49 cents a can..

I could go on and on, but those prices - and the prices of all other items I purchased - could not be found anywhere else.. I always carry cash (I think it's foolish not to have cash on you at all times) or I can use one of my debit cards if I prefer..

Of course there are still certain items that I get at the regular grocery store - because I prefer a specific brand or Aldi's doesn't carry something I want - but I'm able to do that segment of my shopping all in one store - rather than running around in every which direction to get one thing here, two things, there, another thing somewhere else because they're on "sale".. The money wasted in gas and the waste in time just isn't worth it to me..

It's not for everyone, but I have been thrilled to be able to save so much money since Aldi's arrived in NY..

 

[LuvOrlando]

Why is it annoying to put a quarter in and get a cart? You get the quarter back when you put the cart back.

Not trying to be snarky. Genuinely curious. I found it odd when I first started shopping there because it was just new to me, but never did I find it annoying.

ETA I don't carry cash or change either. But, because I shop at Aldi frequently, I keep a quarter in the car to use for my cart. benn using the same quarter for over a year.

again, just curious. No antagonizing meant.

I have to side with the Op on these 2 points. I can't explain it but for some reason putting money in the carts annoys me, which is why I never get more than the nuts and flowers because I can carry them. I also find it an annoyance that I can't use a Debit card there. It is a bit of a pain to walk in there and have to put stuff back because I didn't grab enough cash. Then there is the fact our Aldi charges for bags, again it's why I just buy what I can carry.

I guess it's all just about preference

 

[Angelhalo]

I have to side with the Op on these 2 points. I can't explain it but for some reason putting money in the carts annoys me, which is why I never get more than the nuts and flowers because I can carry them. I also find it an annoyance that I can't use a Debit card there. It is a bit of a pain to walk in there and have to put stuff back because I didn't grab enough cash. Then there is the fact our Aldi charges for bags, again it's why I just buy what I can carry.

I guess it's all just about preference

Weird. Our Aldi takes debit cards. The only thing they don't take is credit cards. I take my own bags so I have never really thought about buying bags. I guess if the parking lot for our Aldi were huge like a Walmart parking lot it would annoy me too but our parking lot is tiny. There are literally only 3 rows of parking in front of the store, so it is almost impossible to park far from the cart return area.

 

[manning]

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!!!

Trader Joe is owned by Theo Albrecht.

His brother Karl owns Aldi.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I thought the same thing when I went to the one they opened here . It is just ok, I also figured out after that shopping trim I am more"brand loyal " then I thought I was LOL

 

[MsDisney23]

I love going to Aldi, we've had one here for almost 20 years, one of the first. I love their produce, itaiian bread, you can get brand name candy, Hershey Bar's, Reese's and M & M's. There can veggies are very good, I always pick up a 13lb. Butterball turkey for around $10.00 bucks.

I also pick up all of my baking supplies. My bake goods come out so yummy! Dawn. wait for bit and then re-try Aldi.

 

[Christine]

I love going to Aldi, we've had one here for almost 20 years, one of the first. I love their produce, itaiian bread, you can get brand name candy, Hershey Bar's, Reese's and M & M's. There can veggies are very good, I always pick up a 13lb. Butterball turkey for around $10.00 bucks.

I also pick up all of my baking supplies. My bake goods come out so yummy! Dawn. wait for bit and then re-try Aldi.

I did see Butterball turkeys yesterday for 99 cents a pound but i thought that was an average price for what the regular stores sell them for as you get close to Thanksgiving.

 

[Keli]

I love Aldi's because I ALWAYS walk out of that store having spent less on that week's groceries than I can any other store.
I've worked it out many, many times because I am definitely a bargain shopper, especially when it comes to groceries.
Unfortunately they do not carry every item I need so my cheapest combination is going to Aldi's first and then going to walmart super center for the rest.
Although I like a couple of other grocery stores better for convenience and time savings I only go there occassionally when I'm being lazy and not working as hard to keep the food budget low. If I want to save the most money I have to do the Aldi's/walmart combination.

 

[faith]

I like Aldi's, too. All baking products, centercut bacon, canned biscuits, chicken broth, General Tso chicken, paper products. Grandkids hated their canned pasta, though. Just bought a nice, soft U of Michigan lap throw for $7.99, and face cream for $3.99. Seems as good as Olay so far. Their products have moneyback guarantee here.

 

[stacy347]

Why is it annoying to put a quarter in and get a cart? You get the quarter back when you put the cart back.

Not trying to be snarky. Genuinely curious. I found it odd when I first started shopping there because it was just new to me, but never did I find it annoying.

ETA I don't carry cash or change either. But, because I shop at Aldi frequently, I keep a quarter in the car to use for my cart. benn using the same quarter for over a year.

again, just curious. No antagonizing meant.

I keep my "Aldi quarter" in my van's ashtray and everyone knows not to touch that quarter, LOL! Easy enough.

I go at least once a month to stock up on all of my pantry and freezer stuff. Ours has a very small produce section so I usually get that stuff at Kroger, but I probably save over $200-300/month on what I do get at Aldi. There have been a few things I have not been impressed with, but for the most part I love it.

And they are ALWAYS cheaper on milk than any other grocery store around here!!

 

[happygirl]

I love Aldi

 

[AndreaDM]

Trader Joe is owned by Theo Albrecht.

His brother Karl owns Aldi.

This is so true, you can't even compare Aldi to TJ's, they are not even remotely the same company, completely separate.

I agree with the PP about not carrying any cash, I NEVER have any. The few times I do, one of the kids needs it for something, everything goes on our card. I have occasionally stopped by Aldi then realized I only $5 or so, so never really bought much. I was very underwhelmed at what I DID purchase though.

 

[Angelhalo]

This is so true, you can't even compare Aldi to TJ's, they are not even remotely the same company, completely separate.

I agree with the PP about not carrying any cash, I NEVER have any. The few times I do, one of the kids needs it for something, everything goes on our card. I have occasionally stopped by Aldi then realized I only $5 or so, so never really bought much. I was very underwhelmed at what I DID purchase though.

I never carry cash either. EVER but I love Aldi. As long as you have a debit card, cash is not needed.

 

[ChiCat]

Another Aldi lover here! It's insanely cheaper than any grocery store near me, for example Splenda is $2 cheaper than the "cheap" grocery store near me, I can't even imagine how much cheaper it would be if the closest grocery store was Dominick's. A few months ago I bought Fit and Active 100 calorie packs and salad dressing for $.25 each! That's crazy! And they weren't close to expiring or anything.

I also love Trader Joe's but only go there once in awhile because it's not within walking distance of my house (I don't drive) which is a good thing because I usually just buy junk there, like sea salt brownies.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Nope not a lover here. It's not cheaper than Publix (my local) and the store brands are not as good as the generics from Publix. The frozen fish is all from countries that do not practice safe fishing or farming protocols so we'd not buy them anyway.

Plus, the one near us stinks. Ick.

Will stick with my highly effective comparison shopping between Publix, Alberson's, Fresh Market and Whole Foods.

Don't like Trader Joe's either.

 

[momrek06]

Dawn, I wish you had done a POLL on ALDI. I think you would find more LIKE than dislike.


I just wish they were in SoCal!!!

I will say, and I think this goes for most of us ... I will hit different supermarkets for different sales throughout the week. We have Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Ralph's, Stater Bros, Albertsons, VONS, Henry's and now this brand new store has opened up called "Fresh and Easy" with a $5.00 off your groceries coupon. I am going to hit that up this week.

Albertsons has this new offer going, it started 9/1 and it is like the old "green stamps" ... for every $10.00 you spend you get a stamp for your stamp booklet. Then you may redeem for pots and pans. They are the nicest pots and pans ever. I am up to 50 stamps so far saving for the "Dutch Oven w/lid"!!