Getting an Aldi's

[MissMichelle]

So I have heard a LOT of talk throughout the bargain boards (here and others) of Aldi. I am not really familiar with them but one is opening up less the 20 minutes from my house.

Any input on how they differ from any other grocery chain would be great. I currently shop at Market Basket (not sure where else those are located! LOL) and also BJ's Wholesale for meats, eggs, milk, bread and kids snacks. Saves me a ton!

 

[da big r]

We just got an Aldi a few weeks ago and I was not impressed. The prices are so-so but the selection is horid. One or two brands and very few name brands. Wal-mart, I know, its evil and all, but is just as cheap and has infinately better selection.

 

[Joyful3Heart]

We love aldi's. It's true they don't carry national brands generally but their store brands I have found to be for the most part on par or better than national brands. Their dairy products are out of this world, and the produce is generally of high quality and half the price of the grocery store. Anything you don't like you can return for a full refund (and replacement, too). We do about 60% of our shopping there and it probably saves us $40/week. Occasionally they will do a special buy and have national brands on sale, too.
I would suggest trying it out a couple of times to see if you like it. It took me 3 or 4 times to get used to the way shelves are stocked, remembering to have a quarter for the buggy, and bagging my own groceries.

 

[snowgooseltd]

MissMichelle....Market Basket is awesome but, if you give it a chance, I think you'll like Aldi's better for quite a few things. I don't make a special trip to Market Basket because it's pretty much all back roads and takes me too long but Aldi's is right off 24. Let us know if you like it.

 

[estherhead]

You have to know ALdi's to love it. And it has to be convenient. I shop there all the time. They don't sell name brand stuff, they sell their own brand. But they have a "Fit and Active" line that I adore. I find the stuff is delish and half the price of similar stuff at Wal-Mart.

But you do have to know prices. For example, Aldi's eggs are $1.29 per dozen. Generally Wal-Mart's large eggs are $1.59 per dozen and Kroger's $1.79. So I buy at Aldi's. But today at Kroger's eggs are on special for $.89 per dozen. Same thing with milk. Wal-Mart was $2.89. Aldi's $2.19. Kroger's on special was $1.99 (normally above $3.00).

So you just have to know your prices.

On the other hand, fresh strawberries were $2.50 at both Kroger & Wal-Mart today but Aldi's had them for $.99. And they were really yummy, my 2 yr old & I ate the whole pound! Also, this weekend I wanted fajitas. I bought a 3lb pack of frozen chicken breasts for $5.99, 3 peppers (1 orange, 1 red, 1 green) for $.99, and a bag of red onions for $1.59. I served 8 people for $8.59. (Plus alcohol & taco Rice-A-Roni's I had gotten almost free with coupons a while ago) And it was delish!

Also, Aldi's does not take checks or credit cards. You have to have a debit card or cash. And you have to take your own bags or buy bags.

I find that if I go to my three stores (Aldi's, Kroger, and Wal-Mart) I can save a ton of money. It's worth the extra work, at least for us.

But again, it's about knowing prices and products.

Edited to add, I forgot that with the fajitas we had Fit & Active tortilla wraps. LOVE these wraps. Can't remember how much they cost but it would take my total for the party to $10.00.

 

[MissMichelle]

MissMichelle....Market Basket is awesome but, if you give it a chance, I think you'll like Aldi's better for quite a few things. I don't make a special trip to Market Basket because it's pretty much all back roads and takes me too long but Aldi's is right off 24. Let us know if you like it.

Well Hello neighbor We are getting one in Raynham where the old KMart was and I had a few people from my work apply for jobs there. Apparently the pay is decent and they are offering benefits. Kind of unheard of for new hires right now.

I will be trying Aldi out soon so I will let you know what I think My Market Basket is close to BJ's (where I work) and a pretty much straight shot up rt 138 from my house.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

There's an Aldi right by my house, but I don't go there for my entire shopping trip. I also don't run in there if there's something special I need, because the way their selection varies, they might not have it! However, I love Aldi's produce and go in there just to see what they have. I LOVE their wine. It ranges from $2-6 a bottle, and is really good! I carry my own bag, so I don't have to buy a bag. I rarely get a cart, since I'm usually just going in for fruits, veggies, and wine!

 

[LisaNJ25]

There's an Aldi right by my house, but I don't go there for my entire shopping trip. I also don't run in there if there's something special I need, because the way their selection varies, they might not have it! However, I love Aldi's produce and go in there just to see what they have. I LOVE their wine. It ranges from $2-6 a bottle, and is really good! I carry my own bag, so I don't have to buy a bag. I rarely get a cart, since I'm usually just going in for fruits, veggies, and wine!

Ohh I wish mine sold Wine.

Dont forget you quarter for the cart and bring your bags.

I love my aldi's store but I know some on here have dirty stores.

a dozen of eggs for $.99 Milk for $2.99 loaf of bread $.79. I cant get those things that cheap in my local shoprite.

 

[mzlee]

You definitely must know your prices to know if your saving anything. I don't do all my shopping there but stop to pick up items that I know are cheaper like milk which was only $1.59/gal a couple of weeks ago. Today it's back up to $1.89 which is still by far cheaper than any of the grocery chains and Walmart. I also like to get the fresh produce, They do carry some namebrand items like Tyson chicken strips/nuggets, eggo waffles, etc. but don't count on them having those items all the time as they are usually special purchase items.

 

[MissMichelle]

You definitely must know your prices to know if your saving anything. I don't do all my shopping there but stop to pick up items that I know are cheaper like milk which was only $1.59/gal a couple of weeks ago. Today it's back up to $1.89 which is still by far cheaper than any of the grocery chains and Walmart. I also like to get the fresh produce, They do carry some namebrand items like Tyson chicken strips/nuggets, eggo waffles, etc. but don't count on them having those items all the time as they are usually special purchase items.

This is all really good to know--thanks! I tried their web site but it wasn't much help.

 

[tar heel]

I'm not sure if Aldi prices vary by region, but at mine milk is $2.59 (about a dollar less than the grocery store), a 1/2 pound block of cheese is $1.29, butter is $1.49 a pound, avocados are 69 cents, mangos are 49 cents, pineapples are $1.99, tomatoes on the vine are $1.99 for a pound and a half, storebrand (but delicious) graham crackers are $1.29. Add coffee filters (can't remember their price), and that's my Aldi shopping trip today. Other things I routinely buy there are apples, celery, potatoes, onions, blue and parmesan cheese, canned tomatoes, tortillas, refried beans, pretzels, organic corn chips, flour, sugar and really delicious muffin and quick bread mixes and bagged salad.

I don't buy meat at Aldi for same reason I don't get it at Walmart and Target -- I want the butcher shop on site instead of hundreds of miles away and I don't want preservatives in "fresh" meat. Have you ever read the ingredients on Walmart stew beef?

 

[WDWorBUST]

We just recently started shopping at Aldi. From my experience I think anyone would be hard pressed to make it their only grocery stop - HOWEVER....some of their stuff is really good. Spaghetti Sauce is $0.99 and is as good as the Walmart brand which has went up to $1.29 and Prego (which is what I used to get) is up to $2.49 and my local grocery store. The trick is to try one of the items you use if it's a good price and then keep track of prices so you know when it's cheaper at your grocery store. We do save when we go to Aldi....but we can't do all our shopping there by a mile.

 

[Kathi OD]

There is an Aldi's about a mile from my house. The one where we used to live was just disgusting. Last week I needed some grated cheese, quick. The nearest grocery store, while not far, wouldn't be the quick trip Aldi's is, so I figured, why not? This one is much nicer, and I'll definitely be going there more often, especially with DH being on unemployment. On occasion, they will have national brands, but you can't count on it.