topic Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY in Community Chat

ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

WORKING GAL — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 22:45:20 GMT

Is anyone experiencing some of the products in Aldi's weekly ad not being available? It seems to be an ongoing problem in our neighborhood Aldi. The latest one was for large eggs (12 ct) advertised for 49 cents per dozen. We went to the store 3 days in a row and no eggs at all. We spoke to the manager the first two days and he kept saying they were coming in the next day. The third time he said they never got any in and didn't know if or when they would get them. They do not give rainchecks so we've lost out on the great price. This has happened a number of times in the past for different products. I've spoken to Aldi corporate customer service several times and emailed them the problem. They tell you how sorry they are and say they pass it on to the higher powers, but nothing has changed. I told them that all the other stores in our area (So. Cal) give rainchecks when they are out of something so the customer can purchase the item at the sale price at a later date. This has become so frustrating. I don't blame the store manager - he's just relaying what the distribution tells him. I think Aldi better up their game.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

Highlands72 — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 22:52:21 GMT

The out-of-stock situation for advertised items is common at the Aldi near me.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

JaneMarple — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 22:52:51 GMT

Aldi's is my oldest daughter's favorite store to shop in, she lives in Maryland and doesn't have a problem getting her items. One opened about 20 minutes away from where I live and they usually have their circular items available.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

AuntG — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 22:57:20 GMT

Have not experienced that in WI. I go early because the store gets so messy as the day goes on (ripped bags of lettuce, berries strewn on the floor).

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

ValuSkr — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 22:58:10 GMT

That's pretty bad if stock-outs are common on sale items and they don't give rainchecks. People will stop depending on them for weekly shopping, and do as I do - just stop in occasionally - when I'm in the area - and look for good deals. It doesn't seem like a good way to grow the franchise.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

CelticCrafter — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 22:59:36 GMT

The only time we may not get something advertised is if it's a household type item.

If you aren't there on Sunday morning when they open chances are you won't be getting it later in the week.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

Lion — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 23:00:12 GMT

I don't shop at Aldi's, but my mom had the same problem with her Aldi's being out of the eggs on sale recently.

At the time, I just thought it was probably because they ran out because of the good sale price. Now I wonder if it's a marketing tactic to get customers into the store.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

KailaS — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 23:08:25 GMT

Two years ago, the fruits and veggies seemed not to arrive until mid- week. So far this year, the items in the circular seem to be available. Fingers crossed the situation stays that way and that your situation improves.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

PinkyPetunia — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 23:11:04 GMT

I don't go there specifically for sale items, but regularly stocked items are often unavailable. I routinely buy quarts of half & half but I can't count it being on the shelf when I want it. Same goes for their spreadable butter in a tub.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

Mz iMac — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 23:38:17 GMT

"Now I wonder if it's a marketing tactic to get customers into the store."

Bait & Switch tactic

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

x Hedge — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:35:13 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
"Now I wonder if it's a marketing tactic to get customers into the store."
Bait & Switch tactic

Doubt it, but I've rarely seen this problem at Aldi's in my area.

Aldi's "week" starts on Wednesday and ends the following Tuesday. Most stores have their heaviest business on Friday and through the weekend.

If Aldi trucks are running late with something special for that week, odds are they will have received and stocked it by midday Friday at the latest.

When I expect something that isn't on the shelf, I always ask if it's in but just not stocked yet.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

Mary Bailey — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:43:53 GMT

My Aldi's has been out of english muffins on and off. The store manager said they are having trouble with their vendor. Other than that I don't have any problems with Aldi's.

I've had problems with all grocery stores with out of stock sale items: Jewel, Meijer, Walmart. It's not exclusive to Aldi.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

gizmogal — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:45:06 GMT

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") requires grocery stores and retailers that sell food products to have the advertised product in stock and available for you to buy during the entire time period of the deal unless the advertisement clearly states that supplies of the product are limited. If the grocery store doesn't have a phrase on the ad to the effect of "while supplies last", but runs out of the advertised product, the store must either be able to prove that it originally ordered enough of the advertised item to meet the anticipated demand, or:

Offer you a rain check;
Offer you a similar product to the one that was advertised that is either comparable in value or has had its price reduced in a similar way; or
Offer you some other form of compensation that is equal to the value of the advertised product that is no longer stock.

Take a close look at the weekly ad. Look for notations about limited supplies or while supplies last. It might be in tiny print, but it has to be there. If there’s nothing clearly stated, have a chat with the Aldi’s store manager that fails to stock as advertised. Mention the Federal Trade Commission. There are alternatives to rainchecks, but shrugging off the customer isn’t one of them.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

x Hedge — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 01:24:13 GMT

@gizmogal

Online,

For the Aldi Weekly Ad they print the start and end dates of the advertised price, followed by:

Quantities are limited. Items may not be available in all stores. Prices and labels may vary by location. We may limit items sold. No rain checks. We are not responsible for printing or typographical errors. We welcome cash, EBT, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, most debit cards and all forms of contactless payment. No checks please. We do not accept Manufacturers’ Coupons.

This is also printed on their Weekly Ad paper circular.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

Mistic — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 02:24:28 GMT

No problems here in south central PA.

Hoping it gets better for those of you who are experiencing issues. That's a bummer.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

Katcat1 — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 03:52:03 GMT

It sounds like Aldi is trying to bring in the customers and not have the product. That actually stinks!

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

threecees — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 11:20:09 GMT

I have looked for frozen pancakes at my Aldis. I even talked to

one or two different employees there regarding this. They keep

telling me that they are getting them in and never do.

Another item I have looked high and low for, they never have.

frozen onion rings. Maybe my store is smaller.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

CelticCrafter — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 15:42:29 GMT

@gizmogal wrote:
The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") requires grocery stores and retailers that sell food products to have the advertised product in stock and available for you to buy during the entire time period of the deal unless the advertisement clearly states that supplies of the product are limited. If the grocery store doesn't have a phrase on the ad to the effect of "while supplies last", but runs out of the advertised product, the store must either be able to prove that it originally ordered enough of the advertised item to meet the anticipated demand, or:
Offer you a rain check;
Offer you a similar product to the one that was advertised that is either comparable in value or has had its price reduced in a similar way; or
Offer you some other form of compensation that is equal to the value of the advertised product that is no longer stock.
Take a close look at the weekly ad. Look for notations about limited supplies or while supplies last. It might be in tiny print, but it has to be there. If there’s nothing clearly stated, have a chat with the Aldi’s store manager that fails to stock as advertised. Mention the Federal Trade Commission. There are alternatives to rainchecks, but shrugging off the customer isn’t one of them.

The weekly Lidl ad clearly states while supplies last and it usually means it's not being restocked by the end of the week. My m-i-l will fight weekly with the cashier and the manager. Flag Day she fought with the manager because they ran out of those tiny little flags on a stick they were giving away for free.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

Anonymous032819 — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 15:58:58 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@gizmogal wrote:
The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") requires grocery stores and retailers that sell food products to have the advertised product in stock and available for you to buy during the entire time period of the deal unless the advertisement clearly states that supplies of the product are limited. If the grocery store doesn't have a phrase on the ad to the effect of "while supplies last", but runs out of the advertised product, the store must either be able to prove that it originally ordered enough of the advertised item to meet the anticipated demand, or:
Offer you a rain check;
Offer you a similar product to the one that was advertised that is either comparable in value or has had its price reduced in a similar way; or
Offer you some other form of compensation that is equal to the value of the advertised product that is no longer stock.
Take a close look at the weekly ad. Look for notations about limited supplies or while supplies last. It might be in tiny print, but it has to be there. If there’s nothing clearly stated, have a chat with the Aldi’s store manager that fails to stock as advertised. Mention the Federal Trade Commission. There are alternatives to rainchecks, but shrugging off the customer isn’t one of them.
The weekly Lidl ad clearly states while supplies last and it usually means it's not being restocked by the end of the week. My m-i-l will fight weekly with the cashier and the manager. Flag Day she fought with the manager because they ran out of those tiny little flags on a stick they were giving away for free.

From Hedge's post, just in case anybody missed seeing it the first time.:

For the Aldi Weekly Ad they print the start and end dates of the advertised price, followed by:

Quantities are limited. Items may NOT be available in ALL stores. Prices and labels may vary by location. We may limit items sold. No rain checks. We are not responsible for printing or typographical errors. We welcome cash, EBT, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, most debit cards and all forms of contactless payment. No checks please. We do not accept Manufacturers’ Coupons.

Their backsides are covered.

Re: ALDI PRODUCT INVENTORY

gidgetgh — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 17:29:26 GMT

I can’t imagine going for three days in a row for 49 cent eggs.

Making that many trips and the time and gas involved kind of makes the 49 cent eggs not 49 cents.