topic Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today.... in Community Chat

Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

FiddleDeeDee — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:18:33 GMT

1) Bread shortage so limit 2 bread items per customer

2) The only frozen fish is shrimp, 1 type of fish stick and stuffed clams

3) No frozen vegis. Very limited canned vegis.

4) No limit on anything and stocked to the gills with TP, Paper towels, hand soap and hand sanitizer plus their version of Lysol wipes.

5) Prices have gone up on almost everything I purchase by almost double. Eggs went from 44 cents to 88 cents. Chips went from $1.39 a bag to $2.60 a bag. Nuts went from $9 a large jar to $15 a large jar and so on.

6) Plenty of flour, sugar and yeast.

Other than a pack of 2 bone in chicken breasts, everything was pantry/basic staples. No junk food other than chips (which I buy every week because you have to have plain chips with tuna fish, lol). $127. I was taken aback but there it is. Looking at my spreadsheet, I paid $55 for the same items (and amount) this time last year back in MD.

I've also noticed that a majority of Aldi's prices are on level with their name brand counterparts sold at Walmart. So, driving much further to Aldi isn't saving me much money on many things it once did. I think I'll go there ony to purchase items we like specific to Aldi and save time and gas and go to my local Walmart Super Center.

Oh, they are missing almost 75% of their carts. No one knows why. So now you have to wait in line until someone returns a cart unless you want to carry everything in your arms. Bizarre to say the least.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

msgb — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:24:58 GMT

Not every Aldi has the same prices.

There are three Aldis that are in my area. Each has a different price on many of the items that I purchase from them.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

Kachina624 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:24:58 GMT

Why does anyone shop at this store?

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

proudlyfromNJ — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:28:33 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
Why does anyone shop at this store?

@Kachina624 We just got ours last year. I like it. I notice everyone seems to have their favorite and non favorite stores.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

4kitties — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:33:31 GMT

I live an equal distance from two Aldi stores. One has higher prices for the exact same merchandise.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

MandyG06 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:40:43 GMT

I LOVE Aldi! The Aisle of Surprises gets me every week! 10 years ago the Aldi stores were really run down and didn't look nice, but now that they've been updated, they look awesome. We don't care about buying name brand food (however, Aldi does carry certain name brands), so we save quite a bit of $ shopping here. (Save $ on groceries just to spend it elsewhere.) And @Kachina624 , if you don't like shopping there, more for me There are several Facebook groups dedicated to Aldi and they are hilarious!

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

Meowingkitty — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 23:21:17 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
Why does anyone shop at this store?
@Kachina624 We just got ours last year. I like it. I notice everyone seems to have their favorite and non favorite stores.

I don't understand the draw. In Arizona they opened one or two a couple of weeks ago with more expected. They are to far to drive when I have my choice of Sprouts, Safeway, Bashas, 2 Walmart superstores and 1 Walmart grocery store and a Kroger all within a 5 minutes drive. And I forgot Trader Joe's and Costco all within 5 minutes of my house.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

SharkE — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:42:09 GMT

People living on the streets are probably taking the carts. People living out of their cars due to evictions, no jobs to go to, etc.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

goldensrbest — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:49:47 GMT

It was known for saving you money.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

Kachina624 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:51:40 GMT

@MandyG06 wrote:
I LOVE Aldi! The Aisle of Surprises gets me every week! 10 years ago the Aldi stores were really run down and didn't look nice, but now that they've been updated, they look awesome. We don't care about buying name brand food (however, Aldi does carry certain name brands), so we save quite a bit of $ shopping here. (Save $ on groceries just to spend it elsewhere.) And @Kachina624 , if you don't like shopping there, more for me There are several Facebook groups dedicated to Aldi and they are hilarious!

@MandyG06. We dont have them here. Never been in one. I'm holding out for Wegman's, which we also don't have. We are a grocery wasteland.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

sunshine45 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:53:49 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
Why does anyone shop at this store?

i am not a fan......and ours is only a few years old.

i like CHOICES when i grocery shop and this store is VERY limited......plus i dont like that they dont have a deli or fresh bakery.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

Ibby114 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:06:20 GMT

@msgb wrote:
Not every Aldi has the same prices.
There are three Aldis that are in my area. Each has a different price on many of the items that I purchase from them.

@msgb I noticed that too.I have a few Aldi's within 1/2 hr and their prices all vary!

There's also a new Lidl near one of the Aldi's. Aldi prices competed with them for a good long time! Lidi now has less 'loss leaders' and Aldi's prices changed.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

Ibby114 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:11:33 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
Why does anyone shop at this store?

@Kachina624 I really like certain things from Aldi's: earth grown vegan items, low carb pita's, net carb zero bread. Their own brand hummus is the best! There's a bunch of other staples too....

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

FiddleDeeDee — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:22:48 GMT

@msgb Correct that Aldi can differ in prices from store to store. My point was that I'm paying double now for the same items a year later and that's a LOT of money no matter how you look at it.

@Kachina624 Because some of us like to save money where and when we can. I think it's financially irresponsible to spend $1.25 on a can of vegi when I can get it for 35 cents and it tastes the same. When shopping for a large family, it means your money can go much farther. Up until recently, Aldi offered the best prices overall for the majority of items I purchase especially compared to Giant, Safeway and Publix (which is over the top expensive IMHO). That's why so many shop there.

@SharkE Their carts are locked. So unless someone is going around with quarters to unlock them and take them, it's kinda odd. It went from Tuesday having enough carts and then some to Thursday and there's a handful. Just means you have to get there earlier.

I'm going to check out Dollar Tree after seeing a ton of videos on YouTube about making your money stretch when it comes to feeding a large family. There's one on the way to Aldi, so...we'll see.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

threecees — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:24:27 GMT

I went yesterday for the butter. It was supposed to be $1.79 and advertised

in their circular. Well they had a big sign on the door stating that they never

got any in.

Only shop there around 2 times a month. I don't think that they have

really good deals. They are pretty expensive.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

haddon9 — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:28:42 GMT

I've never been in an Aldi's. I think there is one about 20 minutes away from me but the store just doesn't sound appealing.

Instead I shop at my local family owned small chain supermarket (about 5 stores total), Costco for frozen & paper goods, my local farmer's market and occasionally TJ's, Wegman's & Whole Foods...all of which are right next to each other about half an hour away.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

Stormygirl — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:35:24 GMT

I recently purchased a brand new in the box never used KitchenAide Artisan Series Mixer at an auction 3 months ago for less then 100 bucks. Fantastic deal! For the first time in my life I am making my own bread, my own desserts, my own hummus etc.....such a sense of satisfaction and gives me something to do that husband is sure appreciating lol! I think Im saving some money and going to the grocery store less for the items I can now make on my own. I think we have an Aldi here although I have never been there. As far as meat I dont eat much of that and am now growing my own veggies....am becoming quite the semi off grid pioneer woman (as much as am able) LOL.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

CrazyDaisy — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:40:25 GMT

I was just there this week and didn't notice any shortages. Prices everywhere have increased. Some stores have limited the number of shopping carts in order to limit the number of people in the store.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

Carmie — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:41:07 GMT

There are three Aldi's near me. I go there occasionally if I need something real quick.

Their chocolate candy is good, so I always pick some up.

Their bread products are awful. I have had to throw regular bread, hot dog rolls and some type of sweet bread out. No one liked the taste.

Their yogurt is gross. I once bought a small tray of frozen lasagne for my granddaughter that she begged for...for lunch. I ended up throwing that away too.

I only buy name brands there now. They have UTZ chips for $1.99 which is a great deal.

Their butter is okay as is their Half and Half.

There is a rumor that a Trader's Joe is coming soon. I would really like to try that store. A Lidl store is being built near me now...I have never been in either stores.

Re: Observations after shopping at Aldi today....

Mz iMac — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:43:17 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
Why does anyone shop at this store?

Strange to me also. Aldi's is my mom's go to store for her "fruits."

In South Joisey/Jerzzzzzz you pay $0.25 for a shopping cart....

The store has no shopping bags. Either you bring your own bags or grab cardboard boxes (from the liquor store next store)....

Bag/box your own groceries.