topic Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion? in Community Chat

Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Christie B — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 15:34:31 GMT

The first Aldi's market has opened in my area (San Diego County). I haven't had a chance to visit yet. What do you like? What not so much? Anything special to watch out for? I haven't seen any circulars, do they mail them? Thanks for your responses!

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

on the bay — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 15:41:43 GMT

I don't know if Aldis differ from city to city but I have really enjoyed ours.

I am always surprised by the quality and price of the produce-vegetables, fruit-some of the best I've had this year.

Also they have a great spinach dip (which isn't always there).

If you need basic things like sugar, sweeteners, there is no place I've found that has a better price.(but not coffee or creamer-better to buy in larger store)

Oh and fresh flowers at the checkouts! Very pretty and innexpensive.

Interesting and very good wine-one that has an owl word in it -sorry , I forget the whole label-it is red and about $5.

I have found all the Aldis brands of anything-crackers, cookies, soup, tuna etc to be some of the best I've tried.

Hope you have fun at your Aldis shopping trip!

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

loveschocolate — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 15:53:08 GMT

@Christie B, check out the Aldi thread in the kitchen forum.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Christie B — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 15:58:35 GMT

Will do, thanks.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Christie B — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 15:59:03 GMT

I really appreciate your comments. I look forward to exploring!

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Yardlie — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 15:59:58 GMT

Aldi's products are great. They have their own brand name (Millville, I think). We usually stop and pick up our produce and whatever else we can get at Aldi's before going on to the larger supermarket. They do send out weekly flyers.

The quality of their produce and their brand of products are excellent. Don't listen to the people who tell you that their produce is old or second quality. That is absolute nonsense. I am very fussy about produce. Their meats, fish, and their own brand name products are fantastic. You just have to try their brand names to see if you like them as well as those that you are used to. We all have favorite brands in certain things.

If you don't like something (e.g. produce), you can bring it back in. They will give you another one free AND refund your money. That is how confident they are in the quality of their produce.

A couple tips: On Wednesday mornings they have a huge saving on some type of meat. If you want it, you better get there when they open, as all the restaurants are at their door to grab all that they can get their hands on. When it's gone, it's gone. You also need to pay for your bags (6 cents or something), so you can save more by bringing your own, and you put a quarter in the slot to release a shopping cart. That saves on them needing to send someone out to collect carts...and saves on vehicle damage. When you return your cart, you get your quarter back. They do not accept checks, but usually take whatever debit or credit card I give them.

You will be shocked by how much you save! Enjoy your new Aldi's.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

momtochloe — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:06:02 GMT

@loveschocolate wrote:
@Christie B, check out the Aldi thread in the kitchen forum.

@Christie B I agree with @loveschocolate, check out that thread and if you also do a quick search on Aldi you will find more with many folk's picks for their favorites.

I personally love shopping there and always look forward to checking out their specials.

eta: The only thing I want to make sure you know before you go is that you will need a quarter in order to secure a shopping cart and you can either purchase grocery bags in the store or bring your own. They now take most major credit cards so that is a nice benefit that was recently added. Oh and they do not accept coupons . . .

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:26:40 GMT

For me, Aldi is very hit or miss. It's not a place I go to weekly. And I quickly came to realize just because it's at Aldi doesn't mean it's cheaper. It depends what is on sale at other places. You also have to watch the size of things. For instance, I used to buy bagged lettuce all the time. If my store didn't have it BOGO, it was cheaper at Aldi. However, then I realized the bags sold at Aldi were smaller than my grocery store. So it's really not cheaper.

I love the Aldi organic already popped popcorn that comes in a bag. I also buy the organic peanut butter and ketchup.

I hated the paper products I've tried like TP, papertowel, tin foil, freezer bags. I also personally don't buy canned goods because I'm pretty loyal to name brands which they don't have. Most of the name brand stuff my store gets isn't any cheaper, with few exceptions.

The one thing I do buy there is a lot of the non-food, special purchase items. I bought the best tank tops from there I have ever owned. I've bought sunglasses, slippers, thong sandals and decorative items for my house.

I typically do not buy meat from there. They do have pre-cooked, sauced ribs that I buy about once a summer.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

SeaMaiden — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:31:35 GMT

Is this a discount market? Most all regular markets take coupons, that is why I ask.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

CelticCrafter — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:34:02 GMT

They do send a circular with the rest of the weekly circulars that come in the mail.

The one nearest to me is very small and although it's been years since I have been there, their produce section was laughable the few times I did go in. I don't know if that has changed over the years.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Yvon62 — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:34:18 GMT

I travel over 50 miles which is the nearest location to where i live. thank goodness our city will have its own Aldi store soon. I love the brands. if you dont like it or have problems Aldi will make it right.

after buying for so long at the Aldi store I went home one year for vacation and my mother bought some brand name cookies. my granddaughter told me that the cookies did not taste right. so i tried them and this is no lie they tasted like dirt or cardboard if you might say. i wrote the company and told them about the taste and they apologized and gave me coupons saying it might be in the transporation of some sorts and that could alter the taste. I didnt even think at the time about this but you can really taste the difference in brand name verses Aldi. I will continue to buy from Aldi as soon as our store opens. no more traveling. whoowhoo.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:35:20 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
Is this a discount market? Most all regular markets take coupons, that is why I ask.

I honestly don't know if they take coupons or not. Most of their items are their own private label so you wouldn't have coupons for what they are selling. It's not often they get a name brand. I've seen some name brand pop like Coke and I've seen Pop-Tarts and periodically some Uncle Bens rice or a few other namebrand items.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

software — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:40:01 GMT

My late husband loved it way more than I did! The closest one to me is not all that convenient. I was impressed with their produce. Very fresh & priced well, good variety. Same with their fresh & frozen meat.

A cart costs a quarter but you get it back when you return the cart. Or in our case we just take the cart from someone leaving then give it to someone else when we leave. You need your own bags, Aldi's charges for bags, but that's not a problem. It's small and I never recall seeing it dirty or dumpy looking.

The cashiers are very good, I think they get paid a bit more than your run-of-the-mill cashiers. If starting is minimum or $8, they were paid $9 or $10.

@Christie B wrote:
The first Aldi's market has opened in my area (San Diego County). I haven't had a chance to visit yet. What do you like? What not so much? Anything special to watch out for? I haven't seen any circulars, do they mail them? Thanks for your responses!

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Vivian — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:45:26 GMT

Ironically, the first Aldi's I ever visited was in France. When they opened a store in my city, I checked it out. It's not my regular supermarket but they have occasional offerings that are excellent. I go there only for those specials, since the store is on the opposite end of town from where I live. One of my daughters does a great deal of shopping at her local Aldi's and everything I've eaten from the store has been fine.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Laura14 — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:46:34 GMT

I made my one and only trip about a year ago to one that recently opened nearby to a lot of fanfare.

I honestly don't get it. Unless you have a large family who eats a lot of boxed items, I really didn't get it.

They didn't even have the one thing I went in to get which was advertised in their circular after my normal market was out(oranges). In fact, there was hardly any produce at all and most everything in the store near me was not something I would ever eat. I like to cook and raw ingredients is just not what they do. I wasn't expecting a full market but it wasn't even close.

It's not my thing but I can tell you that little store was packed so a lot of people don't agree with me.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

cherry — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:58:10 GMT

I was only in one , once. I found it confusing not much produce, It might have been a smaller one, from the ones other people have used

I would have trouble getting used to this one

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

SeaMaiden — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 17:01:45 GMT

Here is an article about the store found in Forbes Magazine.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/thehartmangroup/2015/04/14/aldi-is-a-growing-menace-to-americas-grocery-retailers/#5a0825503e6a

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

Mj12 — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 15:36:14 GMT

I went a few times about 2 years ago when they opened, it was very hit or miss and like has been said here, unless your family eats a lot of boxes or canned items, I don't really get it, but obviously it works well for many others. I didn't like their checkout either - I felt totally rushed. And bring your own bags or else you'll be carrying armfuls to your car. I understand it, that is one way they reduce costs, but still. ETA - We shopped at Aldi in Germany - it's really nice there. And I forgot to mention that the US Aldi stores have very nice German chocolate and holiday stuff.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

momtochloe — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 17:20:01 GMT

Aldi's definately a different experience (the article posted by @SeaMaiden is a terrific read) but if you are on a budget they are great. One thing to keep in mind is the management in each store. I have three within 10 minutes of me and each are uniquely different so if your's doesn't have a good manager you may have a sub-par experience.

I have shopped there for years including their electronics (from a digital camera to a convection oven and a huge gas grill) and have been very happy with everything. I recently purchased a MCM chopper knock off that is just the bomb as my knife skills sadly are lacking. They have good warranties and stand by their products. This week they have asparagus and brussel sprouts on sale so I was glad to see their ad!

Again, it is not for everyone but I do enjoy shopping there.

Re: Aldi's Markets -- What's your opinion?

sidsmom — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 17:21:57 GMT

Here in DFW, they are in....questionable....areas of town.

Not worth it.