Community Chat

[CoffeeNut]

Every store, not just Aldi's has good employees.  Publix is another one where customer service is top notch.

[We rescue cats]

We keep a few quarters in our cup holders to use at Aldis, seldom need it however. There is almost always a cart waiting or a person walks up with an empty carts and offers it to another shopper saying "Pay it Forward". I love that there are not carts all over the parking lot utilizing the parking slots or having the carts roll into my car.

[CrazyDaisy]

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@Jersey Born wrote:

@ciao_bella - Here's my sure to be unpopular opinion on Aldi stores. I do not like anything about the concept of forcing Aldi's paying, loyal customers to place a quarter into a device in order for them to be permitted to get a cart for the privilege of entering an Aldi store to shop for necessary food items. I find this unique-to-Aldi concept demeaning and thoughtless to the Aldi customer, and just plain wrong. There are many other food markets at which to shop, and none of them make their customers do this.

What is the purpose of having to pay a quarter for the right to use a cart at Aldi, only to have to return the cart, to get that quarter back?  Is it so Aldi does not have to pay one of their workers to collect the carts from around the parking area and place the carts at the front of the store multiple times per day, or is it that Aldi suspects some of their customers might steal their carts? Or is the reason something else, entirely? Aldi's survival depends upon their repeat customers. If a customer gets mugged taking out their wallet to find a quarter to place into the cart-holding machine, how has this process benefitted the customer? Having to put a quarter in, distracts the customer, making them more vulnerable to being robbed right outside of an Aldi, unless they get a quarter ready and have it in hand, prior to exiting their automobile in the parking area.

Sorry for the rant, but I have not shopped at Aldi because of this quarter-to-get-a-cart issue. I find what I need, elsewhere. I think it would be a much more pleasant experience for Aldi shoppers if Aldi did away with the quarter for a locked up cart issue entirely.

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This sounds like one of those comedy skits you see on facebook.

[AuntG]

If @CoffeeNut  is saying that every store has SOME good employees, that might be the case. In my experience, Aldi employees work hard and are helpful. Not so in some other stores. I won't go back if service is bad. Same with restaurants.

[SusieQ_2]

"Not having a cart rolling around is the purpose of their policy." @okaywitheasypay 

"I love that there are not carts all over the parking lot utilizing the parking slots or having the carts roll into my car." @We rescue cats 

Exactly. It gets really windy here at times, as I'm sure it does everywhere, and not having to dodge rolling carts in the parking lot, not having to find an empty space because a cart is sitting right in the middle of one, not to mention getting to the door only to find that none of the carts have been retrieved make that little quarter seem like a very good idea since that has never happened to me at Aldi. Vons...well, that's a different story to be sure! 

eta ~ Has Aldi become a hotbed of muggings when grabbing a cart? Yikes, who knew? Pays to careful! 

[matty liz]

Agree and I love the middle isle.  I am able to afford fun things and gifts.

[RespectLife]

I can't comment on the employees....never see one except at the one Full service register open.

My Aldi's now has 6 self check outs!  YAY!

Prior....I rarely went for a couple things since I would be waiting in line forever behind cart fulls.  Rarely did anyone let me go ahead...I know...kinda sad.

I stopped going for a long time...once I went again and saw the self cks, I was happy!

Now I will go for just a couple things.  In and out so fast now!

I don't really need a cart usually.....

[Ainhisg]

@Jersey Born from the Aldi website:

[Ainhisg]

I quit going to Aldi after the pandemic, because I felt their product quality went down in most areas, but yet their prices went up to be almost the same (and sometimes more) than Walmart's Great Value/Equate brands, which I like.  I only go now if there is a special purchase I *have* to have, which isn't very often.  I utilize Walmart pickup/shipping almost exclusively except for meat purchases.

As far as the cart situation, well, an earlier post on this thread made me LOL.  Most people who shop at Aldi DO have a quarter out before they exit their vehicles, because hello...they're going to need the quarter right away.  Good grief.  

[JeanLouiseFinch]

It can be hit or miss, even from store to store.  I have several Aldi locations to choose from and definitely have my favorite among them.  Some folks are on a mission and need to get in and get out, no time for chit chat or even a pleasant exchange.  You can just tell.  Other times, I'll experience friendly encounters. Sometimes I'll see cart left unattached for the next person to use.  If I'm finished unloading and someone wants my cart most of the time they'll hold out a quarter, but I just let them keep it and tell them to pay it forward.  

The other day I was in Meijer, in the spice area.  A gentleman was looking for Accent.  He asked me if I knew where it was.  I tried to find it but couldn't.  I noticed he had another lady looking too.  He got frustrated and left to finish his shopping. The other lady found it and went to look for him.  The rest of the shopping she and I would end up in the same aisle again once or twice.  She initiated a little conversation.  I though it was nice.