Vent: So, I visited an Aldi yesterday...

ginifred

I have always been under the impression that Aldi grocery stores were amazing.  A brand new one opened here, and I was greatly dissapointed.

The quarter to get a cart threw me off at first, but whatev, I will get that back when I return the car.  I walk in, and the very first thing I noticed was the overwhelming smell of cardboard.  Cardboard makes me think of roaches, because I have always heard that cardboard attracks them.

Next thing I notice is that I don't recognize a single brand in the store (I did see Ramen noodles, but yuck).  I'm not a brand snob, I will buy Wal-Mart brand, or Kroger brand.  However, I was specifially there for ketchup and mayo.  Those 2 items are things I WILL NOT buy off brand because they never taste right.

So I was annoyed, but I figured the produce would be good.

Nope.  Every thing was crammed together and you had to pick through it.  There was a whole box of bananas, but every single one of them was yellow going on brown.  Too bad I wasn't making banana bread.

Anyway, I walked out of the store with an empty cart and got my quarter back.  I had just wasted 20 min of my life.

End rant.

greenclown

I only have experience with one Aldi, and it was always disgusting and the produce was awful.  This was years ago, but I can't imagine it's gotten any better.

LucyAnnie

Aldi's has their own brand.  Rarely ever will you find a "name brand" there.  I only buy a few items there, like soups, milk, veggies.  Love their pizzas.  I refuse to buy their produce, ceral, and ketchup. 

It really depends on the store too.  The one here is fine, another one I went to was horrid. 

heather_09_15_07

I think Aldi is pretty trashy too. At least the one near me is.

SweetPeanis

I just can't do Aldis.  My mom used to shop there for baking supplies when we were younger since she baked a lot, but I just can't do it.

ginifred

Yeah, the one here seemed kinda trashy too. 

I would have bought milk, but I can barely drink a half gallon before it goes bad and all they had was whole gallons.

Oh well.  It will be interseting to see how long they stay open.  There were only about 10 people in there when I was there and I never see that many cars in the parking lot.

JenniferJaneC

I do not like Aldi.  My mom swears by the place, but she's cheap.

My impression is that it is great if price is a higher priority than quality.

RachelG83

I suppose you have to understand the purpose of the store and pull your panties out of wad about not being able to get Heinz there. 

The reason it's so self serve (the quarter for a cart and things not being beautifully on display) is to cut down on costs so YOU don't have to pay that much at the register. 

Stores have to pay people to fetch carts from out in the parking lot and put them all back together. 

Stores have to pay people to display things on the shelves (out of the boxes). 

Stores have to pay people to bag your groceries for you and pay for the bags that they put the stuff in (that's why you buy your bags unless you want to get one of those "roach attracting boxes" and carry your stuff out in that - like you do at Sam's).

I would never recommend going there with the purpose of looking for a specific brand, or even buying produce for that matter, so if that's what you're looking for - go elsewhere for it and get other stuff at Aldi.  The wording of your post made you sound kinda like a snob imo.

DNK777

It depends on the Aldi's.  Some have decent produce at really good prices.  Just a small selection.  I used to go a lot a few years ago, but they've raised a lot of their prices.  Pretty much everything they have is their brand.  Save-a-lot does the same quarter for a cart thing and you have to pay for bags.  I prefer Save-a-Lot, but they also just have offbrand.  I make a monthly trip, but it could never replace a larger grocery store.

ETA: The ones around here and nicely kept.  They are always clean.

SweetPeanis

DNK777:

It depends on the Aldi's.  Some have decent produce at really good prices.  Just a small selection.  I used to go a lot a few years ago, but they've raised a lot of their prices.  Pretty much everything they have is their brand.  Save-a-lot does the same quarter for a cart thing and you have to pay for bags.  I prefer Save-a-Lot, but they also just have offbrand.  I make a monthly trip, but it could never replace a larger grocery store.

I miss Save-A-Lot!  We used to shop there all of the time.  With 4 kids we needed cheaper groceries and I loved their "doritos".

SweetPeanis

DNK777:

It depends on the Aldi's.  Some have decent produce at really good prices.  Just a small selection.  I used to go a lot a few years ago, but they've raised a lot of their prices.  Pretty much everything they have is their brand.  Save-a-lot does the same quarter for a cart thing and you have to pay for bags.  I prefer Save-a-Lot, but they also just have offbrand.  I make a monthly trip, but it could never replace a larger grocery store.

I miss Save-A-Lot!  We used to shop there all of the time.  With 4 kids we needed cheaper groceries and I loved their "doritos".

bronc09

Our Aldi's here is pretty good, but I only go there to get certain items like snack cakes, thier milk is pretty good and cheap, baking stuff, and canned goods like veggies, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, etc...  I have seen quite a few brand names there also. Stouffers lasagna, Kraft mac and cheese, sometimes theres name brand cereals, and other things.

All in all, I've had pretty good experiences with them, but I know all stores aren't alike.

DNK777

Aldi's also usually has higher quality cashiers than the other grocery stores.  The other ones usually pay around $7/hr and Aldi's is something like $12/hr starting out.  I respect them for that.

DNK777

bronc09:

Our Aldi's here is pretty good, but I only go there to get certain items like snack cakes, thier milk is pretty good and cheap, baking stuff, and canned goods like veggies, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, etc...  I have seen quite a few brand names there also. Stouffers lasagna, Kraft mac and cheese, sometimes theres name brand cereals, and other things.

All in all, I've had pretty good experiences with them, but I know all stores aren't alike.

I do like their milk.  I went to Walmart and their milk is $2 more than it was last week.  Argh.

Beabs

I find that Aldi's is good for buying canned goods (fruit, veggies, kidney beans) and freezer items. The Aldi's brand chips are really good too. They always seem fresher than other chips, but I suppose you'd have to look past the label first. I've never been a fan of Aldi's produce.

N&G 5_26_07

I agree with Rachel.

You have to understand the concept. It is not a place to go if you are looking for high-quality produce or meat.

I think its fine for things that I am not brand partial to - paper plates/towels, canned foods, condiments (I, personally, think there ketchup is fine and I am a ketchup addict!)

I do not shop there exclusively but I find it a great place to stop occasionally. you really do save a ton of money.

Krisito

Our Aldi sucks.  I understand not having signs to cut down on cost but I would have at least appreciated some organization.  Like, there was cereal next to soup and chocolate next to popcorn.  And the employees there were rude as crap.  They were yelling to each from their registers and things like that.  We went one time to pick up s'mores stuff for camping b/c it was the only thing on the way and I will never go back.  Very disappointing.

Mrs.EliK

I think people either swear by them or hate them.  I personally could go either way.  I think they are probably good for some of the basics, sugar, eggs, butter, etc.  I've tried a few of their other items and they were ok.  Sometimes you can find name brand items there. 

oh-zysbaby

We have something called Winco that is similar, although they do have brand name stuff as well. You just have to watch out because some of the brand name stuff is WAY more expensive than the reg grocery store.

My biggest problem with that place is the lines, and the clientele. Yes, I may sound like a snob here (although I didn't think OP did really, I prefer to shop at nicer stores too), but this place crammed with some really WT people. REALLY.

I'm not poor right now. I've worked hard to be financially stable and it's seen us through over a year of me not working, I feel very fortunate for that. We have to carefully watch our spending, but we are not poor. I HAVE, however, been poor in the past. Really poor. Government Cheese and powdered milk poor. I have no problem with poor people, but I do have a problem with people who choose to be uneducated, sloppy and rude. That is the type of person I run into at Winco.

Krisito

oh-zysbaby:

I have no problem with poor people, but I do have a problem with people who choose to be uneducated, sloppy and rude. That is the type of person I run into at Winco.

This.  I grew up with just my mom and we had NO money but we still acted like we had some damn sense.  Not the case at Aldi.  The people were totally klassy. 

RachelG83

savannah_girl:

Well now I know. My aunt go to the new La fitness all the time. We considered going to Aldi for shopping. I rather pay more and get quality from Publix.

Thanks for the heads up

There were several posts above saying that depending on what you were shopping for - Aldi has food that is "quality".

RachelG83

Krisito:

oh-zysbaby:

I have no problem with poor people, but I do have a problem with people who choose to be uneducated, sloppy and rude. That is the type of person I run into at Winco.

This.  I grew up with just my mom and we had NO money but we still acted like we had some damn sense.  Not the case at Aldi.  The people were totally klassy. 

We didn't have NO money but my mom saved money where she could so we could have nicer stuff.  We weren't (aren't) WT and acted like we had some sense while we were in there.  Not everyone at every one of these stores is WT.  It's just the one you find I guess.

WinsyWade

Eh. That's just how Aldi is. It's their own brands- and why it's SO cheap. The things you buy at aldi are mostly the same as regular brands. We used to shop there and could get a whole cart of crap for $100 or less. I don't shop there anymore since we only do natural, free of preservatives and dyes food. You just have to realize it's more like a warehouse store than a market.

ginifred

RachelG83:

I suppose you have to understand the purpose of the store and pull your panties out of wad about not being able to get Heinz there. 

The reason it's so self serve (the quarter for a cart and things not being beautifully on display) is to cut down on costs so YOU don't have to pay that much at the register. 

Stores have to pay people to fetch carts from out in the parking lot and put them all back together. 

Stores have to pay people to display things on the shelves (out of the boxes). 

Stores have to pay people to bag your groceries for you and pay for the bags that they put the stuff in (that's why you buy your bags unless you want to get one of those "roach attracting boxes" and carry your stuff out in that - like you do at Sam's).

I would never recommend going there with the purpose of looking for a specific brand, or even buying produce for that matter, so if that's what you're looking for - go elsewhere for it and get other stuff at Aldi.  The wording of your post made you sound kinda like a snob imo.

No panties in a bunch here.  Well, maybe about wasting my time.  And, I agree with you, I do sound like a snob in my op.  I'm also not complaining about the cart and quarter thing, or even the products displayed in boxes.  I realize that they did that to encourage people to bring their carts back, and also so they don't have to pay anyone to do it, thus keeping the prices down.  Same thing for displaying stuff.  I shop at Sam's all the time, I get the display set up and no bags.  I would pay for my cart at Sam's if they made me.

I went into the store because it was new, and I was curious.  I did not know what to expect, and I did not know that they only carried their own brand and nothing else.  The only thing I did know about the store going in is that they don't give you bags.

I appologize if I came off as a snob.  Like I said before, I am not above buying off brand stuff, and do so frequently.  If I had been looking for soup or beans, or even needed a gallon of milk, I would have bought that while I was there.

Melaneigh1

Oooh, I like Aldi.  Ours is really nice, and the people are nice.

I will recommend their cereals, milk, frozen green beans, waffles, and their version of rice-a-roni is just like the brand name stuff, and it's about 30 cents a box.  

The first time I went, I just grabbed whatever I thought looked interesting, and ended up with a ton of food for less than $40.  I have heard their mayo is gross.

idkmybffk8

i don't think you really sounded like a snob. You had a different experience in a store that you weren't used to and were venting it. It can be odd for someone their first time.

the only one in this with their panties in a bunch is rachel. you're taking all of this way to personally. she didn't like it. fine. you don't need to say she sounded like a snob because she wouldn't shop there. you do. fine. no one was calling you white trash for doing so. 

BrookeNicole09

I've never seen or heard of Aldi. I pretty much stick to our Ingles. I hate Wal-Mart and there is no close Target. We do have a Save-a-lot but they don't charge for carts. I go there maybe 2-3 times a year?

BecauseICan

Our Aldi's is digusting, so I'm totally w/ the OP on this one.  IDK, I'm super picky about our food and where it comes from.  And I'm fine with someone judging me and calling me a snob for it.  I will only buy chicken and milk and eggs from our city market, b/c it's made/produced/grown/whatever about an hour from our house.  Could I buy those things somewhere else?  Sure, but I choose not to.  I'm not sure why it makes you a snob if you are picky about where your food comes from--I think it makes you smart, personally.