ALDI - like Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons

Gigervamp

I've found that you get through checkouts quicker at Aldi and Lidl and I do think it's down to the fact that you have to pack it away from the till.

When I worked on checkouts at Tesco, I altered the speed that I put things through depending on the customer. There were the customers who packed very quickly, usually chucking stuff into the bags willy nilly, so I sped up with those customers. There were the customers who kept like with like, all the chilled and frozen in bags together, the breakables in another bag, tins and heavy stuff, etc. They took a bit more time to pack.
And then there were the little old ladies and gents who were very slow and I'd often help them to pack.

I hate it when you get a checkout operator who just chucks everything through and it all starts piling up with your bread or crisps getting squashed by heavier stuff and you run out of room to open a bag to fill.

Living_proof

I have shopped for years at Lidl and Asda and whilst they can't provide 100% of my requirements, what they do is excellent quality and really well-priced, particularly the fruit and vegetables. I go into town early on a Saturday, the stores are quiet and I am in and out efficiently leaving me more of my weekend than if I trailed around Mr Ts.

And do you know what I like most about it? It is so QUIET. Please excuse the shouting but particularly at this time of year there are no indecipherable gibberish messages over the Tannoy, and no stupid carol singing in the background. One can simple go about one's business serenely. The customer service is low-key but I have never had a complaint (can't say that about Tescos or Morrisons) and just last week I bought a huge purchase and was immediately offered help to the car by the charming Joseph who managed also to fold back the back seat of the car, something which I am too weak to do these days.

I did have a small foreign object in a cake which was taken seriously, investigated and I was given a small but not unwelcome credit. Every town should have these stores to give choice and their prices are so good that I feel their profits must come from their 'homewares' where I tend not to spend my money. Maybe I should buy a horse, or start fishing as a hobby!

Gigervamp

Living_proof wrote: »

And do you know what I like most about it? It is so QUIET. Please excuse the shouting but particularly at this time of year there are no indecipherable gibberish messages over the Tannoy, and no stupid carol singing in the background. One can simple go about one's business serenely.

That's so true and it's one of the reasons we love shopping at Lidl and Aldi. :T

EycplUK

Lynsey wrote: »

Less check-outs I agree, but they are very quick - I believe they are targeted (I believe 30 items per minute is a possibility).
If only the big 4 had such efficient staff. Been in Morries and Sainsbury's the last few days and the doddery staff have taken ages to put through items. Still lack of staffed tills also, thank God for the self service tills at times.
The stafff at the big 4 (most anyway) couldn't and wouldn't survive at Lidl and Aldi.
I find once the queues build up to 5 or 6, they sharp put another operator on another till - maybe I just have a great Lidl??

Lynsey

Think you will find the difference between the checkouts is the Big4 pay minimum wages , Aldi pay at least £8.50 plus ! go figure !
:xmastree::xmassign::xmastree:

tessie_bear

i also like at this time of year is is possible to wheel a trolley round without bumping into stacks of food crates pilied up on every corner..our local m and s os a pain for doing that particularly with biscuits

Lynsey

EycplUK wrote: »

Think you will find the difference between the checkouts is the Big4 pay minimum wages , Aldi pay at least £8.50 plus ! go figure !

And the Adli/Lidl staff do multiple jobs, they don't just work on the checkouts. Very, very efficient staff in my local area. They are worth their £8.50 plus then.

Lynsey

millie

They have 4 till in my local Aldi. It is not very often they are all open but just lately there are often 3 of them open. I think so many people have discovered their good prices and quality that they are getting more and more shoppers instore. The staff are always so pleasant it is a joy to shop there. I do get 10% discount at Asda as a retired employee but there are very few things I buy there these days.

UnderPressure

Well in the interest of "fairness", seen as almost every comment is praising these budget grocers I will offer my completely unwanted opinion

I cannot stand Aldi or Lidl, I even now put Asda in the same bracket as these 2 now

I have tried Aldi and Lidl a few times over the years and will make an effort to go for the Italian ham and cheeses, these are imported and generally excellent quality at a sensible price, so far as any of there other offerings, no sorry not for me and mine!

I have a theory that the people who shop at these places and constantly whine on about how great they are are really trying to convince themselves rather than others. Sure times are hard they are for everyone but some things I believe you should never cut corners on, food, fuel for your body and mind is at the top of this list for me.

I do not entertain any kind of processed foods either, over the years I have found the cheapest way to shop has been buying good quality fresh produce mainly from local traders.

Each to their own I suppose...............

Shashwoo

The local @ldi to me is about a 2 minute walk and even less in the car

We always go there for bits and bobs, do our usual monthly shop in @sda but for drink both Alcoholic and none it is 1st rate.

The staff are always friendly and helpful and you can get some absolute bargains

Stompa

UnderPressure wrote: »

I have a theory that the people who shop at these places and constantly whine on about how great they are are really trying to convince themselves rather than others.

That strikes me as a rather bizarre theory. You'd think that if people thought the store was no good they'd neither continue to shop there nor recommend it to others.