Good and bad buys from Aldi and Lidl

Happygreen

buglawton wrote: »

So who would agree, if Aldi is making one mistake at the moment it is that it takes too long for it to develop new stores? Yes, planning permission is the block but it could also be that Aldi was too conservative filling its planning application pipeline. Another thing I notice: It seems to take around a year between planning being granted/building started and the actual opening of a store.

I don't mind another "short" wait after all those years. It is their second application as first time we had all this rubbish from the Council "oh, it is bad for Tesco and we already have a Lidl, what do we need Aldi for?" That first argument annoyed me quite a bit as T only bought the land next to their store so nobody else would have it. I'm glad Aldi didn't sell up but did try again. The community consultation was the key. Apparently building will start this year, so we'll wait and see....

Happygreen

maman wrote: »

Thanks for pointing this out. Just checked and I have both sized bags in my freezer (yesterday's and from a couple of weeks ago). For some reason I'm finding it hugely depressing. I've got used to the Big 4 ripping us off and I know Aldi isn't a charity but some days it really feels like us against the world. I hate the 'shrinking food' trick it's so patronising.:(

but if you compare prices for peas that is still cheap ? will stock up at Lidl then as surely they will follow one way or another...

Eliza_2

I'm continuing to have problems parking at both of the Aldis within reasonable travelling distance (around 8 miles one way to either of them) and after another fruitless drive around the car park went on to Morrisons. They have their big price reduction thing going on at the moment, though not in the things I wanted. I did buy a head of celery which normally I look out for in the Super 6 at Aldi. It was 69p which it can be at Aldi so thought it was probably ok. However it's huge!! I've had 3 sticks from it and it still weighs 1 kilo. I'm going back for more as I love it and use a lot and also use it in home made stew mix which I freeze and lasts forever. Never had such a big one at Aldi's, even at the height of the season.

Like others, I'm not happy about all the 'brands' that Aldi are introducing, that was part of the fun of it - finding new things to try. We all know what Heinz rubbish beans taste like and Coral are fine.

Stompa

maman wrote: »

Thanks for pointing this out. Just checked and I have both sized bags in my freezer (yesterday's and from a couple of weeks ago). For some reason I'm finding it hugely depressing. I've got used to the Big 4 ripping us off and I know Aldi isn't a charity but some days it really feels like us against the world. I hate the 'shrinking food' trick it's so patronising.:(

Sorry to have been the bearer of bad news. I only spotted it because it now says 900g on the receipt. As somebody else has already pointed out though, they're still pretty good value. At least they didn't reduce the size and keep the price the same, which is what usually happens elsewhere!

zenmaster

Eliza wrote: »

I'm continuing to have problems parking at both of the Aldis within reasonable travelling distance (around 8 miles one way to either of them) and after another fruitless drive around the car park went on to Morrisons.

We also have problems parking at Aldi but that's because they have a stupidly small car park which they share with the occupants of a block of flats on the same lot. Another branch has no car park at all and you have to use the council one.

By contrast the 2 branches of Lidl I use both have massive car parks.

Perhaps Aldi do not plan sufficiently ahead?

zenmaster

From my party this weekend I can report the following booze recommendations -

Lidl Hampstead gin: very acceptable. It's around £10 a bottle. If you can find Gordon's on offer at the same price then get that, otherwise the Lidl offering is virtually indistinguishable, especially after the first.

Aldi Napolean brandy: Very nice. It's not a Courvoisier XO but it is very smooth and not at all fierce. Brandy usually gives me indigestion but this did not.

Lidl white rum: not so good. I thought it tasted like soap. This taste carried through even when mixed. I don't usually drink white rum however. Maybe it's supposed to taste soapy?

The guests seem to have enjoyed all of them though, since there's not much left.

VfM4meplse

zenmaster wrote: »

We also have problems parking at Aldi but that's because they have a stupidly small car park

I stopped off at the Romford (A12) branch yesterday, the car park was choccer, but a little patience is all that is required. The staff were as polite as ever, and the queues shifted fast.

My shop came to nearly £20, which shocked me a bit as for me that is a lot to spend at any supermarket. It was all fruit, veg and dairy - but I also slung in a couple of treats on impulse: a couple of packs of marzipan, reduced to £1.39, expiring Jul 15 (vegetarian and great for stollen at Christmas time, I thought) and a set of 4 cookie stamps, reduced from £3.99 to £2.79. I hadn't seen either in the pound / 99p shop, am now wondering if either was a good buy.

Clowance

zenmaster wrote: »

We also have problems parking at Aldi but that's because they have a stupidly small car park which they share with the occupants of a block of flats on the same lot. Another branch has no car park at all and you have to use the council one.

By contrast the 2 branches of Lidl I use both have massive car parks.

Perhaps Aldi do not plan sufficiently ahead?

I suspect you are talking about the two aldis near me but until the last couple of weeks I had never had a problem parking at the one with flats. Even then waiting a couple of minutes solves problem. I tend to shop about 4pm on a weekday on way home. Clearly they are getting very busy these days, even sold out of Torchon ham last time.

System

Eliza wrote: »

I'm continuing to have problems parking at both of the Aldis within reasonable travelling distance (around 8 miles one way to either of them)

The five nearest Aldis from me and their car parks. These stores in different directions
. The one 10 min walk from me - cannot get a space as its tiny (30 spaces!) and idiots parking anywhere causing people to be blocked in. I wonder how do people challenge Parking Eye if they cannot leave because of an idiot blocking them in? If I go there, I walk. Though there is a free council car park behind the sore over the road.
. 2.5 from here - nice and large car park. There is a car park area to the side of the store which customers don't use..
. 3.5 miles - in a retail park with 7 shops - 1 empty. No issue with parking Though the roundabout outside the park is daunting
. 4.5 miles - if I cannot get into the car park which is shared by the flats above, then there are two car parks charging 20p for 3 hours
. 6 mies - nice car park

Frankymcfrank

Today I had Aldi's pulled pork, you just pop in the oven. It's £2.19 and fed 2 people. I would recommend it completely!

On the other hand I bought their sundried tomatoes today, they are horrible. They are really bitter. I don't know what I am going to do with the rest