Good and bad buys from Aldi and Lidl

meer53

I think there is a need for a thread like this. A lot of people are put off shopping in Lidl or Aldi because they aren't sure about buying stuff there. If a post like this can highlight the good/bad products, it might encourage more people to try it and save them money. I've halved my shopping bill since starting to shop at Aldi. I still visit Asda or Tesco for stuff i can get or don't like but on the whole i think they're both really good value for money.

Towser

what about the toilet paper what's the one to go for?

MrsCautious

I find this thread useful and interesting and will be buying stuff for the first time because of it, but then I'd also find a thread on Waitrose interesting if it was going to discuss best offers. I suppose I'm in the same position as a lot of people, wanting to save money and shopping at Aldi but still in the dark about certain lines so opinions here are good to know.

Doc_N

Sorry! I wasn't really having a go at the thread - just (rather badly) trying to make the point that Aldi and Lidl are too good to be singled out as needing it!

rippedoff3

I am very new to Aldi as i have Lidl close by,

Aldi- trying new items i love the
washing up liquid
sweets
fruit/veg
pizza
icecream
cakes
crisps

Didn't like the malted wheats

Lidl - good
nappies
fruit/veg
pasta sauce
icecream

I didnt like wash up liquid/powder

I wish they would sell organic milk

Pee

I think there is a lot to be said for nipping in with a few quid and maybe buying the special offer fruit and veg and one or two other products that you like the look of and seeing how you get on with them.

I like their sausages, having eaten them with a German friend but my OH really doesn't like them or their plasticy skins. Then again the hot dog sausages are cheap and have lots more meat in than the usual canned american style ones.

I've been pleased with beauty products that I have tried. I've been pleased with cheese. Cereal has been like any own brand cereal, not as good as kelloggs to my taste, but much cheaper. Pesto is very good value and a very good quality. Fruit and vegetables are very cheap and only slightly less attractive than the much higher priced Waitrose.

Meadows

Lidl champagne is yuck _pale_ better to get the better named stuff or a good Cava.

I recently bought their equivalent of Gold Blend for guests (not being a great instant coffee lover) and it was actually quite nice, their ground coffee on the other name is not nice.

Our Lidl currenly has 5 metres of ribbon for £1, ideal for gift wrapping or crafts (not Christmas ribbon, but some nice colours and quite fine).

MysteryMe

The thread is what it is and clearly titled.

kathie1101

I love this thread and although I have been a regular shopper at Aldi for a long time (do most of my shopping there), and to a lesser extent Lidl; I have tried products that have been mentioned on here that I perhaps wouldn't have done otherwise (and liked them). I love the whole Aldi shopping experience; how they nearly always open a new till if there is a queue, there aren't usually any hold ups at the till (unless somebody is not used to how Aldi works & are taking forever & insisting on packing their bags at the till) and the staff are really friendly and helpful & always have a word or 2 for everyone. Aldi have started stocking more brand name products, I've been told by staff that this is mainly at the request of their 'new shoppers' that like that Aldi is cheaper but don't like that they couldn't get the brand stuff. My latest thing that I have tried and loved from Aldi is their premium apple pie. It costs £3.99 but it is huge. It says it serves 14 - we get 12 very good sized pieces from it. We cut it in half and just cook half at a time. It really is lovely :-)

Doc_N

Always used to shop at Lidl until Aldi opened a few months back. Quite amazed at the difference between the two.

Aldi - happy, smiling, friendly staff. Very busy store.

Lidl - miserable, grumpy, unfriendly staff. Store's lost a large chunk of its business.

Is this the general experience, or is it just a local issue?