Good and bad buys from Aldi and Lidl

dlusman

Ken68 wrote: »

Lidl cooking oil, was 99p a litre , then 89p, now (for this week anyway) 79p. Time to stock up.

Feral_Moon wrote: »

What sort of oil is it please?

Sunflower.

robin58

A lot of the time with cereals and other products like crispbreads is they come in mixed cases e.g 12 of each say. Then locally one type is liked better and that leaves all the unliked types on the shelf.

Of course they will not stock up the shelf until their is space for them.

So there will be loads of what you don't want until they sell off some of the remaining stock.

Also noted this recently in one of my local Aldis, that they did not have a tomato sauce version of meatballs on the shelf but had tons of the gravy version on the shelf. They also come as mixed boxes.

Feral_Moon

robin58 wrote: »

A lot of the time with cereals and other products like crispbreads is they come in mixed cases e.g 12 of each say. Then locally one type is liked better and that leaves all the unliked types on the shelf.

Of course they will not stock up the shelf until their is space for them.

So there will be loads of what you don't want until they sell off some of the remaining stock.

Also noted this recently in one of my local Aldis, that they did not have a tomato sauce version of meatballs on the shelf but had tons of the gravy version on the shelf. They also come as mixed boxes.

But this is how they operate to keep costs low whilst offering a wide range of groceries in a much smaller size store. I know it can make it a bit hit & miss when shopping, especially if, like me, you haven't got a local store so have to make a special trip.

But to be honest, the savings I make far outweighs any inconvenience I might encounter if something I want is out of stock during my visit.

It helps that I don't stick to a rigid shopping list/menu plan so I can easily adapt or exchange ingredients if a major meal component is OOS. I might spot something else on "special" that I hadn't previously considered. But on the whole, I can usually buy everything on my list, or find a suitable substitute, whenever I visit a store.

robin58

Feral_Moon wrote: »

But this is how they operate to keep costs low whilst offering a wide range of groceries in a much smaller size store. I know it can make it a bit hit & miss when shopping, especially if, like me, you haven't got a local store so have to make a special trip.

But to be honest, the savings I make far outweighs any inconvenience I might encounter if something I want is out of stock during my visit.

It helps that I don't stick to a rigid shopping list/menu plan so I can easily adapt or exchange ingredients if a major meal component is OOS. I might spot something else on "special" that I hadn't previously considered. But on the whole, I can usually buy everything on my list, or find a suitable substitute, whenever I visit a store.

I agree with all you said but it is a bit off putting if you have gone into a store a specific item that you require like VfM4meplse did, especially when its a standard stock item, not a limited weekly offer.

Feral_Moon

robin58 wrote: »

I agree with all you said but it is a bit off putting if you have gone into a store a specific item that you require like VfM4meplse did, especially when its a standard stock item, not a limited weekly offer.

I know what you're saying, but surely that's the nature of the business?

When I shop at Aldi I have my list of stuff I want/need to buy but I'm also fully prepared that something popular might not be available, depending on time/day I shop. So I'll substitute where I can, and if I can't then tough luck.

I have to make choices when shopping at Aldi, depending what's in stock at the time. yes, there's far more choice in the bigger supermarkets but that's because they want you to spend more money. And it works.

recovering_spendaholic

I bought the "Taste of France" macarons today, and have to say that they weren't that nice - mushy and too sweet. But then they were, at £2.99, way cheaper than any others I've seen. The "Taste of Greece" Baklava was fab! The Tenery Emmental cheese slices are gorgeous - yes I know they are processed cheese but they are just sooooo nice!

TravellingAbuela

The Pine Toilet Gel from Aldi, that I've been buying for years, now comes in a different shaped bottle - and the gel it contains has changed too. I assume it's from a different supplier but I won't be getting it again. It's so thin and weak it's not worth buying.

viv0147

In the Port-talbot Aldi the premium cat food ( jelly ) has disappeared for the last few weeks my Cat just loves it! I asked the manager of the store he mumbled something about supply problems can anyone shed any light on this. Thanks

Brightspark87

viv0147 wrote: »

In the Port-talbot Aldi the premium cat food ( jelly ) has disappeared for the last few weeks my Cat just loves it! I asked the manager of the store he mumbled something about supply problems can anyone shed any light on this. Thanks

they have it on my Aldi, the cats of bristol must be more fussy...

maman

recovering_spendaholic wrote: »

I bought the "Taste of France" macarons today, and have to say that they weren't that nice - mushy and too sweet. But then they were, at £2.99, way cheaper than any others I've seen. The "Taste of Greece" Baklava was fab! The Tenery Emmental cheese slices are gorgeous - yes I know they are processed cheese but they are just sooooo nice!

The regular blocks of Emmental in Lidl are always nice, lovely nutty flavour.