Good and bad buys from Aldi and Lidl

maman

buyhighselllow wrote: »

.....and the somewhat rushed check out system lacks finess and 1 item got scanned twice in the rush I noticed later :mad:. I think it would be hard on your own to manage a big shop, definitely easier with 2 to pack afterwards.

It definitely takes some practice to get used to the checkout speeds. I have my bags ready open in the trolley and items arranged on belt in order I want to pack them. Another option is to just put it all in the trolley and then move to the side and pack properly at your leisure. I think it's a case of 'you pays your money....' Personally I've become resentful of paying through the nose for a 'shopping experience'.

MysteryMe wrote: »

I haven't noticed the ham cuttings in my Aldi down Essex way, that's a shame. I'll have to look closer in case I've missed the packs.

We have them (South East) and they can be of variable quality and the smoked one is rarely available. I'd say buy them if you have a big family or a plan to eat them up quickly. I don't find it lasts like some of their other cooked meats. Torchon ham is my personal favourite or better still cook your won with the gammon joints.

maman wrote: »

I think the marzipan bars are dark chocolate (but have been avoiding them as I have a habit of eating Christmas goodies too early:o). I do have 70% Moser Roth every week though, small bars easier to ration myself;).

I picked up Moser Roth dark chocolate, marzipan hearts in a box yesterday but I put them back as I can't be trusted not to eat them before Christmas!;)

Someone asked about pulses. As well as the red kidney beans, they do cannellini beans and chickpeas. I think the latter are about 39p but kidney beans cheaper.

highlandlady72

What I like from Lidl so far:
Cornflakes
Korma Sauce in jars
Lidl version of Milky Way & Bounty fun size choc bars
Lidl version of Red Bull - can't complain at 30p a can
6 pack of Freeway Lemon/Lime juice (500ml bottles)

Eliza_2

Bad bad BAD thing about Aldi today! Couldn't park - I drove round twice but no luck. Went to Morrisons instead - easy parking, quite a few offers and own brand good buys. Maddening though as I have been a loyal Aldi-ite for all these years and it used to be so easy to park and whistle round the store quickly - no more it seems!

This was in Buxton, I wonder if it's the same elsewhere?

MysteryMe

Yes, our local Aldi has a full car park a lot of the time. Think nearer to Christmas will have to go either first thing opening or late at night.

candygirl

MysteryMe wrote: »

Yes, our local Aldi has a full car park a lot of the time. Think nearer to Christmas will have to go either first thing opening or late at night.

I went yesterday at school pick up time, and it was almost empty:j:j:j

Daisygirl

Eliza wrote: »

Bad bad BAD thing about Aldi today! Couldn't park - I drove round twice but no luck. Went to Morrisons instead - easy parking, quite a few offers and own brand good buys. Maddening though as I have been a loyal Aldi-ite for all these years and it used to be so easy to park and whistle round the store quickly - no more it seems!

This was in Buxton, I wonder if it's the same elsewhere?

YES!!! Both the ones I go to it is a nightmare parking, one of them at busy times you just cannot park, and the other one well it is busy too, but the spaces are badly laid out (and it's a new store), and sometimes it is pure hell trying to get out purely because of the way it is laid out! I end up getting stressed before I even get in the place (if I can get in!). Then wondering if I will get out again!

I will have to carefully plan my Christmas shopping.

{adds ham cuttings, Amaretti to list }

I was wondering if anyone has bought the ionic hairdryer which is a Best Buy at the moment, and what they thought of it, mine has just broken and am in desperate need of one! Thanks

fionajbanana

Why can't I find fresh spinach in Aldi?

Not impressed with their range of LF yogs. Need to increase their flavours in their Activia range. Only do strawberry, peach (ok but not keen), prune (yuk) or rhubarb (like).

shelley_crow

I tried Aldi's red pesto and was very pleasantly surprised, it's £1 a jar.

We also treated ourselves to a box of Moser Roth chocolates, they were £1.69 I think. The box looked quite small but the quality is superb, they put a lot of other chocolate brands to shame.

fionajbanana

Eliza wrote: »

Bad bad BAD thing about Aldi today! Couldn't park - I drove round twice but no luck. Went to Morrisons instead - easy parking, quite a few offers and own brand good buys. Maddening though as I have been a loyal Aldi-ite for all these years and it used to be so easy to park and whistle round the store quickly - no more it seems!

This was in Buxton, I wonder if it's the same elsewhere?

The Aldi 15 mins walk from me has a tiny car park. Only visit there if I only need to have 2 bags of life of shopping. I always need heavy stuff!

I have 2 15 mins drive and another one 25 mins away. I normally go to either of the two 15 mins drive as one is on its own and has a huge car park. Been at 10am in Sat and the car park was half full. The other one is on a retail park with 6 other shops. Two of the units are empty as the retailers went bust last year.

I only visit the other 25 mins drive if I visit a friend or a specific retail park as its on the way home.

MrsE_2

fionajbanana wrote: »

Why can't I find fresh spinach in Aldi?

Not impressed with their range of LF yogs. Need to increase their flavours in their Activia range. Only do strawberry, peach (ok but not keen), prune (yuk) or rhubarb (like).

Are they activia or aldis version of activia?
Reason I ask is I didnt think activia did the prune & rhubard in the fat free version, but if aldi do a look a likee fat free, I will make a trip there for prune & rhubarb!