Aldi

janiebquick

I think you'll find that Lidl don't accept credit cards either.....

Tixy

janiebquick wrote: »

I think you'll find that Lidl don't accept credit cards either.....

Not even in Berwick?!

janiebquick

Tixy wrote: »

Not even in Berwick?!

No idea about Berwick, but I thought it was more to do with both Aldi and Lidl being German companies and the Germans - wait for it - don't use credit cards!

jennifernil

I have always wondered why Aldi and Lidl have different policies on CCs in England and Scotland/Wales.

When Lidl first opened near us (Glasgow), they only accepted cash, cheques and debit cards, but after a couple of years they started taking credit cards too.

I never carry much cash, and once the DDs and SOs are accounted for, any surplus in our current account goes to a savings account. Virtually all spending is done using CCs, paid in full every month, which earn cashback/points/vouchers, so having a shop, where you might spend a fair amount each week, not accept CCs is a real pain.

I noticed that after they started accepting the CCs, the shop got much busier, so presumably they researched it and discovered that it could boost sales.

There are also differences in other countries. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Lidl and Aldi don't take CCs, while in France, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Finland certainly Lidl do. CCs are not so popular in Germany and Austria, but debit cards, especially Maestro are widely used. But we were very surprised that they did not accept CCs in Switzerland!

CCs are used in Germany, they are accepted at most petrol stations and some of the larger supermarket chains, also in many restaurants. The one place that did surprise us by not taking them was IKEA.

On the subject of prices, I haven't noticed things in Lidl being any cheaper in England.

planteria

jennifernil wrote: »

I never carry much cash, and once the DDs and SOs are accounted for, any surplus in our current account goes to a savings account. Virtually all spending is done using CCs, paid in full every month, which earn cashback/points/vouchers, so having a shop, where you might spend a fair amount each week, not accept CCs is a real pain.

precisely my position too. therefore, i never shop at Aldi or Lidl. so they miss out on my spending. and, potentially, i miss out on their value.

reclusive46

CCs in some countries are charged at pretty much the similar rate as a debit card (France for example), so it makes sense that they accept both.

virgo17

I really do think this is a bit of a 'non thread'.

A company has made a decision about how you can pay for its good. If you don't like it, shop elsewhere.

Just to add to the mix. Here in Spain, both Lidl and Aldi allow you to pay by credit card but the purchase must be at least €10.

duchy

planteria wrote: »

precisely my position too. therefore, i never shop at Aldi or Lidl. so they miss out on my spending. and, potentially, i miss out on their value.

Might be an interesting calculation .....does the cashback/points value exceed the savings made by shopping at Aldi/Lidl ?

In a similar vein I get 10% off shopping at the Co-op with my NUS extra card but don't get Co-op divy as well - the NUS saving is greater and in my pocket -although I don't shop there often my boyfriend's mother does but when I took her shopping she was horrified at the thought of not getting her points even though the saving was greater. Sometimes the points collecting blinds us to other savings.

FreddieFrugal

I've always found co-op to be quite expensive in the first place.

For the weekly shopping we do Morrisons is usually cheapest followed by Asda.

We've just had an Aldi open near us and I had the 'sorry we don't take credit cards' bit. It actually has put me off going. Especially since the shop is always completely packed. With OH being vegetarian there's very limited choice of things to buy anyway. Not worth doing multiple shops every week just to get certain things a few pence cheaper at Aldi. But it's nice to have nearby for last minute purchases.

I also like using my credit card so I'm not having to constantly top up my current account to get the most interest out of it (just top up once a month on credit bill day) plus cashback is good. Any amount back is worth getting.

planteria

duchy wrote: »

...Sometimes the points collecting blinds us to other savings.

agreed. there is always a risk of that. and potentially Tesco suck me into that trap.