Sainsbury's - like shopping overseas?

Cornucopia

I don't have the time to research special offers across 6 supermarkets (even if some of the effort is done for me).

Nor do I have the time to visit up to 6 supermarkets to get the best deals (no Lidl, here, either, and the Tescos is tiny).

It's one of the things I like about Aldi (and Lidl): although there are individual exceptions (especially with branded products), the basic price proposition is simple. It's cheaper there, than elsewhere, and you don't need to take account of multi-buys.

davetrousers

ThumbRemote wrote: »

Albeit (in my experience) you get a significantly smaller choice and much poorer customer service.

I seldom want a conversation with the checkout person. Simple pleasantries are sufficient.

Cornucopia

I found myself in Sainsbury's again the other day.

I honestly don't have anything against them.

But, I've been trying to find somewhere to buy Cambazola (blue Brie) - they don't sell it in Aldi.

Not only did they not have any, but I was astounded at the prices of the cheese they did have. The various cheeses in pre-packs were all around £3 (Aldi have various cheeses starting from 99p). And their large packs of Cheddar were £7 (ouch!) (Aldi c. £3.50).

If they ever do start price matching properly, it's going to be a big shock to their bottom line.

edit: Oh and soft cheese (200g)...

Aldi 49p
Sainbury's £1.20 (2 for £2)
Tesco's £1.10
Morrison's 90p
Asda 88p

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Dyna4 wrote: »

If Sainsbury's and Morissons are even still here this time next year, I will be very surprised.

*sets reminder to revisit this thread in 12 months time*

Edwood_Woodwood

martinthebandit wrote: »

Never heard of the old adage ' you get what you pay for'?

Absolutely agree.

I know it's not popular to say but the majority of Lidl & Aldi own brand foodstuff is like muck. Disgusting cheapo stuff that sticks to the roof of the mouth.

I'd rather pay the extra few quid and eat good, keenly priced branded stuff from ASDA than risk gut rot.

Plus, anyone else think Lidl/Aldi have a really depressing atmosphere as soon as one even enters? Everyone looks so miserable.

And smelly stores.

Edwood_Woodwood

Cornucopia wrote: »

edit: Oh and soft cheese (200g)...

Aldi 49p
[STRIKE]Sainbury's £1.20 (2 for £2)
Tesco's £1.10
Morrison's 90p[/STRIKE]
Asda 88p

I've tried both these.

Aldi-disgusting. 0/5. Not even my cat would lap it up.

ASDA-quite tasty, not bad at all. 3/5.

The false economy, wasted 49p at Aldi, didn't save anything.

Cornucopia

I have to say that either I have very broad taste & standards, or these claims that Brand X was "muck" lack credibility.

I have a lifetime of being a citizen-consumer, during which time I have shopped loyally at all of the 6 main supermarkets (and Safeways) at various times. I've always favoured own-brands over branded items.

I can honestly say, I have never had the misfortune to obtain a product that was like "muck" and if I did, I would take it back(*). If anything, my experience is quite the opposite - the devil has the best tunes. I know various cheap products that are not very nutritious, but they tastes[sic] so good....

In this particular case, I've had Garlic & Herbs soft cheese from all the 6 supermarkets over the years - I probably couldn't tell them apart if they were next to each other. I certainly would pay over twice as much for one over another.

(And I'm not sure why anyone would give it to their cat).


(*) One of the few times I ever returned a product was a pack of Safeways own brand of Shreddies cereal. The box was half full of malformed lumps of cereal that were too hard to eat.

I got their standard offer of "refund and replacement". The fact it was Safeways tells you how long ago it was.

Cornucopia

Edwood_Woodwood wrote: »

Plus, anyone else think Lidl/Aldi have a really depressing atmosphere as soon as one even enters? Everyone looks so miserable.

I like the atmosphere - much less noisy and manic than the big supermarkets.

And smelly stores.

That's what real food smells like, when you take away the smell of the bakery being pumped around the store.

Lube

Every time I go to Aldi its a totally different atmosphere to other well known shops. The isles are cramped so nobody has time to browse properly not that's there is much variation of products on choice. No chance to have a chat with anyone you might know you block the isle. Still thats my experience in store I go to maybe its just my local store. Still whatever floats your boat.

I can never do a full weeks shop, car park is always full so a fight for spaces, well you may say its because its busy but car park is small compared with other main shops like Tesco, Sainsburys.

I dont dispute some of the food isnt bad quality and offers aren't bad too at times.