The overall Aldi experience

Rosa_Damascena

I'm a big fan of Aldi, unfortunately the nearest branch its not within walking distance though so my trips tend to be restricted to when I am driving in that direction anyway. Its a nice place to shop, good choice of products, fresh food can't be faulted and the staff are incredibly friendly. What's not to love? Its relocating to a larger branch a short distance away from the current site shortly but slightly more accessible, bring it on. 

I used a self-service till at Tesco last night, it drove me nuts because it constantly refused to acknowledge my bag for packing and required assistance every time I scanned a new product in. I'm quite happy to pack twice at Lidl / Aldi if I have to, but generally I can keep up with the store assistant. When you are scanning your own shopping at the big supermarkets its just inefficient.

od244051

The one thing I do hate about the nearest Aldi to me - which I have mentioned in this thread and the other thread about Aldi and Lidl is because the car park is small, people think they can park wherever they like and thus blocking people in spaces. The managers are not bothered about this. Also have been told that there are a few customers that are giving the cashiers old pound coins, £5 and £10 notes. Cashiers are accepting them and which are given as change either later that day or the following day. As have seen a few customers in other shops in the area handing over the old notes and coins in other shops. The assistant rightly refuses them and hear the customer say "I got that in Aldi" as with the queue rushing, you throw your change into your waller, purse, pocket without looking at it.

There are EIGHT other Aldis within 6 miles of this store - not been to 2 of them, one of them opened in the autumn and all got decent sized car parks. Another of these Aldis is in a retail park with two large units being empty - as former occupants were busted retailers. The colleagues that go to Aldi and drive always go to one of the other 8 stores, sometimes, decision on which store they go to is based on whatever they are doing. One example, colleague had hospital appointment and went to the Aldi 1-1.5 miles from there on the way home.

Rosa_Damascena

od244051 said:

There are EIGHT other Aldis within 6 miles of this store 

This sounds like a total saturation of Aldi, unless you happen to live in a city with the same population-density as Japan! Where do you live?!

pickledonionspaceraider

A._Badger said:

ZeroSum said:

I'll be in the minority, but I'm with the OP. 
The queues are awful. I once got shuffled onto an empty till, cashier didn't turn up so got shuffled back, but now further behind. I left stuff on till & walked out.  Xmas gone, I popped in & just walked straight back out as queues were horrific. Went to Tesco instead & got straight in & out no bother. 

I really don't get the quality thing either. Their fruit & veg is mouldy, I've had bread buns go mouldy before used by date. Their tinned stuff is poor as is a lot of their toiletries. The range is poor & shelves not stocked properly. 
Its not massively cheaper either. Pretty much all the basics like milk & eggs are exactly the same price as the main supermarkets. 

That said, since I've discovered zipzero, it's made wombling a bit better given how scruffy Aldi is & how many old receipts are just lying about everywhere, so it's now worth popping in for a few bit & bobs. 

I can only assume you have a special Aldi branch somewhere in your personal space-tine continuum which specially stocks 'mouldy' fruit and veg, strangely inferior canned goods, charges higher prices and has deliberately extended checkout queues to ensure your maximum misery.. I'm glad I don't live there. 

This thread is called 'The overall Aldi experience' - and folk are just sharing their experiences.  The good and the bad

pickledonionspaceraider

maman said:

Not sure what you want to buy but Aldi has changed hugely pickled onion raider in recent years. There was a time when I probably did my shopping 50:50 in Aldi and Sainsburys. Now I can get 90%+ in Aldi and only need Sainsburys for occasional spices and a few brands I still enjoy. 

Yes that is exactly what I mean - it is things like spices.  Last time I went it was Risotto rice, which sent me in to a tizzy lol.  

 I like to have a list/meal plan - and I go a bit gormless if a meal is knocked off mid shop, due to lack of ingredients  and I start wandering around aimlessly.   I have to carefully scrutinise my meal plans due a family member having serious allergies.  


It all depends on individuals though, what type of foods a person eats - if someone is looking for gluten free or dairy free replacements, the choices are very limited.  

Due to time constraints, there is no way I will go to two supermarkets regularly - other supermarkets own brands are similar priced to Aldi.  For me, the main reason I would spend more in A or T's is due to the huge amount of choice but I find that online shopping counteracts this as you can see how much you are spending racking up, and pay less than a fiver for someone to pick, pack and deliver.  Bargainous!

A._Badger

pickledonionspaceraider said:

A._Badger said:

ZeroSum said:

I'll be in the minority, but I'm with the OP. 
The queues are awful. I once got shuffled onto an empty till, cashier didn't turn up so got shuffled back, but now further behind. I left stuff on till & walked out.  Xmas gone, I popped in & just walked straight back out as queues were horrific. Went to Tesco instead & got straight in & out no bother. 

I really don't get the quality thing either. Their fruit & veg is mouldy, I've had bread buns go mouldy before used by date. Their tinned stuff is poor as is a lot of their toiletries. The range is poor & shelves not stocked properly. 
Its not massively cheaper either. Pretty much all the basics like milk & eggs are exactly the same price as the main supermarkets. 

That said, since I've discovered zipzero, it's made wombling a bit better given how scruffy Aldi is & how many old receipts are just lying about everywhere, so it's now worth popping in for a few bit & bobs. 

I can only assume you have a special Aldi branch somewhere in your personal space-tine continuum which specially stocks 'mouldy' fruit and veg, strangely inferior canned goods, charges higher prices and has deliberately extended checkout queues to ensure your maximum misery.. I'm glad I don't live there. 

This thread is called 'The overall Aldi experience' - and folk are just sharing their experiences.  The good and the bad

I had worked that out. However, when someone's experience is so wildly at variance with most other people's it suggests either a unique experience or an attitude. I can't see anything wrong with pointing that out.  

Tyler_Durden_UK

@renegadefmhave you raised this concern with the store manager, like others I've never experienced this while shopping in Aldi
Edit - with regards the toilet issue, my 8 year old has used the toilet in all of the stores we use on a regualar basis without issue (even when its the staff toilet we've used)

od244051

Rosa_Damascena said:

od244051 said:

There are EIGHT other Aldis within 6 miles of this store 

This sounds like a total saturation of Aldi, unless you happen to live in a city with the same population-density as Japan! Where do you live?!

The Midlands. Though in different directions

pickledonionspaceraider

A._Badger said:

pickledonionspaceraider said:

A._Badger said:

ZeroSum said:

I'll be in the minority, but I'm with the OP. 
The queues are awful. I once got shuffled onto an empty till, cashier didn't turn up so got shuffled back, but now further behind. I left stuff on till & walked out.  Xmas gone, I popped in & just walked straight back out as queues were horrific. Went to Tesco instead & got straight in & out no bother. 

I really don't get the quality thing either. Their fruit & veg is mouldy, I've had bread buns go mouldy before used by date. Their tinned stuff is poor as is a lot of their toiletries. The range is poor & shelves not stocked properly. 
Its not massively cheaper either. Pretty much all the basics like milk & eggs are exactly the same price as the main supermarkets. 

That said, since I've discovered zipzero, it's made wombling a bit better given how scruffy Aldi is & how many old receipts are just lying about everywhere, so it's now worth popping in for a few bit & bobs. 

I can only assume you have a special Aldi branch somewhere in your personal space-tine continuum which specially stocks 'mouldy' fruit and veg, strangely inferior canned goods, charges higher prices and has deliberately extended checkout queues to ensure your maximum misery.. I'm glad I don't live there. 

This thread is called 'The overall Aldi experience' - and folk are just sharing their experiences.  The good and the bad

I had worked that out. However, when someone's experience is so wildly at variance with most other people's it suggests either a unique experience or an attitude. I can't see anything wrong with pointing that out.  

Clearly.
If someone else has a different experience to you, doesn't equal 'an attitude'...
However I am sure you will be back to tell me how wrong I am, for not agreeing with you.

A._Badger

pickledonionspaceraider said:

A._Badger said:

pickledonionspaceraider said:

A._Badger said:

ZeroSum said:

I'll be in the minority, but I'm with the OP. 
The queues are awful. I once got shuffled onto an empty till, cashier didn't turn up so got shuffled back, but now further behind. I left stuff on till & walked out.  Xmas gone, I popped in & just walked straight back out as queues were horrific. Went to Tesco instead & got straight in & out no bother. 

I really don't get the quality thing either. Their fruit & veg is mouldy, I've had bread buns go mouldy before used by date. Their tinned stuff is poor as is a lot of their toiletries. The range is poor & shelves not stocked properly. 
Its not massively cheaper either. Pretty much all the basics like milk & eggs are exactly the same price as the main supermarkets. 

That said, since I've discovered zipzero, it's made wombling a bit better given how scruffy Aldi is & how many old receipts are just lying about everywhere, so it's now worth popping in for a few bit & bobs. 

I can only assume you have a special Aldi branch somewhere in your personal space-tine continuum which specially stocks 'mouldy' fruit and veg, strangely inferior canned goods, charges higher prices and has deliberately extended checkout queues to ensure your maximum misery.. I'm glad I don't live there. 

This thread is called 'The overall Aldi experience' - and folk are just sharing their experiences.  The good and the bad

I had worked that out. However, when someone's experience is so wildly at variance with most other people's it suggests either a unique experience or an attitude. I can't see anything wrong with pointing that out.  

Clearly.
If someone else has a different experience to you, doesn't equal 'an attitude'...
However I am sure you will be back to tell me how wrong I am, for not agreeing with you.

No, I think that would come under 'attitude' too..