Good and Bad Buys at Lidl and Aldi stores (***Please don't expire***)

Poormum

Hi all, 

I’ve shopped at Lidl in the past (not since covid) and used to find the quality of fruit of veg really bad and went off too quickly.. from reading on here, this isn’t so much of an issue anymore. I’ve been shopping at morries but am finding week on week it’s becoming more and more expensive. It’s only myself and my 11 year old daughter at home. I want to try shopping at Aldi but I’m also coeliac. I know the “mainstream” supermarkets do gluten free sections and specifically bread/rolls. I don’t remember seeing much in terms of gluten free at Aldi or Lidl. I work full time and solo parent so dread the thought of having to go from supermarket to supermarket every week. 

Do any other coeliacs have experience of using Alda or Lidl as a main shop and how do they find it? 

maman

I don't need to buy them myself but have noticed a 'free from' section in Aldi. I do 90+% of my shopping there and then can easily call into Sainsburys on my way home for anything I haven't found although that's not always necessary, usually just unusual spices/herbs.

I'd suggest you go to your local Aldi and check it out for the things you usually buy . 😊

st2011

Anyone know when the Christmas frozen ranges start appearing at Lidl? yes I know it's only August 

Brie

General_Grant said:

Brie said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

Mine too - works efficiently IMHO. Although no one ever asks me for a proof of age at the till 

Yes but then I got into trouble in one place as no one was there watching over us all and I bought some drink.  And the silly machine decided to not give me a receipt.  Which meant I had no proof to show I'd actually paid for the drink and they tried to confiscate it as if I was thieving!!  

So what then happened?
Did you demonstrate that the machine you used wasn't printing receipts?
Were you able to prove that your card had been debited?

Stood my ground and said I'd paid and that the machine didn't give a receipt.  There was some huffing and puffing from the staff but one of the cashiers was willing to be helpful and got someone to check the machine which eventually provided the receipt.  I think she was willing as I've chatted with her a number of times when I've been in the shop - saying hi, how's your day? that sort of idle chat.  She said something like "oh I know her, she's a regular" before shouting for a supervisor to help.  Another example of how it's worthwhile to be nice to people!!

Rosa_Damascena

Brie said:

General_Grant said:

Brie said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

Mine too - works efficiently IMHO. Although no one ever asks me for a proof of age at the till 

Yes but then I got into trouble in one place as no one was there watching over us all and I bought some drink.  And the silly machine decided to not give me a receipt.  Which meant I had no proof to show I'd actually paid for the drink and they tried to confiscate it as if I was thieving!!  

So what then happened?
Did you demonstrate that the machine you used wasn't printing receipts?
Were you able to prove that your card had been debited?

Stood my ground and said I'd paid and that the machine didn't give a receipt.  There was some huffing and puffing from the staff but one of the cashiers was willing to be helpful and got someone to check the machine which eventually provided the receipt.  I think she was willing as I've chatted with her a number of times when I've been in the shop - saying hi, how's your day? that sort of idle chat.  She said something like "oh I know her, she's a regular" before shouting for a supervisor to help.  Another example of how it's worthwhile to be nice to people!!

There is always an audit trail and this should not depend on how nice the customer / SAs are. It's the difference between being prosecuted or not!

PLRFD

This is one reason I find the current trend from cashiers asking do you want your receipt a bit strange.

YoungBlueEyes

st2011 said:

Anyone know when the Christmas frozen ranges start appearing at Lidl? yes I know it's only August 

My Lidl still has a few frozen bits knocking about. They relabelled them as Easter goodies but it was just the same old turkey crowns etc. Not be long til the rest of the stock appears, I've seen Quailty Street/Roses 'tins' in piles somewhere.... was it Tesco maybe? 

Rosa_Damascena

YoungBlueEyes said:

st2011 said:

Anyone know when the Christmas frozen ranges start appearing at Lidl? yes I know it's only August 

My Lidl still has a few frozen bits knocking about. They relabelled them as Easter goodies but it was just the same old turkey crowns etc. Not be long til the rest of the stock appears, I've seen Quailty Street/Roses 'tins' in piles somewhere.... was it Tesco maybe? 

Post when you remember please?

YoungBlueEyes

I will do Rosa yeah. I do my food shop on a Tues so I'll go in to Tesco for a look. 

pumpkin89

Yes, the "tins" (plastic tubs) of Quality Street, Heroes, Celebrations and Roses are in Tesco now.

£4 with a Clubcard (£5 without) but there's no need to stock up immediately as the offer runs until 3rd October.