Have you ever been to any of the ALDI stores before? Well, neither had I! I’ve actually heard a little about them because we just got a food market here a few towns over. I heard people were getting great deals and great value by choosing to pick up their staples here instead of their regular grocery store. I am all about saving especially this time of year when we are all trying to recap after the holiday season.
I went to visit a friend who lives over by there and even though it was snowing I thought I’d stop and check them out. Plus, it was the one time in months that I didn’t have any of the boys with me.
When I first walked in I didn’t know what to expect still since it was just one long tunnel. I didn’t see any baskets or carts so I just continued to walk in. ALDI stores are not like your regular stores. You will need to bring your own bags which I realized later and luckily had one out in the car. Had I had Sawyer with me I would have had to leave. No one told me that I could rent a cart which I found out later after I left.
This doesn’t bother me as far as the store. I know other stores that do this and get it I just wish I had realized before going in. So, bring your own bags and if you need a cart you can rent one. You get you money back when you return the cart as well.
The store shelves were all pretty well stocked and the selection was great. There were no name brands but comparable generics for quite the assortment of foods! Many of the packages were bigger in size and cheaper in price too!
I was impressed with the long wall of the freezer and cold foods. There were tons of selections and lots of choices. The store was actually incredibly clean, especially with it snowing outside. It was odd though because there were empty boxes all over. Other than the boxes nothing was out-of-place.
I also liked that everything was clearly marked. I was surprised to see meat too.
They had a full selection of vegetables and fruits. I wanted so much to take advantage of some of the great prices but sadly so many of them had mold all over them. I was told the key if finding out their delivery dates and buy same day. You call your local store and find out your local stores delivery day.
I was impressed that they even had a good toy area. There were lots of name brand items mixed in here too.
The stores are large and the aisles are nice and wide. The overall store is clean and the selections are great. I think the produce needs some help of at least remove the decaying ones. Come prepared with your own bags and there are definitely some great deals to be had.
One thing I should note is the lack of employees. While I shopped there was never an employee present. I was in the store completely alone which was kind of creepy. I had to wait for someone to notice me so I could even pay before someone emerged from the back.
Also, I had a $25 gift card and my total came to $22 and she refused to sell to me unless I went over the $25. I grabbed another thing of plates and my total came to $24.74 and she still refused even telling her I didn’t need the change back. I had to buy the nut pack to put me over so I could give them additional funds. I thought this was deceiving as a gift certificate should be treated as cash or, at least, state on it that the amount must be exceeded. Had their been other customers this processes would have been embarrassing to me. I also went from thinking I was going in spending no money and was forced to spend money.
Overall, I was able to purchase everything for a little over $25. Not bad. In the future, I wouldn’t buy produce or meat from them again. Knowing know what kind of store they are and how they operate I’ll definitely visit again in the future but equipped with bags in hand.
If your a fan of Chocolate, they have the BEST chocolate, its from Austria or Germany or something and is pretty cheap! The reason for all the boxes is because they leave them around for customers to grab and use instead of bring bags in (maybe it saves them time and money if they don’t have to compact all the boxes)
Interesting! That would make sense.
wait what… they made you go OVER the gift card amount?! I’ve NEVER heard of that happening before at any store, lol. so so weird. If you spent $22 you should have $3 left on the card to use later. That is really weird and I would have been upset because like you said that would have been embarrassing if other customers were waiting. What I also think about is what if I received a gift card as a gift and that was my ONLY means of cash and I didn’t want to spend the entire card amount in one visit?!
They need to adjust that and definitely up their customer service if you were the only one in the store and you had to wait to pay.
She must have had a gift CERTIFICATE not gift card, this was also stated as she said “gift certificate ” in the same paragraph. Nevertheless, their gift certificates DO clearly state that the entire balance must be used, BUT the associate on duty clearly doesn’t understand proper customer service and should have absorbed the measly coin change and been done with it.
I went to Aldi’s right after we moved here. I had never been to one before and I had ZERO change in my car so I couldn’t get a cart. Would have been fine if I didn’t have all the kids with me but if that wasn’t enough fun they wouldn’t accept my debit card because it was MasterCard. Like you I also tried paying with a Visa Gift card but they refused to accept it. I had a full cart of food that I ended up leaving there and I have yet to go back, I have no desire to.
that’s too bad. they are great. once ( as with all stores) you become used to their policies. Think about it, all stores have unique terms.
The carts- put in your quarter and cart releases. when through push in chained thing and your quarter comes back.
I started going to ALDI to buy strawberries for the school track concession stand( best price and FRESH!) Shortly after, we lost of of our large grocery stores so were almost forced to do more of our shopping at Aldi- or pay HIGH prices at another large store. we found it to be fantastic and their guarantee on food is wonderful too if you need it. be patient – as with all stores, and it can work for you : )
Our produce is awesome, but you have to check it like in any store.
every Aldi is a little different (one near us EVERYTHING is better than the other one nearby)
give ALDI another chance with an open mind. you too could love it!
GOOD LUCK
I have been to Aldis in Ohio, Florida, and in Europe. If you don’t happen to have a quarter, they will GLADLY lend you a cart. As Americans, we are a little spoiled with free carts and bags which are then scattered all over the parking lot. The bags become litter. Now that you know how Aldis operates, it will be a more positive experience next time. Your will save $$ plus their selection of gluten free items and organic items can’t be beat!
I didn’t realize they had a toy section too! I have an Aldi somewhere near me, but it is a few towns over and I haven’t been there yet
We’ve had an Aldi’s here for quite some time. Once I learned the “rules” it became a regular store for me to shop at. Certain foods I stay away from, but through trial and error I have my regular stuff I know I can buy there. The empty boxes are left there because some people use those to store their groceries instead of bags. Also, you can purchase paper bags or reusable ones at the counter (under the belt) Overall, I love the place and I go there often!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this store. We have several in Nashville and they all vary a little. You could buy bags (plastic or paper as well as their reusable bag) or def. use the boxes as previously mentioned. The first time I went I had my bags but noticed others w/ boxes so I picked up on that trend. They usually have a cart that’s got empty ones to grab from too. I agree about the chocolate. My favorite is the schotten (sp?), dark chocolate. It’s little brick like bites that satisfy amazingly! Also their milk is usally the lowest price. If you think you might shop there often you can sign up for their weekly newsletter via email and know about all the sales; it comes out on Wednesdays.
Just reading your review! I see you used my tip, glad I could help.
I have been going to Aldi’s for years. When they first came out they were similar, but over the years they have gotten even better. Totally cool. Great prices and they’ve added so much more.
We have an Aldi’s near us that I need to go to more often. It is kind of trial and error to find if you like their brands.
I was going to make the same comment about using the boxes to carry your stuff out. Also, having only one or two employees in the store is one of the ways they keep costs down.
Even though our Aldis is usually busy, I’ve never had to wait long in line – that cashier is FAST so I always have my cash ready!
I like Aldi’s for certain things, but, as in your case, definitely not fresh produce and many meats. I do like to stock up on non-perishables and treats that will be quickly eaten. They always have good seasonal buys that I like to stock up on when I catch them in store. I end up spending a lot less money on staples this way.
I’ve never tried to spend a gift card there, but it seems very odd that they would make you go OVER the gift card amount. I’ve had plenty of gift cards to other groceries, and the only restrictions I’ve found was that at one store, I couldn’t use it on ciggies; I had to pay the cash for them.
Great, honest review!
I have been watching my new store being built and cannot wait for it open. I have been studying Aldi since I saw the sign on the construction lot! I cannot wait to shop there!
We have one here but it’s not near as nice as yours. They save money, and can then have lower pricing, by not having a million employees. I hear the employees they do have get paid pretty well too.
I stopped going there when we stopped eating prepackaged processed food but I have a gift check that I need to use so I’ll be going there sometime soon. One thing – ours will take debit cards {with a pin} but if you use your debit card w/o a pin and sign for purchases {like I do – I have no clue what my pin is} they won’t take it b/c that makes it like a credit card {Dollar Tree is the same way}. So go prepared.
Oh and last time I was there years ago our store’s produce sucked too.
Thanks for the report – I would have forgotten about the 25c for a cart thing. lol.
I just used a Visa Gift Card at Aldi. The pin number is the last 4 digits of the gift card number. Worked like a charm. Actually the cashier told me they did not accept Visa Gift Cards. I asked if I could try my card with one item. He ran the card as a debit card and it worked. We both learned something new. I love Aldi.
I went to Aldi’s for the first time last week. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I liked it. As mentioned, the store was very clean and had a nice selection of staples. I too was not impressed with their fresh produce selection. Apples were good — only $1.99 for 5 lbs. and they were good. I can’t believe they made you overspend on your gift card. That’s just not very customer focused at all. I used a debit card and they told me they do not accept credit cards. I’m wondering if they accept American Express gift cards. I noticed someone used a VISA gift card and that worked, but you know how it is with American Express. They’re not accepted everywhere as it is, so I’m doubtful that Aldi’s will accept it. We’ll see. And, wow, was that cashier fast! I actually was amazed at how quickly she rang me up and bagged my items (I brought my own bags). Overall, a good value. And, oh yes, I will definitely be checking out the chocolate today 🙂
Shopped Aldo numerous of times…have been food poisened four times by experimenting outside of my comfort food products. I like the fresh fruit but nothing more.
Aldi is an up and coming store. They just put a few in NYC recently. I agree, the product is a YMMV thing and the ability to use DEBIT gift cards should be painless. The key is knowing the pin number.. possibly the either the last 4 of the card number, all zeros (0000) or the easy 1234, though I’m sure the people behind you in line will be anxious to get their business done quickly. Prices always aren’t the best, though many are compared to supermarkets for what they have. Stuff such as canned veggies & meats aren’t any better than a walmart, target, FYI. It looks like the low end lunch meats, milk and sometimes eggs are cheaper. Veggies vary.. so you may have to pay a visit to your nearby Asian grocer to see if they have better deals too. BTW, why doesn’t Aldi have more Asian foods besides eggrolls & dumplings?
We have 2 ALDI’S in Waterford ,MI and the one near the Waterford / Pontiac line is awesome I love making Guacamole and their avocados are just right . Their dark chocolate is better than Hersey’s, sometimes you have to watch the eggs I have found eggs with blood in them when I started going there in 2010 , and I think they switched vendors , I love the coffee creamer my wife looks for the sugar free French vanilla ,she gets 2-3 at a time I just spotted the sweet cream coffee creamer and bought 2 ,the cheese , Is relatively cheap at $ 1.89 a 8 oz brick Kroger’s sells it for $2.29 -$ 2.39 same size package .
I like Aldi. The reason you rent the carts is because Aldi was originated in Germany, that’s how all of the stores are there… I love how it reminds me of when I lived in Bavaria. All stores there are very similar to Aldi, but Aldi seems a little step above. We won’t buy meat or produce there but do get everything ((coffee too!)) from Aldi! 🙂
LOVE Aldi’s !! It’s a quarter to get a cart. When you return you get quarter back! Quite often when u park someone is unloading and I offer them a quarter for their cart! Keep bunch of quarters in car!! Aldis is Geeman based! FYI two brothers started Aldi and one left to start a “new” kind of grocery store called Trader Joe’s! And the rest us history!!
The boxes are left out for people who didnt bring bags to use. You rent the cart to eliminate the need to hire someone just to collect carts all over the parking lot. That savings turns into lower prices. I do have to say that I am quite confused about the gift card issue. I dont know a single store in my are that gives physical change from a gift card. Usually, the dollar or so balance will stay on the card for use at your next trip. You also didnt mention the fact that they DO carry some name brands but those are the specials for the week. I have found however that the quality is no different, even in taste from name brands selling for 4x the price. I since have learned from a family member who works at a food packaging place and he told me that they process aldi labeled food at their name brand factory. (which is why when there are recalls, so many brands are affected) I have only had a few experiences with little or no employees around. This is when I go closer to closing and they are getting their products ready to restock for the next day. My store does not carry as many ethnic varieties so it is a little smaller than others that I have been to. I have never seen more than 4 employees, which is about right for the size of the store. There are usually longer lines at the checkout, but it goes incredibly fast because they just put the purchased items in the cart for you to bag at the bagging counter. The Aldi near me has a large one-way window looking out over the checkout area so they can see when a customer comes to check out. I honestly rarely shop anywhere else unless except for personal care items since Aldi doesnt have a large selection. (I highly recommend their cat litter, it tracks way less than tidy cats) I do have to say that I have been to some really dirty stores, but those were in not so great neighborhoods to begin with, the Aldi by my work services a lot of people, it is right off the bus stop and one of the only selections of grocers in the area besides the highly overpriced “Fresh Market” next door. I only shopped at that one if I forgot something or needed something for dinner that night. ANyhoo, dont shy away from Aldi, it took me years to convince one of my friends to shop there and now she shops nowhere else.
Around here if it’s a small amount they just give the cash back but if they don’t do that they will at least let you keep the difference. This store wouldn’t let me cash back AND it refused to give me a credit of the amount I wasn’t spending. If I didn’t spend the full amount of the card they said I was forfeiting the balance. That doesn’t seem fair to me.
I’ve been shopping Aldi for years & really like it… BUT…as with all retailers it’s buyer beware. Their prices on chips/nuts/ chocolate is great, not so much on flour/sugar/meats. I also avoid the produce unless its something being used the same day. Really like their cheese selection, pasta sauces are good & if your store carries it, the frozen Swaii fish is good, we use it for fish taco’s & it works great !!
I love Aldi!…..including their produce. I buy their fruits & veges all the time. I do inspect them to make sure they are in good condition and fresh, but have rarely had a problem with them. Also, they have their “Double Guarantee” that is great. If you buy something and you are not satisfied, they will give you a refund AND replace the product. I have only had to do that once on a bunch of bananas that never turned yellow after 2 weeks. Their are limitations to their guarantee, but it is good that they offer this. I always buy my dairy stuff like cheeses, butter and coffee cream as well as frozen veges and shrimp. Dont buy their meat often as theri prices dont seem lower than other places unless they are having a special buy. And when they clearance seasonal itmes you save even more! 12 pack of name brand pop tarts for 69 cents! Cant beat that! The box idea is great. I always grab a banana box as soon as I go in. They are large and have handles! The only disappointment is when they have a really good sale on something and they are out of the product, They dont do rain checks. 🙁
Well i love aldis that is till yesterday my family out of state surprised me and sent me gift cards was so excited went and filled up 2 carts went to check out to find out they wont accept these here this state dont take them but it dosent say anywhere when u buy them they dont so i called cororate didnt get any results either so i have 200 in gift cards worthless and they wont refund the money either .i was so upset i think now ill be going to a more honest store
What state do you live in? Because I was thinking of buying gift cards for my sister. But she lives in a different state. And now I’m worried about buying them!
I do about about 85% of my total shopping at Aldi! I love it and you can’t beat the deals! I purchase a lot of their meat. Frozen chicken, frozen fish, fresh turkey burger and those country ribs. Also I have celiac so I have to eat gluten free and Aldi has an awesome gluten free brand of a lot of product. I love their gluten free bread and cake mixes and chocolate covered pretzels:) I’m in Ohio and I am curious to know how thier gift cards work. Im going there tonight so I’ll let you all know!
I was not surprised to hear about the decaying produce that needs to be removed….I see it, too. But the lack of employees is why. They keep a skeleton staff to keep the prices down. Also…you can’t call the individual stores. That would require someone to be available to answer the phone. As for the gift card issue….I don’t know WHEN you went or WHAT store you were in, but around here (NJ) we don’t have that issue. I use gift cards all the time and do NOT have to spend any specific amount. I could a store doing that with a gift certificate. (I would have been emailing Aldi’s corporate office the very next day! LOL) I buy all organic produce and get most at Aldi. BUT…as with produce from many places…don’t let it sit around…some of it will go bad fast. I only buy what I need for the week. Organic avocados seem to last more than a week because they are not ripe yet. Organic bananas are usually WAY too green and have to sit for days before you can eat them. so we plan accordingly. We never wait til we run out to buy more. Mixed greens organic salad is super cheap…more than a buck less than Walmart. Aldi says that they will be an all organic store within a few years. One thing with Aldi…you can’t always count on something being in stock. I buy organic whole chicken from them, and sometimes I have to go to the THREE stores before I find one. Sometimes. When strawberries are in season organic go so fast ….better get there on a day they are unpacking them! Their organic bean prices beat Walmart by at least 30 cents. The lines are long…. since they usually have no more than 3 employees working at once. So if you go at peak times…the beginning of the month when people get their SS checks and food stamps, right after work, Saturday afternoon, before a holiday, (SOME) Sunday afternoons (especially when there is a big game later in the day)…be prepared to wait in line. I don’t mind since the prices are so GOOD!
I was googling to see if I could get an Aldi gift card online and came across this.
I grew up with Aldi in Germany and some things don’t change I see! Made me happy.
So, the empty boxes all over are for customers to take and use to transport their items out the store.
They keep any and all cost to a bare minimum in order to pass on the savings to their customers. I have always loved the variety and good quality I am able to purchase there. In all of my years I have never had a bad experience.
Now I only wish I could purchase a gift card online so my poor college kid can continue to shop there in Florida. That is something I think would made to make available.
Replying to a few things…
1.) If you don’t have a quarter just go inside and they will either give you a cart or a quarter.
2.) They absolutely do not make you spend the total gift card, that’s why there is a number on the back to check your balance.
3.) The items are on the shelves in the shipping boxes. When they are empty customers pull them off to get to the next box. Employees go around and collect these and put in a huge basket for you to take the boxes to use at check out if you do not want to buy paper bags (7 cents) or sturdy plastic bags (25 cents).
4.) I have never seen mildewed meat. It comes in frozen and usually flies off the shelf before it is even defrosted.
5.) Produce, on the other hand, you do have to check. That comes in fresh and you need to check the strawberries and clementines carefully.
I am an Instacart shopper and am stating this based on 12 stores I shop at (5 being Aldi’s)
and prefer an Aldi shop order over any.
Great stores!