Calling all Aldi's shoppers!

[andi9899]

There is a lock on each cart individually. You put the quarter in and it releases the cart. When you return it, you put the end of the chain back in the cart like a plug in a socket and the quarter pops out. Easy peasy.

[The Captain]

Aug 5, 2015 8:46:35 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

interesting. all the places I've seen pay carts (airports, etc) it's been a fee for the cart. is each cart locked up individually? how would you get your same quarter back?

You take your cart back to the cart corral (usually by the front door). There is a little chain on the handle with a key. Push the key from the last cart into your cart as you stack it in and it pops out the quarter.

Kind of ingenious. Cuts down on labor because they don't have to send people out to collect carts, cuts down on carts "disappearing" from the lot, and keeps untended carts from hitting cars. 

[Blonde Granny]

There is an Aldi store west of us in the town called Siloam Springs. We pass it on the way to the Casino in Oklahoma when we go there for lunch. Maybe we'll stop there and see if we think differently. If not, I'll stay with the new Walmart Neighborhood Market that just opened a couple of miles from us (and in a much better part of town).

[singlemomky]

Like Sam, I have not had the experience of poor quality with any product I have gotten at Aldi.  And my store is actually quite clean and the shelves are almost always full and freshly stocked and the employees at my store are so friendly and helpful.

If you do have an issue with an item not being what you expected, they do have a great guarantee.

"If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with any product, we will gladly replace the product AND refund your money. To receive the Double Guarantee, the product packaging and any unused product must be returned to your local ALDI Store Manager."

[Peace77]

Aug 5, 2015 8:46:35 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

interesting. all the places I've seen pay carts (airports, etc) it's been a fee for the cart. is each cart locked up individually? how would you get your same quarter back?

The carts are in rows held together by red straps.  When you put your quarter in the slot on the cart, the strap is released.  When you return the cart and reattach the red strap, your quarter is released.  Take the quarter from the slot and bring your groceries home.  I keep a quarter in the door handle of my car so I'm not stuck without one.

Bring your own grocery bags or tote bags when you go as they don't provide any for free.  If you forget, you can buy their heavy duty bags for 10 cents or use any empty boxes that you find around the store.

[Sam_2.0]

www.marketwatch.com/story/how-aldi-stacks-up-against-trader-joes-for-your-grocery-dollars-2015-07-24

Good read

Aldi foods are produced in the US or Europe. Often by the name-brand manufacturers that make the other generics too.

[marvholly]

One thing to watch w/Aldi:

The days right after and weekend after food benefits are issued are CRAZY.  in my state that is the 1st & 15th of each month.  Both my regular stores are hit.  Both have LOTS of one or more of seniors, subsidised housing, high unemployment, medicaid...........so get some food help too.

[marvholly]

I have been an Aldi shopper for more than 40 years; since before DD1 was even born. I have NEVER seen this. Today’s ad flyer has a COUPON for $3 of any fresh meat purchase. I know where I will be at 8:55 am today. Glad I did not defrost the chicken to cook today.

[dogmom]

I do shop Aldi from time to time. Their prices are wonderful. However, we haven't liked their ground beef (gristle) or peanut butter. Pretty much everything else, all good.

[Shooby]

It's simply Aldi. Not Aldi's. Lol

[yogiii]

I noticed over the weekend there is an Aldi being built near me.  Not sure when it will open they are still working on the building.  Will be interesting to see how they compare to our other local grocers.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Sept 29, 2015 6:40:01 GMT -5 yogiii said:

I noticed over the weekend there is an Aldi being built near me.  Not sure when it will open they are still working on the building.  Will be interesting to see how they compare to our other local grocers.

Spill it!  Where?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Years ago we were in Pennsylvania for a family wedding.  We hit an Aldi somewhere around Lancaster or Hershey, PA.  At the time, our budget was so tight old Abe Lincoln was screaming in pain from being squeezed so hard, LOL.  I was a member of some budgeting/frugal living boards on AOL and folks there swore by Aldi.  Prices were good, but we don't use a lot of canned goods and I couldn't buy anything that needed refrigeration because we had to drive home.  I did buy a fair amount of basics (baking supplies, etc.), but found I can do just as well with loss leaders locally.  

I'll give our Aldi a try when it opens, but I tend to shop the outside of the grocery store so i suspect I'm not likely to find much there to buy.  

[chiver78]

where is there going to be an Aldi near you??  there is one near my new job, I haven't gotten over there yet. but if it's near you, it's near my parents, and that would totally help them out!

[buystoys]

We're getting a new Aldi and a new Walmart Neighborhood Market in town.  It surprises me because we have four supermarkets (including a Walmart Super Center) in a town of 25,000 people.  There are three supermarkets (including another Walmart Super Center) in the town of 11,000 people about 10 miles south of us AND a Walmart Super Center being built in the town about 15 miles west of us that has 11,000 people.  Seems like a lot of food stores in such a small area!  When I was growing up, we had a very small grocery store in town (very expensive) and two stores about 20 miles away in a town of around 20,000 people.  Didn't get a Walmart until I was in high school, but we did have Alco and Gibsons. 

Do the stores really sell that much more food these days?

[Sam_2.0]

I'll give our Aldi a try when it opens, but I tend to shop the outside of the grocery store so i suspect I'm not likely to find much there to buy.

This is most of what I buy there produce, dairy, etc.

[marvholly]

Sam

i also shop the perimeter of most stores and mostly at local independent markets. However, there are a number of items that are nearly ALWAYS a better buy at Aldi:

their weekly produce specials

cottage cheese

large containers of yogurt

salsa -red & green

soft margerine

1x/month junk food (chips or cookies) treat

chocolate chips

salad dressing (usually)

tacos corn & flour

cream cheese

There are probably more but that is enough for now.

That said, there are quite a few things I used to buy at Aldi that I now get at Dollar Tree:

Paper goods (nearly all)

OTC meds like asperin, ibuprofin

frozen veg & fruit

[Peace77]

Aug 5, 2015 8:46:35 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

interesting. all the places I've seen pay carts (airports, etc) it's been a fee for the cart. is each cart locked up individually? how would you get your same quarter back?

When you put the cart back, you attach the strap or chain of the last cart in corral to your cart.  Then, your quarter is released and you can take it back.  

I keep mine in the car, so I can't spend it by mistake and I don't have to get out my wallet.

[tcu2003]

Sept 29, 2015 18:35:56 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I'll give our Aldi a try when it opens, but I tend to shop the outside of the grocery store so i suspect I'm not likely to find much there to buy.

This is most of what I buy there produce, dairy, etc.

I'm a big fan of their frozen veggies and their cheese (their Havarti and goat cheese logs are always cheaper than Sprouts or Price Chopper). Other random things I get their: canned beans (DS loves black beans, so I try to keep those on hand), black olives, cream cheese, whole wheat pasta, and some fresh veggies.

[yogiii]

Ok, it appears the Aldi near me opened up recently.  I haven't been to the store but I did receive a flyer in the mail. It seems like most of their items are the same price or 10-20 cents cheaper than my local Market Basket but that Aldi has less selection.  I'll have to go in soon and check it out but it seems for me it will likely be a "once in a while" store vs. every week like MB.

[Sam_2.0]

I get to go today after work. Two kids in tow since DH has to work late. Just the way I want to spend my Friday evening At least our store now has the carts that two kids can sit in the front of. DS has to be on the side with the lock chain because it entertains him so much. He spends the whole time trying to figure out how to get it in his mouth. You can tell he's not the first kid because I just don't care. Hahahah!

I should be able to walk out tonight with a full basket - at least 5 reusable bags full - for about $120 and the food will last us about 2 weeks. Every time we end up going to HyVee instead the price is at least $200! Then again, HyVee delivers. But they won't deliver wine, so off we go

[Anne_in_VA]

We just got an Aldi's in a city about 15 or 20 minutes away with one planned for my city next year.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what the've got.

[Sam_2.0]

Random tip - one of the best times to go is Saturday evening. Because most adults do way more fun things on Sat nights than going to the grocery store. Hahah!

[MJ2.0]

Also Sunday night, because most people are sane enough to be eating dinner by then.

[Peace77]

Be aware many stores close early on Sunday.  Ours closes at 6 pm. on Sundays.