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AMA
Original poster

AMA Working for Aldi

104 replies

HoeAbout · 30/04/2023 07:18

I've only just left my position due to a relocation, but wondered if anyone had any questions!

Worst times to shop, best time for a click and collect, anything behind the scenes :)

OP posts:
BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 30/04/2023 09:09

HoeAbout · 30/04/2023 08:03

So we have targets we have to hit, and can be written up if we fall below the scanning targets.

The idea with Aldi is that you pack your items at the packing bench and not at the till, so you just fill your trolley back up as we scan it through which can be done very quickly.

This means that we can serve a higher number of customers and therefore need less staff to man the tills. Less staff means cheaper running costs and cheaper items on the shelf for the customer.

Show quote history

See I totally agree with the rationale behind the packing bench, but it just seems not to be enforced in the UK (at least not at my Aldi!) In Germany you'd be told to pack at the packing bench if you tried to pack at the till.

Yellowdays · 30/04/2023 09:15

@Mustardandchickensandwiches especially if you use those big reusable bags.

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 30/04/2023 09:23

Is meat left out of the fridges regularly. I always shopped at Aldi before it was a thing but lately I have had meat (chicken and mince) that has turned before the sell buy date.

Stormyinacoffeemug · 30/04/2023 09:48

Everyone recommends shopping for the yellow ticket items to save money on meat etc, is there a specific time things get reduced or is this different in every store?

Can I ask about headsets? In the two stores local to me, staff chat constantly on the headsets throughout the day. I wouldn't mind this except it is on the till also. You will be there to get served and the whole time they are talking to someone else across the store - they don't say hello, don't ask cash or card, don't say the amount, don't say thank you, just chat, chat, chat on the headset. Is this accepted?

Original poster
HoeAbout · 30/04/2023 09:48

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 30/04/2023 09:23

Is meat left out of the fridges regularly. I always shopped at Aldi before it was a thing but lately I have had meat (chicken and mince) that has turned before the sell buy date.

All deliveries of chilled products are stored in a chiller, they are then only taken out into the chilled aisles to stock the shelves - so once in store there is very little risk of meat being spoiled.

Aldi are great with refunds so if you do have anything that has gone off they will refund you in full, keep the packaging and your receipt. So frustrating when it happens!

OP posts:
Shhhquirrel · 30/04/2023 09:51

What’s the best time to go for reductions please?

Original poster
HoeAbout · 30/04/2023 09:54

Stormyinacoffeemug · 30/04/2023 09:48

Everyone recommends shopping for the yellow ticket items to save money on meat etc, is there a specific time things get reduced or is this different in every store?

Can I ask about headsets? In the two stores local to me, staff chat constantly on the headsets throughout the day. I wouldn't mind this except it is on the till also. You will be there to get served and the whole time they are talking to someone else across the store - they don't say hello, don't ask cash or card, don't say the amount, don't say thank you, just chat, chat, chat on the headset. Is this accepted?

The reduced stickers are mostly date led.

So items with the next day's date will be reduced by 30% in the late afternoon.

At the same time, items with the current day's date (so it will already have been reduced 30% the previous afternoon but not sold) will be further reduced to 75% off.

So the best time for reductions is the late afternoon/early evening!

If you find something with the same day date, ask (nicely!) and they'll take 30% off for you even without a sticker.

OP posts:
Original poster
HoeAbout · 30/04/2023 10:01

Stormyinacoffeemug · 30/04/2023 09:48

Everyone recommends shopping for the yellow ticket items to save money on meat etc, is there a specific time things get reduced or is this different in every store?

Can I ask about headsets? In the two stores local to me, staff chat constantly on the headsets throughout the day. I wouldn't mind this except it is on the till also. You will be there to get served and the whole time they are talking to someone else across the store - they don't say hello, don't ask cash or card, don't say the amount, don't say thank you, just chat, chat, chat on the headset. Is this accepted?

This depends on the store managers preference.

When I started there were no headsets, the new manager though wanted them.

They are amazing for the staff - because there are very few staff per shift we are all multi tasking and the communication helps so much.

  • asking a colleague to get a price code that won't scan to save me getting up to find it and holding up the queue
  • telling a colleague not to load me on till as I have to finish a job on the shop floor
  • asking for a manager to deal with approving a void or refund
  • the manager contacting me while I'm on till to ask if ambient is finished
  • checking who is next on break as I'm running late with busy tills

A million reasons that headsets are just brilliant!

We would never ignore customers though so it's a shame you've experienced that, you can absolutely feedback to your store?

The only time I didn't use the headset was when I was doing the store Click & Collect.

OP posts:
BeetleBailey · 30/04/2023 10:02

Are you expected to go after shoplifters?

Do you have to turn up 10-15 minutes early to cash up your till which is unpaid time?

Are you allowed to take your break?

Is there a lot of opposition with who has to go on the till?

Do some people never go on the till?

If you have to open up another till because it's really busy is it met with lots of huffing and puffing by other staff?

Curious to see if things have changed since I worked there

Mustardandchickensandwiches · 30/04/2023 10:11

Re headsets. Have had a similar experience where two youngish girls on the till were clearly being nasty about customers. It was awful and I no longer go into that Aldi.

Original poster
HoeAbout · 30/04/2023 10:15

Are you expected to go after shoplifters?
Absolutely not, you're not allowed to put yourself at risk. We inform a manager if we are suspicious.

Do you have to turn up 10-15 minutes early to cash up your till which is unpaid time?
God no! You're paid until you clock out, after your till has been cashed up. And you clock in before you're given a till.

Are you allowed to take your break?
Yes and if you haven't you'll be reminded!

Is there a lot of opposition with who has to go on the till?
Sometimes the priority order is complained about - eg. someone is really tired and fancies being 1st or 2nd till but they're last, or vise versa. But management were great and we'd swap ourselves around.

Do some people never go on the till?
Basically, the more efficient you are on the shop floor, the less you'll be on the till. Or for personal reasons; a colleague sadly lost her mum and she couldn't face dealing with the customers so she was allowed to be off till during shifts until she felt able.

If you have to open up another till because it's really busy is it met with lots of huffing and puffing by other staff?
Not really, no. If mine was called and i was super busy I'd be like "Noooo guys I'm never going to finish putting the milk out!" 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
HoeAbout · 30/04/2023 10:18

Mustardandchickensandwiches · 30/04/2023 10:11

Re headsets. Have had a similar experience where two youngish girls on the till were clearly being nasty about customers. It was awful and I no longer go into that Aldi.

That's awful! Definitely inform your store. That's not acceptable.

OP posts:
Mustardandchickensandwiches · 30/04/2023 10:20

It's OK, I moved to one that's a lot closer to me a couple of years ago (only used to shop in the other because it's next to a tesco and I used to nip in there for fresh bakery stuff)

And in the new one they're all bloody lovely!

Original poster
HoeAbout · 30/04/2023 10:21

Mustardandchickensandwiches · 30/04/2023 10:20

It's OK, I moved to one that's a lot closer to me a couple of years ago (only used to shop in the other because it's next to a tesco and I used to nip in there for fresh bakery stuff)

And in the new one they're all bloody lovely!

Ah yay!

OP posts:
user922218 · 30/04/2023 12:31

Why don't they install self checkouts?

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 30/04/2023 13:49

user922218 · 30/04/2023 12:31

Why don't they install self checkouts?

My Aldi has self checkouts - it's great!

LadyEloise1 · 30/04/2023 13:59

Why oh why why do they have loads of the Lime Basil and Mandarin and Pomegranate Noir fragranced candles ( Jo Malone dupes ) for sale, both of which I dislike intensely and rarely get in the Oud and Sandalwood one.
There are always loads of the LB&M and the PN ones left on the shelves.
Grrrr

violetscarlet · 30/04/2023 14:03

Thanks for this OP.
What are your top10 products to buy in Aldi?

Nimbostratus100 · 30/04/2023 14:10

interesting thread thank you

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 30/04/2023 15:37

Upanddownthemerrygoround · 30/04/2023 07:42

Nostalgia alert…

does anyone else remember - and I’m talking about the mid 90s here - when the aldi checkout staff knew the price of every single item in the shop and keyed it in as the items went through?

OP, did you find it a good employer?

Yes, early 90s I shared a flat with a girl on the Aldi graduate manager training scheme. She had to do time on the shop floor and had to know all the prices, and learn the changes overnight.

Spudlet · 30/04/2023 15:50

The staff in our local Aldi are generally lovely and seem, as far as customer can tell, pretty happy to be there. The only time I ever heard much huffing and puffing was when the middle aisle has singing Christmas trees and every child who passed was setting them off… the checkout lady did say she’d be glad to see the back of them 😂 Can hardly blame her for it! They were very kind when DS bashed his face on the trolley and cut his lip open, and don’t mind when he goes to have a look at the till (he has some SEND). I’m glad it does seem to be a good place to work from what you say 😊

Original poster
HoeAbout · 30/04/2023 15:52

user922218 · 30/04/2023 12:31

Why don't they install self checkouts?

Quite a few of the newer stores do have self service checkouts now!

OP posts:
TwoMonthsOff · 30/04/2023 18:07

Why are the vegetable samosas so nice ? Just joking, absolutely love Aldi and we have a lovely new (ish) one nearby. And the staff are very nice. Thanks for the AMA

BeetleBailey · 01/05/2023 00:15

OP, thank you for answering

I'm a former employee

Sounds like you haven't experienced much of what I did

I think the store I was out didn't have much direction as it had only just opened and the manager had to go to cover another store, I only met him once and never saw him again. I left after three months

The trainee and ast manager didn't seem to know what they were doing

My time there wasn't v enjoyable. Usually had just myself and one other staff member on the floor and the most senior person hiding away all shift on the office

I shop at Lidl and often think I'd like to work there, I left ALDI nearly twenty years ago but I don't want to work evenings or wkends

Fourcandleforkhandle · 01/05/2023 01:13

The Aldi I have shopped in since it first opened 28 yrs ago still has a Lady who worked there since day one. I commented to her the other day that I remember her from when I use to come shopping with my Mum and Dad as a young teenager. I was 15 yrs old then and now I am 43 years old. She said yes she'd been there 28 yrs!! Aldi must be a good Employer if she's been there such a long time. She said a lot of the staff have worked in that particular Aldi for 10+ yrs.
I also remember they don't scan the stuff as fast as they use to when it first opened.