Aldi - I just don't get it and no one agrees with me

[user7654321]

All of my friends, family etc don't have a bad work to say about Aldi and say they do the majority of there shopping there for both cost saving and better quality produce.

My DH and I feel we are missing something, as based on the all recommendations, we have tried Aldi 5 or 6 times in the past 6 months or so, and have found the products not to taste as good as the well-known brands. The fruit/veg doesn't stay fresh for long etc, and we have wasted so much food that we have tried but preferred the branded version (e.g. cereal, jars of sauces). We have tried hundreds of Aldi products, but I'd say only a handful are as good as the branded version or even a mainstream supermarket's own brand. Even their nappies, which are reviewed as amazing gave my poor DS terrible nappy rash.

So, AIBU to say i actually don't think Aldi products are the same or better quality than other brands? I understand they are cheaper but the impression I get from others is that its not cost that's the driving factor for them shopping at Aldi - its there amazing quality. Why don't I feel the same? My DH and I are so confused about this that we've even done 'blind tests' on some products and the Aldi one has always been identified as the 'fake'

We have an Aldi opening nearby, I will definitely go and give it a try. I've all but given up on Lidl, like many I find their fruit and veg has a very short life, their cheese is flabby and tasteless, likewise the ham. They seem more interested in selling chainsaws and fishing rods than basics like flour (no self-raising last time I looked) or washing powder (no own-brand colour powder) - its all very hit and miss. Like everyone, I look at what others are buying and it seems to be mostly biscuits, booze and crisps, which are presumably cheaper than elsewhere so good luck to them.

Bananasandwicheseveryday Agree with everything you just said. That aisle of random shit is great isn't it? I picked up some great quality cake tins (they cost triple the price elsewhere.)

I'm not sure that everyone knows that if you have a trolley in Aldi then you are supposed to pack at the bench not at the checkout.If your very fast and can manage it they dont mind.
With the basket you are supposed to pack at the checkout as you cant take them to the benches.

I'm another Aldi fan
I cannot stand the size of Tesco extra etc it takes too long to walk round and I can go round Aldi in 20 mins
The smaller versions of Asda Tesco etc don't have the variety
Squashes shallots celeriac pomeloes all available in Aldi and not the other supermarkets near me
Blood oranges - I went to big 4 supermarkets and none there - Aldi had them
Cook from scratch and I have not had problems
And I know for a fact that their specialty bread is made from same dough in same bakery as m and s

I assure you that my aldi trolley contains much more than biscuits and no crisps or booze. Although it did have a chainsaw once.

Fresh fish, veg, tasty cheese, milk, eggs, cereal, tinned tomatoes, kidney beans, bread. Lots of fat person crap like that...

I also realise that veg shouldnt last a week and that stuff is expensive and poor quality out of season. Maybe others don't.

@Rudgie47 YES! Thank you. Me and DP having packing down to a T and sometimes the cashiers have to keep up with us stealth boast so it infuriates me when people pack so leisurely and the cashiers don't tell them to get to the slow shelf.

Does make me laugh when people are declaring aldi sub par but think tesco is better.. all major chain supermarkets are basically the same and if you're happy to pay more for the same product because you're a snob then more power to you.

What I will say is we've recently started buying veg from a farm shop and while it is more expensive, the standard is leaps and bounds ahead of supermarkets. And nothing is wrapped in plastic shite! And everything is "wonky" so that makes me laugh because supermarket standards have turned everything into homogeneous, tasteless crap.

It’s not about being a snob though, is it. I work F/T and have two very busy DC who require ferrying hither and thither. For me doing an online shop at Waitrose, knowing the quality will be good, knowing it’ll be delivered in a one hour slot for free and that the delivery guy will bring it all through to the kitchen saves me time, stress and energy. Mil did us a hamper of food for a Christmas present, largely all from Lidl and Aldi. It was ok, nothing spectacular and some stuff was actually really yucky.

Don't care

Na you don’t get what you pay for that’s crap. M&S is very overpriced for food but if you don’t like to cook and eat lots of ready meals or ready prepared veg then it’s great for those people.

Again one supermarket can’t be ‘crap’ it’s so silly to say that. Our local Aldi is spotless, staff friendly and the products are excellent quality. I have been to another Aldi and wasn’t impressed.

We buy all the basics there and cook from scratch so suits us. If we are feeling lazy their pizzas are lovely and I find the meat and vegs excellent quality. It’s a store by store basis for all supermarkets

I keep trying to like Aldi and Lidl. But I have also found the fruit/veg to be poor quality. It doesn't last more than about 48 hours and I don't have time to go every day. I have occasionally found some lovely continental treats etc but for day to day, I really don't get on with either.

There is also an element of where your mental 'bar' is set. For some people who are saying that X is amazing or delicious or whatever, it may be that they are used to having really poor quality versions of X, so it seems great by comparison. Or, they would only be able to afford Y cut of meat from Tesco, so the better cut from Aldi which costs the same is tastier. So, it is not a direct comparison.

They never have the more unusual ingredients I like to cook with either. This won't be an issue for a lot of people though.

I have had similar issues with Ocado for fresh fruit/veg though, so it isn't necessarily a cost thing, or snobbery on my part.

For some people who are saying that X is amazing or delicious or whatever, it may be that they are used to having really poor quality versions of X, so it seems great by comparison.

I actually find the opposite I find it's snobs who have more money than sense that convince themselves because it must be better as it's from a certain store. I actually find it's those people that maybe haven't explored enough to try other versions. I don't understand all of the people complaining about fruit and veg when it's tasteless from all supermarkets and I've had problems with freshness in loads of major supermarkets. They all have been known to sell vegetables that are either underripe and and out of season/tasteless or past their best. It's like one pp said if you're comparing independent fruit and veg and other fresh produce than the supermarket would lose out. Supermarket to supermarket the main difference is price and I'm amazed as how much difference people think they're I.

really is

The old ladies fighting over the M&S stale scones incident I witnessed says it all really...

there

I do a once a month dry goods/tins/laundry shop at Aldi .
Get cheese and yoghurt as well.Really cant tell the difference between passata from there or any other shop and its all so much cheaper.
I get meat from farmshop and fruit and veg from local market as its cheaper and you get twice as much /better variety

From limited samples - aldi tinned tomatoes taste of tomato, tesco ones are watery. Aldi brie tastes of cheese, tesco stuff is rubber. The aldi Greek yoghurt is right texture and tastes, so haven't bothered buying others at twice the price.

Out of season veg is a waste of money however much or little you pay.

Bog roll is bog roll. I don't generally buy aldi cleaning products as b and m or poundland are cheaper.

I hate aldi. The shops always look so scruffy an messy and it puts me off going in.

I am lidl girl through and through. I love Lidl.

Aldi fans, stop posting and let the haters bugger off to Waitrose so we can shop in peace.

I wonder if Lidl and aldi's quality in some areas (re the fresh stuff) varies due to varying rates of turnover. If loads of people go the stock will always be fresher maybe? Both of our shops are brilliant and I do my main shops in them. Only a few things I don't buy. Weightwatchers branded stuff and toothpaste! Only ever had an issue with one punnet of fusty grapes which were refunded immediately.

If you don’t like Aldi then don’t shop there. Simply. No one is forcing you

I don’t like Asda so don’t shop there.

I do like Aldi though and find most of their things are nice.

I like shopping there because I can buy things I fancy without needing without feel guilty - eg cashews, rum soaked chocolate tiffins, mini bries...

I went to an Aldi a couple of Chtistmases ago. Filled trolley with all these 'bargsins' then joined a massive queue to.pay. Only half checkouts were manned. I mentioned (moaned) to a woman next to.me and told me it was worth it. I'm afraid I replied "not to me" and just pushed my trolley to the side and left. The whole experience was soul destroying. Never tried an Aldi since.

I love Lidl though!!

You didn't like Aldi because you had to wait in a queue at Christmas? How bizarre. I've had to wait in plenty of queues at lidle and many other supermarket ; it's no different.

DH doesn’t like the fruit and veg but everything else is good - fresh fish cakes are lush, for example, and cupboard stuff also good.

We have Lidl, Aldi and Iceland next door to each other so I do my big shop across the three. Staff in both Aldi and Lidl are really nice, especially with elderly customers, and always smiley. Mind you, I live in the North and we are all canny round here

Even if only half the checkouts were open, they'd still have done it quicker than other supermarkets.