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'

[Leigha3]

I think many products at Aldi are great but plenty are just ho hum as well.

As someone who worked for Costco while at Uni I'm also well aware of "brand snobs" who seem so hardwired to believe the name brand and most expensive items are automatically better that I think that prejudice makes them perceive store brand label items to be inferior in taste or effectiveness even if they aren't.

But if people want to spend more of their money for what they believe is the best then ain't none of my business. 👍

[PasstheStarmix]

Aldi is one of the faster through supermarkets I know Draylon and beats people dithering infront of me on self service anyway. Sounds like you just had a bad experience or your local needs to employ more staff

[Chickenagain]

As Draylon says, it was a looooooong queue. But the whole experience was depressing - from the signage, lighting, lack of staff, display & I didn't think the prices were that much cheaper. It just wasn't worth waiting that lengthy of time - for me.

My treat supermarket is Waitrose if I want to feel inspired, my local is a Coop for day to day and 'biggish' shop is Lidl. I'm in France at the moment & feeling quite pleased at the prospect of going to the new shiny Lidl at Sallanches tomorrow morning - it's even cheaper compared to the big French supermarkets!

[BlueNeighbourhood1]

I totally agree.

We've tried it a few times and each time go in with the intention to get as much shopping as we would normally - and instead come out with a few things from the middle aisle. It feels dirty as a store and I'm obviously a brand snob as I can't see past everything just being a knock off of a branded product (obviously there are lots of exceptions - just not where I was looking in cereals/crisps/chocolate)

So we definitely have tried and had to admit defeat. It's just not our thing and we're for the most part Asda shoppers with the occasional trip to Tesco.

[PasstheStarmix]

I couldn't care a less if the store was painted out in liquid gold it's the content that matters and a few old trolleys and warehouse feel doesn't put me off. And I'm in and out so fast it's great. I also love lidles I just wish I could merge them both together ideally as I like a few bits from both.

[Creamcheeseontoast]

Our Aldi is great. Fresh fruit and vegetables last a week.. I keep all in fridge. There's a few things I won't buy.. But generally I like it all... I save loads by going there and notice the difference when I go. To tesco instead because I'm. Lazy and it's closer lol.
Things like their own special k cereal for example is better than branded.

[PasstheStarmix]

Draylon i get most from Aldi and lidles with a big Monthly shop at Costco. My Aldi and lidles next door to each other so hardly a hassle to be honest. And if you don't want o go there than stay away no need to get stressed

[PasstheStarmix]

Your local area supermarkets sound appalling

[PasstheStarmix]

Also we're in and out in minutes

[PasstheStarmix]

I self-checkout as Asda thus rarely wait. At all.

I always find half of the self service machine are cash only along with a couple of broken ones and dithering people on the self service who don't know how to use it and then the assistant is no where to be seen to help th we people when it all goes wrong. When I went in before work once there was actually no machines on as they ridiculously decided to cash up at 8.30am in the morning (a peak time when everyone grabs things before work and wants to use them!) Had to leg it all the way to other end of he store where they had just one member of staff serving. The rest were crowded around the cashing up process! Give me a queue at Aldi or Lidles any day over that.

[PasstheStarmix]

these

[PasstheStarmix]

Draylon Yes I'm blessed with a large fridge freezer however not all items I buy need to go in there. It's not technically 'a month's food' hence my weekly trips to Aldi/lidle. The bulk items are kitchen roll, washing powder, some cupboard items etc I'm a big fan of Costco as I am Lidle and Aldi. I go to Morrisons/Asda for some bits on occasion if I have time and fancy a particular item from there such as a fresh Morrisons pizza. I agree the self checkout is great if nobody is on it but there's usually always a dithering Doris ahead of me on it! And yes you're right it's much more convenient for me to queue there as it's gone in minutes.

[zoezoe32]

I feel like I’m the only one who feels this way about Aldi! I’ve tried so many times as it’s the only supermarket really local to me but I just don’t like the whole experience plus the veg is always rotten!

[PasstheStarmix]

The vegetables in my local Aldi are always lovely and fresh and i get so much more for my money. It's great.

[SlowlyShrinking]

I love Aldi. The Aldi near me is very near to a tesco though, so maybe that makes a difference? More competition

[PasstheStarmix]

Yeah the one near me is right next to lidles and an Asda and a Morrisons so lots do competition! I reckon ours must be busier and a bigger turn over.

[PasstheStarmix]

of

[Gileswithachainsaw]

We have 2 aldis and a lidl and we have pretty much every supermarket.in the case of Tesco there are also 2.

Not sure competition makes a huge difference tbh

[betgilroy]

I think it's trial and error.
Some items are good, some bad, some average.
I love getting a great again in places like Aldi but then for i'll shop at Waitrose for things I can be sure of the quality.
For me there's no one supermarket, it can be high end, middle ground or bargain store and i'll shop around for different things.

[Heartoffire]

I just can’t fathem anyone paying Waitrose prices. The quality is no better it’s just a marketing ploy. Still I suppose if you like ready meals then it suits those people.

Our local Aldi is bloody fantastic for quality and price. Very rarely have to queue and it’s so quick. I havnt got time to walk up and down endless isles looking at 25 different brands of tomato sauce ffs.

Our weekly shopping bill is around £30 cheaper at Aldi’s then our local sainsburys and there’s not a sliver of difference in the quality of the meat or vegs. Aldi’s steaks are delicious. Stopped going to Asda as the quality wasn’t good for meat or vegs.

[WhyamIBoredathome]

We do our weekly shop at aldi. I think most of their dried/canned/non food stuff is pretty good. I don't notice the difference to tesco but we only ever bought own brand anyway.
Fruit and veg is hit and miss but generally ok to be honest. I have stopped buying their meat though as the quality was not great. We made the decision to eat lesas meat but buy free range from butcher when we do eat it.
I agree though that it's not a pleasurable shopping experience, stores don't look nice, the aisle of random tat is always a mess and I don't really enjoy having my shopping hurled at me buy the till person.

[WhooooAmI24601]

We have a grocer and a butcher at the local garden centre so use those for fruit, veg and meats, everything else comes from Aldi. We also have an account with Ocado and use it for when lazy days /illness/christmas deliveries but Aldi is fine for basics.