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 had a small Lidl near us and that had some good deli items but I was baffled how you could do a full shop from it - it is now an Aldi and apart from some loss leader fruit and veg it seems even worse. I shop from the market fir fruit and veg ( no supermarket fruit is up to much ) and Waitrose l

My only real complaint about Aldi is that they have too much excessive plastic packaging. Practically no loose veg, everything is in a bag. If I could afford it I'd do one of those veg boxes or buy from local greengrocers with paper bags but the fact is Aldi is so much cheaper and with three hungry growing people it would cost me a fortune to do that. We make up for it in other eco credentials eg used cloth nappies, recycle way more than anyone else I know etc.

I like self scan for the same reasons as Sparkling.

I like scanning my own stuff on the way round, packing it myself and also having the scanner giving me the running total all the time. It makes you very aware of what you are spending

I agree, I don't like it. Chicken smells like fart and the veg goes off quickly. Kids didn't like the yogurts and the packing thing stresses me out. I used to go for the nappies and then they changed them and gave DD awful burns.
The only thing I will sometimes pop in now for are the flowers as they're so much cheaper than the likes of Sainsbury's.

YY Topsey I think I spend less with the self scan, that running total has me all 'do I really need all this?'.

Their new chilli oat cakes are very nice...too nice...too easy to scoff an awful lot with a healthy helping of cream cheese...and a baby plum tomato chopped in half...

You must have a shite Aldi in your area. We don't love everything from there but can find quite alot we like and to be honest it's like make supermarkets as i don't like everything from Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda or Morrisons either! I find they all have certain things we like. Not sure where you shop OP. I actually hate Kellogg's honeynut cornflakes for instance and much prefer Asda. It's like anywhere and it depends what you buy. I disagree with you on the veg front as well as we find theirs lasts ages unlike some of the bigger supermarkets where it's been off on day of purchase or just after.

many rather

Also Aldi's Greek natural yoghurt is the best and so thick and creamy and the only one ds will eat.

Aldi have good stores and shit stores.

The shit stores have shit staff and shit management (who hire shit staff) so the fresh produce is always shit too and never restocked or ordered as it should be.

The good stores are amazing, immaculate havens of super fresh fruit and veg and use by dates a week away on everything.

Also if you think asda/tesco fruit and veg tastes better than you need a head wobble. Theirs have no flavour at all (apart from potatos and tomatoes)

Aside from the curry sauces, I can't take to Aldis at all. Not sure why. I used to love Lidl, and found it great quality. I went this week after not going there for a while and was extremely disappointed. They weren't geared up for babies at all (no straps on the trolley and no where to hook my bag or shopping bags) plus the prices had gone up quite starkly, I found. I'm sticking to Tesco, but more by process of elimination than anything. I hate Asda and Morrisons, and Sainsburys and M&S are out of budget for weekly shop. Even if I shop in Aldi/Lidl, I'd end up in Tesco anyway as there are certain things we get there (organic dairy, Branston beans, Method products, etc).

I remember seeing tomatoes and apples in Aldis shelves that were completely rotten. Now, meat is from local butchers, fruit/veg delivered from local shop and everything else from Tesco. Works for us.

I tend to find alot of people look for fault because it's Aldi so therefore it must be cheap and nasty. Sainsbury's, M&S and Waitrose they think has to be delicious as they pay over the odds. I couldn't believe the two old women I saw fighting over the last of marks and Spencer's overpriced dried up crusty cheese scones (they're awful and you can stot them off a wall or put windows out with them.) I've never been a one influenced so easily by a brand.

I used to go with my daughter and it was cheap and quite good quality but it steadily got really bad eg the meat going off after a couple of days and the veg too. The staples like tinned tomatoes and pasta etc are OK but not worth the journey to be honest. My daughter started going to Tesco (she's doing slimming world) so tends to batch cook and she's found that their fresh fruit and veg is not up to much either at the moment. Back to Area and Morrison's for us.

I like the meat although no idea if it's better quality, it definitely tastes nicer tho.

The problem is that our local one doesn't have consistent stock. So I have to top up at another supermarket anyway because some weeks there's no washing powder for example. The minute you're trawling round several supermarkets you're not saving money!

ASDA not area.

If you don't like it then don't shop there. DUHHHHHHHHH!

Im not a fan of Tesco, I used to like it at one time but haven't been keen lately. The prices have shot up and I hate the bakery and just can never get a full shop there.

We have also tried several different Aldis over the years with increasing bemusement. I don't find it good at all, and as someone who always checks ingredients they tend to have quite a lot of crap in a lot of the foods.
I find the only decent supermarket is Waitrose to be honest. You get what you pay for.

The 5% lean steak mince from Aldi is the only one I like next to Costco's scotch or Aberdeen Angus.

I don't get it either and I'm not bothered by own brands ie am happy to eat their stuff... But I still don't get it.

I find Waitrose abit overrated and wouldn't go back after they sold me mouldy strawberries...

I think the quality of the fruit veg depends on the particular aldi, rapid turnover=longer lasting produce.

i find their biscuits good. though not all are the same as branded.

some things are cheaper in morrisons/.

Aldi jelly beans are the best 😃

I find in some cases people have more money than sense and don't believe you always do get what you pay for in some instances especially groceries....

Waitrose makes me want to go beserk with a automatic weapon.