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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not get why people like Aldi/Lidl so much?

365 replies

lucydogz · 07/12/2018 18:28

yes, I know it's really cheap, but, appart from some things, the food just is poor quality. When I last went there, my DH was enthused about how cheap it was, but the eggs, porridge oats, jam, mayonnaise, digestive biscuits, and plums I bought were not good at all. I see why people would shop there if they hadn't got any money, but, if you can afford to, why not go somewhere better?
If anybody can tell me about any things they do well I'm prepared to be convinced.

OP posts:
Russiawithlove · 07/12/2018 18:30

How can an egg be poor quality??Hmm

Knittink · 07/12/2018 18:30

I totally disagree. I do most of my weekly shop at Aldi, and I think it is perfectly good quality. I can afford not to shop there, I choose to shop there because I like it and don't see why I would pay more to shop somewhere else!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/12/2018 18:31

Yanbu. I keep trying to like them but just don’t. I go every couple of months because of an mn thread, but always come away not knowing what the fuss is about.

Sexnotgender · 07/12/2018 18:31

I’m super fussy and do the majority of my shopping in Lidl.

I get some meat from the local farm but other than that I love Lidl.

Knittink · 07/12/2018 18:33

If anybody can tell me about any things they do well I'm prepared to be convinced.

Well there are certain specific things that I particularly like, but the vast majority are just normal grocery items that are the same quality as similar items you'd buy from any supermarket. Confused

Finfintytint · 07/12/2018 18:33

It's not all poor quality. The food manufacturers produce for Aldi and Lidl as well as the big brands. It's essentially the same product with a different label.
I have stopped buying fruit and veg from the though because they are over packaged.

ToffeePennie · 07/12/2018 18:33

I think the Lidl quality is fab! And the prices. We fight over the heel of a crusty loaf from Lidl, but anywhere else it will probably end up being eaten begrudgingly by me (I hate waste)

derekthe1adyhamster · 07/12/2018 18:33

We had to shop there because we couldn't afford other shops but we choose to shop there now. I guess after 12 years we now know what we like! I can't stand large shops now with 10 types of baked beans and various offers

Heismyopendoor · 07/12/2018 18:33

I love Lidl. Pretty much everything I’ve had has been good or great quality.

BadgerWithRice · 07/12/2018 18:33

Yabu as most of Aldi’s chocolate is far better quality as its not been adulterated with disgusting palm oil.

Their pies have twice as much filling as Tesco pies and their yoghurts are lovely

NotANotMan · 07/12/2018 18:34

Lidl food quality is perfectly fine.

elftastic · 07/12/2018 18:34

I agree, OP. I see the queue backing out of the car park at our local Lidl on a Saturday morning and I just think WHY Grin (as I cruise into the spacious, quiet Waitrose car park).

arethereanyleftatall · 07/12/2018 18:34

Once you get used to what's stuff is good (for me / their croquettes are amazing) and no what to get and what to avoid, it is staggering how much cheaper it is than other shops

arethereanyleftatall · 07/12/2018 18:35

Know

Wearywithteens · 07/12/2018 18:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

sonlypuppyfat · 07/12/2018 18:36

We love lidl food the quality is brilliant

MrsImsy1 · 07/12/2018 18:36

I'd LOVE to get on with Aldi but I just can't. Not sure why exactly although we donlove the children's books and wooden toy. We spend a fortune on food every month. I'm going to keep trying. Perhaps fruit, veg and household items from Aldi/Lidl, meat and dairy from butchers?

elQuintoConyo · 07/12/2018 18:36

Because i'm in Spain and 'Aldidl' are the only places i can buy food-which-tastes-like-Christmas. Otherwise it'd be prawns and canelone for Christmas lunch Confused

UserMe18 · 07/12/2018 18:37

I'm with you, I don't understand how people have time to shop there. Whenever I've tried I can't get half of what I've meal planned or have to do 20 loops around the shop. Tesco home delivery for me thanks very much, don't know why anyone puts themselves through a grocery shop it does my head in!

Taxidrive · 07/12/2018 18:37

I find the food quality in Aldi far better than Asda and Tesco, and it’s cheaper. Don’t shop in Lidl, the few bits I bought there weren’t great.

MakeAHouseAHome · 07/12/2018 18:37

Totally disagree. Their basic range is just meh, but the premium range (way cheaper still than any other supermarket) is really good quality. And this is cpming from someone who swore to onky ever shop at Waitrose or m&s...

welshweasel · 07/12/2018 18:39

Each to their own! I love Aldi and do all our shopping there through choice - could afford to shop elsewhere. I like the fact that I can do a full weekly shop and be back in the car within 15 minutes. I cannot stand people who loiter and chat in the supermarket so it suits me fine. Never had an issue with the quality of the food, in fact the meat, fish and cheese are better than what we used to get in Sainsburys. Nappies and baby good are brilliant and their wine is generally excellent too. I go first thing on a Monday morning usually, when the shelves are beautifully stocked and it’s quiet.

Original poster
lucydogz · 07/12/2018 18:39

eggs can definately be poor quality - when you crack them, the yolks don't stand proud of the white, and they don't taste of anything.

OP posts:
MrsPatmore · 07/12/2018 18:39

I usually shop at Sainsbury's but Aldi has exactly the same goods for half the price so it was daft not to change as you can save a lot each week which adds up.

Good value are; toilet rolls (good quality too), kitchen roll, sparkling and still waters, butter, vegetables, beef mince, fresh pasta, chorizo, fresh salmon and sea bass, frozen petit pois, the best chilli oil and the olive oils in general, tinned tuna and all cleaning stuff. Not keen on the breads section (we have lots of artisan bakeries nearby) and wouldn't buy chicken there as I like the M and S chicken. Have also bought really nice cotton bath mats and cotton sheets there.

It's not a nice shopping experience though. Usually long queues at busy times but i try to go early or on my lunch breaks.

AprilShowers16 · 07/12/2018 18:40

I’ve never had a problem with any of the quality of the food. The thing I love about Aldi though is that it takes me 20 mins to do my foodshop (with two children!) the size of the shop and limited choice makes everything so much quicker. Sure I imagine it’s the same in a Waitrose which tend to be smaller but I spend the same on about 5 items in Waitrose as I do for my weekly Aldi shop 😆