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

[lucydogz]

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.

We’re hardened Waitrose and Aldi shoppers.

It’s nice because it’s small and quiet and a good place to shop with a small child.

The porridge oats are a little odd but it’s a halfway house between ready brek and real porridge so works well for a small child who doesn’t like ‘big porridge’

I agree about the eggs. They only get used for baking. They really are not very nice.

We can’t do a full shop there but I quite like the place.

I'm a single, SAHM of 3, on benefits. I was a regular Tesco shopper but have recently changed to Waitrose because they do free delivery and I can always get delivery within 18 hours of ordering (I don't drive and if I can't go with my mum I need an alternative), they have some great offers on, have sent me £20 vouchers and are definitely better quality on the veg. The celery (I make a lot of soup as cheap and cheerful meal that all the children love), is really firm whereas my local Asda celery is going soft. Same with cucumbers. Waitrose butter is far nicer and I refuse to use anything other than proper butter. Waitrose miniature potatoes are delicious and again far superior to both Tesco and Asda in taste and quality. There's smears ones I have to throw away from the latter two. We don't eat meat or fish so can't comment.
I've never been in a Lidl but have had their Apple juice which was delicious.
My ex bf tried to convert me to Aldi gin and tonic. Pretty sure he served me paint stripper.
My ex H used to buy Aldi beans when he was around. They were awful. Tasteless and watery. Tesco's weren't much better do we've gone back to Heinz.
I used to have an eating disorder so good has to be really good for me to eat it. I won't eat for the sake of it so what I eat has to taste good and be nutritionally sound.
Aldi cereal is rank. Even the children won't eat it. Aldi coffee was disgusting when I last tried it as was tea and hot chocolate.
I make savings where I can and stock up on offers and deals when I can to save money and cook from scratch. We bake our own cookies although I do buy them too (when on offer). I buy Tesco own brand and Waitrose essentials range for lots of things. I refuse to compromise on loo roll though!

I like quite a lot of their stuff - I always find fruit/veg to be good but then I keep it in the fridge. It doesn't go off any quicker than elsewhere. Chocolate is excellent, cheese, yougirts, biscuits, cleaning products, loo roll are all very good. Spices are cheaper there then elsewhere. I love lidl bakery!

I can't comment on meat because I get mine from a small, independent butcher but I would do that no matter where the rest of the shopping came from because I'm fussy!

I can't stand Aldi, but not because of the quality of the food. I just find it an incredibly stressful shopping experience. Massive queues, never enough staff, not enough space for everyone's trolleys and food practically thrown at you at the checkout. I'd happily pay more to shop at Tesco and have a nicer experience.

Aldi ginger nuts are good, so long as they are not dunked. More gingery than McVities

I'll admit to having tried the Lidl loo roll and not liked it (I think their premium loo roll is a bit better). I don't even like the Tesco loo roll - have to get the Sainsbury's loo roll

I also prefer Plenty kitchen paper - but Lidl often has it on special offer, or I'll get it on one of my Tesco/Sainsbury's offer.

Lidl also doesn't do free range chicken thighs and drumsticks, so if I'm doing a dish using them, I've

Their merino base layers that are in periodically are fabulous. And the wooden kids toys are brilliant.

I better go and get some Christmas biscuits today..

....sorry, dh threw one of the cats on to me and I posted by accident

...I've got to go the couple of extra miles to one of the "big" supermarkets.

Aldi mince pies are a disappointment this year - thin layer of brown mush where the mincemeat should be. Any recommendations where to get from?

Cat food is excellent at Aldi/Lidl. Other supermarket brands are more expensive and DO THEY STINK

I think threads like this really do demonstrate a rich/ poor divide in this country.

Lol. Judging by the cars in the car park at my local one that is utter nonsense.

I completely agree it’s awful I wish I liked it though

It isn't actually cheaper. You are all being conned. You have had all the brands taken away, that is all. You can buy non-branded in any supermarket but you choose not to.

It isn't actually cheaper. You are all being conned. You have had all the brands taken away, that is all. You can buy non-branded in any supermarket but you choose not to

You do know Aldi sells branded products too...

Is it not less familiar brands though? Don't think ours does big familiar brands, only really European brands that are less familiar to most UK shoppers.

Here in Ireland they do a select range of market leading brands like Heinz, Cadburys and so on.

Thanks prettybird, they didn't have any when I needed them but I'll keep an eye out!

They have most of the brands I want (I cook from scratch mostly, so don't buy a lot of branded processed stuff).

I'll go to Tesco about once a month to stock up on anything I can't get. I just wish Tesco had a 'stuff you can't get in lidl' aisle to make my life easier

Threads like this really get my fricking goat. Can't possibly understand why someone would shop at such a dreaaaaadful place???

I am skint. I work. So does my DH. Not eligible for tax credits. Childcare fees, fuel costs, mortgage... All adds up to be a significant proportion of our earnings. We try to live within our limited means and Aldi saves me a fortune.

Sometimes, and I know this is really hard to wrap your head around, people don't have very much money.

Seethes

In Ireland, shopping in Aldi in particular is a clued in, middle-class badge of honour.

They are much cheaper. I don't know about Aldi but the quality at Lidl is very good.

I've bought drums of Twiglets, Cheeselet Treeslets and Cheddars, giant Toblerones (ordinary and plain), Terry's chocolate oranges and a bottle of Glayva as part of my Christmas shopping at Lidl for lower prices than in Sainsbury's or Tesco (I do check).

The large box of Maltesers was cheaper in Sainsbury's, so I bought it there

It's not difficult to do price comparisons in today's day and age

My lovely DIL often serves us a mix of Lidl, Aldi and M&S food. I can always tell which is M&S so we dont shop at L and A as the wuality is much higher. A thread elsewhere suggests there customers can be unhinged.

I’m the same as @ThroughThickAndThin01 I’ve tried but it’s just gross.