To say you're all wrong about Aldi?

[Rabbitheadlights]

Just that really, I've nipped into Aldi in the past for the odd loaf and picked up a few bits. DP and I discussed and decided to do the 'big' shop there last week.

It's been a disaster, to start with I couldn't find fruit or veg with more than a couple of days shelf life on them and everything I've substituted so far has been either underwhelming or disgusting (1/4 pounders filled with gristle) 🤮 with a couple of exceptions (salmon Wellington, sliced ham) the bread was mouldy the next day and still had 2 days on the use by. The nappies are just awful.

I spent £219 on Friday last week and I've since been out and spent another 150 and will likely need more before the next "big shop" on Friday.

I’ve never liked Aldi or Lidl, I can’t understand the love they get I think they are both vile.

I honestly think some people are paid to promote Aldi as well!

I agree with you. But if you’re on a very low income it’s an amazing shop.

We don’t have an Aldi here so I’ve never been in one, but from what family say you can’t buy a whole shop in there, and there are only some substitutes which are ok. I’ve heard some of the breakfast serial for instance is pretty good.

TBH I would never buy cheap meat because it’s a false economy. Cheap meat is almost always made from cheap cuts and/or contains a lot of either fat, gristle or water. So from that perspective I agree that Aldi cheap meat is likely substandard. But I would say the same re Tesco value.

I used to love the Aldi nappies for my youngest. And I got my mom a really good duvet from there. And I’ve picked up some excellent running kit as well.

Don’t like the food tho…

I use Aldi and Lidl. Both fine. Also have the odd other supermarket delivery. I don’t see a huge difference personally in terms of quality. I just save money at Aldi and Lidl. I do prefer Lidl though.

The nappies are fine. We don't all have money to burn.

We get our “big shop” at aldi but our fruit and veg is delivered from a farm shop. Agree it’s not great and over packaged.
Most of the meat is pretty good (the premium range) and we’re happy with all the staples.

Is it even possible to spend £219 in Aldi?!

I honestly never have a bother with Aldi stuff. I dont even check the dates on fruit and veg - but I go more than once a week and it all gets eaten so never really needed it to last too long.

Burger gristle sounds vom.

Where do you usually shop?

I wouldn't go there if I could afford not to.

Never liked them for fresh stuff when I lived in the UK. They were ok for snack food, some cleaning products, but not enough to convince me to do a full shop there.

Don't have an Aldi but Lidls thick cut bacon is lovely, and their bread always last us. I really love their thick seedy loaf

Don’t go there then. I love Aldi, the food is generally of excellent quality, we like the nappies, the wine is great. I could afford to shop wherever I want but choose to shop in Aldi.

Hen I was on a very tight budget (single mum, minimum wage job) I shopped there because I had to. It was fine. The quality is on a par with other supermarkets IMO.

@MouldyPotato We don't all have money to burn what makes you think we do?
We really don't, hence my trying Aldi.

They're ok for tins etc but their fresh veg and fruit lasts about 5 minutes.

I prefer Lidl although I don’t really ever do a full shop there. I mostly just go in to stock up on their fizzy peach loops and chocolate.

You must have got a lot for over £200!

No not keen myself either. Lidl used to be my ‘local’ shop within walking distance and I went there occasionally then but main shop was always somewhere else.

My sons beloved bedtime toy is from Lidl but apart from that I dunno lol

How many people are you shopping for? £219 is loads.

Both can be ok, not great but ok.
They are compromise shops. Cost over quality mostly. Customer service is shocking but then that is not uncommon across supermarkets atm. Since covid a lot of staff at my local have become really superior as if they have single handedly saved the universe.

DP just made a good point:

He said when they were talking about Aldi at work (he doesn’t live here,) they were saying that people almost acknowledge that the quality is less, because they say things like “It’s pretty good considering it’s Aldi,” so the expectation is that it will be of lesser quality so when it isn’t we talk it up.

I agree OP. I dislike Aldi more than Lidl, there are a few things Lidl do really well, Alesto nuts for one.

But I wouldn't choose to do my big weekly shop in either of them for the reasons you have mentioned.

Their wine is good . Agree about most of the food though.

I wouldn't want to use them for a complete shop, but find they are absolutely fine for certain things- have never had mouldy bread for example. A few times I've had a whole duck for about £5, completely OK, very good even.
And apart from the cheapest, the wine can be OK.