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.

The Aldi stores vary at each location but I’m lucky to have a good one. I shop for everything there and regret all the money I wasted in Sainsbury’s etc over the years, because, dare I say it the mark up was huge. The discounters make a fair profit IMO.

Sounds more like bad luck to me than anything. I’ve rarely had a bad product from there and find it to be generally excellent quality. I shop in many shops as i’m vegan & like to vary up what I buy but I most of my shopping is from Aldi as I simply prefer it.

Perhaps the stores vary in terms of stock rotation which would cause the issues mentioned.

I think nappies are a bit of a subjective one. For instance I loathe Pampers, they’ve consistently leaked when bought for each of my kids.

A friend of mine actually used to manage their accounts & had to check details of their suppliers. She once told me they’re scrupulous in ensuring they buy predominantly British produce and always as fresh as possible.

Each to their own though and no, I don’t work for Aldi, I work with foster carers.

I think there's a lot of confirmation bias on this thread.

Do people not realise that Aldi's "copied" products are made by the same manufacturer as the branded product? That's how the industry works. Yet they perceive lower quality?

I can't comment on meat, as I'm not a meat eater. Fresh fruit and veg is on par with Tesco / Asda (I think Morrisons is better). But yes, it can be hit and miss on an aesthetic level (it still tastes fine). They are the market leader when it comes to sourcing fresh produce from the UK. So maybe it's the fault of British farming for having lower quality standards? Plus we also have to thank Aldi / Lidl for starting the push towards weekly deals on fruit and veg.

We tried shopping at aldi afew years ago and it was so much hassle as we ended up doing Asda or Sainsbury's too for the fresher stuff like fruit/ veg some meats.

Then just went monthly for the longer life stuff like some jars and the cleaning / toilet products.

Since pandemic not been and unlikely to go back!

People buy supermarket burgers?

I've found Aldis to be very hit and miss. The new one in my town is excellent, but the older one on the other side isn't great.

It wouldn't replace your full shop I like some brands from other supermarkets though I'd buy meat, pasta, sweet treats from aldi.
I thought the nappies were excellent 5 years ago.

@gamerchick

People buy supermarket burgers?

I think you realise that already, or you know they wouldn't sell them. What's the faux shock about?

I go Lidl Asda and Tescos every week. I spent £50 today so not cheap. Only me and ds. I think their fruit n veg lasts fine at our local one.

@gamerchick

People buy supermarket burgers?

It's only on here I've seen absolute shock at the idea of buying supermarket meat... Back in the real world...

I think you realise that already, or you know they wouldn't sell them. What's the faux shock abou

I just think it's a weird thing to whinge about. Supermarket burgers are full of shite in general.

Do you think they would still be a top rated supermarket if they sold mouldy bread as rote

@gamerchick

People buy supermarket burgers?

I know this is goady post.. But I never got that too🙈 It takes couple of min to make them and with less preservatives and that and that. Same price, probably actually less in the end. But each to their own. Not judging

I love Aldi and it would be very reasonably priced if I didn’t buy random inflatables in the aisle of dreams!

I don't get the Aldi/Lidl love either, the stuffs shit, also can't do a full shop at either. And their tills are particularly cuntish for folks with disabilities, myself included.

Totally agree with you OP. Only things worth buying in Aldi IMO is chocolate, charcuterie and their version of fruit and fibre.

I think it depends on your region tbh, my local aldi does click and collect, the meat is great and all British, love the bakery and veg has always been good, their fruit has got a lot better over the years but still hit and miss do I'll sometimes get that from sainsburys but on the whole really like my one.

Fresh fruit and veg is on par with Tesco / Asda (I think Morrisons is better). But yes, it can be hit and miss on an aesthetic level (it still tastes fine).

Unfortunately that's absolutely not my experience. It used to be ok MANY years ago, but it's gone really down on quality and how lomg it lasts. Really down compared to Tesco and Asda

Love Aldi

Do a weekly big shop there for 5 of us (2 adults and 3 teens) and spend between £65 and £85 - that's with wine, dog treats, toiletries etc.

Excellent value for money.

Ok answers ...

@RosesAndHellebores ... I discuss with DP because he's a chef .. don't discuss much else with him tho.

@Doghead 9 of us and a cat.

@Doodlebug71 I definately am not boasting if you read properly you would see there are 9 of us and a cat so 219 a fortnight/ 110 per week is hardly extravagant.

@Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin
Yes what's with them chucking everything at you???

@claralara42 where do you see evidence that I "clearly have money to burn" there are 10 of us all together 110 per week is not extravagant, and frankly you say you feed 7 for half that I think you're full of sh*t.

@zilla1 expenses? What the heck are you talking about?

@a1poshpaws that's exactly where I'm at.

So it seems it probably varies by store though the general consensus is booze and chocolate And cheese are good.

I don't drink and I don't like chocolate but I LOVE cheese

Maybe Aldi just isn't for me.

How the fuck did you manage to spend £219 in Aldi? There are nine people in our house and we don’t spend that?

@BritWifeInUSA

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.

They've changed a lot since over the last decade or so. There's a wider range of products, including their specially selected range. They also regularly introduce new products (copies of popular branded products being sold elsewhere).

I found the same with Lidl - veg and fruit didn’t last 5 days and meat was in smaller packs so felt cheaper but you got less. I like the bakery but then Asda tiger loaf is amazing too (currently avoiding buying as I’ll happily eat a whole loaf!). I stick with Asda.

I don’t ever do a “big weekly shop” so maybe that’s the difference. I do a monthly shop for soaps/shaving gel/washing powder etc, then smaller weekly shops. In total each month I spend less than £200 for 4 of us and fresh fruit and veg for the pets, DC lunch etc.
But I expect decent quality which is why I shop at lidl. Excellent quality, I know for a fact the sausage rolls, beans and cheese are made in the same factories as the branded versions and just packaged differently for lidl.
I like aldi for their craft sales, and sometimes they do good deals on cola.

know this is goady post..
But I never got that too🙈 It takes couple of min to make them and with less preservatives and that and that. Same price, probably actually less in the end.
But each to their own. Not judging

Nope, it was the only thing worth mentioning. It definitely doesn't take long to make your own. Plus you can add some tasty shit to them to boot.

I expect supermarket burgers to be padded out with stuff you wouldn't put in yourself.