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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say you're all wrong about Aldi?

558 replies

Rabbitheadlights · 04/07/2021 17:33

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.

OP posts:
Friendofdennis · 04/07/2021 18:08

Not all Aldi’s are equal. The newer shops are more pleasant as they are larger better lit etc. The quality of the food I find to be good. Especially if you choose the Aldi luxury brands. Some lovely items : torchon ham, chorizo paprika chicken, extra virgin olive oil, cream, creme brullee orange juice and loads more

ohthestruggles · 04/07/2021 18:08

The nappies are awful IMO. My baby shat out the side of them so many times. Pampers all the way.

Aldi's booze is good and the steaks are fine. I wouldn't buy chicken from there as I find that they over stock the fridges and I had some thighs which were stinky and green two days before the use by date once. I don't buy the fruit either because it lasts a day or two.

inmyslippers · 04/07/2021 18:10

Did you buy frozen or fresh burgers? I agree with fruit/veg I only buy if I know it's going to be eaten within a day or two. Never had an issue with nappies. I shop around but get the majority of our food from Aldi/Lidl. When I nip Sainsbury's/Morrisons I feel like I hardly get anything for my money £30 gone and not even a basket full

Redbottle · 04/07/2021 18:10

I think that the quality of fruit and veg must vary depending on where you live. In my area, Aldi is by far the best for fresh produce.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 04/07/2021 18:10

Nappies are crap. I tried them for my youngest she leaked every day. Pretty sure I tried them for my second and found the same. She's never leaked out a pampers nappy.
Hate all the beauty products.
Chicken is awful and chewy
Veg and fruit is fine if you use it quickly. Haven't really noticed a difference to other supermarkets shelf life.
I buy some food. Some of the cereals are good for the kids (I don't eat cereal so don't know)
Wipes are good
Reed diffusers are good
Toilet roll and kitchen roll are good
Things like bin bags and tinfoil etc are good. That's about it.

yoshiblue · 04/07/2021 18:10

I like Aldi for a few specific bits and pieces but the majority of our shop is at Sainsbury's. I think Sainsbury's and Tesco have adjusted the price of their own brand products to the same prices as Aldi, so the saving isn't as much as it used to be.

I tend to go in weekly (as it's opposite Sainsbury's) and pick the things that are much cheaper in there. Tin foil, cling film, bin bags, cans of tonic water (fake Fevertree), kids ice creams, baking ingredients, anything interesting in the super 6, Parmesan cheese,Extra special chocolate mousse!

CasparBloomberg · 04/07/2021 18:11

Agree, have never had good experience at Aldi. Find food quality poor. However there are some Lidl products I love that cost 3 times the price at other supermarkets. They tend to be imported things like some of their specials, antipasti, cheeses etc. The fruit and veg usually quite good at Lidl too. However wouldn’t do a full shop there any more after some bad experiences; frozen veg with loads of insects in and fruit juices already opened and probably drunk from but not realised till we got home 🤢.

MissMissTorrance · 04/07/2021 18:11

I've tried to do 'the big shop' at both lidl and Aldi but for us it's impossible.
Always end up needing to go to Tesco or Sainsbury through the week.

Camomila · 04/07/2021 18:11

I could easily spend £219 if I relented to DSs demands for the ride on toys in the middle aisle Grin (I don't)

DSGBT · 04/07/2021 18:11

I do most of my shop in aldi then morrisons for bits I can’t get in aldi or that we prefer from elsewhere or sometimes an online sainsburys shop. I find that the quality of meat from any supermarket is poor, aldi has never been any worse for us. I’ve generally given up eating chicken because of this. Same goes with fruit. It’s pretty much all crap quality wherever you go. I try local greengrocers etc when I can but we can’t always afford it. Their quality is miles better as is farm shop meat but is much more expensive

RosesAndHellebores · 04/07/2021 18:12

The only part of your post that was unreasonable is the fact that you discussed the supermarket shop and where to do it with your dh. Thankfully mine would never, ever want to know.

Acarerformum · 04/07/2021 18:12

I always find their fruit and vegetables tasteless and go mould within a few days! Also each time I’ve bought flowers from there they die within a few days, either that or the flower buds never open and just die.

TheRebelle · 04/07/2021 18:12

I agree, the food is just not good quality. I prefer doing an online shop then you don’t put any extras in the trolley and can meal plan more easily so end up spending the same as going to Aldi anyway.

MapleMay11 · 04/07/2021 18:12

I've always thought it was total shite and nothing has changed my opinion so far.

ahoyshipmates · 04/07/2021 18:12

Our local branch of Aldi is fine, I've never found an issue with short-dated stuff and things going off like the OP describes. Morrisons, on the other hand...

dottydally · 04/07/2021 18:13

I agree OP. I desperately wanted to like it but just can't. Odd bits are good, the cheese is nice and so is the orange juice, but I always end up disappointed with the fruit/veg. I find the cereal is like cardboard and I can't cope with the crisps. Their size 1/2 nappies are good but beyond that I don't rate them.

I also don't have the time/energy to shop in multiple places and struggle with not knowing whether I'll be able to get what I want as their stock varies. I get one Tesco delivery a week instead. If I shop carefully in Tesco it's not much more expensive, the food lasts better and it's delivered. It's just not worth the hype for me Sad

ApolloandDaphne · 04/07/2021 18:14

I go to Aldi for wine, beer and chocolate. Morrisons for everything else.

MimiDaisy11 · 04/07/2021 18:15

I don’t see a difference with fresh fruit and veg and other supermarkets. The amount of times I’ve discovered bad fruit or veg from Tesco is ridiculous.

I like Lidl but don’t have experience with Aldi. Often the products are just as good or better since there are sometimes higher standards expected of some European foods they sell.

MurdockTheMouse · 04/07/2021 18:15

Have both Aldi and Lidil not far from me both absolutely fine

Journeynotdestination · 04/07/2021 18:16

I love these posts. The more people don’t shop at Aldi, the better shopping experience I can have there. Love the place, shop carefully & it’s as good as M&S. I save over £50 a week shopping there over Sainsbury’s.

Treehaus · 04/07/2021 18:17

@RosesAndHellebores

The only part of your post that was unreasonable is the fact that you discussed the supermarket shop and where to do it with your dh. Thankfully mine would never, ever want to know.
So he never does any shopping?

I don't find aldi or lidl that great, can now get fresh produce just as cheap in other supermarkets and the quality is better imo. Some of their dupes are okay, but couldn't do a big shop there.

abstractzebra · 04/07/2021 18:17

We have got a fairly new Aldi and Lidl nearby.
Veg in Aldi is good but not a full selection like Tesco but the Lidl is awful.
There's rotting fruit and veg on the shelf!
Worth noting that some packs are bigger in Aldi for the same price or less than other supermarkets eg. 400g in a punnet of mushrooms. Only 300g everywhere else.
Pizzas always have loads of topping!
My issue with Aldi is their underhand tactics. They make products using almost identical packaging to other brands but the product is inferior. They target new and up and coming brands and risk ruining their business.
They usually settle out of court and remove their fake brands but it's not really on and it means that small struggling manufacturers have to potentially bear the cost of a court case.
I think most people really missed the point of the Colin the caterpillar case with M&S.
It wasn't about the cake. It was about the underhand behaviour which mainly affects small businesses.

Velvian · 04/07/2021 18:17

My local Aldi is brilliant for fruit and veg, I think it must vary. Their meat does seem too good, but I'm vegetarian, so it's fine for me.

I want for the first time in ages a couple of weeks ago. It was really good to stock up on loads of snack and toiletries for about 1/2 of the price I usually spend.

Veryverycalmnow · 04/07/2021 18:18

Hate Aldi and Lidl

Doghead · 04/07/2021 18:18

@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.

Crikey!! How msny people are you feeding? I spend less than that a month!