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Original poster

Aldi or Lidl?

34 replies

lilibet · 04/04/2006 14:17

We have both near here and I need to save some money over the next few months, so I'm trying them both

what do you recommend and what do you really avoid like the plague?

And are they really that much cheaper when you take into account two for ones and things like that?

OP posts:

Lucycat · 04/04/2006 14:20

ooh where to start!

It really depends on what you like to buy and whether you like your branded goods!

My best tip is to go along with a basic shopping list and have a look round each. You can use the MoneySavingExpert forum for a good comaprison list of what people think is good value or not.

hang on I'll do a link.

Gingerbear · 04/04/2006 14:21

Lidl version of jaffacakes.
Yum

Lucycat · 04/04/2006 14:22

Have a scoot at \link{http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=110684&highlight=lidl+buys\this thread in MSE!} although I don't agree with it all - we do like Lidl's black puddings

Lucycat · 04/04/2006 14:24

actually \link{http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1139914268,92033,\here is a comprehensive list}of what to buy (or not)

joelalie · 04/04/2006 14:25

I prefer Lidl personally although I wish they'd have some extra people to open more tills. Don't always use them but when we're on our uppers a bit I do. Bear in mind that they don't have everything - when I used them regularly I'd go there first and get what I could then pop to somehwhere else to fill the gaps.

ProfYaffle · 04/04/2006 14:40

I love Lidl, strong points are cheese, chocolate, wine, frozen pizzas (the 95p for 2 mozerella and pesto ones are delish) and frozen fish.

Oh, and the nappies, wipes and cleaning stuff are great as well

The condition of fresh fruit and veg can be a bit hit and miss, sometimes it's great, other times a bit battered and bruised.

Sometimes, some 241 offers make a product as cheap as Lidl but that's usually only a limited range of specials in one shop for a limited time. The great thing about Lidl is all the stuff is that price all of the time.

ProfYaffle · 04/04/2006 14:40

I don't shop in Aldi though, there isn't one nearby, so can't make a comparison.

Gingerbear · 04/04/2006 14:42

Lidl is good for Horse Blankets and Horse gaiters.

Original poster

lilibet · 04/04/2006 14:44

Those links are gret, Ta!!

What about baked beans?

OP posts:

ProfYaffle · 04/04/2006 14:47

I'm phobic about beans which aren't a big name so have never bought them in Lidl. Mind you, I used to think the same about nappies which weren't Pampers and I got over that.

speedymama · 04/04/2006 15:11

I prefer Aldi. Great nappies, wipes, cleaning products, food etc. Obviously, it is all a matter of taste and there is a lot of their food that I would not buy but that would be the same in any other supermarket. For example, I buy Weetbisk which costs 69p compared to Weetabix which cost £1.24 and it tastes the same. If I remember correctly, last Christmas, highly regarded chefs were blind testing christmas puddings, Aldi's pudding came out top against Waitrose, M&S etc. I save a fortune at Aldi, I even buy clothes for all the family from there. I'm not proud. Recently, I bought 3 packs of vests for the twins costing £3.99 each for a pack of 7 and jeans at £2.99 each. They wash superbly and the quality is very good. I also bought some jeans costing £4.99 for myself and they are wearing well in addition to clothes for work. DH is still wearing casual tops that I bought 3 years ago. I do buy things like fresh meat from butchers or supermarket. Similarly fresh fish. Fresh fruit and veg from greengrocer if I can't get what I want from Aldi.

We are not strap for cash (joint income of nearly £80k) and the only debt we have is the mortgage. We just don't see why we should pay more for something when there is no need to do so.

Tinker · 04/04/2006 15:12

Think Aldi is meant to be posher than Lidl. Am quite excited as will have both near me soon.

Original poster

lilibet · 04/04/2006 15:13

Never heard the words Aldi and posh in the same sentnece before

OP posts:

speedymama · 04/04/2006 15:22

Aldi's cornflakes taste better than Kellog's and DH loves their beer. I love Ginger wine. Stones Ginger wine costs nearly £4.99, Dales Ginger wine from Aldi, costs £2.99. Unfortunately, Aldi do not stock it all year round so when they have it in, I buy about 4 bottles. Their version of Bailey's Irish cream is delicious too and my mother loves their Highland whiskey (she shops there too!)

Can you tell that we love Aldi?

JanH · 04/04/2006 15:57

Lidl beans have cinnamon in or something, lil, they're disgusting! (IOHO anyway )

Rhubarb · 04/04/2006 15:58

(pops in to say hello to JanH!)

JanH · 04/04/2006 16:07

(I'm at work - mnetting feels really naughty and good )

petunia · 04/04/2006 16:26

If you go on Aldi and Lidl's websites, you can subscribe and they e-mail you with their special offers (although if you want to save money, that might not be a good idea!)

I'm not a regular Aldi shopper but my DH loves Aldi's cooked meat as some of it (you have to read the labels for this) hasn't got added water. And I love their marzipan Stollen at Christmas (but being a german store/german cake, they should know how to make a good one!) I have found Aldi's breakfast cereals aren't that much cheaper when compared to a Supermarket's own brands (might be wrong though, only quickly compared prices).

JanH · 04/04/2006 16:40

Lidl's ready meals (eg curries) have completely plain ingredients - no chemicals or thickeners or any of that rubbish - and they are v cheap. There is a chilled chicken jalfrezi (I think it's #1.69 but may be #1.99) which is stuffed with pieces of actual chicken and chunks of peppers and it is gorgeous.

They do a chilled 4-cheese pizza which is DS2's favourite, I have to buy 6 every time I go and cram them in the freezer. The food is very very good (apart from the cinnamony beans )

Gingerbear · 04/04/2006 17:17

this weeks Lidl special offers are all DIY-i-fied - all ready for easter holidays!!

brimfull · 04/04/2006 17:27

I have found their fruit and veg really good,broccolli really really good,kids even commented how nice it was.Mind you the swede was crap this week.
German sausages are good,frozen pizzas excellent,haven't tried their meat.olive oil/balsamic vinegar/red wine/fruit juice cartons/pitta bread/italian ice cream/yoghurts and chocolate all great.

You need a debit card or cash though.

Don't have an aldi unfortunately.

scienceteacher · 04/04/2006 17:38

I like their continental deli products (ham and cheeses) to be really good value. I also buy jars of pasta sauce and pesto, coffee, some of their biscuits (but not too often), juice and fizzy water.

Their wine is awful, and I have very low standards. I have not been impressed by their toiletries, so never buy these. The kids don't think much of their cereals.

I tend to only go if there is a non-food item in their adverts that I want. Their stationery items are really good (I do a once a year stock-up), as are their electronics and kitchen gadgets.

I find both stores to be the same as each other, and for me, they are virtually next door to one another, so it all depends on their specials.

WestCountryLass · 04/04/2006 21:01

I LOVE Aldi!

zebrabra · 04/04/2006 21:03

Aldi a bit of a dive compared to Lidl, ime. I'm not embarrassed to admit to shopping at Lidl, let me put it that way.

Bizywizy · 04/04/2006 21:06

I had been raving about Lidl and their cheap fruit and veg but last week it had all gone back up in price so I will be back to normal shops but it was nice stuff - just remember to take carrier bags with you - they charge 3p for a bag. I know not breaking the bank and its strange how much you can get into a bag when you are paying for it!!

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