Visit to Aldi's - Not impressed

[disneysteve]

My wife and I stopped at Aldi's today. This was the first time we had been there in probably 10 years or more. We were curious to see what they had and how the prices were. I must say that we were not impressed. It was predominantly no-name brands and the prices weren't anything special, no less than store brands at the regular supermarkets and not all that much less than brand names on sale or with coupons. I wonder if folks who shop there really save as much as they think they do. I'd rather go to the regular chains where I have a much better selection and am more confident about the quality of the products.

[momof1in150]

Thanks for the info. I have never been to one and the closest in 45 minutes away so I wasn't sure if it was worth the gas & time to go there.

[skylovessea]

If there is one closeby, I tend to go because their products are great for generic and they are very inexpensive in relation to our local markets. I especially like their produce. Very fresh and VERY cheap.

I seldom go because we don't have one by our apartment but if I am out and about I stop for a couple items.

It is definitely a matter of opinion though. I grew up eating generics so they don't quite bother me.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by skylovessea

It is definitely a matter of opinion though. I grew up eating generics so they don't quite bother me.

Oh, we have no problem with generics. We buy store brand all the time. We just didn't find Aldi's prices to be lower than store brand at our regular stores (and in some cases their prices were higher).

[skylovessea]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Oh, we have no problem with generics. We buy store brand all the time. We just didn't find Aldi's prices to be lower than store brand at our regular stores (and in some cases their prices were higher).

Our local stores' prices are outrageous. That's probably why it is different for us.

[Goldy1]

I went to Aldi twice. Not much selection. Milk is 1.99 a gallon but I buy 1 or half percent and they only stock skim, whole, or 2.

I guess some people like it, but I shop for sales at regular grocery stores, and didn't care for Aldi due to not needing it. I suppose if you are not a savy shopper or lack the time, it might be a hit.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by skylovessea

Our local stores' prices are outrageous. That's probably why it is different for us.

That makes sense. It all depends what you are comparing it to.

Originally Posted by Goldy1

I went to Aldi twice. Not much selection. Milk is 1.99 a gallon.

Milk at this Aldi's was also more expensive than at our regular supermarket (Wegman's).

[pearlieq]

It's definitley not the be-all, end-all, but I have had some success there. I agree that for some items, I can do better at my local grocery, but some are excellent bargains.

I have a set of specific products I prefer to buy at Aldi. It is the closest store to my home so it's no bother to stop there, but otherwise I probably wouldn't go too far out of my way for it.

I would also say that I have never had quality issues with Aldi products. Everything I've had there has been more than satisfactory.

[srblanco7]

Disney Steve - Wegmans imho surpasses bascically every other grocery store i've ever been in. Extremely well run company. They are expanding throughout the NE after being centralized in Upstate NY for many years.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by srblanco7

Disney Steve - Wegmans imho surpasses bascically every other grocery store i've ever been in.

I agree. We switched to shopping there as soon as they opened. There are a handful of items that we used to use that Wegman's doesn't carry. Every once in a while, we'll run into Shop Rite to pick them up and we're always sorry when we do as shopping at Wegman's is so much nicer an experience. We used to shop at Shop Rite but I think since Wegman's opened (they're practically next to each other), the Shop Rite has gone downhill.

[irmanator]

we have a wegmans and an aldis in the same intersection. I prefer aldi's for most staples. I prefer wegmans for their meats and produce. Wegmans prices on canned goods are not exciting here, once in a while they have a loss leader sale thats good. If you are looking for organic gluten free or some other type of specialty wegmans is great for that but we are ordinary ppl and aldi's is 65% of our grocery budget.

[Goldy1]

When I was in Florida visiting my parents condo, I noted grocery prices seemed a little higher. My parents agreed.
I shop at a midwest very large grocer called Meijer for almost all my food. They have thier own line of Meijer Organics and it is VERY extensive and reasonably priced. They run specials and regular prices are cheaper than the local Kroger and Vg.
I shop at WHole Foods for treats but I go in and out of fads of going there. I thought it was funny when a anethesiologist I know complained of WHole Foods being "too pricey" for him. lol

I heard super walmart is good for low prices, but have not tried it. I only shop once a week.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by irmanator

Wegmans prices on canned goods are not exciting here, once in a while they have a loss leader sale thats good.

Around here, their store brand veggies start at 33 cents/can. This month, they've had the canned crushed tomatoes that DW uses to make pasta sauce for 39 cents so we've been stocking up on those. Their store brand yogurt is always 40 cents each.

I've checked prices against the other chains in the area and they are consistently the lowest.

[irmanator]

I havent done my research in a while may be time to re-evaluate. however it is in my experience that less choices=less temptation= less money spent. works for me since i try to only buy basics anyway.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by irmanator

I havent done my research in a while may be time to re-evaluate. however it is in my experience that less choices=less temptation= less money spent. works for me since i try to only buy basics anyway.

That's certainly true. If we were in a position where we really needed to rein in the food spending, going somewhere other than a mega-market with mega-choices would definitely be a good idea.

I did notice at Aldi's, though, a great deal of junk food considering the size of the store and limited choices. Lots of unhealthy and unnecessary things that one could buy there.

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I'd rather go to the regular chains where I have a much better selection and am more confident about the quality of the products.

DS
I saw a story on some cable channel a while back about Aldi's. It basically stated that they have contracts with a lot of the major producers of the regular goods you might buy elsewhere but they simply give it a different name. I've only shopped there a couple times but was reasonably sastisfied. I think you're basically buying generic goods( like you might from a major store) but it's given a unique name.

[Hot dog]

Wow you cant get veggies for that price here in Maryland maybe .50 a can but not .33. Even the dollar store prices are getting expensive here. You cant get spaghetti for less than a dollar here I remember it was 2 for a dollar all the time

[irmanator]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

That's certainly true. If we were in a position where we really needed to rein in the food spending, going somewhere other than a mega-market with mega-choices would definitely be a good idea.

I did notice at Aldi's, though, a great deal of junk food considering the size of the store and limited choices. Lots of unhealthy and unnecessary things that one could buy there.

I buy milk, eggs, corn flakes, sugar, flour, veggies if they look good, canned veggies, once in a while a bag of chips usually when someone has a birthday.