Aldi's - quickly becoming a very low price favorite.

Although there is an ancient thread or two that popped up for Aldi's, I just wanted to focus on them.
I have been a faithful Wal-Mart shopper for years. There is no Sam's Club or Costco near us, although there is a BJ's.
The advantage of Aldi's, is that for many products, their prices meet or beat Wal-Mart and even Warehouse clubs (without having to buy in bulk). THey also have a reputation for high quality stuff. Prices have been demonstrated in numerous shopping basket comparisons. And I am finding this to be true for many things I buy on a constant basis. For example:
Their Greek yogurt is 0.75; $1 or more everywhere else. I eat a LOT of this. Their other generic yogurts approx. .40-.45.
Bananas 0.44, which are 0.54 at Wal-Mart.
Some fruits and veggies and mushrooms can be phenomenal, although they shift with the seasons. 0.99 a pint blueberries, 1.49 strawberries. Mushrooms often for 0.49 or 0.79 a container. You have to watch and just get the low cost stuff. And some other things often do that. I buy a lot and deep freeze as well as fresh.
They have a nice cheesecake variety for $10, $14+ everywhere else (including Costco).
I buy a lot of generic Cheerios, Raisin Bran & Bran Flakes. Their per ounce price is significantly less than everyone else for a normal box size.
And Aldi's is really quick in and out. I am out in half the time with the same size purchase.
Yea, you gotta steal their boxes or bring your own bags. And half to do the quarter in the cart thing. I learned to be efficient.

I'm glad you've found quality there. My dad, who was very frugal really enjoyed bargain hunting there. Although there are some cost savings, I have not found enough to save me in time because I still have to get most items at Meijer, a regional big box which started as a grocery chain, and really has unequaled produce.
Haven't I read that they are owned by the same company that owns an upscale chain - like maybe Trader Joe's?

Innkeep said:

I'm glad you've found quality there. My dad, who was very frugal really enjoyed bargain hunting there. Although there are some cost savings, I have not found enough to save me in time because I still have to get most items at Meijer, a regional big box which started as a grocery chain, and really has unequaled produce.
Haven't I read that they are owned by the same company that owns an upscale chain - like maybe Trader Joe's?.

Click to expand...

Innkeep said:

Haven't I read that they are owned by the same company that owns an upscale chain - like maybe Trader Joe's?

Click to expand...

They are owned by the same company as Trader Joe's, and follow one of the same practices - their own branded version of the really popular stuff at a very low price. They have started to offer a nice variety of gluten-free stuff, and some organic or 'natural' foods. We have Aldi's around here (no TJ's) and I do buy their stuff when I'm near one. The produce is limited (also like TJ's) but good value. Cheese and crackers are also priced well.

muirford said:

Innkeep said:

I'm glad you've found quality there. My dad, who was very frugal really enjoyed bargain hunting there. Although there are some cost savings, I have not found enough to save me in time because I still have to get most items at Meijer, a regional big box which started as a grocery chain, and really has unequaled produce.
Haven't I read that they are owned by the same company that owns an upscale chain - like maybe Trader Joe's?.

Click to expand...

Innkeep said:

Haven't I read that they are owned by the same company that owns an upscale chain - like maybe Trader Joe's?

Click to expand...

They are owned by the same company as Trader Joe's, and follow one of the same practices - their own branded version of the really popular stuff at a very low price. They have started to offer a nice variety of gluten-free stuff, and some organic or 'natural' foods. We have Aldi's around here (no TJ's) and I do buy their stuff when I'm near one. The produce is limited (also like TJ's) but good value. Cheese and crackers are also priced well.
.

Click to expand...

Never been in one. no name brands never appealed to me..sorry I am a brand name snob when and if I buy processed foods.

I love Aldi's!

muirford said:

Innkeep said:

I'm glad you've found quality there. My dad, who was very frugal really enjoyed bargain hunting there. Although there are some cost savings, I have not found enough to save me in time because I still have to get most items at Meijer, a regional big box which started as a grocery chain, and really has unequaled produce.
Haven't I read that they are owned by the same company that owns an upscale chain - like maybe Trader Joe's?.

Click to expand...

Innkeep said:

Haven't I read that they are owned by the same company that owns an upscale chain - like maybe Trader Joe's?

Click to expand...

They are owned by the same company as Trader Joe's, and follow one of the same practices - their own branded version of the really popular stuff at a very low price. They have started to offer a nice variety of gluten-free stuff, and some organic or 'natural' foods. We have Aldi's around here (no TJ's) and I do buy their stuff when I'm near one. The produce is limited (also like TJ's) but good value. Cheese and crackers are also priced well.
.

Click to expand...

muirford said:

They are owned by the same company as Trader Joe's...

Click to expand...

Almost. They were the same company until 1960 and fully separated financially since 1966. Aldi Sud owns Aldi in the US and Aldi Nord owns Trade Joe's in the US. Besides Germany, the US is the only country where they both operate. They generally divide territory so as not to compete with each other.

Aldi's has a store in Waynesboro Va.( close to me) Its a German store ,seen it in Europe somewhere. I like the prices ,noticed the wine was German and a low price . Many items a good bargain . Got to make a trip there soon..... Mary

It really depends on how you plan on operating and will you be able to get what you need there every time, all the time. That doesn't mean things won't change every now and then, but it consistently has what you want at a price you like.. same way folks think about your inn.

we are going bezerk in my town they have got a site but have been messing about with it for 6 months ! - just get open!

There is no Aldi's near me, so I don't know.
Last time I had generic cheerios they were like cardboard. Same with the raisin bran. Had to throw them out. No one would eat them. Chambermaids, grass cutters, egg man and the trash man all turned them down. I don't know what brand they were. If you eat them and like them, that's good. My rule after that was never to offer a food to a guest that I won't eat because it's not a bargain if no one will eat it.

WE eat whatever is on sale (except Himself has to have veggies and no salt stuff), but our guests are only served top quality.

seashanty said:

There is no Aldi's near me, so I don't know.
Last time I had generic cheerios they were like cardboard. Same with the raisin bran. Had to throw them out. No one would eat them. Chambermaids, grass cutters, egg man and the trash man all turned them down. I don't know what brand they were. If you eat them and like them, that's good. My rule after that was never to offer a food to a guest that I won't eat because it's not a bargain if no one will eat it..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

If you eat them and like them, that's good. My rule after that was never to offer a food to a guest that I won't eat because it's not a bargain if no one will eat it.

Click to expand...

I agree with you, SS, and have often thrown away generics - I don't even like Post Raisin Bran, let alone generic. But the Aldi's brand has some good ones - not the substitute Triscuits, but the GF bars and baking mix are good. Their cheeses are good, too, although limited, and not as well priced in quantity as Costco/Sam's. I like the Aldi's raisin bran and buy it for myself, as well as for the raisin bran muffins.

seashanty said:

There is no Aldi's near me, so I don't know.
Last time I had generic cheerios they were like cardboard. Same with the raisin bran. Had to throw them out. No one would eat them. Chambermaids, grass cutters, egg man and the trash man all turned them down. I don't know what brand they were. If you eat them and like them, that's good. My rule after that was never to offer a food to a guest that I won't eat because it's not a bargain if no one will eat it..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

There is no Aldi's near me, so I don't know.
Last time I had generic cheerios they were like cardboard. Same with the raisin bran. Had to throw them out. No one would eat them. Chambermaids, grass cutters, egg man and the trash man all turned them down. I don't know what brand they were. If you eat them and like them, that's good. My rule after that was never to offer a food to a guest that I won't eat because it's not a bargain if no one will eat it.

Click to expand...

I can't stand the brand name Cheerios. Love the Hannaford's store brand Tasty-O's! My kids refused to eat Kraft mac & cheese or Chef Boyardee ravioli. They loved the store brand. (Same store.) Saved me a bunch on after school snacks.
But, yes, if no one will eat it, it's not a bargain. Found that with the big iloveinns promo 8-9 years ago with the cereal. No one would eat it. Ended up donating a case of it to the food shelf.

Morticia said:

seashanty said:

There is no Aldi's near me, so I don't know.
Last time I had generic cheerios they were like cardboard. Same with the raisin bran. Had to throw them out. No one would eat them. Chambermaids, grass cutters, egg man and the trash man all turned them down. I don't know what brand they were. If you eat them and like them, that's good. My rule after that was never to offer a food to a guest that I won't eat because it's not a bargain if no one will eat it..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

There is no Aldi's near me, so I don't know.
Last time I had generic cheerios they were like cardboard. Same with the raisin bran. Had to throw them out. No one would eat them. Chambermaids, grass cutters, egg man and the trash man all turned them down. I don't know what brand they were. If you eat them and like them, that's good. My rule after that was never to offer a food to a guest that I won't eat because it's not a bargain if no one will eat it.

Click to expand...

I can't stand the brand name Cheerios. Love the Hannaford's store brand Tasty-O's! My kids refused to eat Kraft mac & cheese or Chef Boyardee ravioli. They loved the store brand. (Same store.) Saved me a bunch on after school snacks.
But, yes, if no one will eat it, it's not a bargain. Found that with the big iloveinns promo 8-9 years ago with the cereal. No one would eat it. Ended up donating a case of it to the food shelf.
.

Click to expand...

I have a simple philosophy - I will try anything once. I find a lot of generic is about the same as the main brand. If not, I buy it once and will not re-buy.
I am not a coupon person, but I know when all the sales are. I do not get these extreme couponers. They spend huge amounts of time, take up huge amounts of storage, and most of the stuff is processed food Not to mention annoying everyone in line behind me. So what do they make, perhaps $10/hour for the inconveniences?
My personal secret is raise.com. You can get major discounts on cards to a lot of places I shop. I regularly save 10-20%, and it is no more effort than using a credit card. I bought a lot of future B&B stuff at BonTon, JCPenneys, TJ Maxx, etc. (not to mention Wendy's, Lowes, Home Depot, Subways...). Bon Ton regularly send me get half off (pay $50 for $100+), when combined with sales and a 15% off gift card... But I am very picky what I get.

seashanty said:

There is no Aldi's near me, so I don't know.
Last time I had generic cheerios they were like cardboard. Same with the raisin bran. Had to throw them out. No one would eat them. Chambermaids, grass cutters, egg man and the trash man all turned them down. I don't know what brand they were. If you eat them and like them, that's good. My rule after that was never to offer a food to a guest that I won't eat because it's not a bargain if no one will eat it..

Click to expand...

Aldi's policy is a double guarantee, they offer a refund and will replace the product. You return what's left of the product and the packaging and they will refund your money and replace the product.
We have a store here that has a 100% guarantee on their products. We returned the half of package of frozen fish that we really didn't like, they took it back and handed us back our money. Many places have these same guarantees... they want you to try it and the best way is to let you.
Incidentally Trader Joe's will actually let you sample in the store, if you ask them about a product. Though.... I do challenge you to do that in the pet food row

Jon Sable said:

seashanty said:

There is no Aldi's near me, so I don't know.
Last time I had generic cheerios they were like cardboard. Same with the raisin bran. Had to throw them out. No one would eat them. Chambermaids, grass cutters, egg man and the trash man all turned them down. I don't know what brand they were. If you eat them and like them, that's good. My rule after that was never to offer a food to a guest that I won't eat because it's not a bargain if no one will eat it..

Click to expand...

Aldi's policy is a double guarantee, they offer a refund and will replace the product. You return what's left of the product and the packaging and they will refund your money and replace the product.
We have a store here that has a 100% guarantee on their products. We returned the half of package of frozen fish that we really didn't like, they took it back and handed us back our money. Many places have these same guarantees... they want you to try it and the best way is to let you.
Incidentally Trader Joe's will actually let you sample in the store, if you ask them about a product. Though.... I do challenge you to do that in the pet food row
.

Click to expand...

Arf

Mom loved it and we love it too. Mom likes it because she can say, "Do I need peanut butter, yes or no?" She doesn't have to decide what brand of peanut butter she wants. The low prices come from not having to buy bags, hired lots of employees, etc. because of the way it operates.

Duff2014 said:

Mom loved it and we love it too. Mom likes it because she can say, "Do I need peanut butter, yes or no?" She doesn't have to decide what brand of peanut butter she wants. The low prices come from not having to buy bags, hired lots of employees, etc. because of the way it operates..

Click to expand...

I have been to a LOT of conferences over the years and got some REALLY nice bags for the conference materials & goodies. After years of them taking up space with the notebooks and handouts in them, I emptied them, tossed the contents, and now use them for grocery bags. One (I wish I had taken another) has an insulated lining and zips closed - wonderful for the frozen/cold items from the store.

ohmygoodness, Yes! Morticia. I remember the free cereal I think it's the same promotion. I was very excited to participate. But I don't think it took hold, at least I don't think so. I got I think 4 cases of it - full size boxes of various flavors with coupons, too. I didn't care for it, guests didn't like it. It was going to go stale if I tried to save it and I brought it to a church, people were happy to take it home.

I am a total sucker for the free samples being cooked up or portioned out in the stores. I'll try it ... give me a coupon and the item, I'll probably buy it. I bought 'everything' bagels because a woman in the bread store shopping told me they were soooo good. Not to me. To me, they don't taste like anything. How can this be? oh well. If I could find her, I'd give them to her. I stashed them in the freezer for some day.