ALDI

Reviews 4

JE

Jennifer Drinko Glover

I have been reading such rave reviews about how the scaled back luxuries results in a better price for healthier food with lots/more organic options. I couldnt disagree with those reviews more, I would definitely not go back. I can see a good market for this store where families that are on a very tight need every extra $1 they can save. And for that, I applaud Aldi for giving those consumers a good option. And dont get wrong, I like saving money too,but frankly it is worth it for me to spend the extra money to get some basic customer service and organization in the store. I had already been warned by some ALDI regulars about the quarter for a cart and to bring my own bags....which I am totally cool with. First, I noticed that there were way less organic options than I was expecting. I didnt count but I would say less than 20% of the products had an organic option. And while the prices were better I saw little difference in these products than any of the cheapest off-brands you can get in any grocery store. Then, I noticed in the produce section that many of the products didnt have a label or price....or were in the wrong bin all together. As I went down the aisles I was shocked at the lack of organic....I mean I had read 2-3 press releases about how ALDI was a leader in no pesticides, expanded organic and alike. It was disappointing. The one positive note, on everything but organic milk the prices were probably 15% less than I normally spend, which was very appealing. But, with items being mis/unlabeled and not getting the quality I was used to...I was starting to get frustrated. Then I got in line and being my first visit, I most certainly did not know the drill. I set my bags on the belt for the cashier, behind the woman in front of mes "order-separator plastic thing" and started putting my groceries on the belt. No sooner did I look up from doing that to find the cashier rapidly scanning my things and dropping them into another cart. I was very confused. Then I realized that there was a separate bagging area, and I needed to rebag all of the groceries that she was throwing into another cart. Ahhh, ok. That would have been nice to know...no biggie, I didnt mind....it did seem odd that I couldnt do it as she scanned but whatever. Then I looked around, I didnt see my grocery bags...my favorite & expensive reusable grocery bags. I asked the cashier where she put them, and she looked at me with a totally blank stare. And said, "oh I saw some bags, but I didnt know whose they were. Maybe the woman before you took them." WHAT? So I scanned the bagging area thinking for sure it was a mistake. Nope, that lady peaced out and stole my bags. Clearly she ran to her car too, cause no more than 2 minutes had past at this point. I was baffled... Now, while I think that stealing another persons reusable grocery bags is about one of the least classy and low things I can think of....I have plenty other bags, and she clearly needs them more than I do. But what is actually most annoying is the cashier, the person paid to handle the flow at the register, wasnt paying attention to the customers in front of her AT ALL. Being a new store to the area, I would expect their employees would be looking to educate customers on the flow and process of the store. When she saw me stick my bags up on the belt a simple, "maam you will actually be able to bag your groceries over here at this separate counter" would have been in order. But at ALDI, all you can expect is a robotic, sitting cashier who doesnt look up from their speed scanning to acknowledge the person in front of them at all. So whatever, I saved probably $20. But lost $8-10 work of bags, left the store with elevated blood pressure and a cart of marginal products. So Ill keep paying the slight premium at my neighborhood Kroger....with TONS of organic and local options, great prices, salad bars, non-essential convenience services and staff who actually looks around and helps their customers.

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KL

kl p

Went over to check out this store, as I have heard so much about how great it is. Well, it was a disappointment-I had been led to believe that this was the be-all and end-all of organic produce, and I didnt expect that most of the merchandise would be packaged dry goods. I have no idea why everyone likes this place so much-it reminded me of some off-brand warehouse, and I didnt see ANY organic produce-I stood there and looked right at the little bit they had, and didnt see anything labeled organic. Meat selection was small, nothing to write home about, and frankly, I didnt think the prices were outstanding-I can shop the sales at other grocery stores and save just as much money, on brands Ive actually heard of, and, yes-I can actually find a wide variety of organic produce! This is a new store, but it felt cramped and small, and I couldnt find a thing I was looking for-I didnt even bother looking at any paper goods or household cleaners. I will just stick with Kroger, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods, where I know what I can find....why waste the gas driving over to a store that might or might not have what Im looking for? And then-I learned they dont accept WIC. Biiiiiig problem. Now, I am not part of the WIC program, but it seems to me that if someone is in need of such assistance, that it might be a good thing for a store that goes to such lengths to tout it wonderful deals, to let the less fortunate in on their splendiferous prices. After all, they ARE the ones who most need the deals, yes? Or perhaps there is a certain element they wish to keep out of their stores? Whatever the reason, I dont like it. Im not on any sort of public assistance, but I have known people who are/were, and they are not welfare chiselers, nor criminals, and I dont like establishments that treat them as such. Shame on you, Aldi!

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AM

Amy Ashburn-Forest

We are a family of five and Aldi makes it much more affordable to feed my kids healthy food and snacks. The kids and hubby go through a lot of bread, and they usually have it for less than $1.00 a loaf. The prices and quality of their meat is very good and my kids prefer Aldi brand cereal to the name brand, and at $1.30 a box for cheerios and cinnamon toast, I am NOT complaining at all. The store is reminiscent of the Euro markets, which I love. Its small, but they have what we need plus plenty of goodies we dont need, but can splurge a little. The produce is fresh and keeps well, and the quality of dairy and frozen foods, like the frozen blueberries, is incredible. The store is also very clean and the aisles are wide enough to maneuver. I shop he weekly circular on the app and make my list from there. Theyve yet to not have something advertised. Just dont forget your quarter to borrow a cart, and remember your reusable bags.

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JE

Jendayi Dukes

I laugh at people complaining at these stores like they going compare to the other stores. These stores are a lot smaller and known for their non named brand name items. I use to shop in one back in Ohio. The fact the spreaded to VA, was surprised to see some opening up. People dont compare it to Walmart because you not gonna get what you want. And they are still very new so it going to take time to test the market. Just know it is a clean smaller store, that has fewer name brand stuff, that you should shop by the circular first. And yes have a quarter with you because unlike Walmart and other store this is how they save money on carts being stolen. Do you know how many people take those carts and push them away and the store has to order more? Some of them are just down the street and the store managers still wont get them. Stop your complaining and carry a quarter with you.

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