ALDI & LIDL Food and Drink Worth Trying?
Discussion
AmitG said:
Another Aldi/Lidl fan here. The vast bulk of the shop comes from Aldi/Lidl and the rest comes from the pound shop and local butcher with special treats (e.g. fine wines) coming from Waitrose. With the odd exception, I have not bought anything from Tesco for about 4 years. My GF still goes to Sainsbury's though.
Things I like about Aldi/Lidl that haven't already been mentioned numerous times by others:
The staff are generally more helpful. They work harder and seem to care more. I think that because there are so few of them, and because they get more autonomy, they feel more of a sense of pride in the store. The Sainsbury's staff couldn't care less.
No self checkouts. I hate being "encouraged" by Sainsbury's staff to use the self checkout. I'm already spending a load of money in your store, and now you want me to even do the scanning myself so that you can fire even more staff? Get lost.
No loyalty cards, useless coupons or other rubbish.
Occasional non-food bargains like deck chairs, tools, flat pack stuff etc. Got some good stuff this way.
Things I don't like:
The ones near me don't take credit cards. I guess they don't want to have to pay the merchant charges. Not the end of the world but it would be nice if they did.
A fair number of the clientele seem to get to the till and find that their card is declined, or they haven't got any cash on them, or the bill comes to £41 and they only have £30 so they start putting things back...one by one...slowly...and their English isn't that good...
At my local one you see some shockingly bad manners, People pushing in front, having arguments etc. As an earlier poster said, just take your time and don't make eye contact.
Saw similar in the Derby Aldi today. Man trying to buy a TV but refusing to give his details (for TV licencing) demanding they sell him the TV and he would come back with his details (they wouldn't) security came and everyfink! Things I like about Aldi/Lidl that haven't already been mentioned numerous times by others:
The staff are generally more helpful. They work harder and seem to care more. I think that because there are so few of them, and because they get more autonomy, they feel more of a sense of pride in the store. The Sainsbury's staff couldn't care less.
No self checkouts. I hate being "encouraged" by Sainsbury's staff to use the self checkout. I'm already spending a load of money in your store, and now you want me to even do the scanning myself so that you can fire even more staff? Get lost.
No loyalty cards, useless coupons or other rubbish.
Occasional non-food bargains like deck chairs, tools, flat pack stuff etc. Got some good stuff this way.
Things I don't like:
The ones near me don't take credit cards. I guess they don't want to have to pay the merchant charges. Not the end of the world but it would be nice if they did.
A fair number of the clientele seem to get to the till and find that their card is declined, or they haven't got any cash on them, or the bill comes to £41 and they only have £30 so they start putting things back...one by one...slowly...and their English isn't that good...
At my local one you see some shockingly bad manners, People pushing in front, having arguments etc. As an earlier poster said, just take your time and don't make eye contact.
With few exceptions the quality of the items I purchased on my first trip last week was better than other supermarkets, and cheaper. As I said earlier the coffee was really rubbish and the tomatoes were fairly bad. Everything else was great, so I ventured back this evening.
ALDI ERROR 1 - arrived at 7:50, I didn't realise they close at 8. ALDI error 2 - i had loads of silver and notes but no pound coin for trolleys. No problem- i'll get change... there was a massive queue. Okay, I'll shove it in a basket... apart apart from the appear not to do baskets???
Anyway, I grabbed a box (what a strange place!) and shoved what I could in there. I was back quickly at the till after my 3 minute supermarket sweep was up, picking up lots of veg, fruit, olive oil, balsamic, cold meats and some of those croissants recommended above.
The checkout guy was very helpful using and scanned / entered the items in the box so it didn't have to be repacked in a way I would have been shocked to see in TESCO.
Minimal bill, but clearly I'm not a regular. It still has the novelty of shopping abroad at the moment. Lessons learned. Bring a pound. Arrive early. Many Audis and mini SUVs noted in the car park.
ALDI ERROR 1 - arrived at 7:50, I didn't realise they close at 8. ALDI error 2 - i had loads of silver and notes but no pound coin for trolleys. No problem- i'll get change... there was a massive queue. Okay, I'll shove it in a basket... apart apart from the appear not to do baskets???
Anyway, I grabbed a box (what a strange place!) and shoved what I could in there. I was back quickly at the till after my 3 minute supermarket sweep was up, picking up lots of veg, fruit, olive oil, balsamic, cold meats and some of those croissants recommended above.
The checkout guy was very helpful using and scanned / entered the items in the box so it didn't have to be repacked in a way I would have been shocked to see in TESCO.
Minimal bill, but clearly I'm not a regular. It still has the novelty of shopping abroad at the moment. Lessons learned. Bring a pound. Arrive early. Many Audis and mini SUVs noted in the car park.
Lidl don't provide baskets either. Again keeps costs minimal as replacing faulty baskets is an extra expense passed on to the shopper.
Buy some decent durable shopping bags. Take these with you. You can always use them as a basket while you shop, as long as you empty them at the till.
Alternatively a couple of boxes kept in the boot of your car, throw your shopping straight back in to your trolley and pack in boxes at the car.
Having you use a trolley is also another psychological tactic by the supermarket. If you have a basket you'll only shop for your essentials. Having a trolley you'll add in a few extra unnecessary items and spend twice as much.
Specials in Lidl come in on a Monday morning and a Thursday. These are hence the busiest times/days and worth avoiding unless you're after that special in which case get there early as they will sell out. Fast. Car, motorbike and cycling gear particularly.
It's also worth noting that some specials are often put out the night before so you can often pick up stuff early.
Buy some decent durable shopping bags. Take these with you. You can always use them as a basket while you shop, as long as you empty them at the till.
Alternatively a couple of boxes kept in the boot of your car, throw your shopping straight back in to your trolley and pack in boxes at the car.
Having you use a trolley is also another psychological tactic by the supermarket. If you have a basket you'll only shop for your essentials. Having a trolley you'll add in a few extra unnecessary items and spend twice as much.
Specials in Lidl come in on a Monday morning and a Thursday. These are hence the busiest times/days and worth avoiding unless you're after that special in which case get there early as they will sell out. Fast. Car, motorbike and cycling gear particularly.
It's also worth noting that some specials are often put out the night before so you can often pick up stuff early.
well couldnt resist popped into aldi last night for some cold meat...
ended up with 1m spirit level, ball head allen keys, screw extractors, duster, 2 litres of diet irn bru and the cold meat the cold meat is very nice by teh way chicken in maple sugar flavour nom
what are the disco biscuits like ?
ended up with 1m spirit level, ball head allen keys, screw extractors, duster, 2 litres of diet irn bru and the cold meat
the cold meat is very nice by teh way chicken in maple sugar flavour nom what are the disco biscuits like ?
Lidl's greek yoghurt (1ltr tub) is amazing - really thick and creamy and totally unlike any "greek" yoghurt sold by the bigger supermarkets. Also, the avocado's are terrific - 59p for a large Hass which is usually ripe or nearly ripe. e.g. Asda charge £1.09 for the same thing.
Lidl's crisps (Crusty Croc!) are rubbish, but their pretzels and toffee popcorn are good. Their tea and coffee (both instant and ground) is also very good.
I've been shopping there for 6 months now and wouldn't go back to the big three. The only thing that get's me through the door of Tesco or Asda is the cheap baby stuff (wipes, clothes etc) otherwise I'd never venture in.
Lidl's crisps (Crusty Croc!) are rubbish, but their pretzels and toffee popcorn are good. Their tea and coffee (both instant and ground) is also very good.
I've been shopping there for 6 months now and wouldn't go back to the big three. The only thing that get's me through the door of Tesco or Asda is the cheap baby stuff (wipes, clothes etc) otherwise I'd never venture in.
Trustmeimadoctor said:
well couldnt resist popped into aldi last night for some cold meat...
ended up with 1m spirit level, ball head allen keys, screw extractors, duster, 2 litres of diet irn bru and the cold meat the cold meat is very nice by teh way chicken in maple sugar flavour nom
what are the disco biscuits like ?
Disco biscuits are poor don't bother.ended up with 1m spirit level, ball head allen keys, screw extractors, duster, 2 litres of diet irn bru and the cold meat
the cold meat is very nice by teh way chicken in maple sugar flavour nom what are the disco biscuits like ?
Bill Carr said:
Lidl's greek yoghurt (1ltr tub) is amazing - really thick and creamy and totally unlike any "greek" yoghurt sold by the bigger supermarkets. Also, the avocado's are terrific - 59p for a large Hass which is usually ripe or nearly ripe. e.g. Asda charge £1.09 for the same thing.
Lidl's crisps (Crusty Croc!) are rubbish, but their pretzels and toffee popcorn are good. Their tea and coffee (both instant and ground) is also very good.
Agree with all of that. Lidl's crisps (Crusty Croc!) are rubbish, but their pretzels and toffee popcorn are good. Their tea and coffee (both instant and ground) is also very good.
I always compare my Lidl shop with Asda online (the prices are the same online as instore). Invariably Lidl is cheaper.
People think Asda offers value for money because they're masters at the big-lurid-sticker 'price per pack' game. Anything to divert attention away from the 'per Kg' price they must state by law.
I was once behind an old couple at the tills who had clearly raided the piggy bank to buy a pack of steak for £6. This was £15.99 per Kg, when they could have had it for £11.99 per Kg at Waitrose.
I hate to see old folk ripped off - the 'per Kg' price was in such faint print they probably couldn't read it.
A tip for Lidl-ers, sign up for their twice-weekly offers email. The weekend fruit/veg offers are a steal.
If you like fresh blueberries (and I do), this weekend's the time to get down there - the Lidl offer equates to £5.92 per Kg.
Compared with £6.67 per Kg at Asda, and a whopping £8.33 per Kg at Waitrose even with their 2-for-£3 'deal'. Quality food, honestly priced? Like fark.
If you like fresh blueberries (and I do), this weekend's the time to get down there - the Lidl offer equates to £5.92 per Kg.
Compared with £6.67 per Kg at Asda, and a whopping £8.33 per Kg at Waitrose even with their 2-for-£3 'deal'. Quality food, honestly priced? Like fark.
Mobile Chicane said:
Bill Carr said:
Lidl's greek yoghurt (1ltr tub) is amazing - really thick and creamy and totally unlike any "greek" yoghurt sold by the bigger supermarkets. Also, the avocado's are terrific - 59p for a large Hass which is usually ripe or nearly ripe. e.g. Asda charge £1.09 for the same thing.
Lidl's crisps (Crusty Croc!) are rubbish, but their pretzels and toffee popcorn are good. Their tea and coffee (both instant and ground) is also very good.
Agree with all of that. Lidl's crisps (Crusty Croc!) are rubbish, but their pretzels and toffee popcorn are good. Their tea and coffee (both instant and ground) is also very good.
I always compare my Lidl shop with Asda online (the prices are the same online as instore). Invariably Lidl is cheaper.
People think Asda offers value for money because they're masters at the big-lurid-sticker 'price per pack' game. Anything to divert attention away from the 'per Kg' price they must state by law.
I was once behind an old couple at the tills who had clearly raided the piggy bank to buy a pack of steak for £6. This was £15.99 per Kg, when they could have had it for £11.99 per Kg at Waitrose.
I hate to see old folk ripped off - the 'per Kg' price was in such faint print they probably couldn't read it.
)The only thing I can't get on with at Lidl is the bread but then I am comparing it with Morrisons fresh, not the pre-bagged stuff like Hovis. So for breakfast I tend to buy the pancakes instead.
MC, or anyone, have you tried the Lidl salmon yet?
Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff