About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
to me. The store wasn't the cleanest, and nothing was on shelves. It
was all stacked on rows of pallets in varying states of disrepair.
Everything I picked up and looked at, from canned goods to dry goods
to boxes of cereal to jars of pickles was expired. Most of it was
within 6 months to a year past the expiry date, but some things were 2
to 5 years past. I asked her "WTF?" and she said that that's what
ALDI was- a clearance store for 'expired but still good' goods.

I couldn't believe it.

Lately however, i've been getting ALDI sales ads with the other
mailbox stuffers. These tell a completely different story, like ALDI
is just another (smaller) grocery chain. They even have meat and
produce, whereas the other store only had frozen lunchmeat and produce
(which I was afraid to even look at).

I haven't been to an ALDI since that first store. I take it that that
one is a completely inaccurate example of what ALDI is?

-J

"phaeton" > wrote in message
...
> About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
> girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
> to me. The store wasn't the cleanest, and nothing was on shelves. It
> was all stacked on rows of pallets in varying states of disrepair.
> Everything I picked up and looked at, from canned goods to dry goods
> to boxes of cereal to jars of pickles was expired. Most of it was
> within 6 months to a year past the expiry date, but some things were 2
> to 5 years past. I asked her "WTF?" and she said that that's what
> ALDI was- a clearance store for 'expired but still good' goods.
>
> I couldn't believe it.
>
> Lately however, i've been getting ALDI sales ads with the other
> mailbox stuffers. These tell a completely different story, like ALDI
> is just another (smaller) grocery chain. They even have meat and
> produce, whereas the other store only had frozen lunchmeat and produce
> (which I was afraid to even look at).
>
> I haven't been to an ALDI since that first store. I take it that that
> one is a completely inaccurate example of what ALDI is?
>
> -J

I have never seen an Aldi like you describe, matter of fact I have never
seen a store that sells expired goods.

Tom

On Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:14:03 -0800 (PST), phaeton
> wrote:

>I haven't been to an ALDI since that first store. I take it that that
>one is a completely inaccurate example of what ALDI is?

I have no idea. I only see ALDI mentioned here.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

sf wrote:
>
> On Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:14:03 -0800 (PST), phaeton
> > wrote:
>
> >I haven't been to an ALDI since that first store. I take it that that
> >one is a completely inaccurate example of what ALDI is?
>
> I have no idea. I only see ALDI mentioned here.

This is pretty informative. It agrees with the observations
of the OP. I don't think I'd care to shop there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi

On Dec 31, 3:14*pm, phaeton > wrote:
> About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
> girl at the time. *The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
> to me. *The store wasn't the cleanest, and nothing was on shelves. *It
> was all stacked on rows of pallets in varying states of disrepair.
> Everything I picked up and looked at, from canned goods to dry goods
> to boxes of cereal to jars of pickles was expired. *Most of it was
> within 6 months to a year past the expiry date, but some things were 2
> to 5 years past. *I asked her "WTF?" and she said that that's what
> ALDI was- a clearance store for 'expired but still good' goods.
>
> I couldn't believe it.
>
> Lately however, i've been getting ALDI sales ads with the other
> mailbox stuffers. *These tell a completely different story, like ALDI
> is just another (smaller) grocery chain. *They even have meat and
> produce, whereas the other store only had frozen lunchmeat and produce
> (which I was afraid to even look at).
>
> I haven't been to an ALDI since that first store. *I take it that that
> one is a completely inaccurate example of what ALDI is?
>
> -J

Are you sure it was Aldi? They carry very little name-brand stuff,
almost all their goods are various store brands. The stores in my
area (which have only opened in the last 6 months or so) are clean,
well-lighted, with a row of pallets at the start, but shelving
elsewhere.

They're prices are very low for dairy and eggs, I won't buy meat
there, I don't use much in canned goods, and their produce varies from
ok to almost gone. I do like their frozen fish, and during the summer
they had some good fruit pops in the freezer as well.

I will check the expiry dates on the name-brand stuff next time I'm
there, now that you've got me curious, but otherwise, it sounds like
the store you went into was an aberration.

maxine in ri

On Dec 31, 3:04*pm, maxine in ri > wrote:
> On Dec 31, 3:14*pm, phaeton > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
> > girl at the time. *The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
> > to me. *The store wasn't the cleanest, and nothing was on shelves. *It
> > was all stacked on rows of pallets in varying states of disrepair.
> > Everything I picked up and looked at, from canned goods to dry goods
> > to boxes of cereal to jars of pickles was expired. *Most of it was
> > within 6 months to a year past the expiry date, but some things were 2
> > to 5 years past. *I asked her "WTF?" and she said that that's what
> > ALDI was- a clearance store for 'expired but still good' goods.
>
> > I couldn't believe it.
>
> > Lately however, i've been getting ALDI sales ads with the other
> > mailbox stuffers. *These tell a completely different story, like ALDI
> > is just another (smaller) grocery chain. *They even have meat and
> > produce, whereas the other store only had frozen lunchmeat and produce
> > (which I was afraid to even look at).
>
> > I haven't been to an ALDI since that first store. *I take it that that
> > one is a completely inaccurate example of what ALDI is?
>
> > -J
>
> Are you sure it was Aldi? *They carry very little name-brand stuff,
> almost all their goods are various store brands. *The stores in my
> area (which have only opened in the last 6 months or so) are clean,
> well-lighted, with a row of pallets at the start, but shelving
> elsewhere.
>
> They're prices are very low for dairy and eggs, I won't buy meat
> there, I don't use much in canned goods, and their produce varies from
> ok to almost gone. *I do like their frozen fish, and during the summer
> they had some good fruit pops in the freezer as well.
>
> I will check the expiry dates on the name-brand stuff next time I'm
> there, now that you've got me curious, but otherwise, it sounds like
> the store you went into was an aberration.
>
> maxine in ri- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

There's an Aldi's store here - the one time I went, there was a strong
"dairy/milk" smell by the dairy case, (like of spilled milk) which
completely turned me off.

However, my son and DIL go there sometimes and they're really picky
(and knowledgeable) about food, so I'd guess what they buy is good
quality.

The OP's original experience sounds like a mistake on someone's part
- generally, the franchise or chain is only as good as the local
manager or owner.

N.

I have been very pleased with Aldi. Our stores are clean and
friendly. I buy mostly pantry items, dairy, bread, and frozen food.
The produce does not last long. I buy:

cereal
peanut butter
crackers -- saltine, Ritz style, graham
coffee beans
macaroni and cheese
pasta
Mandarin oranges
fruit cocktail
soup
bread
milk
eggs
olive oil
yogurt
butter
mustard
applesauce
cheese
frozen pizza
ground turkey
chicken nuggets
frozen waffles
dishwasher detergent
laundry detergent
baggies, foil, plastic wrap
coffee filters

Their spiral sliced ham sold at the holidays is good. Beer and wine
are fine. I really like their Irish cream.

Tara

Tara

In article >,
"l, not -l" > wrote:
> I will not buy meat from Aldi; it is the same "enhanced" kind you might find
> at WalMart. I don't want brine injected into the meat I buy, no matter how
> much it allows them to lower the price.

<g> See? Now I would have written "I don't want brine injected into
the meat I buy, no matter how badly they want to screw me into buying
salt water while making me think I'm getting a low price on meat."

I have a couple within range but don't often stop ‹ mainly because I
almost never carry much cash.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller 12/28/2009

In article
>,
Nancy2 > wrote:
> The OP's original experience sounds like a mistake on someone's part
> - generally, the franchise or chain is only as good as the local
> manager or owner.
>
> N.

And/or they may have made some big changes in management philosophies in
the ten years since the OP shopped there.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller 12/292009

My Aldi's is the same as l, not -l. The store is very clean, well
stocked, nothing expired and yes, it is house brands. The dairy
products are excellent, good sales on butter and eggs. Speaking of
eggs, I do need a few dozen and I see she has posted they are on sale
for 89 cents. I will be stopping Friday for those and hope my store
has them for that price!

The only fresh vegetables I've bought there are whole mushrooms and
was exceptionally pleased and the price was about 75 cents cheaper
than Kroger! Can't beat that.

"Tara" > wrote in message
...
>I have been very pleased with Aldi. Our stores are clean and
> friendly. I buy mostly pantry items, dairy, bread, and frozen food.
> The produce does not last long. I buy:
>
> cereal
> peanut butter
> crackers -- saltine, Ritz style, graham
> coffee beans
> macaroni and cheese
> pasta
> Mandarin oranges
> fruit cocktail
> soup
> bread
> milk
> eggs
> olive oil
> yogurt
> butter
> mustard
> applesauce
> cheese
> frozen pizza
> ground turkey
> chicken nuggets
> frozen waffles
> dishwasher detergent
> laundry detergent
> baggies, foil, plastic wrap
> coffee filters
>
> Their spiral sliced ham sold at the holidays is good. Beer and wine
> are fine. I really like their Irish cream.
>

Their frozen wild-caught salmon is good too. And bagged salad is very fresh.
The produce is best of all, though. The freshest around at half the price or
less. Also--frozen fruit, big plump blueberries etc. Luscious German
pastries and chocolates and gummis. And the corner of the store where there
are "name brand" things on sale, different most weeks. I go at least once a
month.

"phaeton" > wrote in message
...
> About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
> girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
> to me.

Ever see how much lost and damages carts cost regular chains?



The store wasn't the cleanest, and nothing was on shelves. It
> was all stacked on rows of pallets in varying states of disrepair.
> Everything I picked up and looked at, from canned goods to dry goods
> to boxes of cereal to jars of pickles was expired. Most of it was
> within 6 months to a year past the expiry date, but some things were 2
> to 5 years past. I asked her "WTF?" and she said that that's what
> ALDI was- a clearance store for 'expired but still good' goods.
>

I am picking up the unmistakable smell of UTTER HORSESHIT from this post. It
is not (and was never) legal to sell food past its expiration date.

Janet Baraclough wrote:
> The message >
> from "cybercat" > contains these words:
>
>
>> "phaeton" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
>>> girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of
>>> silly to me.
>
> It's standard practice in Britain.
> In Europe many people still walk to the smkt , so stealing trolleys to
> take heavy purchases home, is a temptation to some.

Some people steal carts here, too, but if it's for the convenience
of carrying heavy purchases, that 25 cents would not be a deterrent.
It costs at least that much to call a cab to come get you. Just the
phone call, not the fare and tip.

nancy

"Janet Baraclough" > wrote in message
...
> The message >
> from "cybercat" > contains these words:
>
>
>> "phaeton" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
>> > girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
>> > to me.
>
> It's standard practice in Britain.
> In Europe many people still walk to the smkt , so stealing trolleys to
> take heavy purchases home, is a temptation to some.
>
> Janet
Here, it's generally the down and outs that steal them for bottle picking
(getting the deposits back for booze). One supermarket has installed
special brakes on the carts that activate as soon as you try to leave the
store (they employ people to carry your groceries to your car).
Graham

On Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:28:46 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
> wrote:

>I have a couple within range but don't often stop ‹ mainly because I
>almost never carry much cash.

Do you carry a debit card? My local Aldi stores take debit cards.

Tara

"Janet Baraclough" > wrote in message
...
> The message >
> from "graham" > contains these words:
>
>
>> "Janet Baraclough" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > The message >
>> > from "cybercat" > contains these words:
>> >
>> >
>> >> "phaeton" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> > About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
>> >> > girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of
>> >> > silly
>> >> > to me.
>> >
>> > It's standard practice in Britain.
>> > In Europe many people still walk to the smkt , so stealing trolleys to
>> > take heavy purchases home, is a temptation to some.
>> >
>> > Janet
>> Here, it's generally the down and outs that steal them for bottle picking
>> (getting the deposits back for booze).
>
> We used to have bottle deposits (a source of income in my childhood)
> but not for years now.
>
In the next couple of weeks, the local cubs/scouts troop will have a
bottle-drive as a fundraiser. When my sons were cubs, we used to raise
about a thousand quid this way on a Saturday morning. Plastic milk bottles
and tetrapaks also have a deposit. We've had wheelie-bins for 6 months now
for recyclables and I could put the deposit stuff in that and the city would
get the money but I prefer to save it for the cubs.
Graham

On 1/1/2010 00:21, l, not -l wrote:
> On 31-Dec-2009, > wrote:
>
>> Speaking of
>> eggs, I do need a few dozen and I see she has posted they are on sale
>> for 89 cents.
>
> It's he, actually 8-)

How is anyone even supposed to guess what "l not -l" means including
gender?

>
> The 89 cent price on eggs at Aldi, was not a sale price; that is what they
> have been for several weeks - at least here (STL).

Janet Baraclough wrote:

> from "Nancy Young" > contains these words:

>>> It's standard practice in Britain.
>>> In Europe many people still walk to the smkt , so stealing trolleys
>>> to take heavy purchases home, is a temptation to some.
>
>> Some people steal carts here, too, but if it's for the convenience
>> of carrying heavy purchases, that 25 cents would not be a deterrent.
>
> No wonder! Out deposits are one pound (UKP)..

Still cheaper than paying for a cab. Obviously, if it's keeping
people from stealing carts, then good for them. I'm thinking
if someone really needed a cart to get their stuff home, such
a small amount of money won't be a deterrent.

>> It costs at least that much to call a cab to come get you. Just the
>> phone call, not the fare and tip.
>
> Most urban smkts here either have a freephone line for customers to
> call a cab; or a cab rank at the door with cabs waiting for custom.

My point really was that a cab will cost a lot more than the deposit.
At any rate, those cart/deposit scenarios were tried very briefly
where I live, they weren't successful. Most people drive.

nancy

On 1/1/2010 09:26, Nancy Young wrote:
> Janet Baraclough wrote:
>> The message >
>> from "cybercat" > contains these words:
>>
>>
>>> "phaeton" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>>> About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
>>>> girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of
>>>> silly to me.
>>
>> It's standard practice in Britain.
>> In Europe many people still walk to the smkt , so stealing trolleys to
>> take heavy purchases home, is a temptation to some.
>
> Some people steal carts here, too, but if it's for the convenience
> of carrying heavy purchases, that 25 cents would not be a deterrent.
> It costs at least that much to call a cab to come get you. Just the
> phone call, not the fare and tip.
>
> nancy

I think the $0.25 deposit is more to encourage people to not leave carts
strewn all over the lot because it is so incredibility hard to push the
cart into a cart return after you use it... Carts cost around $100/each.

In article >,
Tara > wrote:

> On Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:28:46 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
> > wrote:
>
> >I have a couple within range but don't often stop ‹ mainly because I
> >almost never carry much cash.
>
> Do you carry a debit card? My local Aldi stores take debit cards.
>
> Tara

Good question, Tara. My debit card has the Visa logo on it, though.


--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller 12/28/2009

"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Tara > wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:28:46 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >I have a couple within range but don't often stop < mainly because I
>> >almost never carry much cash.
>>
>> Do you carry a debit card? My local Aldi stores take debit cards.
>>
>> Tara
>
> Good question, Tara. My debit card has the Visa logo on it, though.
>

That is fine. Any debit card is good at Aldi. Just don't forget your pin
because you can't run it through as credit.

"Janet Baraclough" > wrote in message
...
> The message >
> from "cybercat" > contains these words:
>
>
>> "phaeton" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
>> > girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
>> > to me.
>
> It's standard practice in Britain.
> In Europe many people still walk to the smkt , so stealing trolleys to
> take heavy purchases home, is a temptation to some.
>
> Janet

I didn't say that.

"phaeton" > wrote in message
...
> About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
> girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
> to me. The store wasn't the cleanest, and nothing was on shelves. It
> was all stacked on rows of pallets in varying states of disrepair.
> Everything I picked up and looked at, from canned goods to dry goods
> to boxes of cereal to jars of pickles was expired. Most of it was
> within 6 months to a year past the expiry date, but some things were 2
> to 5 years past. I asked her "WTF?" and she said that that's what
> ALDI was- a clearance store for 'expired but still good' goods.
>
> I couldn't believe it.
>
> Lately however, i've been getting ALDI sales ads with the other
> mailbox stuffers. These tell a completely different story, like ALDI
> is just another (smaller) grocery chain. They even have meat and
> produce, whereas the other store only had frozen lunchmeat and produce
> (which I was afraid to even look at).
>
> I haven't been to an ALDI since that first store. I take it that that
> one is a completely inaccurate example of what ALDI is?
>
> -J

they started aldi on a shoestring. short of capitol, small lots of clearance
items . once they had a decent consistent cash flow, they could upscale
stores and gain buying power.

In article >,
"cybercat" > wrote:

> "Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >,
> > Tara > wrote:
> >>
> >> Do you carry a debit card? My local Aldi stores take debit cards.
> >>
> >> Tara
> >
> > Good question, Tara. My debit card has the Visa logo on it, though.
> >
>
> That is fine. Any debit card is good at Aldi. Just don't forget your pin
> because you can't run it through as credit.

Interesting, thanks. I have never used it as a debit card that requires
a PIN except for at an ATM.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller 12/28/2009

On Dec 31 2009, 11:21*pm, "l, not -l" > wrote:
> On 31-Dec-2009, itsjoannotjoann > wrote:
>
> > Speaking of
> > eggs, I do need a few dozen and I see she has posted they are on sale
> > for 89 cents.
>
> It's he, actually *8-)
>
> The 89 cent price on eggs at Aldi, was not a sale price; that is what they
> have been for several weeks - at least here (STL).
>
>
OOPS! I apologize.

I was at mine here in Nashville last week and they were 99 cents a
dozen. I remembered after writing that post that I had seen Aldi's
would be closed New Years Day. I buzzed by on the way to the mall and
they were closed. I'll run over there on Saturday and check them
out. Kroger's were $1.35 for a dozen of large eggs.

On Jan 1, 9:34*am, "graham" > wrote:

> Here, it's generally the down and outs that steal them for bottle picking
> (getting the deposits back for booze). *One supermarket has installed
> special brakes on the carts that activate as soon as you try to leave the
> store (they employ people to carry your groceries to your car).
> Graham

Target just started that with their new store that anchors a mall.
They have the trips buried in the parking lot so the carts can be
taken out to the car, but not beyond.

maxine in ri

"maxine in ri" > wrote in message
...
On Jan 1, 9:34 am, "graham" > wrote:

> Here, it's generally the down and outs that steal them for bottle picking
> (getting the deposits back for booze). One supermarket has installed
> special brakes on the carts that activate as soon as you try to leave the
> store (they employ people to carry your groceries to your car).
> Graham

Target just started that with their new store that anchors a mall.
They have the trips buried in the parking lot so the carts can be
taken out to the car, but not beyond.
______________________________________

You can't blame them! Those carts are very expensive!
Graham

In article .com>,
says...
>
> "phaeton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
> > girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
> > to me. The store wasn't the cleanest, and nothing was on shelves. It
> > was all stacked on rows of pallets in varying states of disrepair.
> > Everything I picked up and looked at, from canned goods to dry goods
> > to boxes of cereal to jars of pickles was expired. Most of it was
> > within 6 months to a year past the expiry date, but some things were 2
> > to 5 years past. I asked her "WTF?" and she said that that's what
> > ALDI was- a clearance store for 'expired but still good' goods.
> >
> > I couldn't believe it.
> >
> > Lately however, i've been getting ALDI sales ads with the other
> > mailbox stuffers. These tell a completely different story, like ALDI
> > is just another (smaller) grocery chain. They even have meat and
> > produce, whereas the other store only had frozen lunchmeat and produce
> > (which I was afraid to even look at).
> >
> > I haven't been to an ALDI since that first store. I take it that that
> > one is a completely inaccurate example of what ALDI is?
> >
> > -J
>
> they started aldi on a shoestring. short of capitol, small lots of clearance
> items . once they had a decent consistent cash flow, they could upscale
> stores and gain buying power.

Except the ALDI near me didn't last more than a year. It's still listed
on their web site even though there are "For Lease" signs all over the
former location.

On Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:14:03 -0800 (PST), phaeton
> wrote:

>About 10 years ago I went to an ALDI store in Chicagoland with this
>girl at the time. The shopping cart deposit system was kind of silly
>to me. The store wasn't the cleanest, and nothing was on shelves. It
>was all stacked on rows of pallets in varying states of disrepair.
>Everything I picked up and looked at, from canned goods to dry goods
>to boxes of cereal to jars of pickles was expired. Most of it was
>within 6 months to a year past the expiry date, but some things were 2
>to 5 years past. I asked her "WTF?" and she said that that's what
>ALDI was- a clearance store for 'expired but still good' goods.
>
>I couldn't believe it.
>
>Lately however, i've been getting ALDI sales ads with the other
>mailbox stuffers. These tell a completely different story, like ALDI
>is just another (smaller) grocery chain. They even have meat and
>produce, whereas the other store only had frozen lunchmeat and produce
>(which I was afraid to even look at).
>
>I haven't been to an ALDI since that first store. I take it that that
>one is a completely inaccurate example of what ALDI is?

My first stop at Aldi's was about like yours but I didn't far enough
to checks any dates. I only needed milk and a few other things. By
the time i got to the checkout I was so disgusted by the dirty mess
and the creepy customers I put everything back and went to a real
store.

Years after that I tried them again because Louise had been going for
milk and staple stuff. Although the change from the first visit was
dramatic the place still doesn't thrill me. This holiday season
they've had lots of chocolates, candies, and cookies that were all
good quality and quite a value. And the same with chips and munchie
stuff but we don't buy a lot of that. A few weeks ago they had peanut
oil for $4.49 a gallon. Milk and eggs are cheap but flour is more
than a real store. I won't buy any meat there. Some of the canned
stuff is from China so forget that. It's worth a stop once in awhile
but for the few good things they have I'd rather do most of the
shopping elsewhere.

Lou

Melba's Jammin' wrote:
> In article >,
> Tara > wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:28:46 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> I have a couple within range but don't often stop ‹ mainly because I
>>> almost never carry much cash.
>> Do you carry a debit card? My local Aldi stores take debit cards.
>>
>> Tara
>
> Good question, Tara. My debit card has the Visa logo on it, though.
>
>

My debit card has the Visa logo on it also and it works just fine at the
Aldi in St. Louis Park.

I made my run today to Aldi's and eggs were $1.19 per dozen. I passed
them up but did pick up a gallon of milk for $2.25.

There's a brand new Aldi's that should be ready to open in a couple of
weeks here in Fort Worth. Had never heard of this chain before. Am
anxious to go see.

In article
>,
Melba's Jammin' > wrote:

> In article
> >,
> Nancy2 > wrote:
> > The OP's original experience sounds like a mistake on someone's part
> > - generally, the franchise or chain is only as good as the local
> > manager or owner.
> >
> > N.
>
> And/or they may have made some big changes in management philosophies in
> the ten years since the OP shopped there.

Aldi's is a chain owned only by the company, the same that owns Trader
Joe's. In the lsat few years, they have really changed their approach,
and are so much nicer than they used to be, but prices are hard to beat.
On produce, the farmers markets are the only place that tends to beat
them. I get most of my staples from them, including milk and eggs.
They are more spread than just staples, though. I like their soy milks,
their wine selection, and they get many weekly buys I like.

I had a recent experience where a nut from a cheese shredder came off
and landed in my bag of shredded cheese. The nut was very clean, which
tells me their suppliers do an excellent job cleaning equipment. A
contacted the regional office to inform them what I found. They went
out of their way to address this, even having their supplier contact me
directly. BTW: this incident can happen with any supplier; I have heard
of this sort of thing before. Since the part was big enough to be seen
as I was cooking, I was able to intercept it without difficulty. I have
continued buying shredded cheese from them without concern.

I find everything I buy at Aldi's to be good quality, and I love not
spending as much as I would elsewhere.

Incidentally, WallyWorld has recently started opening remodeled stores
with grocery sections, and their prices are typically higher than the
locally based grocery chains here in StL. So much for the rumor that
Walmart prices were competitive with Aldi.

jt

On Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:57:46 -0600, jt august
> wrote:

>In article
>,
> Melba's Jammin' > wrote:
>
>> In article
>> >,
>> Nancy2 > wrote:
>> > The OP's original experience sounds like a mistake on someone's part
>> > - generally, the franchise or chain is only as good as the local
>> > manager or owner.
>> >
>> > N.
>>
>> And/or they may have made some big changes in management philosophies in
>> the ten years since the OP shopped there.
>
>Aldi's is a chain owned only by the company, the same that owns Trader
>Joe's.

Same origins but they're not the same company from what I've read.

Lou

jt august wrote:
>
> Aldi's is a chain owned only by the company, the same that owns Trader
> Joe's. In the lsat few years, they have really changed their approach,
> and are so much nicer than they used to be, but prices are hard to beat.

Bzzzt! Wrong! Trader Joe's is owned by Aldi Nord.
The Aldi's in the U.S. are owned by Aldi Sud. These
are two separate companies, started by a pair of brothers
in Germany.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi

In article >,
Mark Thorson > wrote:

> jt august wrote:
> >
> > Aldi's is a chain owned only by the company, the same that owns Trader
> > Joe's. In the lsat few years, they have really changed their approach,
> > and are so much nicer than they used to be, but prices are hard to beat.
>
> Bzzzt! Wrong! Trader Joe's is owned by Aldi Nord.
> The Aldi's in the U.S. are owned by Aldi Sud. These
> are two separate companies, started by a pair of brothers
> in Germany.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi

Oops, my error. I apologize for that.

jt

On Jan 3, 11:57*am, jt august > wrote:
> In article
> >,
> *Melba's Jammin' > wrote:
>
> > In article
> > >,
> > *Nancy2 > wrote:
> > > The OP's original experience sounds like a mistake on someone's part
> > > - *generally, the franchise or chain is only as good as the local
> > > manager or owner.
>
> > > N.
>
> > And/or they may have made some big changes in management philosophies in
> > the ten years since the OP shopped there.
>
> Aldi's is a chain owned only by the company, the same that owns Trader
> Joe's. *In the lsat few years, they have really changed their approach,
> and are so much nicer than they used to be, but prices are hard to beat. *
> On produce, the farmers markets are the only place that tends to beat
> them. *I get most of my staples from them, including milk and eggs. *
> They are more spread than just staples, though. *I like their soy milks,
> their wine selection, and they get many weekly buys I like.

I think that they are usually cheaper than the farmers' markets.
>
> I had a recent experience where a nut from a cheese shredder came off
> and landed in my bag of shredded cheese. *The nut was very clean, which
> tells me their suppliers do an excellent job cleaning equipment. *A
> contacted the regional office to inform them what I found. *They went
> out of their way to address this, even having their supplier contact me
> directly. *BTW: this incident can happen with any supplier; I have heard
> of this sort of thing before. *Since the part was big enough to be seen
> as I was cooking, I was able to intercept it without difficulty. *I have
> continued buying shredded cheese from them without concern.

Shop'n Save runs their shredded cheese for $1/8oz. bag fairly
frequently lately. That's even cheaper than Aldi's.
>
> I find everything I buy at Aldi's to be good quality, and I love not
> spending as much as I would elsewhere.

Their grated Parmesan cheese is not good, not even adequate. Their
raw meat should be avoided too. "Enhanced with up to a ...%
solution..." Most items are just fine, and their prices are great.
Milk, butter and eggs always come from Aldi except the jumbo eggs I
buy for frying.
I don't know why they don't sell cheap beer there.
>
> Incidentally, WallyWorld has recently started opening remodeled stores
> with grocery sections, and their prices *are typically higher than the
> locally based grocery chains here in StL. *So much for the rumor that
> Walmart prices were competitive with Aldi.

I've never heard that claim, but you're correct that it would be
false.
>
> jt

--Bryan

In article >,
says...
>
> The message >
> from Melba's Jammin' > contains these words:
>
> > In article >,
> > "cybercat" > wrote:
>
> > > "Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > In article >,
> > > > Tara > wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >> Do you carry a debit card? My local Aldi stores take debit cards.
> > > >>
> > > >> Tara
> > > >
> > > > Good question, Tara. My debit card has the Visa logo on it, though.
> > > >
> > >
> > > That is fine. Any debit card is good at Aldi. Just don't forget your pin
> > > because you can't run it through as credit.
>
> > Interesting, thanks. I have never used it as a debit card that requires
> > a PIN except for at an ATM.
>
> Aldi must be following Europe habit; here you have to enter the pin
> or the DD card won't work.
>
> Janet (UK)

That's the other thing. In the U.S. if you swipe as debit you're charged
anywhere from $0.25 to $0.35 for the privelege. Whereas if you run it as
credit the cost is borne by the retailer.

On Sun, 3 Jan 2010 22:07:20 -0500, T >
wrote:

>In article >,
says...
>>

>>
>> Aldi must be following Europe habit; here you have to enter the pin
>> or the DD card won't work.
>>
>> Janet (UK)
>
>That's the other thing. In the U.S. if you swipe as debit you're charged
>anywhere from $0.25 to $0.35 for the privelege. Whereas if you run it as
>credit the cost is borne by the retailer.

That's bullshit.

Lou

In article >,
T > wrote:


> That's the other thing. In the U.S. if you swipe as debit you're charged
> anywhere from $0.25 to $0.35 for the privelege. Whereas if you run it as
> credit the cost is borne by the retailer.

What I learned from the last painfully long thread on this topic in this
group, is that in the US, it varies, at least by state, and maybe by
bank and/or retailer.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA