All di reasons I shop at Aldi (Aldi)

Member Name: kappari

Product:	Aldi
Date:	12/10/08 (283 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some cheap items that are of good quality

Disadvantages: Shelf life of fruit and vegetables not great

Aldi is a store that I use for specially selected items . I would never contemplate doing my whole shop there. Although some items can be purchased much cheaper there - some of the items are not that much cheaper (if at all) compared to some of the value brands from the major supermarkets.

For example, the cost of milk is quite pricey compared with Somerfield and Iceland and even Sainsbury's and Tesco's when they have special offers on milk.

I much prefer to get the special offers that are available elsewhere and to tend to 'shop around''.

The main reason I don't buy all of my shopping there is that the range of goods and products there is limited and there are often items that I can't get.

Secondly I find the assistants a little like automatons. Are they trained not to 'smile' or communicate? They all look so unhappy!

Thirdly, the tills are often poorly manned...although they have four check outs in my local store... on many occasions there is often not even one person operating the till. And when they are manned there are often long queues as only one till is in operation.

Fourthly, the speed at which they put the items through the checkout is at lightning speed and can be a little stressful for me!!

Fifthly, although their fruit and vegetables tend to be cheap, I think the quality and the shelf life of the items leaves much to be desired. For example, I recently bought a 'prepacked' broccoli head. After just two days in my fridge it was a very horrid 'yellow' colour and I had to throw it out - false economy!

Sixthly - you have to pay for the carrier bags.

On to a more positive note. These are the items I specifically go to Aldi for because of their good value, quality and taste.

**The 'Roberts Bakery' Bread**

This is produced at a local bakery and is a super bread. It is priced at £1.20+ in the major supermarkets but can be obtained for under a £1 at Aldi. I do have to give it a 'squeeze' test tho' as sometimes the bread can be a bit 'old and stale' .

**The Packs of Shortbread and Flapjacks**

Found in the bakery section for £1. These are fantastic value for money and they are delicious! Very yummy.

** The Pepperoni Pizzas**

They sell these for less than £1 for a large one. Again these are delicious. You can pay up to 50% - 100% more for a similar pizza in the major stores and they just do not taste as good!

**The Bottled Water**

Extremely good value - both the large bottles and the smaller bottles.

**The Melton Mowbray Mini Pork Pies**

At just over £1 they are are excellent value and very tasty and of good quality.

**The Red Leicester Cheese**

Again, much cheaper than the major stores. It tastes good and provides good value for money.

**Cat Food**

I used to get my cat food from there. It was very meaty and very reasonably priced. In fact my cat preferred it to the more expensive brands such as Whiskas'. Unfortunately, my beloved cat died so I no longer make this purchase. (I don't think the two were connected!)

**Chocolate Bars**

Extremely good value and taste delicious.

**Special Offers on Household Items**

I have occasionally picked up some good special offers on household items. For examplae I did by some combination locks from there which were very sturdy and very cheap. I had bought some from elsewhere before that which were much more expensive and very shoddy merchandise..

I am sure that as I try more and more products from Aldi I will find more that represent good value and quality. However, I don't think I will ever do a whole shop there.

Summary: Okay for some selected items but i would not do a whole shop there