So, if you don't mind spending a quarter, can you just leave the cart at your car, or is that considered rude? Then, someone can come along and get a free quarter. When I go to Publix, I always park next to a cart return station, so I don't have to return it anywhere. And, why don't they have plastic bags like everyone else? I really don't care how they do it in Europe.

Cost cutting. Bring your bags.

Everyone has the right to shop where they choose, for whatever reason they choose. A $100 cart of groceries at Publix will cost you $60 or less at Aldi with equal to greater quality. As for me I'll lend them the quarter and find a box.

You can buy a bag for pennies, not sure if they are plastic or paper tho.

They sell bags for a dime. I wouldn't encourage anyone to shop there. What I find interesting is that the container looks like the name brand and sounds like it too. Look at the beer. They have one that looks and sounds like Carona and another like Heineken. It's like a montr python skit.

With all these Villagers spending $20-30 for lunch at the country clubs, it really seems ridiculous to try to save a quarter on a cart or a few pennies on plastic bags.

I think you're putting everyone on. You have a gift.

Then you should stick with Walmart.

It was just an explanation for the fee for the cart, and my opinion as to why it works well. You could do whatever you want. Have at it; I don't really care, except for your leaving your cart in somebody else's way because you might have to walk several feet to return it. There are only so many parking places near the cart return at Publix or Winn-Dixie. I try to park next to one but often don't find a spot open.

True,and you're only lending them the quarter for as long as it takes you to shop. Not dodging left-behind carts in the parking lot, either.

Not saying Aldi's is the same, but my son learned a hard, but valuable, lesson... along those lines.

He was in Mexico and found a smoking deal on a pair of high-end/expensive... Oakley sunglasses.

After wearing them for an hour though, he noticed that something (the distortion they had)...wasn't quite right.

It became apparent when he took them off, looked closely at the name...and they said "Oakey." :1rotfl:

He also failed to notice the sign in the store, where he bought them, that said..."NO returns, NO credit." :D

Aldi's
 

We just returned from Aldi's and will not return. Their brand names are very misleading. Regular brand names were pretty much within pennies of Publix.

They have a lot of generic products and they are called generic for a reason.

Not really. But, this Aldi's thing feels like a slippery slope to me. Who else charges for carts or plastic bags? How long will it take for other stores to do the same thing. I want more service, not less, especially in a retirement community.

You don't "pay" for the cart. You put a quarter in the slot, and when you are done, return the cart and get the quarter back. No carts left around the parking lot to cause damage or be in the way. Their generic products can be hit or miss, you learn what you like and don't like. Bring your own bags, far less waste to get dumped into a landfill. Aldi's is not perfect, but it has a niche.

Talk about service. A friend of mine works at Publix. Way back when I shopped there and only had a couple of bags. The young person who bagged asked me if I wanted them to push the cart to my car and unload. I don't need that help.

My friend told me that the kid or whoever offered me that wants to help me for friendly/selfish reasons. It get's them out of the building, they get to talk to someone and it feels like a little break. I went back again but I just couldn't let someone do what I can do for myself. I may need that someday so I'm glad publix offers.

Who pays for all the extra workers to load the free bags, carry them to my car and collect the carts?

Aldi is a German discount food store Alfred Discount" Lidl had a good sale on Ritter Sport 1Euro/Stueck.

Aldi is run like a German Store, all have quarter/Euro/DM holder, or you can buy a key ring with a pull out coin with your initial. I prefer Kaufland but Krone in same store was better.

Aldi here is always out of stock of advertised items.

I will continue to stock up in Bayern.

I don't agree that you don't pay for the cart. They don't have cart return stations in the parking lot, like they do at almost every other store, even the discount stores. Aldi's expects you to return the cart to the store. Other stores hire people to return the carts to the store. Also, other stores will put your purchases in a bag, which makes perfect sense to me. It has been an expected and standard service for more than a hundred years. And, I am fine with the bags going into a landfill.

It also has to do with being able to run a store efficiently and with less personnel. Thereby passing on a lower cost to the customers PLUS being able to pay their employees quite well compared to competitors. It is definitely a concept that has worked so far in both Europe and the US, but not all of us like the same shopping experience and that's okay. We are fortunate in this country to have so many choices.

Does anyone remember what a gallon of milk costs in each store?

They don't sell sausages in Aldis. What they do sell is the worst.

Not because I necessarily thought you weren't correct, but more because I'm one who prefers facts over feelings/emotions...I decided to look your statement up.

I am pleased to see that it's true (at least at the managerial level)...and I'm guessing also at the non-manager positions. :thumbup:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/deroset.../#7187ba3245dc
Although I like Publix because of the convenient location, and don't even look at prices or use coupons when I grocery shop (flame-suit on...:D), I'll be willing to give Aldi's a chance...just because of their decent treatment of employees. :cool:

A pet peeve of mine is change (I usually donate it somewhere at the counter...e.g.-jar/cause/for the next person to use/etc.), so I guess I'll just have to remember...to stuff a quarter in my shoe for the cart. :1rotfl:

You're a real bratwurst...aren't you? :1rotfl:

Constantly amazed on people giving their dissertation on why they don't like this or that over a quarter. Really? Are these the major problems in your lives? Not just this subject but anywhere else on this site.

My guess is that no one wants to talk online in a public forum about all the major problems in their life.

I'll bet most of the people who write did not have the time to write when they were younger because they were going to school, serving, working and raising kids and taking care of parents. And for some this may be the first time in their life they have the time.

I feel sorry for children who spend any time checking their facebook accounts and text messaging. We didn't.

"As smartphones and other mobile devices have become more widespread, 26% of American adults now report that they go online “almost constantly,” up from 21% in 2015, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in January 2018.

Overall, 77% of Americans go online on a daily basis. That figure includes the 26% who go online almost constantly, as well as 43% who say they go online several times a day and 8% who go online about once a day. Some 11% go online several times a week or less often, while 11% of adults say they do not use the internet at all."

Writing, doing research, troubleshooting, sharing recipes keeps you engaged and communicating with others. Even with an online connection that feels pretty good. Don't you think we earned it?

Is this your first post?

The other day I shopped at the new Aldi's. I bought a steak and the fixings for a salad among other things. I had both for my Sunday dinner and it was excellent! Personally it's no big deal for me to keep a quarter in my car, bring my reusable shopping bags with me and walk that enormous 75 feet to return the cart and get my quarter back. I kinda like to save money, but that's me. Do people really spend 20-30 $$$ for lunch?

some do
and it may be that most do

I rarely spend that amount on lunch, as usually I'm dining...with at least one other person besides myself.






:D

Even the Department Stores in Germany charge for Plastic Bags. Save the enviroment. First thing we do when we go is put our plastic bags in the trunk. You don't get free bags at Sams, BJS, IKEA usw.

Just back from shopping the new Trailwinds Aldi's and very impressed. Great layout with huge selection of items. Will be difficult to decide whether to go back to 441 or take a great drive through TV to shop at this Aldi's. Oh my, decisions decisions!

One thing stood out to my otherhalf - much bigger than usual parking spaces so you can actually pull your cart down between the cars to unload. I always have a freezer box in the back of the car and it was very convenient to move from the cart to the car. They don't have that in Europe :boom:

Madeleine, you might not have to make that decision. I read that they are remodeling the 441 Aldi's.

Yes I do - Aldi's milk this morning is $2.49 per gallon. Publix milk is or was (last week) $3.79.

I buy staples - milk, eggs, butter, cream, along with other weekly items and almost everything is at least $1 cheaper than Publix. I really like Publix and shop there for brand names I want, but if I can save a dollar an item on things I buy every week I am going to shop Aldi's.

But, why are we arguing over shopping for groceries, we have numerous stores to shop and we are extremely fortunate to have so many choices. TO EACH THEIR OWN!

Good to hear, because that is one thing...that is a huge pet peeve of mine. :oops:


In fact, I think Sam's Club is probably one of the the worst...for trying to get a cart between vehicles. :mad:

Yes they are, should be open again in May, but the new one at Trailwinds is absolutely gorgeous. You are going to love it when you get back.

Made 75 cents on my last trip to Aldi returning carts. This could be my new part time job!

Good News to real sub lovers! I spoke to Randy the manager of Jersey's Mike's in Lady Lake yesterday and he said they are definitely going into the rental building under construction between Aldi's and ABC Liquor. Unfortunately Randy the manager, who was going to operate the new location, after five years is leaving the Lady Lake JM's and moving to Melbourne, Florida to be near family. Just so happens the manager of the Melbourne Jersey Mike's wants to move to this area and so Randy and that manager are switching places June 1st. Good Luck to Randy!

https://cdn4.gbot.me/photos/i8/7Y/13...99-500x375.jpg

An ABC store next to a Jersey sub shop next to Aldi's, all a mile away. Forgive me, I'm getting verklempt.