Aldi has plenty of fans who love to shop at the grocery chain because of its low prices on food, and fun finds for items such as home goods and apparel.
But the store also has some “former” fans who have soured on the shopping experience. Many don’t like changes the retailer has made over the years.
So, why are some fans skipping popular Aldi hacks and shopping somewhere else? Here are a few of their reasons.
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1. Prices have risen too high
One of the more popular reasons customers shop at Aldi is to take advantage of discounts on groceries. But some shoppers say the prices aren’t so great these days.
“I’m at the point now where Aldi prices have risen so much I really feel the prices just don’t match the quality,” said Reddit user SummerCobbler4277.
Another Reddit user, ineedvitaminsea, said they noticed prices started going up when Aldi tried to focus on selling items such as clothing or housewares.
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Aldi has a unique cart system that requires shoppers to put a refundable quarter in a locking device on the handle to remove the cart for shopping.
It’s a fun quirk for some shoppers, but others would rather go somewhere that doesn’t have the system. “The Aldi quarter/cart trade is a nightmare for introverts,” lamented one Reddit user.
3. Quality can be hit or miss
Aldi has great prices on many items, but some critics say that often results in lower-quality food items.
“Meat is a hit or a miss,” said Reddit user LivingTheBoringLife, who also added that the meat is not much cheaper than what you find at other stores in their area.
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4. Instacart orders aren’t good
Aldi has teamed up with grocery delivery services such as Instacart to help shoppers who don’t have the time to shop in person.
However, these delivery services might not always grab the best options for customers. “So many of their products my Instacart shopper dropped off were spoiled,” said magobblie on Reddit, citing slimy lettuce and crushed bread.
5. Other stores offer a better experience
Aldi can be a good experience, but there are also times when shoppers find half-stocked shelves or long lines at checkout.
“Now with more self-checkout lines, it's quicker to get in and out at Walmart,” commented Reddit user kissyb.
Reddit user No-Tomatillo5427 said “I barely see any price difference between Aldi and Wegmans store brand anymore.”
6. Aldi remodels were a mistake
Aldi has tried to update some of its locations, but some shoppers have said that the changes have made the store worse instead of better.
“Things started going downhill for me when the two Aldi’s near me were renovated to be fancier, more like a Trader Joe’s,” said Reddit user jeffbudz. “The renovations didn’t add anything to the experience.”
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Some shoppers lament the lack of selection at Aldi. The store may not have name brands that you can get elsewhere.
Reddit user Blackletterdragon said their store doesn’t have a wide selection of produce, and LauraHunt13 lamented Aldi’s lack of good household paper products.
8. They are not always well-stocked
Aldi shelves also might not be as well-stocked as what you expect to find at other grocery chains.
“I will go and they are out of a lot of everyday needed things,” said wsd65 on Reddit.
9. The produce is substandard
Fresher items like produce can be hit and miss at Aldi, with some shoppers noticing that it’s more “miss” when they’re at the store.
“The produce at Aldi is just terrible lately,” said Reddit user tamesis982. “Since everything is in bags, half of it is bruised or squashed.”
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Shopping at Aldi may save you money, but you could end up wasting time and gas because you must drive to other stores to complete your shopping list.
“We've started using our Costco membership more,” said Reddit user friendly-sardonic. “Their produce and meat department alone is worth the trip, and I've been gradually adding more things.”
11. Aldi added self-checkout
Like other stores, Aldi has added self-checkout lines that can be helpful for some shoppers. However, others find them aggravating.
Reddit user boarbar said they stopped going to Aldi after their local store introduced self-checkout lines. South_Ad_6676 said the addition of self-checkout was another way the store was cutting its customer service.
Bottom line
Aldi can be a great place to shop for some shoppers who are trying to save money on groceries , However, other shoppers are drifting away from Aldi.
The good news is there are still ways to stay within your budget when shopping. So, check for deals and discounts on your next grocery run by signing up for loyalty programs or adding coupons to help you save.
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