5 Common Aldi Shopping Mistakes
Written by
Madeline Duley
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Grab your shopping bags — and a vitally important quarter — and head to Aldi to restock your fridge, freezer, pantry and home with essentials at prices that won’t break your budget. For money-conscious shoppers who don’t need frilly products or name brands, Aldi delivers high-quality items for less.
Whether you’re a seasoned Aldi shopper or walking in for the first time, there are a few quirks you’ll want to know before hitting the parking lot. Here are 5 common shopping mistakes to avoid — plus expert tips for more savings while shopping at this affordable favorite.
Forgetting a Quarter
When you need to be in and out of the store quickly, forgetting your quarter can be a costly mistake. Aldi’s carts are locked together, and you need a quarter to release one.
“If you’ve ever stood outside an Aldi cart corral silently pleading with a stranger to take pity on you, same,” said Olivia Wyles, regular Aldi shopper and food blogger at Olivia Wyles. “You need a quarter to get a cart, and it’s one of the ways Aldi keeps their prices low; they don’t pay staff to collect carts all day.”
Just keep a quarter stashed in your car or wallet so you’re never stuck quarterless.
Expecting the Cashier To Bag Your Groceries
Having your groceries bagged for you might seem like the norm, but at Aldi, it’s more of a luxury. And it’s one of the reasons prices stay low. With fewer employees needed to bag groceries, Aldi can keep product prices down.
“Aldi checkout is fast. Like, blink-and-your-stuff-is-in-a-cart fast,” Wyles said. “If you’re expecting someone to bag it for you, you’ll end up holding up the line. Bring your own bags (or grab a couple of the cardboard boxes in the store) and take your time in the bagging area.”
Shopping on the Wrong Day
Rest assured, you can score low prices at Aldi every day. However, if you’re looking for a less crowded store, fully stocked shelves and the biggest clearance finds, stick to Wednesday shopping.
“Aldi drops their new specials, fresh produce and limited-time finds midweek (usually on Wednesday),” Wyles said. “If you shop earlier or later in the week, a lot of the good stuff might be wiped out. I like to go mid-morning on Wednesday when the shelves are freshly stocked. That’s when you find the fun seasonal things and some of the lowest prices.”
Skipping the Clearance Sections
If major savings are what you’re after, skipping the clearance section is a costly mistake.
“A big mistake many shoppers make is not looking for Aldi’s red tag sticker items!” said Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert at MySavings.com. “Food that is nearing its expiration gets slapped with a red sticker for 50% off or more. I’ve scored chicken and steak that were one day away from expiring for half off the regular price, which I immediately threw in my freezer when I got home to enjoy another day.”
Don’t forget to check for non-food clearance items too — candles, seasonal decor, kitchen utensils and more often pop up in this section.
Ignoring the Store Brands
If you’re only after specific name-brand goods, Aldi might not be the store for you.
“Being afraid to try something new at Aldi is actually a pretty big mistake; you may be missing out on saving money by sticking to your regular name-brand groceries,” Cid said.
Products like Millville cereals and Clancy chips rival name brands in both flavor and quality. You’ll barely notice a taste difference — but your wallet certainly will. With Aldi’s “Twice as Nice Guarantee,” if something doesn’t taste worth the price, just bring it back with your receipt for a refund and a replacement.
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Sources
- Olivia Wyles, Olivia Wyles
- Melissa Cid, MySavings.com
