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ALDI - Good and bad


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Old 06-01-2014, 21:04
alanwarwic
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...The real price at which products are meant to sell and target margins are set are the fake "half price" BOGOF prices. ....
The sad thing here is that it destroys the brand. If that brand is a 'not half price' it loses people's trust.

The supermarkets have such power I would say it is them who forced the brand to produce a fake RRP.
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Old 07-01-2014, 04:20
henrywilliams58
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The sad thing here is that it destroys the brand. If that brand is a 'not half price' it loses people's trust.

The supermarkets have such power I would say it is them who forced the brand to produce a fake RRP.
Very often, especially in wine, it is a fake brand and the supermarket owns the "brand" so there is no external competition. And when it goes back up in price the same wine with another brand comes in at a fake "half price" ...
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Old 07-01-2014, 07:28
Isambard Brunel
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I tried their 'Cucina' wholewheat fusilli, 59p for 500g.

Disappointingly bland, though I suppose you can't argue for the price.

Lidl are better for dried pasta and rice.
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Old 07-01-2014, 13:54
dizzie
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I was just going through the last of the items we bought for Christmas - inevitably, there a biscuit tin still left, but all the chocolate gone! - and we commented about what we'd bought from Aldi. We realised that we bought basically our entire Christmas dinner from there, and it tasted as good, if not better, than previous years. Medium free range turkey - £25 - great flavour, all the veg (the sprouts on a stalk were bought the Monday before Xmas - 23/12 - and we just used the last of them for this Sunday's roast, still perfectly crisp and tasty). We bought a large number of party items - the duck crispy 'stick' things with a dipping sauce from the chiller cabinet were amazing! All the hams and meats, cheeses etc - really lovely. Christmas cake, luxury mince pies, stollen, nuts - the lot.

On a weekly basis, we get the full shop from there now, and their free range meats (especially chicken) are great tasting, and significantly cheaper than the major supermarket equivalent. I think it's important to know what your're comparing to. For example, I love Aldi's Bran Flakes (88p for 750g). Asda do their cheapest 'smartprice' version for the same price, but the quality of the Asda one is terrible - total cardboard! Asda's 'Chosen By You' version cost comparison is ~£1.45 for the same quantity of cereal. Aldi still beats that on taste, and the only other bran flake I like is the Kelloggs version - £2.88 for theirs!

What I've found is that we're saving so significantly on the core shop - high quality fruit and veg, meats and store cupboard staples, that we can afford to splurge a little on the items that Aldi either doesn't do, or don't taste as nice as the versions we like. Stuff like chicken kiev and frozen breaded fish - not particularly good in Aldi - we now get the very best we can (M&S versions!), because that extra cost on those particular items is more than offset by the savings we're making on the bulk of the shopping.

I have to say, I spend a lot more time on mysupermarket now. I research Aldi and other supermarkets' big offers (especially on household items like toilet roll, cleaning products and tinned goods), and make specific trips to an individual supermarket to get those items. 24 quilted toilet rolls for £8 at Asda - got those before Christmas, and know I won't need to buy any for weeks now! More than anything else, I'm now acutely aware what I'm spending on groceries. Just as much as I research the big ticket monthly spending (car insurance, energy providers), I do the same with almost everything I buy now - and it's paying off - literally!

BTW, my biggest tip for shopping in Aldi is not to do it alone! I either take my mum, who does her shop at the same time, or my DH. Either way, that's two people reloading the trolley at the end of the check-out. With my large jute and hessian bags pulled open, and stacking the conveyor belt with the items in exactly the order I want them to come off the scanner (heavy bulky stuff first, lightest and delicate stuff last), I can pretty much pack my entire shop before we've even been asked for the debit card in the payment machine! The only time I didn't do that was the shop just before Christmas - definitely didn't want to risk the wrath of the overworked cashier then! But all other times, the most I have to do is chuck the bread and light items into the trolley to finish the packing briefly at the rear of the store, after I pay. I've also discovered that we spend much less time shopping in Aldi. Once you understand where everything is, you can whip round the extremities of the store for the core items, and do a fairly quick peruse of the weekly 'bin' items in the centre. It's a win-win situation all round - except for the parking which, at our store, is really inadequate for how popular the store has become. But that's a small price to pay for all the positives about shopping there.
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Old 07-01-2014, 14:11
farmer bob
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Torchon style French Ham, £1.79 for 4 large slices, very nice.
Mamia Baby wipes 60 odd pence, great for wiping our dogs muddy paws , better quality too than certain well known brands.
Pack of 10 stubbie Brasserie bottled beers, £3.29, similar to Kronenbourg.
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Old 07-01-2014, 14:16
alanwarwic
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.. And when it goes back up in price the same wine with another brand comes in at a fake "half price" ...
There is nothing worse than buying a half price Asda wine and finding the non reduced Lidl or Aldi ones are far better.

Its mainly with wine where you know you have been conned.
And even if they are OKish for £5 there is disappointment.
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Old 07-01-2014, 14:28
henrywilliams58
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There is nothing worse than buying a half price Asda wine and finding the non reduced Lidl or Aldi ones are far better.

Its mainly with wine where you know you have been conned.
And even if they are OKish for £5 there is disappointment.
I am generally a fan of Lidl as well as Aldi but I have found Lidl wines not only poor but often more expensive than Aldi's much better wines.

Most wines above £5 at Aldi are quite good and a lot better than equivalents at other supermarkets costing £8 and above (after fake discount). Pay anything less than £5 anywhere and you are paying mainly tax, shipping, bottle and margins.
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Old 07-01-2014, 20:08
degsyhufc
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I am generally a fan of Lidl as well as Aldi but I have found Lidl wines not only poor but often more expensive than Aldi's much better wines.

Most wines above £5 at Aldi are quite good and a lot better than equivalents at other supermarkets costing £8 and above (after fake discount). Pay anything less than £5 anywhere and you are paying mainly tax, shipping, bottle and margins.
I've found the alcohol at LIDL to be a lesser quality than from ALDI.

The wine, the burbon, the standard lager all have a strange taste to me.
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Old 07-01-2014, 20:10
degsyhufc
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Pack of 10 stubbie Brasserie bottled beers, £3.29, similar to Kronenbourg.
Interesting that you would compare it to Kronenburg. I don't like Kronenburg, too sweet, but do like the stubbie bottles of the French lager.

That said, it is basically the same as those offered in ASDA and Morrisons. Possibly a tad cheaper.
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Old 07-01-2014, 20:39
alanwarwic
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I have had some great wines at Lidl. (not the sub £4 ones)
Yes choice is limited, even with beers.

Though I'd class Jennnings Cumberland Ale as 'like a good wine'.
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Old 08-01-2014, 00:05
henrywilliams58
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Two outstanding alcoholic drinks from Lidl (to be fair)

Bitterol - Lidl's version of Aperol. Just as nice but half the price. It is an occasional but regular offer.

Wheat Beer (I can't remember the brand as it is Lidl own brand)

I last bought a great wine from Lidl about 10 years ago in Spain - an old style white Rioja which has long since been discontinued.

At Lidl the "Spanish Style" Chorizo (made in Germany) is great. Cook with lentils to add flavour or add finely chopped to soups.

At Lidls also Earl Grey tea bags and Bellarom 500gm ground coffee
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Old 08-01-2014, 00:28
barbeler
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You get the impression that Lidl wine is selected at random by a buyer who knows absolutely nothing about it. If you find a good one it's by sheer luck.

For real bargain hunters, look out for a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon labelled as Premier Estates. My local shop is selling two bottles for £7 and I honestly prefer it to anything Asda sells for double that price. Beware though, as the Italian version is absolutely rank.

(Sorry, not Aldi, but it proves there are genuine bargains out there)
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Old 08-01-2014, 14:30
henrywilliams58
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The Advocaat works very well as an ice cream / cake / pudding sauce. I'll get another bottle.
I heated some Aldi Advocaat in a sauce boat for 30 secs in a microwave. It served as a superb custard.
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Old 08-01-2014, 19:28
clm2071
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aldi frozen spicy bean burgers...delicious!!
just had these for dinner and have to agree, they are very nice - reminded me of the ones Burger King did years ago

agree with posters who have mentioned the cheese topped buns, they are great - particullarly filled with pastrami, edam cheese and mayo (all Aldi as well of course)
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Old 13-01-2014, 09:19
BlueEyedMrsP
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Went on Saturday and got a pack of 2 little gem lettuces and a pack of 4 garlic bulbs for 39p! The back of their flyer where they advertise their super 6 fruit and veg for the week is fantastic. The latest flyers from Lidl also have some pretty good deals on fruit/veg.
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Old 17-01-2014, 21:57
degsyhufc
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Chocolate Milk.


Better than brands such as Yop and Frijj. Frijj is what I usually get but only when it's on offer.

It's thicker and creamier than supermarket own brand chocolate milk. The last time I had ASDAs it was like semi-skimmed consistency.
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Old 18-01-2014, 04:23
kate36
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Chocolate Milk.


Better than brands such as Yop and Frijj. Frijj is what I usually get but only when it's on offer.

It's thicker and creamier than supermarket own brand chocolate milk. The last time I had ASDAs it was like semi-skimmed consistency.
ooh thanks degsy, i love chocolate milk, i'll have to look out for that!!
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Old 19-01-2014, 22:20
noise747
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I don't normally shop in aldi, I do pop in to get butter as it is cheaper than others. but I was in there with a mate last week and he showed me their seeded brown bread, 98p a loaf and I admit it is really nice, also their part bake brown baguettes, I can't remember how much thy was, but they are cheaper than other places.

a lot of Aldi own products are not that good to be honest, but those three products are ok.
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Old 20-01-2014, 12:28
rumpleteazer
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I accidentally brought the Melts at the weekend (Aldi's version of Skips), they are delicious, they taste just like the real deal. I could have eaten the whole 10 packs in one sitting

Also, I know its know Aldi brand food but they sell jars of Nutella for 99p! Compared to £2.25 in Tesco.
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Old 20-01-2014, 13:04
farmer bob
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Had some of Aldi's specially selected Smoked Bacon rashers at the weekend. Not nice at all, very strong almost chemical "smoky flavour".
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Old 20-01-2014, 15:19
rumpleteazer
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I don't know if I just got lucky but I had a red bell pepper from aldi in my lunch salad today and it was absolutely delicious, it might seem strange to get so worked up over a pepper but it was the most delicious one I've ever tasted. Every other time I've tried to by peppers from aldi they've been sold out so I don't know if this is a one off or not.
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Old 20-01-2014, 16:02
degsyhufc
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I accidentally brought the Melts at the weekend (Aldi's version of Skips), they are delicious, they taste just like the real deal. I could have eaten the whole 10 packs in one sitting

Also, I know its know Aldi brand food but they sell jars of Nutella for 99p! Compared to £2.25 in Tesco.
If you like Quavers then give the Cheese Curls a go
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Old 20-01-2014, 16:03
degsyhufc
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Had some of Aldi's specially selected Smoked Bacon rashers at the weekend. Not nice at all, very strong almost chemical "smoky flavour".
The applewood smoked back bacon is very nice.
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Old 20-01-2014, 16:07
rumpleteazer
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If you like Quavers then give the Cheese Curls a go
That's what I meant to buy, it was crazy busy so I just grabbed a yellow multi pack, they must have moved the Curls along the shelf because the Melts were where they normally are I really like the Curls, not as good as real Quavers but a lot better than the Tesco own version.
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Old 21-01-2014, 15:33
henrywilliams58
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Tortilla wraps are £0.79 for 8 in Aldi and £2.00 for 8 in Tesco
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