Walmart question - yeah, yeah I'm now a poor...

[Torbee]

Aldi is great. It takes a bit of getting used to in regards to having your quarter for your cart, no bags(grab yourself some boxes), etc. It's been my preferred grocery store for years now. My MIL at one point had to remind me, as I was notorious about driving across town to pick up a handful of items, 'sometimes your time is not worth the savings.' And that was true. But for most items, including lots of staples many like to 'have on hand' it is the best.

I gave it another chance because my kids shop there all the time - and were often bringing really good stuff to grill and/or snack on down to the lake house.. I'd ask how much it was and it was often 50-75% less than the equivalent at Hy-Vee or sometimes even Fareway. My only gripe is you never know what staple type item they might NOT have on a given day, but if you are willing to be flexible, it's a great place to shop.

 

[Jonathan Assbutt Jr.]

If you really want to save money on groceries and you don't have kids to feed, I recommend Aldi. It takes some extra time to figure out what is good stuff and what is crap, but my gosh is sooooooooo much cheaper.

Now that we are empty nesters, we do a ton of our shopping there and I'm guessing we save at least $200 a month by not shopping at Hy_Vee.

I know a lot of people with your position on this. I've not figured out how to shop there, however. What exactly is the good stuff? Specifically... is there actually decent produce and meat? Do they have organics? Hy-vee pisses me off...

 

[jedhawk77]

I gave it another chance because my kids shop there all the time - and were often bringing really good stuff to grill and/or snack on down to the lake house.. I'd ask how much it was and it was often 50-75% less than the equivalent at Hy-Vee or sometimes even Fareway. My only gripe is you never know what staple type item they might NOT have on a given day, but if you are willing to be flexible, it's a great place to shop.

Yes there are some times they are out of certain staples. Their knock off doritos are only good for kids and taco salads or taco pizzas. But ketchup, mayo, bbq sauce, peanut butter, etc? I cannot tell the difference. Their breaded chicken fillets in the air fryer are comparable to a chick-fil-a sandwich. Toss it in some hot sauce. For a few years they would mark down their corned beef after St Paddy's day to under $3 per lb. And this was the flat cut and not the point. But those days seemed to have gone by the wayside. As you can see I'm a big Aldi guy. LOL

 

[Torbee]

I know a lot of people with your position on this. I've not figured out how to shop there, however. What exactly is the good stuff? Specifically... is there actually decent produce and meat? Do they have organics? Hy-vee pisses me off...

Yeah, it's kind of like going to TJ Maxx to clothes shop. You have to pick through some cheap crap to find the good stuff. Look for name brands that are massively reduced. And I think the meat/produce are solid - definitely limited in variety compared to bigger stores, but quality is good.

 

[Jonathan Assbutt Jr.]

Yeah, it's kind of like going to TJ Maxx to clothes shop. You have to pick through some cheap crap to find the good stuff. Look for name brands that are massively reduced. And I think the meat/produce are solid - definitely limited in variety compared to bigger stores, but quality is good.

Discounted meat and produce? I guess so long as the actual quality is fine -- maybe cosmetic issues? -- but...

 

[jedhawk77]

I know a lot of people with your position on this. I've not figured out how to shop there, however. What exactly is the good stuff? Specifically... is there actually decent produce and meat? Do they have organics? Hy-vee pisses me off...

I always buy beef & pork typically locally from a farmer friend and have it processed. Typically the only meat I buy from Aldi is boneless chicken breasts. Sometimes some breakfast sausage since it's one of the few items both my kids love and we fly through our breakfast sausage from the local farmer and always seem to have a shortage. Chicken thighs once in a while. And thats where I typically get my corned beef. If I buy any other 'meat' from there it is usually for a tailgate. I think their brats are adequate. And it's too easy to buy the frozen pre-made patties from Aldi for a tailgate (and also save a chunk when you need to feed 50+ people). If I need to feed a crowd where I'm going to smoke it at my house for a party or event I will buy my brisket and pork butts at costco. Hy-Vee typically has a solid sale on pork loins. So I go there only for those. You can see my note to Torbs in regards to the items I get there. I would add we buy a lot of fruits and vegetables there. I think they are just fine.

Some other items I just thought of. Their sourdough is solid. Their knock off kings hawaiin rolls are great. Perfect for grilling little sliders. Cream of whatever soups. I think their crackers are fine. Their chunk cheese and basically all of their cheeses are adequate. Not the selection and fanciness of costco obviously. But I like their havarti or gouda slices in the winter for grilled cheeses. Bleu cheese crumbles for bacon bleu cheese burgers. As you can tell I could go on and on with this subject.

Disclaimer: My schedule allows me to shop at Aldi and Costco typically on weekdays and during non peak hours. I despise going into either of those places (including Walmart) when it's nuts to butts. So if you are going to become an aldi shopper I would try to go when it's not busy because it does take some getting used to.

 

[jedhawk77]

Discounted meat and produce? I guess so long as the actual quality is fine -- maybe cosmetic issues? -- but...

In response to your earlier inquiry. Yes there are organic options. You will see my lengthy answer in regards to produce and proteins.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Probably depends on what you are eating and buying. The wife and I have price shopped at multiple different grocery stores. If you plan to get all your groceries at one place, you’re going to pay relatively the same amount of money. If you want to get groceries at multiple different stores, you’ll save some money but who has the time and or energy to do that.

My approach is to get 80% to 90% of the stuff at costco and fill in the holes at Hy-vee. Costco is awesome but they don't have a few items and Hy-vee has the best selection for those items.

 

[Torbee]

Discounted meat and produce? I guess so long as the actual quality is fine -- maybe cosmetic issues? -- but...

It's not discounted because of its age or quality. Their stores are smaller with much less overhead and fewer employees, thus they can maintain good enough margins despite significantly lower prices. According to the web, a typical Aldi carries around 1,500–2,000 products while a traditional supermarket may carry 30,000–50,000.

That means lower rent and utility costs, less inventory sitting on shelves and faster stocking - which all drive down prices.

They also have a lot of private label items - similar to Costco's Kirkland brand.

​

 

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

It's not discounted because of its age or quality. Their stores are smaller with much less overhead and fewer employees, thus they can maintain good enough margins despite significantly lower prices. According to the web, a typical Aldi carries around 1,500–2,000 products while a traditional supermarket may carry 30,000–50,000.

That means lower rent and utility costs, less inventory sitting on shelves and faster stocking - which all drive down prices.

​

Lol, rents less because the space is smaller. Which also means you are selling less product and making less money.
I haven’t been to Aldi much and I don’t feel like prices were that great, maybe I missed something. Plus you’re paying for generic brand items. Some might taste just as good but others taste like crap. You convince yourself they taste good because you want to be a trendy Aldi shopper.

 

[jedhawk77]

Lol, rents less because the space is smaller. Which also means you are selling less product and making less money.
I haven’t been to Aldi much and I don’t feel like prices were that great, maybe I missed something. Plus you’re paying for generic brand items. Some might taste just as good but others taste like crap. You convince yourself they taste good because you want to be a trendy Aldi shopper.

I think many do taste as good. Is it trendy to be an Aldi shopper? I just like to save money.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

It's not discounted because of its age or quality. Their stores are smaller with much less overhead and fewer employees, thus they can maintain good enough margins despite significantly lower prices. According to the web, a typical Aldi carries around 1,500–2,000 products while a traditional supermarket may carry 30,000–50,000.

That means lower rent and utility costs, less inventory sitting on shelves and faster stocking - which all drive down prices.

They also have a lot of private label items - similar to Costco's Kirkland brand.

​

I guess I don't see how having fewer items to sell makes you more profitable unless you are trying to sell crap that no one wants. With that being said, they have avoided falling into the trap of selling stupid **** that Hy-vee has tried to like shoes and clothes, or Wahlburgers at an in-store "restaurant". And for sure they do have much less labor to pay for which brings down overhead. It is bonkers how many employees Hy-vee has roaming around the aisles at any given time clogging things up.

 

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

I think many do taste as good. Is it trendy to be an Aldi shopper? I just like to save money.

I took care of the work of asking the question for you. You might like to save money but I have no doubt some on this site shop there because it’s “trendy”

 

[baltimorened]

I think many do taste as good. Is it trendy to be an Aldi shopper? I just like to save money.

I've been shopping at aldi's for years. Things are definitely cheaper....cereals that cost upward of $6 at Publix are around 2.69 at Publix, breads that would be over $4.50 at Publix might be $2.39 at aldi....my wife buys the chocolate bars 70% chocolate at Aldi about 2.49...double at Publix.

Personally, if it's trendy, I hope the trend wears off, less people at checkout. Aldi is opening about 180 new stores throughout the US, so they sure expect the trend to continue.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

I've been shopping at aldi's for years. Things are definitely cheaper....cereals that cost upward of $6 at Publix are around 2.69 at Publix, breads that would be over $4.50 at Publix might be $2.39 at aldi....my wife buys the chocolate bars 70% chocolate at Aldi about 2.49...double at Publix.

Personally, if it's trendy, I hope the trend wears off, less people at checkout. Aldi is opening about 180 new stores throughout the US, so they sure expect the trend to continue.

For our southern/eastern friends, basically, Hy-vee is Publix and Publix is Hy-vee.

 

[baltimorened]

For our southern/eastern friends, basically, Hy-vee is Publix and Publix is Hy-vee.

thanks. I have to buy some things at Publix, they're not available at Aldi...but boy the prices are outrageous...

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

thanks. I have to buy some things at Publix, they're not available at Aldi...but boy the prices are outrageous...

To your point, if you want to get something like Rao's marinara, at Hy-vee it is about $10 per jar while at Costco you get two of those very same jars for $11. It is madness, but people still do the majority of their shopping there. I cannot fathom how many thousands of dollars we save by doing most of our shopping at Costco.

 

[JohnBeckwith]

OP being old checks out. Who the F gets mad at someone making $12 an hr for asking for a receipt? Just hand it to them and move on. They aren't the best and brightest, and thet look for like 3 seconds. Its a fugazi anyways.

 

[AFM22]

To your point, if you want to get something like Rao's marinara, at Hy-vee it is about $10 per jar while at Costco you get two of those very same jars for $11. It is madness, but people still do the majority of their shopping there. I cannot fathom how many thousands of dollars we save by doing most of our shopping at Costco.

Costco has a lot of good deals like that, but they also have a lot of things were you might save a few dollars and end up with an absolute *** ton of something that you have to figure out how to store. Then of course they really trap you with random, trendy snacks.

 

[Gibbs_dontbanmetom]

To your point, if you want to get something like Rao's marinara, at Hy-vee it is about $10 per jar while at Costco you get two of those very same jars for $11. It is madness, but people still do the majority of their shopping there. I cannot fathom how many thousands of dollars we save by doing most of our shopping at Costco.

You guys do realize hyvee and other stores sell generic items as well that don’t cost $10 per jar. Some are commenting they can buy similar items at Aldi for cheaper. You can do the same thing at hyvee or Walmart. lol.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Costco has a lot of good deals like that, but they also have a lot of things were you might save a few dollars and end up with an absolute *** ton of something that you have to figure out how to store. Then of course they really trap you with random, trendy snacks.

They do have random trendy and delicious snacks - to that I say thank you. With regard to storage, that's fine by me. Get a huge pack of toilet paper or paper towels that are about 1/2 the cost of buying them at hy-vee. and alcohol is so much cheaper, and kirkland brand is just fine for most it. For perishable items, it can be wasteful but I can get 6 heads of romaine for like $5 where hy-vee would charge at least double for the same thing.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

You guys do realize hyvee and other stores sell generic items as well that don’t cost $10 per jar. Some are commenting they can buy similar items at Aldi for cheaper. You can do the same thing at hyvee or Walmart. lol.

I do realize that and many of the generic brands do not taste as good. Rao's and Carbone are about as good as store-bought marinara tastes. For other items like green beans or whatever, I agree it's all pretty much the same regardless of brand (or no brand).

 

[AFM22]

I do realize that and many of the generic brands do not taste as good. Rao's and Carbone are about as good as store-bought marinara tastes. For other items like green beans or whatever, I agree it's all pretty much the same regardless of brand (or no brand).

Also some store brand items just don't compair to name brand. Graham crackers is an example. Most store brand graham crackers taste awful compared to Honey Maid, which can run from about $5-6 per box at Kroger. At Costco you can get a pack of 4 boxes for $8.

Can't beat that when you have a toddler that loves graham crackers.

 

[Jerome Silberman]

I don't normally go to Walmart, but have recently a few times and have kind of gotten a kick out of being asked to play Costco. I usually just do the Kurt Vonnegut thing and ask them how their day is going.

We are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you any different.... We’re dancing animals. How beautiful it is to get up and go do something.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Also some store brand items just don't compair to name brand. Graham crackers is an example. Most store brand graham crackers taste awful compared to Honey Maid, which can run from about $5-6 per box at Kroger. At Costco you can get a pack of 4 boxes for $8.

Can't beat that when you have a toddler that loves graham crackers.

 

[Hendy Hawk]

Pretty sure they only check non bagged items like a jug of laundry detergent, gallon of milk, big bag of dog food, etc.

I'm assuming if it's not in a bag, the thought is, it could be getting lifted.

They can't be reviewing every bag and every item.

Correct answer.
Was asked the same question. I asked for an explanation, and he said the same thing as you posted.

 

[Hendy Hawk]

I like Walmart...they have just about everything and normally at a lower price. I don't buy produce at most, but the one closest to me has a great product/fruit section. Why would you pay more for the same or similar products just to spite Walmart...

I pretty much shop Aldi foods but shop Wal Mart(only other option) for items Aldi doesn't carry.
A lot of things are said to be cheaper at Wal Mart but you have to be careful with some purchases.
I was always buying the larger amount of coffee tubs as the unit price label says it's cheaper that way BUT:
you can purchase 2 of the smaller ones and get more product for the price than the larger one.
Wal Mart can be very inventive about the pricing.

 

[jedhawk77]

I guess I don't see how having fewer items to sell makes you more profitable unless you are trying to sell crap that no one wants. With that being said, they have avoided falling into the trap of selling stupid **** that Hy-vee has tried to like shoes and clothes, or Wahlburgers at an in-store "restaurant". And for sure they do have much less labor to pay for which brings down overhead. It is bonkers how many employees Hy-vee has roaming around the aisles at any given time clogging things up.

Their labor cost is definitely a fraction of hy-vee. And your comment about not selling stupid ****. LOL. Well there is an aisle that has all sorts just what you are speaking of. I think it even has a nickname. Maybe the Aldi aisle of shame or something like that. So I suppose maybe if it has it's own nickname maybe it is trendy. Again I shop there because I'm familiar and the prices are way cheaper.

 

[Hendy Hawk]

Lol, rents less because the space is smaller. Which also means you are selling less product and making less money.
I haven’t been to Aldi much and I don’t feel like prices were that great, maybe I missed something. Plus you’re paying for generic brand items. Some might taste just as good but others taste like crap. You convince yourself they taste good because you want to be a trendy Aldi shopper.

Their vegetables usually are top notch. Also carry name brands like Miracle Whip and other things.
Eggs and Milk are cheaper and fresher as the turnover is more rather than setting on the shelf longer.
Yeah, you can't find everything you might need, but the savings is a real thing.

 

[Finance85]

OP being old checks out. Who the F gets mad at someone making $12 an hr for asking for a receipt? Just hand it to them and move on. They aren't the best and brightest, and thet look for like 3 seconds. Its a fugazi anyways.

Where did I say I got mad? In fact I said I didn't make a big deal out of it. If you want to call me out, fine, but at least try some reading comprehension and accuracy.

 

[AFM22]

Where did I say I got mad? In fact I said I didn't make a big deal out of it. If you want to call me out, fine, but at least try some reading comprehension and accuracy.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Their labor cost is definitely a fraction of hy-vee. And your comment about not selling stupid ****. LOL. Well there is an aisle that has all sorts just what you are speaking of. I think it even has a nickname. Maybe the Aldi aisle of shame or something like that. So I suppose maybe if it has it's own nickname maybe it is trendy. Again I shop there because I'm familiar and the prices are way cheaper.

Answer me this: does aldi sell shoes?

 

[jedhawk77]

thanks. I have to buy some things at Publix, they're not available at Aldi...but boy the prices are outrageous...

At Hy-vee the gimmick is the fuel saver.

 

[jedhawk77]

You guys do realize hyvee and other stores sell generic items as well that don’t cost $10 per jar. Some are commenting they can buy similar items at Aldi for cheaper. You can do the same thing at hyvee or Walmart. lol.

Still cheaper at aldi. Everything is.

 

[jedhawk77]

Their vegetables usually are top notch. Also carry name brands like Miracle Whip and other things.
Eggs and Milk are cheaper and fresher as the turnover is more rather than setting on the shelf longer.
Yeah, you can't find everything you might need, but the savings is a real thing.

Now we can get into the miracle whip/mayo debate. Tuna salad thread on HROT had a surprising amount of miracle whippers as their base.

 

[tarheelbybirth1]

Wife orders online for pick up. reason is to avoid the carnival atmosphere inside.

People use to go to target and happily pay a little more because it wasn’t Walmart.

with Walmart delivery and curbside pickup you can now pay Walmart prices without the Walmart experience. Target has to be feeling that pain.

For $100/year, you can order online and have it delivered to your door. I don't even have to drive to Wally World anymore.

 

[RockyMtNole]

Our exit checkers are usually older guys in Vietnam Veteran or military hats, or disabled people. Either way, I give them grace and recognize they’re just doing their jobs.

 

[Jayb01]

I bought a car battery there once. Just that. Had the receipt in my hand. Carrying the battery in the other. Dude stopped me to check my receipt. Because I'm not a dickhead I just showed it to him, but it was funny that a couple dirt balls pushing full carts of likely skip scanned items walked past during this.

Funny story about theft. When I sold electronics at Sears back in college one of the Appliance guys across the aisle had worked at a big outdoorsy type store previously. Like a Cabela's or Scheels, something of the sort, don't remember where. These two guys jacked an entire canoe. No one noticed. How'd they get caught? They came back in to steal the oars. Someone noticed them walking out with them and saw they were heading to a truck with a shiny brand new canoe that the store carries sticking out of the back of it. So they called the fuzz, they stopped the guys, rolled back the security footage and sure enough 10 minutes previous these guys came in, each grabbed an end of of a canoe, and walked right past everyone out the front door. If it takes two people to carry something out the door past staff during business hours no one really questions it lol.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Now we can get into the miracle whip/mayo debate. Tuna salad thread on HROT had a surprising amount of miracle whippers as their base.

The whip is for the fringe. It appears to me that the mason dixon line separates the good who prefer hellmann's, and the evil who prefer duke's.

 

[OnlyTheObscure]

For $100/year, you can order online and have it delivered to your door. I don't even have to drive to Wally World anymore.

There were offering some deal recently. 90 days free or something. Several people on are street are now doing it.