So, I can tell that AZ is new to the whole Aldi experience!
First off, you need to bring your own bags. To keep costs down, Aldi only offers bags for sale. But, you can do what we do and grab one of their many empty, or almost empty (just put the few remaining items on the shelf where you got the box from) boxes, and fill it up before and after checkout.
Second, carts cost a quarter. You get it back when you return the cart to the store corral. This encourages people to not be lazy asses and leave the carts wherever.
Third, cashiers sit. Why? Who cares? Do you want to stand for 8 hours straight? No one cares if that was how it was done back in the day, Margaret. Sitting doesn't make you any less friendly, or efficient, at your job. This leads me to....
Fourth, cashiers are crazy fast. They have a set amount of items that they need to ring through in an hour, so don't dilly dally and decide what you do and don't need at the checkout. You should have had that all settled and decided before you got in line.
Prices are in line with most other grocery stores, and as is normal, prices will be higher on some things and lower on others. No need to grumble, either buy it or don't.
Aldi is pretty neat when it comes to different times of the year. For instance, in February, when Chinese New Year is celebrated, there will be lots of Asian specialty food to be found. In May, for Cinco de Mayo, the emphasis will be Mexican. In September, for Oktoberfest, German specialties. And, because it is a German company, for Christmas, there is tons of Lebkuchen and Marzipan, along with other Winternacht branded sweets and goodies. Kinder branded stuff of various sorts is usually carried year-round.
There is also an aisle or two of stuff that varies throughout the year, and when it's gone, it's gone, so if you feel the price is right, you best buy it right then. Lego, innertubes, clothing, home decor like serving trays and candles, pet supplies like beds or toys, gardening stuff like pots and plant stands, all sorts of different stuff can be found in these aisles.
Generally, there are also plants of various kinds for sale throughout the year, and occasionally bouquets. I have very good luck with poinsettia plants from here lasting an extremely long time. They may be on the smaller side, but they are also cheap!
So, check your expectations at the door, stop in, and spend some time here (it'll take you, like, 30 minutes, tops). You may find a few things worth your hard earned dollar, or you may not. But at least soak in the experience and really look. You never know....you might just find that one thing that you never knew you needed (Casa Mamita Black Bean and Corn Salsa, Happy Farms cheese).
Oh! And the reason you may only see one cashier? Employees do EVERYTHING. Cashiering, cleaning, and stocking. Have patience. You'll get through fast. Remember what I said about the cashiers? Yeah. Speed demons.
58/2023 read more