I hadn't been here before. I'm a huge Trader Joe's fan so thought I'd check out the "sister company" when in Pittsfield. I hadn't expected to buy anything so I didn't bring a bag. But, the prices were good and there were a few products we could use, so I carried my 7 items to the checkout. Since I didn't have a bag, I figured I'd just carry them out. The cashier, after taking a bit too long to finish up her chat with the previous customer (when I and another woman were waiting), then rang up my items and placed them in the previous customer's now-empty cart (Note that I hadn't touched this cart or claimed it in any way). Then, as I was paying and getting ready to leave, she started to put the empty bag of the customer *behind* me in the cart, I guess to start packing it. I told her it wasn't my bag. Then she said "did you bring a cart in?" And I said no. She then proceeded to, basically, scold me "if you didn't bring a cart in, then you can't take one". I was so surprised I didn't say a word, just picked up my 7 items to carry out (as I'd planned to do anyway) and I grabbed a stray cardboard box that they seem to keep up front for this purpose. (Something she could have suggested, since by then it must have been clear I was new to Aldi and unfamiliar with its cart-managing practices). I wish I'd told her that SHE was the one who put my items in the empty cart, not me. Honestly, I didn't need the attitude, especially the scolding in front of the other customer. Plus, what's up with that policy anyway? A customer can't take an empty cart (that the previous person had left behind) out to the parking lot? I'm giving this Aldi 3 stars because there seemed to be some high quality items at good prices. But, I wish I could give it 1 star for service. I promise you this would never have happened at Trader Joe's! The staff there are, without exception, friendly, helpful, and kind. This person could probably use a refresher in customer service. Maybe the one who was rude to me in Aldi's is the same woman (with glasses) who waited on some of the other reviewers. (I gathered from some of these other Yelp reviews that you have to pay 25 cents to "rent" a cart...um, okay.....not something I'm at all accustomed to.) read more