Yahoo Finance 13 Myths About Shopping at Aldi
Since opening its first United States store in 1976, Aldi has become a staple for American consumers across the country. This no-frills store offers great quality goods at affordable prices, something that’s become even more important as the cost of living continues to rise.
See: 10 Best New Items Coming to Costco This Winter
Find Out: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy
But even a store like Aldi has its share of misconceptions surrounding it, ones that new and long-time shoppers alike tend to believe. Whether you’re trying to make a change in your shopping experience, or you’re simply looking for the truth, here are the top Aldi myths people often believe.
Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.
Everything Is Cheaper
One of Aldi’s guiding principles is that “great quality should come with everyday low prices.” And the store does hold true to this value as much as it can. Some of Aldi’s exclusive brands cost up to 50% less than national brands.
But while many items are indeed cheaper than what you’d find elsewhere, not everything is an automatic savings deal. Certain goods, like seasonal goods, meat and toiletries, are priced similarly to other major chains. In some cases, they might even be more expensive, so it’s always good to double-check before adding anything to your shopping cart.
Discover: 10 Frozen Foods To Buy at Dollar Tree
You Get What You Pay For
When people see low prices, they often assume the item is also of poor quality. But this isn’t always the case. In fact, Aldi carefully tests all of its products for quality before putting them on the shelves.
So, then, how does Aldi keep its prices so low?
For one, 90% of the store’s selection comes from its exclusive brand. This lets Aldi save money on advertising, marketing and other costs that come with relying on national brands.
Aldi also saves money on other overhead costs. Most stores have a minimalistic layout, are smaller and designed to be energy-efficient. This cuts down on rent and associated costs. There are also fewer employees at any given time, which saves money on staffing.
The Selection Is Limited
If you’ve ever walked into an Aldi and thought the selection was limited, you’re not alone. The layout combined with smaller stores may make it seem like Aldi doesn’t have much compared to traditional supermarkets. But in reality, Aldi still has a large selection of produce, pantry items, meat and other everyday goods.
Shopping at Aldi Is Inconvenient
Aldi’s unique setup might make it seem like an inconvenient store to shop at, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. These stores typically have a simple layout that offers a simple, streamlined shopping experience. This means you can get in and out more quickly.
The Shopping Carts Are Expensive
Newer shoppers especially tend to get confused by Aldi’s shopping carts, and for good reason. They’re all locked together outside of the store and seem impossible to access — without having to pay.
But while you do have to put in a quarter to free one of those shopping carts, you’ll get your money back once you return it. This makes it so Aldi doesn’t lose its carts — which helps the store keep prices low — and you still have a shopping cart for your trip.
Aldi Only Sells Food
Aldi does primarily operate as a grocery store, but it doesn’t only sell food. You can get an array of other household essentials, like paper towels, shampoo, health and wellness products, toothpaste and more. You can even pick up specialty items like luggage, small kitchen appliances, home decor, patio furniture and pet supplies.
The retailer also puts out its weekly finds online, which you can check to see its current special offerings.
Aldi Doesn’t Sell Organic Food
You might not think it because of the store’s minimalistic layout and selection, but Aldis across the country do sell organic food. One of Aldi’s top organic brands is the Simply Nature line, which includes meat, produce, bread and other everyday items.
There Are No Gluten-Free or Dairy-Free Foods
This one simply isn’t true. Although Aldi primarily carries exclusive brands, many of these brands also offer specialty foods — including ones without gluten or dairy. This means you can still shop at Aldi even if you have special dietary restrictions.
Trader Joe’s and Aldi Are the Same
Many shoppers think Aldi and Trader Joe’s are sister companies, or one and the same, but this isn’t true either. Aldi is a German company that was founded in 1961. Trader Joe’s started in California in 1967.
Not only that but your shopping experience will be vastly different between both stores. At Trader Joe’s, you’ll typically get a more traditional shopping experience — like you would at other major grocery stores. This often means tighter aisles, longer lines and potentially more staff on hand.
Aldi Offers Price-Matching or Coupons
Unlike some grocery stores, Aldi doesn’t offer price-matching. According to the retailer, this is because it usually negotiates the best possible prices before items ever reach the shelves. This means you’re unlikely to get lower prices anyway.
In the same vein, Aldi rarely offers coupons. Even if you have a coupon for a national product, the store usually won’t honor it. You can still take advantage of limited-time sales and discounts at Aldi, however.
There’s No Return Policy
Contrary to popular belief, you actually can return items you’re unhappy with, thanks to Aldi’s “Twice as Nice Guarantee” return policy. The store will replace the item and refund your money, provided the item itself is unopened and you have the receipt.
Shopping Bags Aren’t Necessary
If you only plan on buying a few things, you probably don’t need to get shopping bags. But if you’re expecting to complete your weekly shopping trip at Aldi, you’re going to want to buy some reusable, recyclable bags. The good news is that you can pick these up at checkout for a small fee — and then reuse them later.
On that note, you’ll also need to bag your own items at Aldi. This is part of what makes shopping at Aldi a more streamlined experience. Without the added time it takes for the staff member to bag your groceries, you can get in and out sooner — and they can take care of the next customer.
Prices Are Consistent Across Stores
If you’ve ever tried checking Aldi’s prices online, chances are you’ve had difficulty. This is because prices vary based on location. If you’re using the online tool, you’ll need to put in your specific store to get a more accurate idea of cost.
More From GOBankingRates
I'm a Shopping Expert: 9 Items I'd Never Put in My Grocery Cart
Barbara Corcoran: 'Forget About Florida,' Move Here for Cheap Homes
4 Reasons You Should Be Getting Your Paycheck Early, According to An Expert
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 13 Myths About Shopping at Aldi
