Author Topic: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain  (Read 2466 times)

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Offline franksolich

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primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« on: January 23, 2010, 12:44:52 PM »
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x73623

Oh my.

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Love Bug  (1000+ posts)        Fri Jan-08-10 01:15 PM
Original message
 
Anyone here shop at Aldi's?

For those who don't know, Aldi's is a discount chain market that started in Germany and is now found in several cities in the US. It's a small place with a limited selection of foods of their own brand. However, I know for a fact their foods are made by well-known food producers (like ConAgra) so like generics, it's the same stuff as the brand-names.

I probably pay almost half of what I would pay for the same items in a regular grocery store. It's been a huge help with my food budget, especially since I've been unemployed for over a year.

http://aldi.us/us/html/product_range/grocery_selections...

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AwakeAtLast  (1000+ posts)        Fri Jan-08-10 01:37 PM
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1. I would but I always end up having to wait in line for 45 minutes to be checked out. They usually have 7 registers but only staff one. I don't have time for that.

If I shop smart at my local grocery store and use their savings club card, I almost always can save more than shopping at Wal-Mart, plus it's closer.

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tigereye  (1000+ posts)        Fri Jan-08-10 02:27 PM
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3. my neighbor does- she has 4 kids and only one salaried parent

she says for some stuff it is fine, but she also shops at Costco.

Personally, I think that buying produce at community markets, the CSA, or even higher end groceries means that you get better quality at not much more than the typical grocery store. I think it really depends on what staples one needs. I have a small family, so buying from the CSA at about 20 dollars per week really reduced our produce bill this summer AND it was all good local stuff, not stuff that was sitting in a truck or airplane warehouse for a week.

I'm a big fan of supporting local growers and eating what's in season. It really makes a difference in so many ways, is cheaper, and tastes SO much better than the tasteless v*****s at mainstream groceries.

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GoCubsGo  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan-16-10 11:13 AM
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4. I do.

They opened a store in my town last March. It's not my main source of groceries, but I can usually get some of the best deals there. That especially holds true for produce. They don't have the best selection, but usually they have the best prices on what they do have. They often have fresh pineapple for $0.99, which I dehydrate for later use. I'm still kicking myself for forgetting about my dehydrator back when they had pints of blueberries for that price.

Aldi also carries really good chocolate. Their house brands are made in Germany and Austria, and AFAIC, German chocolate rates up there with Swiss and Belgian. Their coffee is okay, too. I just wish they'd carry a bigger selection of dried and canned beans.

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hippywife  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jan-16-10 01:44 PM
MRS. ALFRED PACKER
Response to Original message

5. I used to stop there for staple items but I haven't in ages.

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Lugnut  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jan-17-10 01:59 AM
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6. I shop there for some staples.

They have good prices on produce and it's usually good quality stuff. Their egg and butter prices are low and I don't see any difference in quality.

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Rhiannon12866  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jan-17-10 03:44 AM
Response to Original message

7. Thanks for the suggestion...

There's one in my town, but I've never been there. It took me awhile to figure out that it wasn't another auto dealership...

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Mira  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jan-17-10 01:43 PM
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8. I study their weekly flyers for bargains (in my newspaper, or on line). I stock up on some staples, I like the basic meat and produce. They also have interesting unusual foods, and some good bargains, weekly changing, on products for home and garden, and some tools and cookware.

Here today, and gone next week.

I like Aldis a lot, I usually have a book on my ipod for the checkout line, but the checkers are fast and well trained.

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trotsky  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jan-18-10 08:38 AM
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11. We do A LOT of our grocery shopping there.

You are right, they are the same thing made by the leading manufacturers. I think General Mills makes their cereal.

Plus the best part about Aldi is the German-made chocolate - CHEAP!!

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Lefta Dissenter  (1000+ posts)      Fri Jan-22-10 11:11 PM
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12. their raisin bran is a staple in our house. TONS of raisins (sugared, which is how I like them). Also, the jars of unsalted roasted peanuts. We buy those by the case. I like them for a quick protein snack, and to have on hand for chopping up for peanut sauce or other goodies.

That's pretty much it from there, I guess. Their produce is usually about ten minutes from spoiling, so if there's something you're going to use that day, you can do ok.

And a link the unemployed primitives aren't going to click:

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DU AdBot (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan 23rd 2010, 01:34 PM
#06 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
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Offline Carl

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2010, 12:50:56 PM »
For a group that claims subsistence living levels they seem to spend a lot of time shopping for things beyond what would be considered basic necessities.

Offline Chris_

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2010, 02:33:55 PM »
Mrs. doc loves Aldi's, and we shop there often..........they have a great business model.

I wonder if the DUmmies know that:

Aldi's is strictly NON-UNION  (They maintain each store with less than 5 employees to avoid ever being organized.

Aldi's (at least the one here) does not accept food stamps, WIC, or other forms of government assistance vouchers.......they are strictly CASH.

Armed with that knowledge, I wonder how they would "feel"?

doc
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline debk

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2010, 02:42:42 PM »
Mrs. doc loves Aldi's, and we shop there often..........they have a great business model.

I wonder if the DUmmies know that:

Aldi's is strictly NON-UNION  (They maintain each store with less than 5 employees to avoid ever being organized.

Aldi's (at least the one here) does not accept food stamps, WIC, or other forms of government assistance vouchers.......they are strictly CASH.

Armed with that knowledge, I wonder how they would "feel"?

doc


I'm glad to "know" someone reliable that shops there.

We have one here and I have been twice. The only things I have bought were the last time, when they had large mum plants for $3...half of what they were anywhere else.

I've wondered about their stuff, but not knowing anyone that shopped there, I have been hesitant.

They are about 30 minutes from my house, but next time I am over that way, I will go in and check them out.

Is there a day to go that's better than another? Both times I was there, the produce looked kind of iffy...
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.

Offline Randy

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2010, 02:45:08 PM »
The meat there suuuucks big time. You can find some good deals though if you're willing to look.

Offline debk

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2010, 02:47:36 PM »
The meat there suuuucks big time. You can find some good deals though if you're willing to look.

Why would I look, if it sucks?
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.

Offline Chris_

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2010, 02:58:55 PM »

I'm glad to "know" someone reliable that shops there.

We have one here and I have been twice. The only things I have bought were the last time, when they had large mum plants for $3...half of what they were anywhere else.

I've wondered about their stuff, but not knowing anyone that shopped there, I have been hesitant.

They are about 30 minutes from my house, but next time I am over that way, I will go in and check them out.

Is there a day to go that's better than another? Both times I was there, the produce looked kind of iffy...

We buy a lot of "staple" stuff there, bread, crackers, frozen foods, eggs, some produce, pasta, and boxed baking mixes, snack foods, and side-dishes.  Never bought their meats (we generally go to SAM's for meat), but every time we've shopped there, we always come out with a full cart, and we've yet to spend over $60.00

They don't offer great selections in any one type of food item, and in most there is only one choice, but we've never gotten anything there that I would consider bad, and a lot of it is as good as "name brands", and some even better.  Occasionally they will even have "name brands" on things like Del Monte canned vegetables, and a few other things, but I suspect that this is a labeling thing from their sources.

Their prices are generally 25 to 75% less on any given item than a standard supermarket, but, as I mentioned, they offer nowhere near the selection.

Which is how they keep the physical plant small, and manageable by so few people (the most I've ever seen working in a store is three employees, at any given time).

doc
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Randy

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2010, 03:20:02 PM »
Why would I look, if it sucks?

The meat sucks. The rest of the stuff they have is pickable.

Offline Flame

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2010, 05:42:38 PM »
I shop there on occasion, when I'm out that way.

Their "dry goods" are fine (like ceral adn snack stuff) and I've not had a problem with their canned vegetables, but I stay away from the meats.

Offline Randy

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2010, 06:41:56 PM »
I shop there on occasion, when I'm out that way.

Their "dry goods" are fine (like ceral adn snack stuff) and I've not had a problem with their canned vegetables, but I stay away from the meats.

Ever seen chicken with gristle? I never had until we bought some from Aldi's.  ::)

Offline GOBUCKS

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2010, 06:55:48 PM »
Ever seen chicken with gristle? I never had until we bought some from Aldi's.
Well, there is some gristle in gizzards, which are by far the best part of the bird.

Offline NHSparky

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2010, 07:04:52 PM »
we generally go to SAM's for meat

Ah, that would explain it.  If your SAM's/Wally World is anything like what I deal with here, the meat sucks BAD.
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”  -Henry Ford

Offline Doc

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2010, 07:13:24 PM »
Ah, that would explain it.  If your SAM's/Wally World is anything like what I deal with here, the meat sucks BAD.

Actually our Sam's has good meat, however, this IS cattle country, and they purchase it locally.......up there do you guys even know what a cow is?

Don't know about now,  but when we lived in the northeast, the bulk of the beef came from either Argentina, or Florida........I wasn't impressed........

doc
« Last Edit: January 23, 2010, 07:15:47 PM by TVDOC »

Offline NHSparky

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2010, 07:20:20 PM »
Well, Formerlurker DOES keep telling me I live in "Cow Hampshire"...

And the meat here does suck when you compare it to say, Iowa.  But then again, our seafood here is a lot better than Iowa's.
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”  -Henry Ford

Offline Doc

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2010, 07:25:24 PM »
Well, Formerlurker DOES keep telling me I live in "Cow Hampshire"...

And the meat here does suck when you compare it to say, Iowa.  But then again, our seafood here is a lot better than Iowa's.

In a former lifetime , I dated a girl from Portsmouth, and we used to go to a run-down shack south of town on US 1 that had the best lobster rolls in the world.......I'd almost kill for one of those now......

Err....I guess we should actually get back on topic......

doc
« Last Edit: January 23, 2010, 07:27:07 PM by TVDOC »

Offline NHSparky

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #15 on: January 23, 2010, 07:37:24 PM »
In a former lifetime , I dated a girl from Portsmouth, and we used to go to a run-down shack south of town on US 1 that had the best lobster rolls in the world.......I'd almost kill for one of those now......

Err....I guess we should actually get back on topic......

doc

Oh, no you don't.  Lobstah rolls...mmmmmm...stuffed haddock...mmmmmmm...steamers....mmmmmmm...fresh oysters.....mmmmmm.

And how "south of town" we talking?  Hampton?  Seabrook?  Or still in Portsmouth/Rye vicinity?

BTW--Market Basket still has "live and kicking" lobsters for $5.99/lb.  ANY SIZE.
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”  -Henry Ford

Offline GOBUCKS

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #16 on: January 23, 2010, 07:44:14 PM »
Well, the East Coast gets free range lobsters. All we can get are farm-raised.
I think they come from those big lobster ponds outside of Indianapolis.

Offline Chris_

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #17 on: January 23, 2010, 07:59:55 PM »
And how "south of town" we talking?  Hampton?  Seabrook?  Or still in Portsmouth/Rye vicinity?

BTW--Market Basket still has "live and kicking" lobsters for $5.99/lb.  ANY SIZE.

It wasn't as far as Seabrook, and its been a long time ago......all I remember is that it was near a huge derelict hotel/resort that looked like it was built in the 1920's........I doubt that it was more than three or four miles south of town.

doc
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Randy

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #18 on: January 24, 2010, 04:44:51 AM »
In a former lifetime , I dated a girl from Portsmouth, and we used to go to a run-down shack south of town on US 1 that had the best lobster rolls in the world.......I'd almost kill for one of those now......

Err....I guess we should actually get back on topic......

doc


Easy to do. Just add;...I wish Aldi's sold them.

Viola, back on topic.

Glad to be of assistance.  :-)

Offline Chris_

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #19 on: January 24, 2010, 11:43:20 AM »
Easy to do. Just add;...I wish Aldi's sold them.

Viola, back on topic.

Glad to be of assistance.  :-)

Well done....thank you.....

doc
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline crockspot

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Re: primitives discuss obscure grocery store chain
« Reply #20 on: January 24, 2010, 03:05:18 PM »
When I was in college, my girlfriend worked at this little market that, for some reason, all the hippies just loved to shop at. I don't really understand why, other than it being close to the University, and having a lot of crap that you could buy bulk weighed. The guy who ran the place had the biggest markup of any food store in town, but he did let people buy on credit.

Tom Lehrer, the musical satirist, taught math at UCSC at the time, and was a regular customer. He pissed my girlfriend off, because he would be eating out of his bulk baggies while waiting in the checkout line. One time she mentioned that he shouldn't be eating stuff until it gets weighed. He actually pulled that "do you know who I am?" crap on her. So from then on, she just overcharged him wildly on many bulk items, like $4.99 a pound for those apricot newtons, which at the time were probably only $2.99 a pound.