The Truth Behind 10 Popular Aldi Rumors
Updated: Nov. 30, 2023
If you've heard any of these rumors, you've probably been hesitant to shop at Aldi. We set the record straight.
The takeover of Aldi
Aldi stores are fairly new in the United States, so some shoppers might be hesitant to start shopping for their food there. Hearing the word “discount” might send the message that Aldi’s products aren’t of great quality. But giving up your regular grocery store might just be worth it for their low prices and good food. If you’ve heard any of these rumors—which typically come from people that have never visited the store—you can safely ignore them. Psst! Here’s the real reason why Aldi’s groceries are so cheap.
Rumor: You have to pay for the carts
You do have to have 25 cents in order to use a shopping cart, but you get your quarter back when you return the cart. So technically, you don’t have to pay to use a cart. Each cart has a coin-operated lock to encourage customers to return their carts to the front of the store after shopping instead of leaving them around the parking lot. Here’s more on why Aldi makes you pay for shopping carts.
Rumor: They take coupons
Aldi’s prices are already very low, so they don’t offer coupons. There have been a few instances of scammers trying to get you to fill out information for fake Aldi’s coupons, but the company warns customers that any coupon deals they see online are not real. These are the secrets Aldi employees won’t tell you.
Rumor: They don’t sell organic options
Despite what many people think, Aldi actually sells an abundance of organic items. Their Simply Nature line offers around 200 products that are free from 128 artificial ingredients and are either USDA Certified Organic or Non-GMO Project verified.
Rumor: Their store brand products are low-quality
Their store brand products aren’t just a great bang for your buck, but they also taste amazing. Aldi makes sure to test their products again and again before putting them out on the shelves. Our sister site, Taste of Home, spoke to Kate Kirkpatrick, an Aldi spokesperson, who said, “We test our products to meet or beat the national brands’ quality.” If you’ve ever shopped at Aldi, you’ve probably noticed that they don’t play music. Here’s why Aldi doesn’t play music.
Rumor: Their produce isn’t fresh
False, their produce is great. A few years back, Aldi built a lot of new stores and remodeled existing ones to expand the produce section and supply more fresh fruits and vegetables to their customers. You might not have as many options as your big chain grocery stores, but they like to stock what sells to avoid throwing away bad produce and to save money. This helps to keep the prices on their fresh produce low.
Rumor: The reusable shopping bags aren’t worth it
Aldi was way ahead of the game and started charging you for bags long before other stores. You can either bring your own reusable shopping bags or buy one of theirs at checkout. Not spending money on plastic bags is one of the many ways they pass the savings onto customers. Even though they have great products, these are 10 things you should avoid buying at Aldi.
Rumor: Their wine isn’t great
Their wine might be cheap price-wise, but it’s great quality. They actually have a very long list of award-winning wines that you can pick up at any of their locations (depending on the state, of course). They also have a super wide variety of wines to choose from, so you’ll be able to find something that pairs well with the dinner you just picked up.
Rumor: The meat is bad quality
Just like the produce, Aldi has a smaller meat selection because they only stock what sells well. Their meat is well-sourced, and if you look for a Never Any! label on the package, that means the meat has no antibiotics, added hormones or animal by-products. It’s all great quality at a great price. Here are some things you should always buy at Aldi.
Rumor: They don’t carry any name brands
Aldi mainly stocks their shelves with their brands to keep prices low, but they do have a few name brand products. Ninety percent of their products are private label, but about 10 percent of their products are name-brand so that American customers feel Aldi can be a one-stop-shop. Their website also states that they may carry a national brand if they’re not able to create an exclusive brand product that meets or exceeds the quality of the name brand.
Rumor: They don’t have any allergy-friendly options
If you’re gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian, Aldi has a ton of options for you to choose from. Their liveGfree line is certified by The Gluten-Free Certification Organization, Gluten-Free Certification Program, and the Celiac Sprue Association and includes bread, pasta, pretzels, cookies, brownie mix and granola. Aldi also has a line for vegans and vegetarians called Earth Grown that has plant-based options such as chickenless patties and tenders and kale and quinoa crunch burgers. Before you try calling your local store to see what they have in stock.
