Having just got back from 3 weeks in England, one of the first ventures out, was to buy grocery shopping. There was a flier in the mail with $5 off with a $30 minimum purchase, at the new Aldi.
The 'Grand Opening, was yesterday, Thursday September 2nd.
The Aldi Food Market is located on the old Lonestar property. It is a really small area for a giant in the food industry.
The first problem was as soon as we turned at the lights on U.S.19, the traffic came to a halt before entering the extremely small parking lot. We waited, and then after seeing dozens of vehicles parked in non-parking areas, decided to drive to the Movie parking lot.
Here many people had parked, and then had to walk back to the Aldi grocery store.
First you have to put 25 cents into a slot to get your cart. This is refundable when you put it back, but being over in the cinema parking lot, people were just leaving them, and losing their 25 cents.
Once in the store the going was slow. People were looking for the first time and jamming the aisles. Len and I tried to go the opposite way, but that didn't work either.
Yes, we did get some great purchases, and on a bill of $31.59, with the $5 off, taking it down to $26.59, I saved over $7 on these items in other supermarkets. Most were not brands I know, so I will have to see how they taste.
Also they do not accept credit cards, like the Save-a-Lot location do. There are no people packing, and you have to pay for bags, if you don't take your own.
After walking back to the cinema parking lot, I was prepared to take the cart back to the store, but there was too much traffic, and people getting frustrated. We finally gave the cart to a couple that drove in.
There is very little selection in each food group, and the majority of products on my shopping list were not there. I didn't see any sugar free items for hubby.
The lines of cars, and people, will go down once the coupons are used, and the newness wears off. This household will probably go once a month to save some money, but Super Wal-Mart have them beat hands down.
Aldi is located at:
6815 Cinema Drive,
Port Richey.
Comments
Great prices, but like a jungle
I will leave it a few weeks before I check it out.
If I were you I would be very careful about shopping there. They only accept cash or debit and now there is a huge debit card scam in Illinois and Indiana, so it wouldn't be a big surprise if it happens elsewhere too. Just google it. I wanted to give you guys fair warning. Normally I don't post on news articles, but I had $800 taken out of my bank account because I made the mistake of running in there to grab a few things. I don't normally shop there, and I guess this is what I get for "cheating" on my normal grocery store. I'll get my money back from my bank, but I am going to have to wait 2 weeks to get it.
From the articles I read - they think card skimmers were used, which means it is entirely ALDI's fault for the shady people they hire to work there or install their terminals. Now there is a federal investigate involving the Secret Service. So if you shop there, be warned, and use cash.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!