These Aldi shopping mistakes could cost you time and money!

If you’re the type of shopper who’s always looking to save money on groceries, you probably count Aldi as one of your stores to keep more cash in your pockets. But Aldi isn’t a typical grocery store. It has a few quirks due to its unique approach to the overall shopping experience.

Even if you shop regularly at ALDI, you could be missing out on a few tips and tricks that could save you some serious cash. After all, no one knows the store and its intricacies better than the people who are there every day. That’s why we went to the experts.

And on that note, here are 10 Aldi shopping mistakes customers can easily make when they take a trip to their local store.

Aldi shopping mistake: Not shopping at the right time

The word on the street is that ALDI drops discounts at different times throughout the day. A former employee seemingly confirmed the theory in a tell-all Instagram video and claimed that between 2:30 and 4:30 pm is the best time to get higher markdowns. Others argue that it depends on the products.

A Reddit user said their local ALDI has the “best bargains” on meat and bread after 6 pm on Fridays or Mondays. Another said if the sell-by date is the next day, it gets a half-off sticker. Even though it may vary from location to location, this is a good guide, and you should start tracking these deals.

You can also just ask an employee to confirm the best time to get discounts at your local store the next time you’re shopping! The same goes for the days of the week you shop too. Several Reddit users say Wednesday is the best day of the week to shop.

Many stores restock their supply that morning, meaning shelves are full and fresh. This is also usually when new ALDI Finds arrive. So if you want to try the latest and best products, this is a good day to shop.

Aldi shopping mistake: Missing out on straightforward deals

Even though buying food with an expiration date that’s soon might not seem like the most logical shopping plan, at ALDI, it is! Any food items approaching their sell-by date will get you an automatic discount. You’ll have to be sharp about checking yourself, though.

Yes, employees will periodically update the price tags, but not always. For instance, make sure you always check the dates on the meat. The day before they expire, they’ll be 50% off. And more often than not, employees forget or don’t have time to put the red stickers on them.

All you have to do is tell the clerk that your item is missing the red sticker, and they’ll adjust the price accordingly.

Aldi shopping mistake: Not buying cooking essentials from here

If you’re not already buying your kitchen and cooking essentials at ALDI, it might be time to consider it. Many people have boasted that they’re so much more affordable than other retailers but still offer excellent quality.

For instance, since Aldi’s parchment paper is so inexpensive, you can use it pretty much every time you need a sheet pan. It’ll save you so much time cleaning and will keep your sheet pans shiny and new-looking.

One customer wrote online that the Simply Nature Organic olive oil at Aldi has incredible flavor and the seal of authenticity for purity.

Aldi shopping mistake: Not taking benefiting from “Twice As Nice”

Half the fun of grocery shopping, especially at stores like ALDI, is trying new items that hit the market. But that doesn’t mean you’ll like everything you throw into your cart. Yet, the chain’s ICYMI has a “Twice as Nice” policy that will get you a full refund simply because you don’t like a product.

Even though not everything is included, if the item has a blue “Twice as Nice” sticker attached to it, you can bring it back to the store with a valid receipt for a replacement or full refund.

A shopper on Reddit said that, “It doesn’t have to be spoiled or defective. It can just be gross.”

Aldi shopping mistake: Not taking advantage of curbside grocery pick-up

You might be surprised to know that Aldi is similar to other supermarkets when it comes to different shopping options, including curbside pick-up.

You can simply order your groceries through the Aldi app and follow the instructions and your groceries are ready to load into your car when you get to your local store. This is also a really good way to curb any impulse buying in the store.

Aldi shopping mistake: Being picky about store brands

You might prefer buying name brands that cost more but are better known than the in-house brands on your local grocery store’s shelves.

If that’s the case, Aldi might not be the store for you. One reason the retailer can pass on savings to customers is that 90% of the items the store stocks on its shelves are from its own brand lines. But we say: Don’t knock it ’till you try it!

Aldi shopping mistake: You take coupons with you

This store prides itself on giving customers deep discounts on everyday things regardless of whether they have coupons. So, saving and bringing a stack of clipped manufacturer coupons might not even be worth the bother.

You should also consider that 90% of Aldi’s items on its shelves are in-store brands. So, there’s not much room for name-brand manufacturers that send out coupons.

Aldi shopping mistake: Not bringing a quarter with you

You might not have that much change in your wallet, but shopping at Aldi can’t be easy if you forget a quarter to unlock your cart.

The good news is there are solutions if you’re a frequent Aldi shopper. One fantastic option may be this Quarter Holder Keychain, so you always have one on hand!

Aldi shopping mistake: You miss out on grand openings

When an Aldi pops up in a new location, it doesn’t just open the doors to welcome customers… it actually celebrates them!

So, new store openings can be a great benefit for shoppers, with free Aldi shopping bags and chances to get discounts on groceries, gift cards, and other items you might find at your brand-new Aldi store.

Aldi shopping mistake: You don’t grab an item the first time you see it

If you’ve been to Aldi before, you already know that it doesn’t always have the same products in stock every week. And sometimes, an item you see now might not be there the next time you go shopping.

So it’s probably a good idea to grab the items you like when they’re available. You might even want to stock up now, especially with staples that’ll last a while in your freezer or pantry.

Have you ever been guilty of any Aldi shopping mistakes? Or maybe you have a few of your own tips and tricks you’d like to share with our readers. If so, please feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Meanwhile, if you enjoyed this article, we also recommend reading: Costco Clothing: 6 Things You MUST Know Before You Shop