Started shopping at ALDI but really struggling when doing a big shop. The narrow conveyor belt doesn't hold a full trolley load so by time the checkout goes nuts scanning the codes I'm still at the other end emptying the trolley. The checkout person is never happy. What to do?
Make a list.
Divide it in half.
Take a friend.
Get two trolleys.
Use two Checkouts.
(Thanks for playing).
Also, the 2nd trolley can be used at the other end to pack it in again
At my Aldi they always wait until you have finished unpacking and have your trolley in place before they start scanning .
But if you have too much to fit on the conveyor maybe you need to split it not 2 lots - dump the first in your car and then go back for the second.
I guess if it really bothers you what the checkout person thinks of you, you can always make a list and then divide it in half like holdenmg has said, then do the first half, load it in your car, then come back and do the other half. It's not good to overfill your trolley anyway, as if you have any soft stuff at the bottom like fruits or vegetables, they will probably be pretty squashed by the time you get to your car. If you are not quick enough to empty the trolley, I doubt you have time to stack them properly at the other end after they have been scanned.
You had to wait your turn, and others must do the same. If the checkout person says something, tell them to get a colleague to open another till.
Ask the checkout person what they want you to do.
Agreed. This is always a good strategy. You may learn a better way, or the checkout person may learn a little more forbearance.
Goto another shop
I've been experimenting with using foldable crates when doing my groceries - works especially well with Aldi that don't provide bags. Here's how:
Bonus:
BAM … no more fluffing around loading items in and out of trolleys, on and off conveyor belts, carrying plastic bags etc.
This is an example of what I'm talking about:
https://www.costco.com/3-pack-Instacrate-Collapsible-12-gall…
Good idea - now all we need is a bargain on foldable crates.
I like to get the crate but seems the store you pointed is US store. Is that available in AU?
Yeah that's the brand I use (Instacrate, although mine's fluoro green) but someone gave it to me so I'm not 100% sure where they got it from.
When I googled it came up as Costco US - I assume the Oz Costco will have the same.
I'll have a go at this idea. Cheers
Our Aldi cashiers would make us empty the crate on the conveyor belt before ringing up those items.
Hm… yeah as I said I'm experimenting… may depend on how nice your supermarket staff are / how busy the store is etc. :D
How many people are you buying for?
Family of four. Big shop to last a fortnight of non perishables.
Then just do what others have said and split your shopping up, surely you must need to go more often than every fortnight to buy food.
I support local small business for meat, fruit and vegetables. More expensive but fresher produce and hopefully keep their family business in the black.
Don't go on pension days and a DILLIGAF attitude. Pile it high just put the fragile stuff on top. Keep the cooler stuff together for the car fridge if, like me, it's a long drive home.
Tell them to wait until you can watch them scan, if they don't stand there stopping others whilst checking you receipt. Ask them what the quite time to shop is.
Don't give them a hard time, smile and say thanks - they don't want to be there any more than you do.
Let others with an armful of stuff go through while you load up.
Take an accomplice with you to get an extra trolley as you check out.
"The checkout person is never happy." Recommend Prozac to them.
Let others with an armful of stuff go through while you load up.
I do that if there are smaller loads behind me
How is it possible that you can fit all your shopping in your trolley but cant fit it on the conveyor belt. Aldi conveyor belts are really long. Perhaps you need to stack things on the conveyor belt to get it all on. Also, let the checkout person start scanning. They will soon run out of room. All the checkout people at my aldi wait till youve got your trolley unpacked and are ready to pack it again
Agree, those belts are like a runway… surely that's more than one shopping trolley full?! Unless you are literally putting one thing next to another? (instead of filling the width of the belt)
Trust me. The trolley is chockers and I load the belt as efficiently as possible. It's never been an issue for similar loads at woolworths as they have a storage area for scanned items.
When you put items on the track, put the heavy items first, then the fruit half way, & the rest.
Heavy items should go to the bottom of trolley, therefore should scan first.
they need to weight the fruit . If you put the fruit in half way give you few second to catch up the packing.
Shopping for four…get the other three to come with you. Share the workload, don't spoil them….:-))
Shop elsewhere?
Love the crate idea & do happen to have some - courtesy to woollies a few years ago when the delivery drivers couldn't be bothered to unload the shopping from them. Knew they'd come in useful ! 😁
the only problem with aldi is i only do shop for myself and i find it cheaper to shop coles/woolies,if you are shopping for a family of more than 3 persons you can save money,in most cases in all supermarkets the brand name and generic brands are exactly the same ingredients,the only difference is the the colour of the labels,does anyone out there really think that any of the stores mentioned have their own factories to produce their items.
they can wait