Hi,
I'm 30+ yo male, live in Sydney, work in Aldi Supermarket for about 3 years.
Probably any of you would like to know anything about Aldi' stuffs or general supermarket/Aldi related things.
Thanks
[AMA] I Work in ALDI, You Can Ask Me Anything
LKobee on 01/03/2018 - 17:37
closed Comments
why does Oz miss out on extra value?
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2018/03/01/live-rat-al…
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Page not found.
UK shopper found live rat in netted fruit bag - when went to get dome fruit to eat (ie had already unpacked shopping at home)
rat survived cold storage…..
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Does the lack of in-store radio/music ever get annoying/boring. It's always the first thing I notice walking into Aldi: no music.
I'd rather that than have to suffer months of Easter/Christmas 'radio' at Colesworths. It was bad enough having BWS Radio, which was the same 50 songs over and over for 3 months.
I'm so sick of "the fresh food people" from WW. Was in there a couple of days ago and there was a PA announcement and the girl doing it added the same at the end. Maybe instructed to or maybe just brainwashed…
Love Aldi, no pretence, just product, often with a more European/Global focus.
I'm so sick of "the fresh food people" from WW.
That and the Invisalign ads at
FinanceFitness First.If I hear that cheese ball say "my active lifestyle" again, dumbbells will hit mirrors…
I used to work at Big W and when their slogan was "everyone's a winner" management tried to make us say "Thank you for shopping at Big W <store location> where everyone's a winner. Cha Ching!" at the end of every customer oriented PA announcement. Naturally, everyone refused to embarrass themselves like that and they soon changed the slogan anyway.
I'd rather that than have to suffer months of Easter/Christmas 'radio' at Colesworths.
Sickening, isn't it!?
There'll be a cleanup in aisle 6 if I ever have to hear that hot mess again…
Yep I used to work at Coles and probably the worst part (other than cleaning the meat room) was having to listen to those same damn Christmas songs on repeat. Drove me bloody insane.
Agreed. I worked nightfill at Coles when the 'Down Down' campaign was in full swing. The song would play every 10 minutes or so (an extended version, longer than the one in the ads), even after the store had closed. It wasn't pleasant.
50 songs!? Lucky you, LOL. It's the same, what… 20 maybe at my Coles? Michael Jackson singing Rocking Robin, Hotel California… It must feel like how the US gov. tortured people at Waco for Coles employees. And there's always some obese thing spilling out of her tights with tatts and toe rings/chains in the next aisle over, that thinks she's completing on Australian Idol.
Honestly i like doing something with music on but some people prefers shopping peacefully (without distraction or music that they probably don't like, you know each person has his/her own preference of music too
No, it's peaceful. Silence can be a beautiful thing!
It's like people who come home and turn the TV on for 'company'. WTF??? Turn the TV on, what whatever it is you're going to watch, watch it. Then turn the wretched thing off again….
What is the best way to get Aldi to stock something? E.g. Unhomogenized milk. Should I call head office/ speak to store manager/email etc?
I think some are stocking unhomogenized milk now - saw a post about it on FB this morning.
selling unhomogenised milk is against regulations in Victoria.
are you sure you're not thinking of unpasteurized (raw) milk?
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtrea…
Unhomogenized milk. Should I call head office/ speak to store manager/email etc?
Pour some white vinegar into the bottle, a much quicker way to unhomogenise it.
Please call customer service
Thanks
OMG - Aldi have just started stocking Unhomogenized milk, in a glass bottle! Now all they need to do is supply the empty milk crates at front of the store so that you can take the glass bottles back to the store for the manufacturer to re-use.
It's like going back to my childhood,and all the cream is at the top of the bottle!
I'm still gobsmacked it's taken so many years to come full circle, and I wish the other chains Woolworths, Coles and IGA would start doing it as well!
I love Aldi. I always check what's coming up in the weekly letter-box catalogue, and visit my local store once a week. I also regularly visit other stores in my area looking for bargain discounted items (non-food). I buy most of my food from Coles.
My main gripe with Aldi is the tiny size of the checkout counter after stuff has been checked through. It won't hold much, and occasionally things will topple onto the floor. I never use a trolley, just a bag, and the cashier will never serve the next customer until I've put my change back in my wallet and filled up my bag because there's no room on the counter for the next customer. I don't like holding up the queue. This is clearly an intentional design by Aldi. I highly doubt it has anything to do with store space, and I don't like it.
A second gripe is how difficult it can be to get out of my local store if I don't buy anything. The left-hand side gate of the checkout lane is always shut, and having to ask each person in the queue to move so I can get through is annoying to me and I'm sure to many others. Are 'customers' who don't buy anything expected to wait in line at the queue like everyone else?
A second gripe is how difficult it can be to get out of my local store if I don't buy anything.
"Vhere are your papers?"
I hear they make it easier if you wear a brown shirt…
Alternatively you can do what I do, pop Chariots of Fire on your headphones and vault back over the entrance gates.
get out of my local store if I don't buy anything
Just do a Mr Bean and leave by the entrance when someone enters. Or are you too rule-abiding to do that? :)
I was referring to the fact that you replied to the same comment with a joke about Mr. Bean seconds after I did with a joke about Chariots of Fire.
No don't queue, just walk pass the register and say you don't buy anything
Just unlock it yourself and walk through. Bend over and there's what looks like a large, clear, clothes peg near the bottom bar, put your hand under, push it upwards, swing gate, walk through, close gate, and peg thing falls again and locks.
Hi OP, thanks for posting this thread, what do you think of the Aldi graduate program?
I'm pretty sure it's a good way start of stepping into work place, so many different fields offered. Aldi is a really good developing company with so many competitive advantages.
Thank you, good to hear that, it is a diverse company which has a lot of potential in the future
Hi OP, cam i ask if you guys have first access to the special buy ? And can you hold stock before it goes on sale? When is normally the special buy item arrive for Wednesday and Saturday sale?
The special items usually come couple days before special buys' days (wed/sat) and we started to build special tables on tues/fri morning, later that night we lay out the tables so the next morning will be ready.
We don't hold stock. Staffs sometimes buy in the morning (or ask other staff to hold it then pay later).
What is the markdown policy/process for special items?
I think special items can only be marked down after 4 weeks (might be longer though) of it being available. If damaged they're usually not sold and get sent back to warehouse/manufacturer or simply written off as a loss. Progressive markdown to a maximum of 50%. Magnitude of markdown depends on quantity left which varies from store to store. Every markdown is at the discretion of the store manager.
Thanks!
Why is a criminal record check required to work at Aldi?
Are minor offences accepted or are all potential employees with a criminal record excluded from working at Aldi?
I think working in retail really values integrity and honesty since we deal with products laying around everywhere, even the tiniest ones, we have to put back. We also deal with cash.
I don't think Aldi would hire people with any criminal record.
Well that sucks. I've only got convictions for very minor things such as not voting at a federal election and a few minor traffic offences.
You get a criminal conviction for not voting!?
They are summary offences not criminal..
@mysterytal: I'd be suggesting anyone with a record for refusing to vote is potentially going to be a stubborn employee. It wouldn't be the record that would worry me but it speaks volumes about the determination of someone who refuses to vote and then (perhaps) actually argues with the Electoral Commission rather than just using an excuse which would exempt them from a fine/conviction.
@jason101: It could also be that you've simply forgotten to vote. The fine and record apply for even local council elections.
I like voting in Elections, and it was very unfortunate that I'd literally only just moved house to a new suburb and a week or two later my old suburb was in the midst of a local council election, that I knew absolutely nothing about until I received the fine.
More so a story or a piece of advice I received from one of your big bosses c.19 years ago in my first job when Aldi were first entering Australia. I was a junior at a professional services firm which was advising Aldi on its entry into Australia and one of the Albrecht brothers (was in top 10 richest at the time) would always call up. Well one time receptionist and everyone else was not in office and I picked up the phone and I had to put him on hold trying to find the big boss who was also on an important call. By the time I got back to him, Mr. Albrecht was not a happy man and became to lecture me - I only remember the statement telling me "You do know time is money right?". I think I froze and did not have a clue how to answer that… but sounded like his motto to get there and what perhaps underscores their business concept. Separately, they were very impressive in how they started up here. I mean starting up from nothing here and going against 2 well established players and other smaller participants.
Awesome aye
Hi, why have the pork ribs gone up in price? Change of supplier? Was a great buy at $12 a kg but the quality isn't there for $15 a kg - could go to any other butcher and pay that much now.
No idea about this sir, might need to call customer service. Sorry about it.
Is it true that the big catalogue front page specials (TVs, computers etc) are sold at a loss to entice people to the store? Was told this by a former colleague that used to work for Aldi.
We do sell many interesting stuffs to entice people to come to the store but i'm not sure about selling at a loss though
My application has been rejected a fair amount of times by ALDI sadly, any tips for a young person looking to find a job at ALDI?
Easier to get a job at Aldi if you have Blonde hair and blue eyes. Or your name is Anna Smith or John Smith
I recommend looking at your CV, resume and downplaying certain academic aspects that do not relate to the job.
that's just my assumption of course. When applying for supermarket jobs they tend not to take people who are 'over-qualified' because they're likely to leave the company pretty soon after they graduate or find a better job.
When I worked at Coles about half the people there were uni students. I guess they could have started their courses after getting the job.
And the Arts students are still there.
What does the Art Grad say to the Engineering Grad?
Would you like fries with that sir?
What does the Engineering Graduate say to the Art Grad?
Nothing, just looks at his shoes and mumbles a bit.
I was rejected too before by Aldi, Coles or Woolies.
Aldi might prefers someone with a bit of experience than just high school graduate. We usually hire people with fair amount of experience in supermarket, warehouse, restaurant etc. People who can work under pressure, physically fit.
My tips probably just keep applying, highlight your skills in the resume that match with retail jobs
Hey OP, where do they source 20kg Olympic bumper plates?
Greece.
Why Greece?
Where they made ? I have to get back to you later, sorry.
I believe it's made in china
Went into aldi yesterday looking for a 3d printer. They didn't have any in stock. I tried to enquire about a 3D printer but they had no clue of the stock levels. Where can i get a 3d printer in nsw from?
Two stores around me had stock as at yesterday. If you want to drive down to pick up ;)
Where can i get a 3d printer in nsw from?
If you get a 3D printer, you can print one.
3d printer are sold weeks ago, very popular and limited quantity only. You are very lucky if you can get anywhere in Aldi now. Sorry no info about this.
I purchased some chairs from you abit 6 months ago that have split though regular use. I have since lost the receipt. Any chance you aldi will let me return them without a receipt? They are made by Aldi and this is on the tag!
Return policy is under 60 days
Did u mean all returns are under 60 days?
How does one apply the Warranty?
So follow the warranty then
Not sure about ALDI, but with colesworth and other stores you can contact their customer service line and see if they can get you a copy of the receipt. Works much better if you can provide the exact day and amount on the receipt and how you paid.
Why do none of the stores (SA at least) have no scales to weigh fresh produce? I can see how some customers could find this very frustrating
As much as double negatives?
Not sure why though. Probably is just not part of our store tools. Customer can ask in the register straight away.
Aldi acepted me at the interview and even asked when I could start, but when I was sent off for the physical examination, I got rejected after :(
The job requires hands with opposable thumbs. It's a cruel world, I know!
Discrimination!
Was it because you fail for the physical examination?
I must've, I can lift things and stuff fine, but I do have a few pre existing medical conditions
Sorry about that. Maybe you can ask more detail to the hiring people about it so you can work that out later.
Love Aldi, love the weekly catalogue, love the staff, love the stock but no isle for 10 or less item which is usually me. I sometimes just go for Coffee Beans and other customers have been super considerate and waved me through before them. I still wish they had an express lane. Do you think Aldi would benefit from one or is there a reason there isn't one?
I think the main reason is still how Aldi manages staffs very efficiently, staffs have to do register and floor job from time to time where doing only 10 or less items for a staff wouldn't be good in term of cost and benefit.
I don't like their low stock of items on special though.. you reach the store in evening after work and all specials are gone! How annoying.. of course it doesn't happen with all items but many popular and 'good value for money' items.
Yea, this thing is very popular feedback from customer. So far Aldi just keep doing this kind of marketing.
We also don't have much space for more quantity of the special buys (and please keep in mind that Aldi's main operation is just a discount food store not furniture, electronic store or something like that)
Do you ever get annoying people complaining about the cashiers sitting? What do they usually say?
Never. It never annoys people why we are sitting, why would they be though?
Have you lost your job due to your manager finding out you have a thread on ozbargain?
Haha..I don't tell any privacy stuffs and i think it's good for people to know about something in Aldi, to clear things up.
Cool :) I only asked because you weren't online for a day since opening the thread!
Some negger got the hots for me I think
You know, one needs to work and earn money..and have other life outside internet..lol
Thanks!
Not sure why this question is downvoted. So apparently on an Ask Me Anything thread from a guy who works at Aldi, you can't ask him why he works at Aldi.
… shit