Aldi is a different kind of grocery store and can be confusing for a new user. Here is a FAQ to help you figure out the Aldi system!

Does Aldi take coupons?
No! They generally don't sell name brand groceries, so don't have much that you could use a coupon on anyway.

What forms of payment do they take?
Aldi takes cash and debit cards. They DO NOT take credit cards. Only some stores take checks.

Do you get credit for grocery bags?
No. In fact, Aldi does not provide grocery bags for your purchases. You can purchase their handle bags, or you can bring your own. All over the store are boxes where the items for sale sit in displays. Those boxes are free for the taking with your purchase.

Anything else I need to know?
Carts are there for your use, but it costs a quarter to "unlock" them. You do get your quarter back when you return your cart. Nifty way to avoid having to pay a kid to clean up the parking lot of carts, huh?!

My store doesn't accept checks either, just an FYI.

Updated FAQ!

And - they only take a select few debit cards - count on using cash!

And make sure you bring enough!!

Very true! Ours has an ATM, but I'm not sure if all do. During your first trip you can ask if your debit card can be taken. There are symbols on the back that will show you if they are or aren't and they should have a sign up in the door and/or by the register that shows what to look for.

There's an Aldi that just opened close to my house. There's usually a long line with cartful of stuff. And I go just to buy some veggies and fruits. But I am very impressed with how quick their cashiers work. Even with a long line, it only takes a few minutes. Sometimes my items have just been put on the belt & the cashier already gives me my total.

I agree, they do have some speedy cashiers! A friend of mine said they are paid really well too, gotta love that! Paid well=happy employee=happy customers!

I know when they were advertising for workers here, they were paid the same as my DH who works in construction. I was surprised, but they do work so hard and multi-task like crazy! One minute they're buffing the floor and the next they are behind the register checking people out. And I have never, ever had an unfriendly cashier there. They have always been really nice and helpful, even when I've had to run out to my car because I forgot my money. Whoops!

I love this place... we shop in there quite often when we are in the town that has one. Its great!

There's usually a sticker on the door going in to let you know which debit cards they take.
they also have a clearance spot at mine by the restrooms
I like there brand of bottled water the best also

This post is most helpful to me. I have just recently heard that I should be shopping at this store to save on groceries, I plan to check it out this week. Thanks for the advice!

I have a pet peeve about Aldi's. I hate the way most just THROW the items into the cart. Literally, I asked one guy cashier to please be careful w/ my chips, since he was throwing them on top of everything else. He basically told me I was crazy to think that doing that would cause the chips to break up. I'll shop there, but I'm not crazy about the cashiers and how fast they try to be by not handling items w/ care.

I love Aldi's!!! My kids fight over who gets to get/return the shopping cart! I keep reusable cloth grocery bags and a quarter in my car so I'm always prepared!

I went to Aldi's for the first time over the weekend and was shocked how fast they were scanning items. I mentioned it to the cashier and she said that they are trained to scan 1000 items a minute to keep the prices down. She said she has to scan fast or she would lose her job. I thought that was interesting.

Oh, and I brought $100 to spend and was nervous I overspent with my heaping cart, but no, it was only $57!!! and so far we aare very impressed by the food. Mmm, I just got done eating their cantaloupe and it was SOO good!

Yes, Aldi's is a different kind of store. However, they have to do several things to keep the overhead down. Hence, making the food cheaper. It is pretty good food. Never had an issue with any of it.

Great price too!!!

I just registered here today. I love Aldi's produce. It's some of the best around and the price is the best.

Did you know that when I was younger, probably 15 years ago or so when my parents first started shopping there the cashiers would plug in the price of each item by hand. And I SWEAR they were just as fast!

Why do you charge for shopping bags?

We don’t hide the cost of bags in our prices like other stores do. You can bring your own bags, or buy our paper, plastic, or insulated bags for a very nominal charge. Of course, we encourage you to reuse and recycle bags.

In addition to all of the "green" you save at ALDI, you'll be doing your part to save our planet by shopping here. Our smaller, energy-saving stores, recycled bags and cartons all contribute to conservation.

Loyal ALDI shoppers appreciate our simplified shopping process, and the pride they can feel by being responsible and forward-thinking consumers. You'll feel it too, when you start saving up to 50% on everyday needs and find that it is "easy being green."

I've not been to Aldi's yet (hoping to go soon), but something I do love about the company is that I've heard that they are VERY loyal to their employees and pay them resonable wages as opposed to paying bottom dollar and dealing with a lot of turnover. I have heard that they tend to have happy employees who are good at what they do and stick around for a long time. I think that says a lot of good about them as a quality company.