@ scubadiver

The Aldi stores I know have all kinds of "budget theater" going on, and the stunt with the shopping carts irks me too. Years ago the local store sold ONE quality item which was much less costly than the same thing in other stores, and I would go in for that. But as often as not I'd find myself behind a person (or people!) each with two heaped up carts. I've never seen two clerks working in that store. Come to think of it, not in any other I've been in either.

The failure to offer any kind of sacks for the stuff I just bought was another thing which drove me away. Relatives tell me this has changed - if you happen to know the drill. Saving a few pennies just isn't worth the bother so far as I'm concerned. Ditto for the "store cards" used at so many other places. If you use one of them OR pay by credit card, that store has an exact record of your purchases. I'd wager some of this data is sold to the health insurance comanies. And all this to get a dime off a gallon of gasoline? No thanks.