Whenever I mention the grocery stores where I tend to shop, someone always asks me about Aldi. I tend to usually avoid that question because the answer makes me uncomfortable, but after several emails following my post yesterday about personal finance recommendations, I realized that it was actually a subject worth digging into. I don’t shop at Aldi because I’m personally uncomfortable with the chain as a result of a bad experience when I was young. When I was a young child, my family used to shop at Aldi somewhat regularly, usually just to buy certain items that complemented our purchases elsewhere. I remember going there and not minding the trip at all – in fact, I would usually help my parents by going around the store and picking out specific items that they wanted. “Trent, I need two loaves of white bread,” for example. One day, something horrible happened. My mother was looking at a stack of floor mats. I was standing right next to her minding my own business when suddenly she shouted and backed up rapidly, bumping me to the side.

When I looked over at the mats, there was a horde of cockroaches coming out of the pile of floor mats. We immediately abandoned our cart and ran straight for the exit, then out to the car. I had squashed two of them under my shoe and I felt very uncomfortable all day. For the next several nights, I had nightmares about the incident. As a result of that experience, every time I see an Aldi logo, I feel nervous. I basically refuse to go in the door because when I do, I feel really, really uncomfortable. One strong negative experience has shaded my feelings towards Aldi for life. I have visited the local Aldi and found it relatively clean, but during the entire visit, I had a strong desire to just leave the store. I constantly have a sense that if I touch anything in the store, bugs will start crawling out from underneath them. This personal sentiment prevents me from truly giving Aldi a fair shake. I know quite well that Aldi has the lowest prices of any grocery chain around (for the most part).

Many of the items they sell simply can’t be found at cheaper prices – the only way you can compete is by playing a very careful game with the grocery store flyers and knowing the best deals at warehouse clubs.Stainless Steel Sink Scratch Resistant I also know rationally that such an experience could happen (theoretically) at any grocery store chain. Kitchenaid Mixer Will Not Turn OffHypothetically, I could pick up an item in another grocery store and find a bug infestation. Valley Shower Valve Repair PartsAlso, the incident occurred almost twenty years ago at a different Aldi than the current one I use. That doesn’t change the fact that one horrendously bad experience has spoiled the soup for me. Is that rational or fair?

Maybe not – I’m judging an entire chain/brand based on one specific bad experience. But that bad experience personally makes me question the safety and sanitary nature of the food I would buy there, and I feel uncomfortable feeding it to my family. I’m quite sure that Aldi fans will show up in droves in the comments, stating how they never had a bad experience at Aldi, and I don’t doubt that at all. But that bad experience – and the personal questions it raises for me – is enough for me to feel much more comfortable using Fareway as my “economy” grocery store. I’m quite happy to pay a few cents’ more for my staple foods at Fareway when I feel comfortable in the store and confident about the quality of my food purchases. Have you had any nightmarish experiences with specific brands that have (fairly or unfairly) tarnished your view of that brand? Do you think it’s rational or fair to feel that way? Share your thoughts in the comments. Get 2x Points on All Your Travel and Dining >>

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reviewed on Aug 27, 2016 Consistent quality and good deals 4 out of 5, 8 people found this helpful, do you? Electrical returns policy - be aware. reviewed on Aug 26, 2016 ALDI increasing its customer base with time reviewed on Aug 22, 2016 Now You See Now you Don't reviewed on Aug 17, 2016 1 person found this helpful, do you? 5 out of 5, reviewed on Aug 16, 2016 10 people found this helpful, do you? Love the Scotch Fillet Steak and those that don't, probably cant cook. I do agree the bike shed is rubbish. posted on Sep 03, 2016 Aldi Bike Shed - not worth the time. reviewed on Aug 15, 2016 3 people found this helpful, do you? 1 of 67 pagesYou’ve come to the right place to read the latest Aldi Catalogue! All the current Aldi Catalogue weekly specials, deals, discounts and sales right at your fingertips from Catalogues Galore, Australia’s Shopping Catalogue Authority. Do you want to keep up to date with the Aldi catalogue?

Never miss another catalogue by keeping in touch with Catalogues Galore. Like us on Facebook, and join our email newsletter, we’ll update you with the latest Aldi catalogue weekly specials as soon as it hit the shelves. Find as well lots of other great big brand free samples and competitions! Bonus #1 Win $2000 to spend at Aldi Also Shop at Woolworths? Read the latest Woolworths Catalogue. Check out the Special Buys Aldi Catalogue in stores on Saturday 10  September 2016. Some of the great deals you’ll find in the catalogue include: 120W Folding Solar Panel – $249 King Camp Bed – $99.99 2 Person Pop-up Tent – $34.99 Sleeping Bag Liner – $9.99 Dual Extention Tap Pole – $11.99 Ultra Rig Trap – $9.99 Check out the Aldi Specials now! Check out the Style Your Room Aldi Catalogue in stores on Wednesday 14  September 2016. Check out the Aldi Catalogue now! Check out the Special Buys Aldi Catalogue in stores on Wednesday 14  September 2016.

1.7L Kettle – $39.99 116L Bar Fridge – $299.00 2 slice Toaster – $49.99 20L Microwave – $89.99 25L Toaster Oven with Rotisserie Function – $59.99 Die Cast Food Processor – $99.99 Check out the Aldi Catlogue now! Enter for a chance to Win a Bikes and accessories — If you are looking for affordable but high quality mountain bikes, cruiser bikes and bike accessories such as helmets and bicycle light set, the catalogue often has great offers but for limited time only. Aldi specials normally only last one week! Sometimes you will really be surprised by what large items you will find in the Aldi catalogue! You can visit the website to find out more about its offers. Artist and hobby kits — If you are artistically-inclined and you are looking for dependable but affordable painting equipment, you have come to the right place. Many times during the year the Aldi catalogue offers a wide range of artist and hobby kits for painting. These are high-quality kits that are suitable for both amateur and professional artists.

Be sure to stock up on these items when Aldi specials are available. Ladies summer fashion — Women’s fashion is like the seasons. Fashion trends come and go but some are merely cyclical or seasonal. The ladies summer fashion collection of Aldi is both stylish and functional. The items are designed to be comfortable and perfect for the hot weather of the summer season. Aldi specials are often available at the start and end of each season. Grocery items — Aldi is well known for being a discount supermarket. It offers a wide range of products that include dry goods and food products. The most commonly bought items from Aldi are the common household grocery items such as canned goods, fresh vegetables and spices, meat, pasta, laundry detergents, cleaning fluids and instant beverages. It is most of these items that will be found in the Aldi specials each week. Happy shopping at Aldi using the Aldi catalogue to save time, money and hassles! Check out more catalogues here at Catalogues Galore to save even more at others places you shop.