Can you use a key instead of a quarter at ALDI?

If you're in a hurry and the cashier is occupied with a long checkout line, use your house key in place of a quarter. The back end of almost any key you have hanging on your key chain should fit neatly into the deposit lock, stay held in place and release the cart.

Do you have to have a quarter for ALDI?

Q. Why do I need a quarter to use a shopping cart at ALDI? A. This 25 cent deposit ultimately saves our customers money because we don't have to hire extra staff to collect grocery carts.

Can you borrow a quarter from ALDI?

Simply unlock a cart using a quarter then return the cart to the store to get your quarter back. For those times when you're out of change, ALDI employees say, “Don't leave!” Ask to borrow a quarter at the register and return it when you're finished shopping.

Why does ALDI have the quarter slots on the carts?

(It's one of the many ways the discount grocer keeps costs down for its customers.) To help incentivize shoppers to return the carts, the handles have a little locking mechanism: Put a quarter in and the cart can be unchained from the next cart. When you return the cart, you get your quarter back.

What coin do you need for Aldi trolley?

Aldi's coin deposit trolleys usually require a gold coin to unlock, or a 99 cent coin token, which can be purchased at the checkout and attached to your key ring.

ALDI LIFE HACK | How to get a cart without a quarter

How do you use Aldi carts?

If you've shopped at Aldi before, you'll be familiar with the practice. To use a grocery cart, customers insert a quarter into a slot on the cart, which releases it from the corral at the entrance of the store. When you're done shopping, you simply return the cart to get your quarter back.

Why do some carts need quarters?

According to Aldi's official site, the quarter helps the chain keep its prices low. The 25-cent deposit for a shopping cart means that locations save money by not paying somebody to round up all the abandoned buggies in the parking lot every day.

Whats the point of putting a quarter in a cart?

Upon arriving at an ALDI, you will find that all the shopping carts are neatly lined up and chained together. To gain access to a cart, you need to insert a quarter and by returning your cart, your quarter is released. It turns out that ALDI is actually saving you money when they ask for two bits.

How can I shop at Aldi without a cart?

Thus… Aldi customers are encouraged to bag their groceries in the bagging area just beyond the checkout. It's nothing fancy — usually just a long counter, and sometimes there are a few extra cardboard boxes or bags there that you can use.

What is a Aldi quarter?

Avid Aldi fans always know to bring a quarter in order to get a cart at the store — and for new Aldi shoppers, this is essential information to know. The quarter lets you unlock a cart, and you'll get the coin returned to you once you put the cart back.

Is Aldi cash only?

Q. What forms of payment are accepted at ALDI stores? A. We accept several forms of payment including cash, most debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), SNAP, Link cards and contactless pay such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

What does Aldi mean in German?

“Albrecht-Diskont,” meaning “Albrecht's Discount.” The name was eventually shortened to Aldi (Albrecht-Diskont) in 1962.

Why do you have to pay for carts at Aldi?

The cart rental system is all part of Aldi's business plan to keep prices low. Having customers put down a small deposit to unlock a shopping cart keeps them from being left around the parking lot and potentially scratching or denting cars. It also keeps Aldi from having to send an employee out to collect them all day.

What if I don't have a quarter at Aldi?

If you don't have a quarter, the first thing you can do is politely ask a cashier to borrow one from the register. That way, you can follow the process, and return the quarter to the cashier after you check out and lock the cart back up.

Can you bring your own cart to Aldi?

Because Aldi requires all shoppers to put down a small deposit before using one of the store's carts. Inserting a quarter into a special slot "unlocks" a single cart for use. Forget your quarter and you just can't get a cart, period — they're all chained up.

How do I checkout at Aldi?

Checking out and Returning Items. Unload your groceries at the checkout line. As soon as you reach the head of the line, begin laying out the items in your cart or shopping bags on the conveyor belt. Keep everything close together so it's easier to scan.

Is Aldi owned by Costco?

Owned by a German company called Albrecht Discounts, ALDI is a discount grocery chain that started in Germany in 1948. Decidedly no frills, the company stocks virtually all house-brand products, all offered at very low prices thanks to exclusive deals with their suppliers, many of which are big-name producers.

Did Aldi buy Trader Joe's?

He offered to buy Trader Joe's from Coulombe. Coulombe agreed, selling the company in 1979, although he stayed on as the chief executive of Trader Joe's until 1988. That means Aldi does own Trader Joe's … but not the Aldi that Americans are familiar with. Aldi Nord owns Trader Joe's and Aldi Süd owns Aldi US.

Is Aldi not taking cash?

Notice: Cash Payments Restricted. Due to the Federal Reserve coin shortage, we can only accept exact cash payments at this time. All other forms of payment (credit, debit, EBT, and contactless) are unaffected and can be accepted as normal.

Does Aldi have tap to pay?

Shoppers can pay for groceries by tapping their contactless-enabled bank card, smartphone or other wearable device on a payment terminal. This latest move by Aldi is another in a series of efforts the retailer is undertaking to further spur convenience and efficiencies.

Does Aldi charge for tap and go?

ALDI displays signage at each of its checkouts telling customers that they will incur a surcharge for tap and go payments. The added fee is 0.5 per cent of the total payment when customers use contactless payments.