ALDI workers expose ‘highly advised’ checkout practice: Can you guess what it is?
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For many of us, ALDI is more than just a popular discount grocery store — it's a weekly ritual and a way to save some money on groceries (or is it?).
But at the end of the day, ALDI isn’t immune to frustrating customer experiences like claims of bad products and self-checkout counters that aren’t too senior-friendly.
Now, speaking of checkouts, you might have noticed that sometimes ALDI staff seem to wait a bit for you to place all your items on the conveyor belt before they go on quickly scanning your grocery items at lightning speed.
Have you ever wondered if there’s anything more to this?
Well, you see, it appears ALDI staff have been trained to not scan your groceries until you have finished putting them all on the conveyor belt.
That’s right; even though you can be finished with half your trolley load of goods, they must wait until you’ve taken the entire lot out before they can start the scanning process!
At least, that’s according to ALDI employees on the Aldi Mums Facebook page, who recently revealed that checkout staff must abide by the policy.
'It’s in ALDI’s employee handbook/policy to not start scanning until the trolley is up your end,' said one former employee. 'As an ex-employee, we got in trouble if we started before the customer was finished and wasn’t at the other end to receive.'
Another worker said: 'Our most recent training states that we shouldn’t scan before all items are on the belt. We can offer to help you with your items, but technically we are supposed to wait.'
While this may come as a surprise to some, one customer confirmed having been told this policy while she was out shopping once.
But if you’re wondering if this means ALDI checkout staff aren’t allowed to proceed with scanning your items before you’re ready, a third alleged worker offered some clarification.
‘Technically we are allowed to start scanning whenever we want,’ they began. ‘But it is highly advised we do wait until all items are put on the belt before we do start.’
It’s understood that this is to prevent customers from being overwhelmed when their items pile up on the other end of the checkout counter.
Other ALDI workers also weighed in and said the style of the checkout counter might also be one factor in following the policy.
In some stores with dual checkouts, for example, workers can start scanning even before shoppers are done loading their haul onto the counter.
‘It depends if there is a dual chute or not… If it is a single (counter), then you generally wait for the trolley to get to the end,’ a worker pointed out.
‘If it’s a dual chute, you are encouraged to start before the trolley is at the end.’
Simply put: two chute, or not two chute? Kidding!
In response, shoppers shared their experiences with the little-known policy.
‘The other day I had my two boys in the trolley, one crying for the bananas we were buying, and about six items on the belt and she started scanning before I had finished,’ one customer said.
‘I get it, maybe she was trying to rush for my sake but then I had to stuff around quickly to get my card out.’
‘I once had a lady start scanning while I was still unloading and she piled all my stuff up on any available space, including her chair, ruining all my specified piles of cold food, cans and tins, fresh produce etc.,’ a second shared.
‘It was the biggest s*** fight of a shopping trip I’ve ever had.’
Meanwhile, ALDI confirmed that their staff adjust how fast they scan depending on the needs of their customers.
According to a spokesperson, ALDI stores are designed for shoppers to have an ‘efficient’ and ‘convenient’ experience, including during checkouts.
‘One way we can do this is by asking customers to place their groceries back in their trolley once they have been scanned, and then pack at their own pace at the long bench behind the tills,’ they said.
‘Of course, ALDI employees will review and adjust their scan speed based on how quickly or slowly each customer packs their shopping.’
‘If any customer would like an ALDI employee to slow down at the checkout, we welcome them to request this.’
If you still have more space for shopping revelations from the budget retailer, you might want to read up more about why they scan items so quickly!
Then, there’s also an appeal from one mum who asked for a bit of consideration about how some people return their trolleys after shopping.
And lastly, on a lighter note, two comedians also took aim at ALDI’s checkout speed in a recent video, and we have to say it’s so relatable!
So, what are your thoughts? Have you experienced something similar at your local ALDI?
Do you agree with this apparent rule, or is it something you don’t see the reason for?
Share your experiences and comments below!
But at the end of the day, ALDI isn’t immune to frustrating customer experiences like claims of bad products and self-checkout counters that aren’t too senior-friendly.
Now, speaking of checkouts, you might have noticed that sometimes ALDI staff seem to wait a bit for you to place all your items on the conveyor belt before they go on quickly scanning your grocery items at lightning speed.
Have you ever wondered if there’s anything more to this?
Well, you see, it appears ALDI staff have been trained to not scan your groceries until you have finished putting them all on the conveyor belt.
That’s right; even though you can be finished with half your trolley load of goods, they must wait until you’ve taken the entire lot out before they can start the scanning process!
At least, that’s according to ALDI employees on the Aldi Mums Facebook page, who recently revealed that checkout staff must abide by the policy.
'It’s in ALDI’s employee handbook/policy to not start scanning until the trolley is up your end,' said one former employee. 'As an ex-employee, we got in trouble if we started before the customer was finished and wasn’t at the other end to receive.'
Another worker said: 'Our most recent training states that we shouldn’t scan before all items are on the belt. We can offer to help you with your items, but technically we are supposed to wait.'
While this may come as a surprise to some, one customer confirmed having been told this policy while she was out shopping once.
But if you’re wondering if this means ALDI checkout staff aren’t allowed to proceed with scanning your items before you’re ready, a third alleged worker offered some clarification.
‘Technically we are allowed to start scanning whenever we want,’ they began. ‘But it is highly advised we do wait until all items are put on the belt before we do start.’
It’s understood that this is to prevent customers from being overwhelmed when their items pile up on the other end of the checkout counter.
Other ALDI workers also weighed in and said the style of the checkout counter might also be one factor in following the policy.
In some stores with dual checkouts, for example, workers can start scanning even before shoppers are done loading their haul onto the counter.
‘It depends if there is a dual chute or not… If it is a single (counter), then you generally wait for the trolley to get to the end,’ a worker pointed out.
‘If it’s a dual chute, you are encouraged to start before the trolley is at the end.’
Simply put: two chute, or not two chute? Kidding!
In response, shoppers shared their experiences with the little-known policy.
‘The other day I had my two boys in the trolley, one crying for the bananas we were buying, and about six items on the belt and she started scanning before I had finished,’ one customer said.
‘I get it, maybe she was trying to rush for my sake but then I had to stuff around quickly to get my card out.’
‘I once had a lady start scanning while I was still unloading and she piled all my stuff up on any available space, including her chair, ruining all my specified piles of cold food, cans and tins, fresh produce etc.,’ a second shared.
‘It was the biggest s*** fight of a shopping trip I’ve ever had.’
Meanwhile, ALDI confirmed that their staff adjust how fast they scan depending on the needs of their customers.
Key Takeaways
- ALDI workers have revealed the one act shoppers must do before they can start scanning groceries in a Facebook group for store customers.
- Employees must wait for the customer to finish placing all their groceries on the conveyor belt before they can start scanning the items.
- This policy is in place to stop groceries from piling up at the end of the checkout, giving the shopper time to place the items back in their trolley.
- An ALDI spokesperson said staff adjust their scanning speed depending on the customer’s needs.
‘One way we can do this is by asking customers to place their groceries back in their trolley once they have been scanned, and then pack at their own pace at the long bench behind the tills,’ they said.
‘Of course, ALDI employees will review and adjust their scan speed based on how quickly or slowly each customer packs their shopping.’
‘If any customer would like an ALDI employee to slow down at the checkout, we welcome them to request this.’
If you still have more space for shopping revelations from the budget retailer, you might want to read up more about why they scan items so quickly!
Then, there’s also an appeal from one mum who asked for a bit of consideration about how some people return their trolleys after shopping.
And lastly, on a lighter note, two comedians also took aim at ALDI’s checkout speed in a recent video, and we have to say it’s so relatable!
So, what are your thoughts? Have you experienced something similar at your local ALDI?
Do you agree with this apparent rule, or is it something you don’t see the reason for?
Share your experiences and comments below!