One of the most popular reasons customers shop at Aldi is because of their Special Buys.

Every Wednesday and Saturday, the German supermarket releases a new range of products which include anything from electronics, like LCD TVs and DVD players, to clothing and furniture.

But almost every retail business around the world has been impacted by pandemic-related shipping delays, so unfortunately stocks can often vary wildly between different locations.

Even with Aldi’s careful planning, there is also occasionally an unexpectedly high demand for certain items.

Aldi recommends visiting as early as possible when new Special Buys are on sale. Photo: Nils Versemann/ Shutterstock.​

In the Aldi Fans Australia Facebook group, one customer vented her disappointment when she had driven for half an hour to her local Aldi only to find that the Special Buys item she wanted wasn’t in stock.

This was the second time the sold-out situation had happened to her, despite the woman claiming to have checked the store’s website beforehand.

Comments flooded in with other shoppers saying that given the shipping problems nationwide, something like this was bound to happen.

That is probably the reason why one Aldi worker was prompted to share a little-known website with shoppers to help them find out if the Special Buys item they want is currently in stock.

The website allows customers to enter the product that they want and their postcode or suburb, and then get information about whether the item is in stock at their nearest store.

“If it says ‘no stock info available’, this means the product has not yet arrived in that store,” the worker proceeded to explain.

“If it says ‘likely sold out’, I personally wouldn’t waste a large portion of your time heading in as it usually means one or two pieces are left. You could try but it wouldn’t be guaranteed!”

“If it says ‘in stock’ but staff are saying it has not yet arrived, you can assume it’ll be available in the next day or two!”

The worker also encouraged the shoppers to ask questions. The staff will typically check the stockroom when requested to.

“Don’t be afraid to show the store that their stock on hand says they have plenty!” the worker said. “It prompts us to look a bit harder on pallets that may be hidden or just arrived (and we didn’t see them at first).”

The SpecialBuys Stock Checker website was launched last year. Photo from Aldi. ​

So next time, don’t forget to head over to stockcheck.aldi.com.au first before you head over to your local Aldi with a specific Special Buy product in mind.

 

[BabsL]

When advertised stock is delayed, by Covid or shipping, how do you find out when it has arrived?
Recently, I needed 3 in 1 Primer - delayed. 2 weeks later it just appeared in store but was not announced. I drove 83 km to seven Aldis trying to get this one item. Each store had sold out in the first few hours. How did people know it had arrived? Where did they get that info? I want to be advised of late arrivals, too.

 

[Gerada]

I'm told Fire Extinguisher has not arrived as yet. How do I find out when it's in a store.

 

[Cribbagemaster]

I'm told Fire Extinguisher has not arrived as yet. How do I find out when it's in a store.

Download their app. It tells you there, but you have enter the item you're looking for.

 

[Lindyloo]

When advertised stock is delayed, by Covid or shipping, how do you find out when it has arrived?
Recently, I needed 3 in 1 Primer - delayed. 2 weeks later it just appeared in store but was not announced. I drove 83 km to seven Aldis trying to get this one item. Each store had sold out in the first few hours. How did people know it had arrived? Where did they get that info? I want to be advised of late arrivals, too.

Go onto their website it will say product delays, select the state you are from and it will list the products that are delayed. Sometimes it will say when they are to be in stock!