We here at the SDC are longtime fans of ALDI. Not only do they have some of the best prices on groceries around, but their products are also often just as good – if not better – than what you'd find at a more expensive supermarket.

We know that a lot of our members also love shopping there because it helps them to save a lot of money – something that's very important, especially for seniors on a fixed income.

So what's not to like? Well, apparently, there is one thing...and it has some customers pretty upset.

One shopper said she was 'very disappointed' to see that the self-serve checkouts didn't accept cash. Credit: 7News.

Recently, the supermarket has been trialling self-serve checkouts at stores across New South Wales – and this change has sparked some serious backlash from shoppers.

Why? Because these new checkouts are 'card only' payment methods; they don't accept cash!

For some shoppers (particularly seniors), this is a very big deal indeed, as many still prefer to use cash instead of cards for their transactions - especially small and quick ones.

One customer aged in her 70’s took to social media recently to express her frustration with the new system after she was unable to pay for her groceries with cash.

'I love ALDI, but today I was very disappointed,' the woman wrote in a Facebook post. 'Our local has just installed self-checkouts - which I am happy to use. I went prepared, but then I found out… it only accepts cards, not cash. Come on, ALDI, that is ageism!'

'I am 70+ years old, and I use cash, and so do most of my generation. It is not often I am disappointed by ALDI,' she went on to admit.

Cashless grocery payments are becoming more and more popular. Credit: Getty Images. (Stock photo)

The post quickly garnered hundreds of responses from fellow Aussie shoppers who were quick to agree with the woman's claims, with many saying that it's discriminatory if supermarkets don't offer an alternative payment method for those who prefer cash.

One person argued: 'They have left the elderly and disabled behind,' while another added, 'Many still use cash; there should be a choice. I'm 53 and still prefer cash over a card. My mum is 85, and she only uses cash. We should all have a choice.'

'I'm 32 and mostly use cash. It's not just a seniors way. Cash is king and always will be,' said a third.

And we can definitely see their point… After all, even though credit and debit cards have been around for quite some time now (Quick fun fact: credit cards were first introduced in Australia way back in 1974!), many of us are still uncomfortable using them or simply don't have access to them.

In response to this growing backlash against its 'ageist' checkout system, an ALDI spokesperson told a news source recently: 'Self-serve checkouts are a quick and convenient way for customers to shop, and all ALDI self-serve checkouts are card only to maximise efficiencies.

Then, they added: 'If a customer prefers to use cash, our regular checkouts are always available.'

Well, that's good news for anyone who prefers to use ‘old-fashioned’ methods like coins and notes over plastic when paying for their grocery shopping!

Key Takeaways

• A shopper has accused ALDI of 'ageism' after the supermarket giant introduced self-serve checkouts that only accept card payments.
• Many agreed and said that the move discriminates against those who prefer to use cash, as there are limited options for them.

Members; how do you feel about the current state of self-serve checkouts in supermarkets around the country? Do you think more should be done to provide options for those who prefer to use cash and interact with a checkout person? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Tipsy]

We here at the SDC are longtime fans of ALDI. Not only do they have some of the best prices on groceries around, but their products are also often just as good – if not better – than what you'd find at a more expensive supermarket.

We know that a lot of our members also love shopping there because it helps them to save a lot of money – something that's very important, especially for seniors on a fixed income.

So what's not to like? Well, apparently, there is one thing...and it has some customers pretty upset.

View attachment 7929

One shopper said she was 'very disappointed' to see that the self-serve checkouts didn't accept cash. Credit: 7News.

Recently, the supermarket has been trialling self-serve checkouts at stores across New South Wales – and this change has sparked some serious backlash from shoppers.

Why? Because these new checkouts are 'card only' payment methods; they don't accept cash!

For some shoppers (particularly seniors), this is a very big deal indeed, as many still prefer to use cash instead of cards for their transactions - especially small and quick ones.

One customer aged in her 70’s took to social media recently to express her frustration with the new system after she was unable to pay for her groceries with cash.

'I love ALDI, but today I was very disappointed,' the woman wrote in a Facebook post. 'Our local has just installed self-checkouts - which I am happy to use. I went prepared, but then I found out… it only accepts cards, not cash. Come on, ALDI, that is ageism!'

'I am 70+ years old, and I use cash, and so do most of my generation. It is not often I am disappointed by ALDI,' she went on to admit.

View attachment 7930

Cashless grocery payments are becoming more and more popular. Credit: Getty Images. (Stock photo)

The post quickly garnered hundreds of responses from fellow Aussie shoppers who were quick to agree with the woman's claims, with many saying that it's discriminatory if supermarkets don't offer an alternative payment method for those who prefer cash.

One person argued: 'They have left the elderly and disabled behind,' while another added, 'Many still use cash; there should be a choice. I'm 53 and still prefer cash over a card. My mum is 85, and she only uses cash. We should all have a choice.'

'I'm 32 and mostly use cash. It's not just a seniors way. Cash is king and always will be,' said a third.

And we can definitely see their point… After all, even though credit and debit cards have been around for quite some time now (Quick fun fact: credit cards were first introduced in Australia way back in 1974!), many of us are still uncomfortable using them or simply don't have access to them.

In response to this growing backlash against its 'ageist' checkout system, an ALDI spokesperson told a news source recently: 'Self-serve checkouts are a quick and convenient way for customers to shop, and all ALDI self-serve checkouts are card only to maximise efficiencies.

Then, they added: 'If a customer prefers to use cash, our regular checkouts are always available.'

Well, that's good news for anyone who prefers to use ‘old-fashioned’ methods like coins and notes over plastic when paying for their grocery shopping!

Key Takeaways

• A shopper has accused ALDI of 'ageism' after the supermarket giant introduced self-serve checkouts that only accept card payments.
• Many agreed and said that the move discriminates against those who prefer to use cash, as there are limited options for them.

Members; how do you feel about the current state of self-serve checkouts in supermarkets around the country? Do you think more should be done to provide options for those who prefer to use cash and interact with a checkout person? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

I dont use self checkouts at any other store so why the hell should Aldi be any different....

 

[Keverall]

Cash is still the Only legal tender in Australia.

 

[Dbriggseng]

I always pay cash where possible.

 

[Pat T]

We here at the SDC are longtime fans of ALDI. Not only do they have some of the best prices on groceries around, but their products are also often just as good – if not better – than what you'd find at a more expensive supermarket.

We know that a lot of our members also love shopping there because it helps them to save a lot of money – something that's very important, especially for seniors on a fixed income.

So what's not to like? Well, apparently, there is one thing...and it has some customers pretty upset.

View attachment 7929

One shopper said she was 'very disappointed' to see that the self-serve checkouts didn't accept cash. Credit: 7News.

Recently, the supermarket has been trialling self-serve checkouts at stores across New South Wales – and this change has sparked some serious backlash from shoppers.

Why? Because these new checkouts are 'card only' payment methods; they don't accept cash!

For some shoppers (particularly seniors), this is a very big deal indeed, as many still prefer to use cash instead of cards for their transactions - especially small and quick ones.

One customer aged in her 70’s took to social media recently to express her frustration with the new system after she was unable to pay for her groceries with cash.

'I love ALDI, but today I was very disappointed,' the woman wrote in a Facebook post. 'Our local has just installed self-checkouts - which I am happy to use. I went prepared, but then I found out… it only accepts cards, not cash. Come on, ALDI, that is ageism!'

'I am 70+ years old, and I use cash, and so do most of my generation. It is not often I am disappointed by ALDI,' she went on to admit.

View attachment 7930

Cashless grocery payments are becoming more and more popular. Credit: Getty Images. (Stock photo)

The post quickly garnered hundreds of responses from fellow Aussie shoppers who were quick to agree with the woman's claims, with many saying that it's discriminatory if supermarkets don't offer an alternative payment method for those who prefer cash.

One person argued: 'They have left the elderly and disabled behind,' while another added, 'Many still use cash; there should be a choice. I'm 53 and still prefer cash over a card. My mum is 85, and she only uses cash. We should all have a choice.'

'I'm 32 and mostly use cash. It's not just a seniors way. Cash is king and always will be,' said a third.

And we can definitely see their point… After all, even though credit and debit cards have been around for quite some time now (Quick fun fact: credit cards were first introduced in Australia way back in 1974!), many of us are still uncomfortable using them or simply don't have access to them.

In response to this growing backlash against its 'ageist' checkout system, an ALDI spokesperson told a news source recently: 'Self-serve checkouts are a quick and convenient way for customers to shop, and all ALDI self-serve checkouts are card only to maximise efficiencies.

Then, they added: 'If a customer prefers to use cash, our regular checkouts are always available.'

Well, that's good news for anyone who prefers to use ‘old-fashioned’ methods like coins and notes over plastic when paying for their grocery shopping!

Key Takeaways

• A shopper has accused ALDI of 'ageism' after the supermarket giant introduced self-serve checkouts that only accept card payments.
• Many agreed and said that the move discriminates against those who prefer to use cash, as there are limited options for them.

Members; how do you feel about the current state of self-serve checkouts in supermarkets around the country? Do you think more should be done to provide options for those who prefer to use cash and interact with a checkout person? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

I rarely use self-serve. What happens if you want cash- from a cashless machine?

 

[Kgee]

Money is one of the dirtiest, most disgusting things. Believe me, I used to work in a bank!
The governments should remove it completely. We should become a cashless society.
My mum is almost 90, Italian and she has learnt how to use a card and loves it now.
Sorry, but I think all this talk about "discrimination" is bull.
You have the choice to still use a normal checkout so what is the problem!

It will be a very sad day if we become a cashless society. What about buying at swap meets and fairs, selling items from home etc etc? Even children wouldn't get a visit from the tooth fairy. It would cause so much trouble. I use both cash and a debit card. I pay my bills using cash as Aust post won't allow payment with a card. We don't have self serve checkouts at ALDI in WA yet but I will go through the checkout when they do.

 

[Penny4]

My 88yr old mother uses a card when paying at the checkout.

 

[Nandy]

I use to use my card a lot. Than I got hacked twice with my credit card am than my debit card in the same year. So now I prefer to pay in cash. And that includes all my bills as well.

 

[ElizabethL]

I will not use a self serve check out. I want to be served by a human. I sometimes shop at ALDI but I take my time bagging my purchases. Usually the checkout people are patient with me.
Target only have self serve which I had to use once, after scanning my goods I needed a bag was informed the purchase price was 15c. I lost it then and told the Target employee if I had to serve myself and then pay for a bag they could keep their goods and started to walk away. The employee gave me a bag as I had spent nearly $200 on new towels.

I can understand your frustration but there is no point in “losing it” with the Target employee. It definitely is not the employees of target who decide that they only have self serve checkouts operating.
Maybe give Targets customer service a call and let them know of your concern regarding no manned checkouts.
The majority of stores have been charging for plastic bags for about two years now.

 

[Michelle S]

I don’t agree that most older people use cash. My friends usually use cards to pay - only a few use cash.
Cards are so much easier!

as an octogenarian I qualify as an oldie... and hate cash... before 1974 I used cheques as much as possible... never paid interest on any of my credit cards... and I know a lot of people in their 70's wo are quite happy to use cards

 

[susierobbo]

Has Aldi removed the serviced checkouts? Does this lady have no alternative to card only self serve checkouts?

 

[Ezzy]

My first thought seeing, "CARD ONLY" was, doesn't this amount to DISCRIMINATION??? Being told that they cannot use a particular service to purchase those goods unless you use a card for payment. Thank goodness people also have the power to vote with their feet & where they shop if this does not suit them.