I looked up the address for the nearest location and dropped by one day to check it out. Somehow, I was inadequately prepared. No quarter for the cart. No shopping bags for my groceries. Not enough cash on hand (I didn't use a check card then). My options were very limited.
That's the short and pleasant version. The longer, embarrassingly awkward version includes me reaching for a cart, finding resistance and yanking on it noisily trying to fight it loose of whatever that thing was...oh...wait...it's purposefully attached. Uh...blushing every shade of red at the attention I must have drawn at my ignorance, I nearly skulked back to my car deeming it not worth it. Deciding I'd matured enough I could press on through the embarrassment, I proceeded into the store.
I saw several things I needed, so I began picking up items one by one, filling my arms and nearly holding it in the excess of my shirt. A cart would have been helpful. I staggered on to stand in line at the check out...who cared if I was looking the fool...I was beyond the point of embarrassment, what was left to lose?! Putting my items on the belt, I felt relief that I was done looking and being awkward in this new experience. Uh...wait...she's not bagging my groceries. What do I do now?!
Fortunately the checker had mercy on me and offered up a spare cart so I could get the items to my car. Then, it was time to pay. No credit card. Oh...I didn't know. Check card...I don't have one. Any other options? Whew...I wrote a check. I pushed my cart toward the car thinking I was on the home stretch and then I remembered, I parked in a space up a hill and over a curb. There was no way to push the cart close to my car.
When I made the turn into what I thought was the Aldi parking lot, I found out it was actually a neighboring one. Since I wouldn't be buying much, I didn't think it would matter. With no grocery bags on hand, it mattered.
I parked the cart at the bottom of the hill, grabbed as many items as I could carry, went up the hill, stowed the load and went back for more. When I finally settled into my car, it was certain I'd never darken the door of an Aldi again.
Fast forward...I'm living in another city, motivated to cut expenses on food and my mom suggests Aldi. Mom and Dad shop there often and have enjoyed everything they've tried. You're right, Mom, I should try that.
It only took a couple of weeks and off I went for another try:
This time I was prepared and it was a great success! For me, I guess the second time was the charm. I'll be back.
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