I’m an Aldi employee and I’m sharing my secrets – including 10 things you should never do in the store

ALDI employees have shared some of the best ways for customers to make the most of their shopping experience.

They also listed some of the things patrons can do to make life as easy as possible for the company’s employees.

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The list of shopping tips at the popular German supermarket chain was compiled by Business Insider.

1. Don’t ask staff to “check in at the back”

“If a product isn’t on the shelves, we don’t have a secret hiding place behind us,” said an employee who asked not to be named.

“It’s frustrating when skeptical customers think they know inventory better than the staff.”

Instead, the employee said it’s best if shoppers come back the next day if they really need a specific product.

2. Don’t arrive just before closing time

Customers who stay to shop after the designated closing time create more work for staff.

“Most Aldi employees understand that it can be a hassle to drive all the way to the store to find out it’s closing soon,” said former Aldi employee Andrew Bronson.

“But please respect the staff by doing your best not to shop after the posted hours.”

Anyone who has to arrive towards the end of the shop opening hours is asked to limit themselves to a few items and, if possible, to use the self-checkout tills.

3. Check the selling policies

Aldi is known for its large number of great deals and sales, but they often include rules that limit how much of a product customers can buy.

“If customers take more than they’re allowed to, we have to ask them to leave the excess at the checkout,” the unnamed employee said.

“It makes the employee look like the bad guy just enforcing a clearly stated rule.”

4. Don’t split up purchases

Some customers try to circumvent these product restrictions by splitting their shopping carts into several different purchases.

But that’s also a big no-go.

“We know a 3-year-old didn’t come alone to buy three dozen eggs with a $50 bill,” the unnamed clerk said.

“In these cases we are forced to ask the responsible customer to pay back the deductible and that is annoying.”

5. Don’t abandon your shopping cart

While it’s acceptable to leave your cart for a few seconds to grab an item, associates hate it when customers abandon a fully loaded cart and walk out of the store.

“It’s annoying when customers leave their shopping carts full in the store because staff then have to put all those items back in their right place,” said the unnamed worker.

If a customer has to leave the store without paying, it’s best to hand the cart over to an employee.

6. Don’t put items back on the wrong shelf

This has long been a popular nuisance for grocery store workers around the world.

“We know that customers may choose not to purchase certain items, but employees have a responsibility to track down and return those products,” Bronson said.

It is best for the customer to put products back on the correct shelf, pass them on to an employee or leave them at the checkout.

7. Control your children

“Aldi is a great place for all ages, but employees will get annoyed if you let your kids make a mess around the store and don’t clean up after them,” Bronson said.

That’s why parents should keep a close eye on their kids and make sure they clean up when they make a mess.

Otherwise, the task falls to the warehouse workers, who already have a lot on their plate.

8. Don’t complain about sold out Aldi finds

Aldi finds are editions of products that are only available on the market in limited quantities for a short time.

This is clearly advertised, but customers still often complain when a store is sold out.

“It’s irritating when customers search for a popular Aldi Finds item weeks after the ad,” said the unnamed employee.

“These items aren’t restocked, but some customers are still throwing out fits or trying to make staff feel guilty for not ordering enough.”

9. Limit your time in the store bathroom

Aldi usually provides baths to its customers.

But the unnamed employee said staff facilities become an issue when shoppers occupy a bathroom for long periods of time.

“Be respectful of how you use the bathroom,” they said.

“It annoys us when we have to ask someone to leave the toilet because they’ve been in there for two hours.”

10. Do not argue with other customers

Because Aldi has many products that sell out quickly, shoppers can become competitive.

This often leads to business disputes, which employees sometimes have to resolve.

“People would be shocked at the number of times Aldi employees have to settle disputes between buyers,” Bronson said.

“We don’t get paid for this, so please be respectful of other buyers and team members.”