ALDI grocery pickup explained – get your groceries without leaving your car
With the world increasingly seeking convenient methods of shopping for groceries, people now look to buy them without ever needing to step outside—or even out of their cars.
So it’s time to wave goodbye to those time-consuming grocery trips and say hello to the convenience of ALDI’s Curbside Pickup!
They have rolled out this curbside pickup service to around 700 ALDI stores in 35 states, so it’s likely available near you.
And they are rapidly expanding, so if they aren’t offering an ALDI curbside pickup option in your area yet, the odds are they will soon. You can visit ALDI’s Curbside Pickup Locations page to see if your local ALDI store provides pickup.
In this guide, we’ll give you an in-depth look into ALDI Pickup. We will explain how it works and what benefits you can get out of it, discuss the costs associated with using the service, and show you step-by-step how to place your order (not forgetting how to pick it up). In addition, we will provide tips on getting the most from your pickup experience!
So sit back, relax, and let us do the heavy lifting for you, just like with ALDI’s Curbside Pickup service.
What is ALDI Pickup?
ALDI Pickup is a service that the popular grocery store chain offers that allows customers to shop online and pick up their groceries curbside at a designated store location.
With ALDI Pickup, you can shop for all your favorite items from the comfort of your home and have them ready and waiting for you when you arrive at your designated ALDI store. Simply place your order online, choose your preferred pickup time, and let ALDI do the rest.
No more navigating crowded aisles, struggling with heavy bags, or dealing with long lines at the checkout.
How does ALDI Curbside Pickup work?
We’re going to walk you step by step through the entire process of ordering and pickup in a while, I mean, it’s really easy, and if you’ve used any shopping apps before, you’ll find ordering from the ALDI app familiar.
With an ALDI Curbside Pickup order, all you have to do is select the items you need for your weekly shop online and let the ALDI team know when it’s convenient for them to fill your order. Then drive up at the scheduled time on the day of pickup and go right to the designated area.
A friendly ALDI employee will load your purchases into your trunk or back seat – no walking around the store necessary.
Benefits of ALDI Curbside Pickup
There’s no doubt about it, grocery stores have gone out of their way to make food shopping more convenient, and ALDI Curbside Pickup is no exception. Here are some of the main benefits you can enjoy.
Convenience
While some people might look forward to a trip to the store for their weekly groceries, the rest of us can’t wait to get it over and done with. We’ve all been there, hunting for a parking spot, navigating crowded aisles, and trying to find the cashier with the shortest line. It certainly makes more sense to me to go down the convenience route.
Save time
Not only is it more convenient, but it also saves time. You can place your order at a time that’s most suitable for you while still getting the freshness of in-store grocery shopping. And because there’s no need to browse the store and wait in line, you’ll have more time to spend enjoying your weekend or after-work activities.
No lifting heavy bags
If you are young and fit, you might not see this as too much of a benefit; if you are from a certain age, however… it’s a godsend, especially if you are buying in bulk or like to shop for heavier items; aching arms and sore muscles are a thing of the past.
No more missed items
You are in a rush and want to get home and watch the game; you jump in the car and assume that you have all the items in your basket. Just to get home, realize that you’ve left something at the store.
No more of these moments with ALDI Curbside Pickup; you can add all the items you need to your cart at leisure. Not only that, your order will be double-checked by ALDI staff before it is loaded into your car.
Seamless shopping experience
From placing your order to picking it up, ALDI makes the process quick, easy, and stress-free. Apart from having to get to the store for pickup, you don’t have to worry about anything else. The whole process, from ordering to payment, is carried out online and takes only a few minutes.
Flexibility
Whether you’re short on time or just looking for a more efficient way to grocery shop, you can choose the time that suits you. As long as you are able to get to the pickup location during ALDI store hours, you can pick up your order whenever it’s convenient for you.
Save money
Hold on a minute, save money; you might be thinking, OK, I get the time-saving and convenience, but curbside pickup is more expensive, right? Not necessarily.
For example, let’s say you usually go to the grocery store with a list of items you need but end up buying additional snacks, candies, a magazine, or any other impulse purchases that tempt you. This can add up to $20 or more to your total grocery bill.
If you are an impulse shopper, these temptations are not an issue with curbside pickup. You’ll only have access to the items you’ve placed in your cart, so there’s no chance of adding any extras that you hadn’t planned on buying. This can help you save money on your grocery bill.
If you’re the type who tends to go for impulsive purchases, curbside pickup eliminates that possibility altogether. You’ll only have access to the items you’ve placed in your cart, so there’s no chance of adding any extras that you hadn’t planned on buying – and this can help you save up on groceries expenses.
ALDI Pickup cost
If you choose to use ALDI Pickup, the fee for your order will depend on its size. For orders under $35, you can expect a minimum charge of $3.99 pickup fee; however, if your total is over $35, the starting fee drops to $1.99. This pays for Aldi curbside shoppers to select, pack and load your order.
To save yourself from paying the pickup fee, you can join Instacart Express and get free delivery and pick-up services for all participating stores in your locality. The annual membership is a one-time payment of $99 per year, but if that’s too much upfront, then you can opt for their monthly subscription of $9.99 each month.
Discounts and coupons
ALDI has always been renowned for its affordability. But you can save even more when you shop with ALDI Pickup, using coupons and other discounts available to customers. Keep an eye out for weekly specials, exclusive offers from ALDI, as well as any additional coupon deals that you might discover online.
How to place an order – Step-by-step
ALDI has joined forces with Instacart to provide curbside pickup for its customers. To begin, you need to create an account on the Instacart app if you haven’t already done so. Once your account is all set up and ready to go, ordering items couldn’t be simpler.
Instacart is just a few taps away – simply search for the app in the Apple App Store or Google Play store and follow the instructions to download it.
Before you can begin using Instacart, new users must set up an account. Once that is complete, your payment method and address, and a cell phone number, are required. Also note: to create an account, customers must confirm they are 18 years of age or older.
Once you are all set up, you can log into your Instacart Account and select ALDI from the list of stores offered in the app. To select your desired store location, just enter your Zip code to find local stores that offer curbside pickup.
You’ll also be asked to choose a delivery method: either pickup or delivery. For ALDI Grocery Pickup, you must select ‘Pickup.’
The app will then prompt you to choose your preferred date and time for pickup.
It’s now time to shop.
Browse for items and add them to your cart until you have all you need for your grocery run. When you’re ready to check out, double-check all the items in your cart one last time before confirming your payment information and placing the order.
Don’t forget to redeem any gift card or promotional code you might have before completing your order.
Once the order is placed, Instacart will send you a confirmation with all of the details, and one of the Instacart shoppers will get to work fulfilling your order, ready for you to collect at your desired pickup time.
Stay on top of the app notifications since your Instacart Shopper might need to get in touch with you regarding any questions or substitutions.
Thanks to Instacart’s real-time tracking capabilities, you can watch your order progress and decide whether out-of-stock items should be replaced or refunded on your bill.
Your order will be stored in a temperature-controlled environment after it has been fulfilled, and the Instacart Shopper will have it ready and waiting for you when you arrive to pick up your order.
What’s the Pick-up process?
Pickup is no less straightforward than ordering your groceries, but you will have to physically drive to the store – unless you’ve got one of those self-driving cars!
On the day of pickup, you’ll receive a notification that your grocery order is ready. Once you’ve tapped on the ‘Pick Up’ button, you can start the Check-In process with your Instacart shopper. Tap on their image and the ‘Yes’ button, and they’ll know that you are on your way.
You can also optionally add an ETA for when you expect to arrive at the store.
When you arrive, head to the designated pickup area, look for a blue curbside space, park up, and notify your Instacart Shopper. You shouldn’t wait long before they bring your groceries for you. Once everything is loaded into your car, it’s time to head back home with your fresh groceries in hand.
ALDI curbside pickup service vs. grocery delivery
A significant advantage of ALDI curbside pricing is that it costs less than having your groceries delivered via Instacart Delivery. When you pick up your order yourself, you avoid delivery fees, and there’s no real obligation to tip.
However, both offer convenience and time-savings compared to shopping in-store, and different lifestyles and preferences will determine which option is best for you.
If you’d rather not leave the house at all, then grocery delivery is your best bet. However, if you’re comfortable doing a quick drive to your local ALDI store and saving money in the process, then curbside pickup might be the way to go.
And you don’t have to choose one or the other mix and match for your convenience!
It might be that one week you don’t have time for the trip, so you go with delivery. But during other weeks, curbside pickup on the way back from the office makes sense when your schedule is more open.
The Instacart app makes it easy to switch back and forth between delivery and pickup, so you can decide what best suits you each week.
Tips for getting the best out of your curbside pickup experience
Ready to get the most out of your ALDI Curbside Pickup experience? Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this convenient service.
Plan ahead
A successful curbside pickup experience begins with proper preparation. Take the time to place your order a few days in advance, and choose a pickup time that works best for your schedule. This will help ensure that your groceries are ready and waiting for pickup when you arrive.
Double-check your order
Before placing your order, take the time to double-check it for accuracy. Ensure you have all the items you need and the correct quantities. If you need to make changes, it’s easy to do so before your order is processed; taking a few extra moments will save time (and headaches) down the line.
Be prepared
When you arrive at the store, be prepared to show your ID and confirm your ALDI order. Have your phone ready with your order confirmation, and make sure your car is accessible for the store associates to load your groceries.
Be patient and respectful
Just like with any other service, curbside pickup requires patience and respect on both sides—both from you towards the ALDI Associate who fulfills your grocery order and visa versa. Sometimes orders can take a bit longer than expected. Stay chilled, and you’ll have a pleasant experience overall.
In conclusion
So, there you have it, modern-day grocery shopping made easy with ALDI Curbside Pickup. You’ll never have to worry about crowded stores and long lines ever again.
In the past, only the rich and famous had their own personal shoppers, but now, you can have the same convenience with a few clicks of your phone. Your Instacart shopper will pick, pack and deliver your groceries right to your car—unbeatable convenience for a few extra bucks.
FAQs
Is ALDI curbside pickup free?
No ALDI doesn’t offer free pickup; there’s a small pickup fee that is charged for the Aldi employees to fulfill your order. However, using the Instacart app and paying for an Instacart Express membership entitles you to free pickup.
Is ALDI curbside pickup more expensive than in-store shopping?
ALDI is quite upfront about this and states on its website, “Prices may be higher than in-store prices to cover the cost of personal shopping.” However, from what we’ve heard, this is minimal and shouldn’t impact the price of your weekly ALDI groceries by much.
Do I have to provide my own shopping bags?
No, when you have your groceries delivered to your car, they will have already been bagged by your personal shopper, so you don’t need to use your own bags.
Can I use my EBT card with ALDI curbside pickup?
Yes, you can use your SNAP EBT Card in over 1,700 ALDI stores in 37 states for curbside pickup. Check with your local ALDI to see if they accept EBT.
Should I tip, and if so, how much?
There’s no obligation to tip, and the Instacart app doesn’t offer the option to accept tips for pickup orders. ALDI also states, “We prefer to pass these savings to you for your next order!” However, if you want to tip your Instacart shopper, a 10-15% cash tip should be adequate.
