Aldi worker reveals how to check Special Buys stock

One supermarket employee has lifted the lid on the best way to get sought-after store items – including the question you should always ask.

Aldi’s Special Buys are one of the most popular reasons customers shop at the German supermarket.

But like almost every retail business around the world, Aldi has also been impacted by Covid-related shipping delays meaning stock can vary wildly between different locations.

It’s prompted one Aldi worker to share a little-known website with shoppers which can help them find out if the Special Buys item they want is in stock – as well as the request they can make of staff.

One customer had vented her frustration in the Aldi Fans Australia Facebook group, saying she had driven 30 minutes to her local Aldi only to find the item she had wanted wasn’t in stock.

The website allows customers to check what Special Buys items are available in stores near them.

The woman, who claimed it was the second instance this had happened to her, said she had left the store empty-handed despite checking Aldi’s website beforehand.

Her complaint got several comments, with other shoppers arguing it was bound to happen given the shipping problems retail around the world were facing.

But one person who claimed to be an Aldi employee pointed the customer to a website where they could check when the Special Buys item was in stock.

The website, which launched last year, allows customers to enter their postcode and get information on whether the Special Buys 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 explained.

One shopper had expressed frustration at her local Aldi having no stock despite showing for it on the website. Picture: Sarah Marshall/NCA NewsWire

“If it says ‘likely sold out’, I personally wouldn’t waste a large portion of your time heading in as it usually means 1-2 are left. You could try but it wouldn’t be guaranteed!

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

The worker also encouraged the customer to ask staff to look for the item if it was coming up as available at that store.

“Don’t be afraid to show the store that their stock on hand says they have plenty!” they wrote. “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).”

An Aldi Australia spokesperson told news.com.au they were “doing our best to minimise any disruption to our customers picking up Special Buys”.

“We have adapted our internal processes including adjusting lead times which has significantly improved stock availability for the vast majority of our range,” they said.

“When there are still unforeseen impacts, we continue to maintain an open dialogue about any Special Buys delays with our customers through our website.”

Some Aldi Special Buys items were cancelled during NSW’s lockdown.

Back in July it was revealed Aldi had cancelled certain Special Buys in NSW stores that were in lockdown.

The supermarket made the decision after radio host Ray Hadley branded Aldi “irresponsible” for continuing its Special Buys sales despite stay at home orders.

“As the lockdown continues, we have expanded our measures to protect our customers,” an Aldi Australia spokesperson told news.com.au at the time.

“By analysing historic sales data, we are removing a range of high-demand Special Buys, like weighted blankets, TVs and outdoor furniture, from our Wednesday and Saturday on-sale dates in stores located in NSW lockdown areas.

“We will be communicating the products each week to our customers.”