ALDI — Local services in Baltimore

I used to work for Instacart so I've been in and out of this store at least 100 times. The prices are great and there's usually a pretty good selection. However there are a few drawbacks to mention. The store usually has a pretty consistent panhandler group that loiters around and begs for coins/cash. 95% of the time they are respectful of people who say no but I've also seen situations where they get angry when people don't allow them to pocket the quarter from returning the cart. However they linger and sometimes will uncomfortably follow you to your car (especially in a parking lot that can be very dim at night). It just always seems like there's people loitering around outside with an agenda.

In addition, there's sometimes customers in the store who steal things (literally have seen people grab expensive things and run right out the door) or will pick up a frozen item, wander around with it and decide they don't want it anymore and put it down wherever they feel like it. The staff consistently seems overwhelmed, especially during Sundays and it seems like employees spent time negotiating/arguing over who has to cover lanes during busy moments. A lot of times popular items will be completely sold out by the afternoon on Saturdays/Sundays. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when things are restocked.

However this store does get high marks for price (Aldi obviously!) and the speed in which you can get in and out of the store when you need to make a quick trip. In addition, things fly off the shelves so quickly here that you are almost always guaranteed to have a fresh item...

I usually go to the Aldi near my boyfriend's house in Glen Burnie, but decided to shop here last week as it is closer to home. When I approached the door a kid (about 12 years old) asked if I needed a cart. I took the cart and gave him my quarter. Products in the store were great; everything from produce, meats, jarred stuff, milk, etc. Good quality and selection. Small talk with some of the customers and the check out person, everyone was very friendly. When I walked out of the store, the same kid offered to help me unload my groceries. I thought, I don't have anything to tip him. So I said, "No, thank you." Then he said, "Can I take your cart when you're done." I thought, oh he wants my quarter... so I said, "sure you can do that." When I opened my trunk, he picked up one of my bags, so I said, "no I said you can take my cart, I said no to the bags. Put it down." He kept moving toward my trunk and I was thinking, is this some kind of scam? I couldn't think of what other than wanting a tip he could be pushing the issue for. I said, "I said no so you need to stop." And he still didn't listen. Then I started yelling. Basically saying the same thing. He finally put the bag in the cart and walked around to grab the handles on the cart. I quickly got the bags in my trunk. He started talking in monotone with his teeth together, "you shouldn't have yelled at me. I don't like it when people yell at me. Yelling makes me really angry." I didn't say anything. Just got in my car and went home. Hated to yell at a young kid but no means no. Very unsettling. Sticking with the Glen...

I have been trying to receive my refund for 6 days now. I missed my pickup at 6-7pm and the next day at 6am my pick up was marked "complete" even though I never came to receive. At 9:15am the next day I went to speak to an associate who then confirmed with another associate that a refund was issued since they put all missed pick up items back on the shelf. That worked for me. I explained "even though it was marked complete?" And he confirmed yes, my refund was still coming and the mark was a mistake. Okay cool. The payment went from $140ish pending to $120ish posted. I waited and waited for my refund to be processed. I disputed with my bank. I went back to the store. I reached out to the email customer service and have heard NOTHING back. Not even a generated "we've received your request." I am very confused as to why it is taking SO MUCH for me to receive my refund??!! My household has been without groceries for 6 days now and I have stressed how this was my grocery money for the next 10 days :/ no compassion. No understanding. No help at all. If you schedule a pick up DO NOT MISS IT or you will lose all of your money and be met with crickets. I let the customer service know that if I don't receive ANY RESPONSE by end of day today, I will take the day off tomorrow and stay at the store until I see a refund issued. I am tired of being dismissed by every Aldi associate I come into contact with. I'll...