There was a time not all that long ago when coupons were seemingly everywhere. Open up a newspaper, and there you could find a horde of coupons promising everything from savings on a specific product to storewide rebates. Name brands handed coupons out all the time, offering cents or even dollars off of some well-known national products.
The digital era changed the game. Early on, entire websites popped up over couponing, with extreme couponers finding ways to get hundreds of dollars worth of items for cheap or even free. Over time, a combination of factors — manufacturers changing their game, the slow demise of print newspapers, coupon fraud, and even fatigue over all that clipping — has reduced the number of couponers you’ll see out there.
Coupons still exist, though, including at dollar stores and many large grocers. But what about Aldi? Does Aldi hand out digital coupons? What about print coupons? Or manufacturer’s coupons for the few name-brand products Aldi stocks?
Let’s look at these one at a time.
Does Aldi Hand Out Digital Coupons?
At the time of this post, the answer is: no. Aldi does not hand out digital coupons. That includes coupons by way of social media, or app, or email, or any other electronic method.
Here’s the official word from Aldi US several years ago:
https://www.facebook.com/ALDI.USA/posts/1876370869119927?__xts__[0]=68.ARBSqU-164d9wU6IfB3r-aDM744rpsFoO2gDdn_bVxM_UNlzD7wSBQpSQG3CFgN5aVrfuxHCYhjd1uYm-sxIyRu5U7BYXj5h0PtOxWKxvJc6aTlbzug1ASEznEaaL6H_LUox-yCy2HD6C09UrrXkUusC4XxGPYQBLjNRJiucTSuZbcby2qFOJJ6kkZe_wnbF6W87fv9Xr2s&__tn__=-R
“Hey ALDI fans! Looks like another fake ALDI coupon is making its way around the internet. We’re sorry for any confusion, but we don’t offer electronic coupons and they won’t be accepted at our stores.
“We’re currently working on fixing the situation, but we’d love your help. Feel free to share this post to help us spread the word.”
So if you see an Aldi coupon floating on social media, it’s a scam, sometimes even from a fake Aldi page designed to look real. These scams are either designed to get you to click on something, or give up personal information, or possibly just create trouble. Regardless of the reason, they’re simply not legit.
A common Facebook “coupon.” (Hint: it’s totally fake.) (Click to enlarge.)
If you try to redeem it at an Aldi store, the cashier isn’t going to take it.
Sometimes scammers will also try to promote fake grocery giveaways on social media. If you see something offering free groceries in exchange for a comment or share or clicking on a link, stay away. It’s a scam.
Does Aldi Hand Out Print Coupons?
For the most part, no. Aldi rarely issues print coupons. From the store’s website:
“We take pride in making grocery shopping smart, fast and easy. ALDI shoppers do not have to clip coupons to find the best deals because we offer the lowest prices on groceries every single day.”
But there are some exceptions. When Aldi opens a new store — or, occasionally, when a remodeled store reopens — the grocer might distribute a flyer, either in the local newspaper or by mail, that includes a coupon that can be used only at the specified store. We’ve sometimes seen a $5 or $10 off $50 coupon in this situation. It’s worth re-emphasizing here that Aldi doesn’t require downloading an app or something else to get these coupons — consumers simply cut them out and take them in.
From Aldi:
“From time to time … we may offer regional promotions or coupons tied to an event, such as an ALDI store Grand Opening. Keep an eye on your mailbox or in stores for special promotions near you.”
These real coupons are easy to spot, in the occasions when they happen. They’re usually a part of an official Aldi print ad, for example. And they don’t have any strings attached, like asking you to register an email.
Does Aldi Honor Manufacturer’s Coupons?
Aldi does carry some brand-name products, including products you might have seen (totally legitimate) coupons for elsewhere, such as in a local newspaper. Does Aldi take those coupons?
This question has two parts, so stick with me.
First off, Aldi stores do not accept any manufacturer’s coupons. From the grocer’s website:
“ALDI-exclusive brands make up more than 90% of our product selection, and we guarantee the quality is as good as or better than name brands. However, we do carry some name-brand products. For these items, we always negotiate the best possible prices with our suppliers and because of this we are unable to accept manufacturer’s coupons.” (Emphasis ours)
That means that, even if the coupon is a real coupon, and even if Aldi carries that exact product, the grocer will not accept or honor that coupon. If you clip a manufacturer’s coupon and try to redeem it on that product off of Aldi’s shelves, you’ll be turned down.
However, we do know of one exception. Instacart does offer digital coupons on its site. And if that digital coupon applies to a name brand sold at an Aldi store, Instacart will give you the discount.
An Instacart listing for coupon offers.
Keep in mind that Instacart prices can be higher than prices in the store. That said, if you’re looking to use Instacart and you want to get name brands, this might be a way to save money.
To Recap:
Does Aldi hand out digital coupons? No.
Does Aldi hand out print coupons? Only on rare occasions when a new store is opening or, possibly, when a remodeled store is reopening.
Does Aldi accept manufacturer’s coupons? In store, no, although Instacart may offer digital coupons for online purchases.
Now you know.
