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Loyal customers are the best source for determining which Aldi products to avoid. If enough people share their opinions, the problem is likely bigger than just a few unhappy customers. For example, store brand ziplock bags have been a pain point for Aldi customers for years. Apparently the bags are difficult to close and easy to tear, causing some to switch to the more expensive brand.
The first reports about Aldi's defective bags appeared on Reddit in 2021, when customers who had been buying the bags for a while started noticing a difference in the product. “ZERO of my gallon sized bags close. Many of them rip along the zipper when opening,” one person wrote. Another added: “I thought I was the only one who noticed how bad the quality has become!” Two years later, in 2023, people again complained about the poor quality and cursed that the bags just weren't the same as they used to be. It wasn't about some bad bags; entire boxes were defective.
As of early 2025, customers were still reporting that the bags were not functioning properly, despite purchasing multiple boxes over time. One commenter said, “They split at the seams and don't seal, and some even had small holes that looked like the heat seal failed or overheated.”
Read more: 16 cheap Aldi products you should avoid at all costs
The low price of Aldi's ziplock bags is not worth their poor quality
Package image of Aldi's Boulder Gallon Ziplock Bags – Aldi
Aldi's resealable bags are sold under the store's own Boulder brand. Shoppers are likely drawn to it because of its incredibly low price. A 40-gallon box of ziplock bags sells for $1.89, which works out to about $0.05 each. Still, the low price isn't worth it if the bags tear before you get a chance to use them. That said, the name brands can get pricey, so what's a good alternative?
Not long ago, ziplock bags got a Kirkland Signature makeover at Costco, which means you can now buy them store-branded at Costco. In true wholesale mode, one box contains 192 gallon bags and costs $15.99, which works out to $0.08 per bag. For those who prefer to shop online, Amazon may have an even better deal: the Amazon Basics Resealable Gallon Food Storage Bags are currently on sale for $8.20 for 120 bags, which works out to $0.07 each. When not on sale, they cost $12.05, or $0.1 per bag.
If you've already bought the unfortunate ziplock bags, don't throw them away yet. One of the facts about Aldi that you should know as a frequent shopper is that the store has a very good return policy. You can return the bags to any Aldi store and get a replacement or refund. Even if you lose the receipt, the refund will be placed on a gift voucher.
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Read the original article on Tasting table.
