Checks are slowly being phased out as a form of payment in many stores; indeed, some younger generations now don’t even know how to fill them out!
What was once a popular sight in the check-out lane has largely been replaced with a plastic or contactless payment.
Yet German-based grocery chain Aldi thrives on its old-school values of economy and efficiency, so you might wonder: Does Aldi take checks? You might be surprised by the answer, so here’s what you need to know before you go.
Does Aldi Take Checks?
Aldi does not take checks at any of their U.S. locations. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, most debit cards, major credit cards, EBT/SNAP benefits, Link cards, and contactless payment such as Apple and Google Pay. Aldi also accepts gift cards.
To find out why Aldi does not accept checks and what grocery stores do, keep reading!
Why Doesn’t Aldi Take Checks?
While there is no definitive answer given by Aldi as to why the chain doesn’t accept checks, there are two very plausible reasons.
First, the processing of a check by the store can end badly. Imagine someone pays with a check but the money doesn’t immediately come out.
In the meantime, another payment on their account goes through, and the amount remaining dips below what the check was written out for.
The check bounces, and then the store is out the money, plus they have to track down the customer to try and get paid for goods that have likely already been opened and eaten.
This is not an appealing scenario for any retailer. But it also explains why debit cards are accepted at Aldi – the funds are withdrawn immediately from your checking account. And if the amount isn’t in there, your card gets declined.
Second, Aldi is infamous for its superfast check-out lanes; employees are even timed on how fast they ring up items, and they are actually seated to facilitate peak speed.
If you have ever gotten stuck behind someone who was writing a check as payment, you know how slow it can be.
Since Aldi passes on its savings to the customer in part by being so efficient, anything that slows the check-out process is to be avoided.
What Grocery Stores Do Take Checks?
If paying by check is your only option at this time, but your pantry is empty, you will have to try a different grocery store.
You’re in luck, though – there are quite a few grocery chains (and retailers that sell food items), both national and regional, that still do accept checks. These include:
- Walmart
- Target
- Sam’s Club
- Costco
- Harris Teeter
- Dillons
- Kroger
- Trader Joe’s
- Tops Friendly Markets
- Save-A-Lot
- Safeway
- Publix
- Winn-Dixie
- Food Lion
- Meijer
- Wegmans
- Giant Eagle
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Dollar General
- Family Dollar
- Dollar Tree
- Big Lots
All of these locations will accept personal checks at their registers.
It’s also worth mentioning: If your issue is that you have lost your debit card as your sole method of payment other than checks, and you need groceries and would prefer to shop at Aldi, it’s still possible.
If you have a current account with Instacart, Aldi’s mobile shopping partner and your card information is stored on the app, you can still purchase groceries without your physical card!
If you are looking to learn more, you can see our related posts on whether or not Aldi accepts Apple Pay, if Aldi does cash back, and also if Walmart accepts checks as a payment method.
Conclusion
While Aldi does not take checks, they do accept many other forms of payment, including debit cards, major credit cards, EBT and contactless payment. If checks are your only option, you still have many different grocery stores to choose from when if you need to purchase groceries.
