Aldi will have Wiis, but bring cash or debit card

Aldi has finally made shopping more convenient. All of its Minnesota stores now accept all debit and check cards. The change started about three weeks ago. Credit cards are still not accepted.

On Sunday, each store will have five or six Wii bundles for $300. The bundle includes the base system -- including a controller and the game "Wii Sports" -- plus three additional games ("Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal," "Sonic the Hedgehog and the Secret Rings" and "M&M's Kart Racing") and a Wii T-shirt.

The stores open at 10 a.m., and there's a limit of one bundle per customer, but lines will form early. Remember, you cannot use a credit card to charge the Wii.

(If you can't make it or are too far back in line, check out Wii Tracker [www.wiitracker.com]. The site indicates which online retailers and stores might have Wiis in stock.)

Other deals at Aldi: The discount grocer has recently introduced a line of 15 spices (tall sizes) for $1.09 each. Other economy supermarket stores sell the same size for $2 or more.

Ten fashionable local women with big clothing budgets have decided to clean out their closets. They're selling Armani, Escada, Tse, Ellen Tracy, Burberry, Eileen Fisher and St. John at 80 to 90 percent off. Don't assume that these ladies who lunch are all size 4. Sizes 2 to 3X will be represented. Each woman was asked to donate 50 to 100 pieces in nearly new condition, so almost 1,200 pieces will be for sale. Most of the proceeds will go to the Hope Chest for breast cancer. Admission to the preview from 4 to 8 p.m. today is $10. There is no charge for admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The sale is at the Wayzata Bay Center (927 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 763-234-1734). Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

Twin Cities shoppers who checked out the first Direct Outlet store (5900 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center, 763-566-4020, www.directoutletusa.com) were usually surprised by the $20 membership fee required to buy brand-name merchandise at a discount. Direct Outlet is hardly comparable to Sam's Club or Costco; it's much smaller, and the deals aren't as good. Now that a second store has opened in Little Canada (2900 Rice St., 651-766-7300), the $20 annual fee is optional at either store. Each item lists two prices, member and nonmember. Owner Sanjay Syal said the Little Canada store will have less urban gear than the Brooklyn Center store does. Merchandise includes an eight-piece comforter set for $50, refurbished laptops starting at $199 and refurbished desktop computers starting at $149. Besides clothing for the whole family, home furnishings and computers, the outlet also carries electronic items, including car audio. Anyone spending $125 or more gets a free membership. Both stores are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. A St. Paul Midway store is expected to open around Thanksgiving.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.