Aldi’s Ninja-style air fryer has proven to be one of the hottest shopping items of November, but there is bad news for those who couldn’t get their hands on one.
The budget supermarket was selling the product for £89.99 — £140 cheaper than the Ninja Dual Air Fryer. Such was the demand, though, many stores sold out of the ‘SpecialBuy’ item within minutes and it looks like there won’t be any more appearing on Aldi shelves, reports Birmingham Live.
Several shoppers took to Facebook and Twitter to complain after reportedly being told that their local store had only received two or three air fryers. Hopes of a restock fell into doubt when Aldi responded to customers, saying “once it’s gone, it’s gone”.
In a further blow, the product has re-emerged on eBay, selling for as much as £200 – more than double the price at Aldi. The supermarket giant said it was not happy to see the item being sold on. A spokesperson said on Twitter: “It is disappointing to see our items being sold on, especially when we attempt to give our customers the best price. Although the item in question is our product, we are not able to stop customers from selling items on after they are purchased.”
They also responded to customer complaints about stock shortages, saying: “The product proved to be extremely popular and sold out very quickly. Please note that as with all of our SpecialBuys, the product will be limited in stock and once it’s gone, it’s gone. We apologise again for any disappointment caused.”
One Aldi shopper claimed he had to be escorted to his car by supermarket staff after he purchased the last remaining air fryer at his local store. Jamie Crossley wrote in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group: “Managed to get my Aldi air fryer, only one in my store, was first in queue at 8am.
“Queue was huge and I had to get followed to my van by staff and I got followed leaving the store. Madness.” Others described absolute chaos in their local branches. Gabriela Mikulcova commented: “Went in at 9.45 and was about 10th in the line.
“They opened the door at 10 and said they only have two in store so let two first people in, let them pay and after they were gone they let others in. It was madness, absolute chaos, people looking for air fryers, flipping boxes, shouting, panicking.”
Another shopper, Sharon Fez, said: “Our store got four in and I heard security saying to some man earlier they gave people a ticket when they come in the store, but had to check CCTV to see who was first in the queue as loads pushed through. I can’t believe people are going mental for them.”
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