Customers have slammed Aldi after queuing to buy a popular air fryer in store - only to be told the shop had already sold out. The supermarket notified excited customers that the Ambiano dual air fryer would be in stock from Sunday (November 13).
The product, priced at £89.99, is sold out online. Eager people queued before stores opened to be in with a chance of bagging the compact countertop oven. But many were left disappointed to find that no stock had been delivered, or that there was only a handful of air fryers available instore.
Others complained on social media that they had not been told about a ticketing system being implemented at some locations, meaning some customers had already been allocated an air fryer while others in the queue missed out. Others claim they turned up only to be told the air fryers had already sold out before stores even opened.
Angry customers took to social media to criticise the lack of organisation - and to air their disappointment. Twitter user @Danish_C33 visited an Aldi store in Stockport to be met with a sign that read: "Please do not queue for air fryers, we have sold out this morning. There were customers here as early as 6.30 this morning who have claimed the air fryers we had".
Posting a photo of the signage, @Danish_C33 vented: "very disappointed! At your store in Stockport and there is a sign to say you sold out of air fryers at 6:30am, how when you can’t trade until 10am??"
Meanwhile @_vicky_123 said: "@AldiUK I queued from 8:30am at the New Milton store for an air fryer. I was first in the queue. Your staff admitted they didn’t read the memo so there was no ticket system and people who hadn’t queued got them. Absolutely disgraceful."
@buckle_andy shared: "@AldiUK So, I queued for nearly an hour for an air fryer to be told when the store opened that there was ONE for sale! I felt sorry for the poor staff who had to explain the situation to many unhappy customers. Poor show, Aldi, done yourselves no favours there."
@systemictherapy added: "Not a great look @AldiUK, to advertise a low cost air fryer when so many people are desperate to save cooking/heating costs, and have hundreds of disappointed people turn up to find between 0-2 delivered at your stores."
@Michael_Rose994 said: "@AldiUK woke up nice and early to queue up to get an air fryer to be told that only 3 had been delivered to the store?! Why no supply when it has been hyped so much? Not a great start to the day at all".
@MorariScassa said: "@AldiUK your advertising saying today 13th November will have the air fryer available in stores it’s a complete joke, I’ve been waiting this morning and once you get inside the store the employees saying they don’t have any air fryers."
Many shoppers complained directly to Aldi on social media about the situation.
@powellcc1 tweeted at the company: "Another epic #fail @AldiUK. After last Sunday's online circus, Aldi assured customers their air fryers would in store today. So why does my local/v large Aldi have a sign on the door stating none in stock? #disgusting"
Responding to the shopper, and other customers complaining about low stock, Aldi tweeted: "Hi there, so sorry to hear this! UK Stores only received minimal stock of this item, these products are very popular and limited in stock, so they tend to sell out very quickly."
Even those who managed to grab one of the limited-supply air fryers weren't impressed with their experience. Posting a photo of his air fryer to Twitter, alongside a short video of people queueing outside his local Aldi, @Stu_McAllister said: "Success! Got the Aldi Air Fryer. The only one in the shop.
"Thought I was going to be mobbed and slaughtered on my way out. Bit of a poor show though @AldiUK, not a way to treat your customers."
The Manchester Evening News has contacted Aldi for comment.
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