



McDonald's SG's free picnic sets resold for SG$60 online as scalpers strike again
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Scalpers have flooded Carousell listings once again - this time, with McDonald's Singapore's limited edition picnic sets. Within hours after the sets were fully redeemed on the first day, 9 December, several picnic sets were listed for sale on Carousell, with some sets going for as much as SG$350, according to a search by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE.
While scalpers may view their actions as a means for a quick buck, they also inadvertently impact not only McDonald's marketing efforts but Carousell's brand image as well.
In response to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, McDonald's Singapore's spokesperson said that it urges customers not to purchase picnic set for resale. "To be fair to everyone, the limited-edition merchandise is for customers to enjoy fun, quality family time with our Breakfast Family Meal," the spokesperson added. McDonald's Singapore has declined to comment on scalpers' impact to its marketing strategy, as well as how it plans to curb scalping of its merchandise.
Meanwhile, Carousell's spokesperson told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that while it understands the appeal of reselling exclusive merchandise, it does not encourage scalping or profiteering. The spokesperson said:
In accordance with our listing rules, mispriced, or fake listings that are marked up at exorbitant prices, are not allowed on our marketplace and have since been taken down.
Carousell also noted that some of the listings on its platform were put up to "reflect the humour of Singaporeans". For instance, one Carousell user had listed the picnic set for sale at SG$900. In the description, the user said that the cost was justified as it was "signed by Kanye West", mocking the absurdity of the price hikes in the actual scalped listings.
However, seeing that the picnic sets were still being resold on its platform, Carousell has made a PSA post on its social media channels reminding users not to overprice their listings on its platform. "Eh guys, don't kan cheong (rush) with McDonald's Picnic Mat ok. PSA: Overpriced listings aren't actually allowed on our marketplace," the caption said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXSWQLqMd_7/
Carousell's spokesperson further added that will continue to invest in both automated and manual moderation efforts, and improve communications with its users, to ensure that Carousell is a conducive space for all its users to sell and buy.
The picnic sets are still available for redemption at six outlets while stocks last until 12 December, and each set comes with an inflatable ball, picnic mat, frisbee and a book from McDonald's Happy Meal collection - all packed in a picnic bag. The picnic sets can be redeemed for free by purchasing the Breakfast Family Meal, limited to the first 100 purchases each day per restaurant.
Just less than a month ago, McDonald's Singapore released its limited-edition Jenga sets as part of its "McDelivery Night In" campaign. The two Jenga sets, fashioned after the brand's iconic Big Mac and French fries, had also fallen to scalpers' hands during the brand's exclusive 24-hour advance sale. A quick search by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE previously showed that scalpers were reselling the limited edition Jenga sets for as much as SG$69 on Carousell.
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