NTUC FairPrice warns against buying its exclusive Hello Kitty mahjong sets on Carousell

The love for Hello Kitty in Singapore is real. From snaking queues at McDonald’s to Universal Studios Singapore’s Hello Kitty Studio, Singaporeans are hooked on the adorable pink Sanrio character and brands have caught on with the hype.

Recently, local grocery store FairPrice launched a myriad of Hello Kitty-related merchandise that can be redeemed by shoppers when they spend at least SG$30 in one receipt. Each spend of SG$30 allows shoppers to earn one bonus point which they can then collect and spend on themed items such as serving sets, tea pots, steam pots and more. One of its biggest ticket items though is its exclusive mahjong solitaire set which features 152 themed tiles. 

However, scalpers were quick to hop on the set and many have begun trying to flip the set by reselling it on platforms such as Carousell for up to SG$888. When purchased from FairPrice directly, the set costs only SG$268 plus six bonus points, or SG$308 plus three bonus points.

To combat the sale of its mahjong sets online, NTUC FairPrice has put out a statement asking consumers to be wary of purchasing on reseller sites.

“We have been notified of our exclusive limited-run Hello Kitty Mahjong Solitaire Sets being put up for sale on certain online reseller sites. Do be wary of purchasing these sets from reseller sites as they may be listed at a different price than the product’s recommended retail price, and we are unable to verify the authenticity or quality of resold sets, and may not be able to render assistance should you require any for the product,” it wrote on Facebook.

It added that the 152-tile Hello Kitty Mahjong Solitaire Sets are currently available for purchase exclusively at FairPrice Xtra only under its in-store Bonus Points redemption programme from 1 January to 1 March 2023.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Carousell for comments on their move to curb the reselling.

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