Penneys issues statement after shoppers try to sell appointments for €100

One Twitter user said the appointments have been selling "as if they're concert tickets".

Penneys has issued a statement after reports of people attempting to "sell" their highly-coveted appointments on websites such as Facebook Marketplace and DoneDeal.

Last week, the company opened its booking system for in-store appointments to massive success, with over 250,000 appointments made so far. However, it has been reported that some shoppers have been attempting to sell appointments for as high as €100, with one Twitter user saying that they spotted "people selling Penneys apps as if they're concert tickets". The same Twitter user shared a screenshot of a Penneys booking which was being auctioned off with a whopping price tag of €100 online. Penneys is now encouraging customers to book through its website only as a spokesperson said that any cancelled slots will go back up on its system. "We are delighted at how popular our shopping by appointment bookings this week have proven with over 250,000 appointments made so far," a Penneys spokesperson said in a statement to FM104. "While most of our larger stores are now fully booked, any cancelled slots will go back up on the system. We recommend that customers book their appointments through our website directly which we know is the case for the vast majority of bookings." The spokesperson added that all Irish stores will open from next Monday with extended hours in place in each one, so if you didn't get an appointment, there's no need to panic. "It’s been wonderful to be able to welcome so many customers back this week, and for those who missed out on a slot, they won’t have too much longer to wait as all Irish stores will be open to everyone from next Monday with extended hours in each one." Penneys is set to reopen fully from Monday, 17 May, in line with government public health guidelines.