Ah, lads.
When Penneys announced that they were opening for appointment-only shopping, chaos, naturally, ensued.
Their online booking portal opened on Friday, and there was immense interest with some customers waiting up to three hours in the virtual queue to nab a spot.
In fact, over 250,000 people have accessed the portal since Friday.
This morning, there were considerable queues outside the stores in Dublin’s city centre, Dundrum and Cork with customers eager to return to the shop.
In the midst of Penneys’ reopening, some people are now selling their 45-minute shopping slots.
Prices appear to vary. Some slots are going for free, while others are seeing how much their Penneys appointment can fetch them
According to reports, the going rate appears to be €100 for 45 minutes of Penneys shopping.
Other sellers, however, are looking for buyers in the €150 range, while one DoneDeal advert is selling a slot for €300.
Needless to say, many social media users have called out the touting of Penneys slots as bad form.
FM104’s Crossy expressed his bewilderment at the unfolding black market.
“What sort of horrible person do you have to be to do something like that???” he tweeted.
I saw someone say ppl are selling #Penneys slots ??
What sort of horrible person have you to be to do something like that?? haha
— CROSSY (@CrossyTweets) May 10, 2021
Others recognised that the high demand felt reminiscent of scouring the web for Electric Picnic tickets back in the day.
Before Covid Lockdowns in Ireland – "Anyone Selling EP tickets"?
After Covid Lockdowns in Ireland – "Anyone selling their Penneys appointments"?
— ?????? ??????????☘ (@andrew_hanratty) May 9, 2021
Elsewhere, many social media users were delighted to have the chance to pick up some much-needed bits.
James Kavanagh asked the pertinent question, “Are people doing prinks before Penneys?”
Are people doing prinks before Penneys?
— James Kavanagh (@JamesKavanagh_) May 7, 2021
Others opted to live vicariously by asking shoppers to do a haul of all their new bits.
Gonna need everyone to do a penneys haul please! I'm going on Friday & need to know what I'm looking for. Thank you x
— Sara (@Saraleeturner) May 10, 2021
As well as today being “Penneys Day”, hairdressers, beauticians and barbers are also opening their doors to clients.
Additionally, click and collect retail services return today.
If you were unable to nab a slot this week, fear not. Penneys and other non-essential retailers will start reopening fully on 17 May.
