On Friday morning Kenyan shoppers were engaged in a cat and mouse game with online store Jumia during the previously advertised Black Friday flash sale.
Jumia intends to run the sale every Friday throughout the month of November in preparation for the main Black Friday event on the 23rd of this month.
At around 9:00 am this morning, Jumia sent a tweet notifying customers that the sale on specific items was now live and that the stock was limited so shoppers had to do it fast. After just a few minutes they announced that the items were sold out.
Like in every promotion, not everyone gets lucky enough, which is understandable. What was surprising about this specific sale, however, was nobody seemed to win anything. Jumia themselves didn’t announce the winners of these items.
Angry Kenyans took to the comment section to air their frustrations and they were clearly not a happy lot. Some complained of an item they had selected suddenly disappearing when they tried checking out. Others said the products ran out of stock immediately after selecting them or extremely high prices despite the advertised discounts.
Its about time we Kenyans boycott these fools for scamming Kenyans
Nothing they posted was on sell at that price#JumiaBlackFridaysKE— Rose Don't Call Me Angel👮♀️ (@Roseanyiko) November 2, 2018
But you are liars. You should be sued for false advertising. Some of the products did not even match the previously advertised price. Keep playing with people's minds idiots
— This guy (@Leemuritu) November 2, 2018
The TV was at 9,999 but on refreshing at last minute ikawa 13,999.
— Rachel (@_Ra_chel_) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/W_Tokley/status/1058245031876677632?s=19
Jumia ni wakora tu jana nilaingukia heineken 20pack @1500 kulipa naamka wanasema my order was cancelled since my payment could not be verified
— Hussein Kirwa (@husskimoha1) November 2, 2018
Haha Jumia huwa trash. Matafckrs
— Stringer Bell🎱 (@420Kev_) November 2, 2018
Scam
— Abu Jamal (@CrediblePolls) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/W_Tokley/status/1058244480652832768?s=19
Your flash sale is a scam.. now the duvet is selling at 2800 why???
— 🔴𝓞𝓫𝓪𝓮 🇰🇪 (@obeez) November 2, 2018
What the shit?? Yaaani @JumiaKenya hivyo ndio mumeamua kubeba watu wazima.. Bure kabisa… Phone na TV hata hamgeweka hapo.. I know it's a marketing gimmick but that was not cool.. Hapo mumebeba raia wana sana..
— Karuga (@anthonykaruga) November 2, 2018
This is scam. The poster says the Mooka TV is 9,999….kwenda kubuy ni 13,999. Transparency is a great virtue in any business
— Joseph Maina Kariuki (@Joseykariuki048) November 2, 2018
Scam of the year! pic.twitter.com/IVQVCHtsN4
— Joseph Maina Kariuki (@Joseykariuki048) November 2, 2018
Jumia is a company that’s never too far from controversy. Last year, there were numerous complaints of the vast difference in the items ordered and the product that is actually delivered. Unless they somehow manage to explain today’s multiple incidents then this goes down as an outright scam.
