Bunnings’ Bluey gnome range sparks frenzy, outrage in Adelaide

The price gouging of opportunistic onsellers has already started after the latest iteration of the hugely popular Bluey range at Bunnings sparked a frenzy in stores on Saturday.

Furious Adelaide parents have hit out at the brazen tactics used to get their hands on the latest release of the hugely popular Bluey range at Bunnings.

The hottest figurines, the latest instalment of the popular Bluey themed collectables, went on sale at all Bunnings stores on Saturday.

They four new gnomes – Jeremy, Tony, Hecuba and Meditation – retailed for $19 in store, with a limit of four per customer.

Bluey fans also refer to the range as “husbands”.

But stocks were sold out within “minutes” and customers were hiding them throughout the warehouse to return and buy extra.

And for those who missed out, the figurines are already being sold at hugely inflated prices on Facebook Marketplace.

A post in Adelaide Mums Group at the weekend described the tactics one parent observed, with the post quickly amassing more than 100 comments.

People selling the Bluey Gnomes on Facebook Marketplace for inflated prices a day after they go on sale, and sell out, at Bunnings stores. Picture: Facebook

The post said people “swarmed in” to the Parafield Gardens store at 7am and “grabbed bags full of the Bluey gnomes”.

The anonymous post said they had no problem if the gnomes were being purchased for their child or grandchild, but hit at the actions observed by some.

“There was a child with their parent and when this child went to grab one an older lady pushed the small child out the way (not sure if it was intentional or by accident),” the post read.

“I heard lots (and I mean lots) of comments of ‘can’t wait to see how much I can get for these’ and ‘I know right I’ve seen them go for $200 and more on eBay’.

“I saw 2 people proceeded to stash them in another section of Bunnings, to only come back shortly after and grab them so they can get around the 4 per person limit.

“Plus there was only a small crate stocked and apparently there were no more in the back.”

Opportunistic sellers are seeking prices as high as $200 and $300 for the set, which retailed for $76. Picture: Facebook

Bunnings put a limit of four gnomes per customer in an effort to make stocks available to as many people as possible.

The gnomes are already being sold on Facebook Marketplace for as much as $300 a set of four around Adelaide.

Each gnome retailed for $19, making a set worth $76 brand new.

One seller has listed the gnomes for $80 “each for singles”.

“Straight from Hammer Barn. Brand new. 2 full sets and some singles,” the listing says.

Another has generously slashed the price for a full set from $300 to $200.

The release of the gnomes sparked a frenzy in Bunnings stores on Saturday. Picture: Facebook

“Selling highly limited collectable Garden Gnomes from Bunnings and Bluey,” the listing reads.

“$200 for the set of 4, negotiable on the price. DM AS VERY LIMITED.”

The first iteration of the figurines went on sale at the time, selling out in record time.

The frenzy sparked similar price-gouging through reselling on online platforms such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace, which Bunnings at the time condemned.

The weekend’s release was the second, with stocks selling out.

Bunnings said it had not received any feedback or complaints about customers hiding stocks in store, and the majority of customers had been respectful and followed the customer limit rule.

Bunnings general manager of merchandise Adam Cole said a “husband for $19 has once again proven to be great value” and most stocks had sold out.

“There isn’t any more stock on its way as part of this drop, but we are always guided by customer demand and will notify customers of any future stock updates,” he said.

“We’re incredibly disappointed to see a small number of people reselling Bluey products online at inflated prices and we don’t support this behaviour in any way.”