Pilates pandemonium: ALDI's $299 fitness machine ‘all sold out’ amid high demand
- Replies 7
Pilates, a renowned exercise regimen, has garnered widespread popularity for its holistic approach to fitness and well-being.
Rooted in principles of controlled movement, breath, and concentration, it aims to strengthen the body's core muscles while improving flexibility, balance, and posture.
However, the tranquillity typically associated with Pilates was nowhere to be found in ALDI aisles as the discount supermarket’s latest special buy turned Australian shoppers into wild bargain hunters.
In a testament to the power of competitive pricing, ALDI released the Reformer Pilates Machine priced at $299—a drastic difference from the standard $2000 price tag one would expect from similar exercise equipment.
The event sent waves of excitement—and chaos—through the Australian budget-conscious community.
‘I went to three different stores right after the shop opened, and they were all sold out! One store only had six in stock all on the floor, one had three, and one had seven,’ one shopper wrote.
‘All sold out in Sunshine Coast,’ another said.
Numerous enthusiastic shoppers expressed their disappointment in not securing the seemingly sold-out product due to its overwhelming demand.
Other shoppers also discovered that stores had extremely limited inventory, with some having only two or three units available.
‘My local only had three available. Lined up at 7:50 am and managed to get one. [There were] A lot of disappointed people who lined up after 8:00 am,’ a customer from Victoria shared.
‘Two stores in our area had only received four, and the first two women took two each at the first store,’ another commented.
The scenario turned more intense at the Karrinyup store in Perth, where the launch spiralled into a public spectacle.
Witnesses described an altercation as 'intense,' with customers locked in a tug-of-war over the machine, prompting the intervention of ALDI management and security.
‘It was intense, they were yelling at each other saying they got there first—they wouldn’t let go of the box, all four of them,’ a witness recounted.
‘The store manager had to try to intervene to calm them down. He told them they weren’t going to be able to purchase it, and that they would be escorted out by security for their poor behaviour,’ the witness continued.
‘The whole situation was awkward and uncomfortable to watch.’
An ALDI Australia spokesperson reportedly acknowledged what happened, and said that such behaviour will not be tolerated in their stores.
‘While we are encouraged by enthusiasm for our Special Buys, fundamentally, any behaviour that puts our employees or other customers at risk is unacceptable. We ask customers to be patient and respectful when shopping in our stores,’ the spokesperson declared.
Shortly after the rush had subsided, ALDI’s Special Buy became the subject of consumer resale opportunism.
Opportunistic shoppers saw the potential for profit, promptly listing their Pilates Reformer Machines on Facebook Marketplace at nearly double the original price.
‘Went on sale today for $299 already on Marketplace for $500,’ one commented, pointing out the Marketplace ad.
An ALDI spokesperson said that there was an unexpected ‘significant interest’ from their shoppers.
‘We’re delighted to hear that customers have been eager to pick up the Reformer Pilates Machine to level up at their at-home workouts. While we always forecast the stock levels of our products to meet the expected customer demand, there has been significant interest from enthusiastic customers for the Reformer Pilates Machine,’ the spokesperson said.
Even with the significant demand, ALDI verified that several stores still have stock on hand and encouraged customers to utilise their stock checker tool to locate availability in their area.
While this fitness equipment has been positively received, one Kmart fitness device had the opposite reaction from shoppers. You can read which one is it and why shoppers reviewed it negatively here.
Have you ever been caught in the frenzy over a Special Buy? What’s your tip for securing a must-have item without joining the fray? Share your thoughts with us and join the discussion below.
Rooted in principles of controlled movement, breath, and concentration, it aims to strengthen the body's core muscles while improving flexibility, balance, and posture.
However, the tranquillity typically associated with Pilates was nowhere to be found in ALDI aisles as the discount supermarket’s latest special buy turned Australian shoppers into wild bargain hunters.
In a testament to the power of competitive pricing, ALDI released the Reformer Pilates Machine priced at $299—a drastic difference from the standard $2000 price tag one would expect from similar exercise equipment.
The event sent waves of excitement—and chaos—through the Australian budget-conscious community.
‘I went to three different stores right after the shop opened, and they were all sold out! One store only had six in stock all on the floor, one had three, and one had seven,’ one shopper wrote.
‘All sold out in Sunshine Coast,’ another said.
Numerous enthusiastic shoppers expressed their disappointment in not securing the seemingly sold-out product due to its overwhelming demand.
ALDI’s Reformer Pilates Machine ($299) was sold out almost immediately after shoppers rushed to the store to buy one. Credits: Tiktok / @adeleconstantina
Other shoppers also discovered that stores had extremely limited inventory, with some having only two or three units available.
‘My local only had three available. Lined up at 7:50 am and managed to get one. [There were] A lot of disappointed people who lined up after 8:00 am,’ a customer from Victoria shared.
‘Two stores in our area had only received four, and the first two women took two each at the first store,’ another commented.
The scenario turned more intense at the Karrinyup store in Perth, where the launch spiralled into a public spectacle.
Witnesses described an altercation as 'intense,' with customers locked in a tug-of-war over the machine, prompting the intervention of ALDI management and security.
‘It was intense, they were yelling at each other saying they got there first—they wouldn’t let go of the box, all four of them,’ a witness recounted.
‘The store manager had to try to intervene to calm them down. He told them they weren’t going to be able to purchase it, and that they would be escorted out by security for their poor behaviour,’ the witness continued.
‘The whole situation was awkward and uncomfortable to watch.’
An ALDI Australia spokesperson reportedly acknowledged what happened, and said that such behaviour will not be tolerated in their stores.
‘While we are encouraged by enthusiasm for our Special Buys, fundamentally, any behaviour that puts our employees or other customers at risk is unacceptable. We ask customers to be patient and respectful when shopping in our stores,’ the spokesperson declared.
Shortly after the rush had subsided, ALDI’s Special Buy became the subject of consumer resale opportunism.
Opportunistic shoppers saw the potential for profit, promptly listing their Pilates Reformer Machines on Facebook Marketplace at nearly double the original price.
‘Went on sale today for $299 already on Marketplace for $500,’ one commented, pointing out the Marketplace ad.
An ALDI spokesperson said that there was an unexpected ‘significant interest’ from their shoppers.
‘We’re delighted to hear that customers have been eager to pick up the Reformer Pilates Machine to level up at their at-home workouts. While we always forecast the stock levels of our products to meet the expected customer demand, there has been significant interest from enthusiastic customers for the Reformer Pilates Machine,’ the spokesperson said.
Even with the significant demand, ALDI verified that several stores still have stock on hand and encouraged customers to utilise their stock checker tool to locate availability in their area.
While this fitness equipment has been positively received, one Kmart fitness device had the opposite reaction from shoppers. You can read which one is it and why shoppers reviewed it negatively here.
.png){kind=icon}
