Xiaomi Misled Fans With A Flash Sale That Put Up Only 10 Phones For Grabs

Chinese phone maker Xiaomi has recently made an apology to Mi fans because of an embarrassing flash sales series on its launch day in the UK. The incident happened when the brand promised to sell the Xiaomi Mi A2 and Mi 8 Lite at only one pound but did not announce the number, making several potential customers angry.

Xiaomi announced four sales

Xiaomi promoted a series of four online sales for UK consumers, with the Mi 8 Lite and Mi A2 sold at the price of Rs 94. Nevertheless, the company eventually put only 10 phones in total for four sales, hence fans ended up disappointed.

After the disappointing series of sales, fans responded with a series of complaints posted on Xiaomi’s Facebook fan page. Many people even reported to the UK’s advertising standards authority, BBC said.

To be clear, Xiaomi did not reveal the sales number on any of its promotional materials, except for in the terms and conditions. As in terms and conditions, the smartphone maker explained that each of the first two sales would offer three phones, and each of the latter two would be for two phones. However, it was not until one day before the sales day that Xiaomi posted this information in its T&C page.

Users’ complaints went on with questions about Xiaomi’s selection for the sales winners. A Twitter account under the name Phil Williams pointed out that the brand’s website was coded to show “sold out” the first moment the sale started. Hence, people doubt if there were any actual winner at all.

Xiaomi sales manager in the UK defended that among thousands of people clicking the Buy button, the company chose a random winner. Another Twitter user commented that what Xiaomi called “sale” in fact ended after less than a second with only 10 phones, it’s more likely to be a competition, not a sale.

Xiaomi posted its apology on Twitter, but it also said that:

Doesn’t look good at all, does it?