Coupang Faces Another Pricing Error After Yukgaejang Incident
"Incorrect Price Displayed Due to Coupang System Error"
"Over 30,000 Orders Received... We Apologize"
Coco Ball cereal products were sold on Coupang at prices far lower than the regular price, leading to a surge in orders from online users. The seller stated that the pricing resulted from a 'system error' on Coupang's platform.
From June 30 to the early morning of July 1, a seller page on Coupang listed 118 units of the "Post Five-Grain Coco Ball Cup 30g" for 3,800 won. Considering that the product is typically sold at 3,600 won per unit, each was effectively sold for about 32 won. News of this quickly spread through online communities, with users sharing the sales link and placing large numbers of orders.
The seller explained that this situation was due to a 'system error.' In a comment on Coupang's inquiry board, the seller stated, "We registered the product as a single unit, but due to a system error on Coupang's end, it was incorrectly displayed as 118 units, resulting in over 30,000 orders being placed."
The seller continued, "We did not register the product as 118 units; this was an exposure error on Coupang's part. Since we cannot fulfill these orders, we immediately requested that Coupang correct the error and resolve the order issues as soon as we became aware of the situation."
However, the seller also expressed concerns about potential penalties related to order cancellations. The seller said, "If the seller cancels the orders, the Coupang system imposes a penalty on the seller. Even if the buyer cancels their purchase intention, a penalty is still imposed." The seller explained, "If we cancel the orders now, our order fulfillment rate will drop from 99% to zero, making it virtually impossible to continue selling on the platform." The seller added, "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused."
Previously, in May, Coupang also experienced a pricing error in which a pack of 36 Yukgaejang Sabalmyeon was sold for 5,040 won. This amounted to about 140 won per unit, which is more than 80% cheaper than the usual price. At the time, orders surged on online communities, and Coupang stated, "The incorrect price was temporarily displayed."
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