A so-called 'luxury' Easter egg with an eye-watering £160 price tag has sparked fury and accusations of being an 'absolute scam' after shoppers discovered the extravagant product is overwhelmingly comprised of empty packaging.
The 'Golden Speckled Egg' by high-end chocolatier William Curley was advertised as a lavish treat. However, customers were left feeling utterly duped upon unboxing their purchase to find a relatively small chocolate egg sitting within a vast sea of void filler and decorative straw.
Social Media Erupts with Fury
The backlash erupted on social media after one disappointed shopper shared their experience. Posting images on the Facebook group 'Newcastle Eating', they revealed the shocking disparity between the grand presentation and the meagre chocolate contents, branding it an 'absolute joke'.
The post quickly went viral, attracting hundreds of comments from outraged consumers who echoed the sentiment. Many labelled the product a 'con' and a 'rip-off', questioning how any confectionery could justify such an exorbitant cost for so little substance.
A Closer Look at the 'Luxury' Product
For its £160 price point, the product includes:
- A hollow white chocolate egg, speckled with gold.
- A box containing nine smaller, solid chocolate eggs.
- An enormous amount of decorative packaging and straw filler that makes the box appear far more substantial than it is.
The chocolatier, William Curley, holds a prestigious reputation with multiple Great Taste Awards and royal warrants. The company describes the egg as a 'masterpiece' crafted from premium Venezuelan chocolate. Despite this, the public perception is now severely damaged.
The Retailer's Response
In response to the viral outrage, William Curley stood by their product. A spokesperson emphasised that it is a premium, artisan item made with rare, high-quality ingredients, justifying the cost for discerning chocolate connoisseurs. They stated the packaging is designed to reflect the luxury nature of the product and ensure it arrives intact.
However, for the vast majority of shoppers online, this explanation fell on deaf ears. The incident serves as a stark warning to retailers about the power of social media and consumer expectations of value, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.
