Australian Bluey fans are celebrating after hardware giant Bunnings announced the relaunch of garden gnomes based on the beloved Bluey characters.
The sold-out limited edition gnomes were so popular that their release sparked outrage due to price gouging and widespread reselling.
After quickly disappearing from shelves, the sold-out gnomes, which originally cost $19, began being offered at dramatically inflated prices by online sellers.
A seller who engaged in rampant price gouging was reportedly charging $20,000 online for four gnomes and some Bluey merchandise.
But now fans of the show have another chance to purchase the popular gnomes from Saturday 3 August at Bunnings stores across Australia.
The latest release features all four favorites: Hecuba, Jeremy, Tony, and the Meditation Gnome, and is only available in-store and while supplies last.
Bunnings wants access to gnomes to be “as fair as possible” so there will be a limit of four gnomes per customer.
The news was met with enthusiasm on social media, with many Australians planning a trip to the hardware store early on Saturday morning to buy one of the gnomes that are sure to sell out.
Bunnings’ first drop of Bluey gnomes quickly sold out, sparking rampant price speculation online – with four of the $19 garden gnomes being offered by one reseller for $20,000.
Bluey fans refer to the gnomes as “husbands” after the viral episode “Hammerbarn” saw Bluey and Bingo call the gnomes Gerald and Hecuba their husbands.
The gnomes will be available in most Bunnings stores across Australia from 3 August.
Bluey fans refer to the gnomes as “husbands” after the viral episode “Hammerbarn” saw Bluey and Bingo call the gnomes Gerald and Hecuba their husbands.
“Then I’ll get a new husband,” one woman said.
“Finally I can replace my broken Jeremy,” another chimed in.
Fans around the world were left heartbroken to learn that Bunnings gnomes were not available for international shipping.
An Instagram post on Bluey’s official account was met with a huge number of fans asking for the gnomes to be sold overseas.
Australians commenting on the post advised those lucky enough to be able to pick up one of Bunnings’ prized purchases to make sure they take appropriate precautions against theft, as Bluey gnomes are being stolen from gardens across the country.
“I highly recommend people find a way to attach an Air Tag or something equivalent after so many people have had theirs stolen,” one woman said.
People were definitely marking their calendars for the exciting release the next day.
“Yes! There will be a line out the door,” said one fan.
