Wakey Wines has defended its decision to sell Prime cans for £100, following backlash for its steep prices amid huge levels of demand.
The shop, located in Wakefield, went viral after it started flogging KSI and Logan Paul's Prime hydration drink for extortionate prices, and amid bizarre hysteria on social media, people have seemingly been handing over wads of cash for the stuff.
Wakey Wines was even banned from TikTok after it advertised the drinks - which should sell for a couple of quid - for upwards of £100.
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In a viral video, one customer said she spent a whopping £1,200 for 12 cans of a yet-to-be-released Prime energy drink, after which KSI called the store out for its ‘totally unfair’ approach, saying the practice was unethical.
Speaking to ITV News, he said: “I think it is ridiculous that people are re-selling Prime at such high amounts and high prices.
“It should not be worth £100 for a can of Prime Hydration or £10, £15, £20 for a bottle, it is absolutely ridiculous.”
He continued: “To the owner of Wakey Wines, what you are doing is totally unfair and it is not ethical and it is not nice.
“You are able to get Prime, even though I do not know how, you must have a dealer or something, but it’s not nice what you are doing to these kids or adults or these old women who just want to try Prime.
“Nice affordable prices – that's what we want. That’s all we want.”
After the interview, ITV reached out to Wakey Wines for comment, saying Mohammad Azar Nasir – who runs the shop – did not want to speak on camera.
However, he instead defended the decision to re-sell Prime at such inflated prices, arguing that making the TikTok videos was fun and that they were simply ‘making the best of a business opportunity’.
ITV added that he also gave no indication that he intended to follow through on KSI’s calls for fair prices on the drinks.
After Wakey Wines saw itself banned from TikTok, it claimed a ‘well-known influencer’ had attempted to ‘tarnish’ his business.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the shop said: “Hi guys, today there is a well known influencer trying to tarnish my business I have been building up for years.
"I have now been banned off TikTok at 500k I've been working so hard for this.
"All of my videos are all for fun, I saw a business idea with WFD sweets just like any other business man and I took the opportunity.
"Some jealous horrible people. Please report these posts and help me!
"Thank you to my fans always, Wakey Wines."
Topics: UK News, KSI, Food And Drink
Jess Hardiman