A man has drawn widespread criticism for purchasing all of the limited-edition Buzz Lightyear popcorn buckets from two Cineworld locations, leaving other customers unable to buy them. Alex Ursell documented his purchases on social media, showing himself acquiring the buckets from cinemas in Leeds and Wakefield on June 19.
Ursell stated in a video that he bought the buckets for £40 each and intended to resell them for double that price, approximately £80. However, these limited-edition buckets, modeled after Buzz Lightyear's spacesuit, are being listed on eBay for as much as £150.
The practice, known as scalping, involves buying items with the primary intention of reselling them at a significantly higher price. In one video posted from the Wakefield Cineworld, Ursell inquired about purchase limits, with an employee stating there was none. He proceeded to buy all available buckets, including those on display, filling large bags with the merchandise and accompanying popcorn and drinks.
During his purchases, Ursell filmed himself offering free popcorn to two children waiting in line. One child declined, while the other accepted. He later visited the Leeds Cineworld, where he again bought all the popcorn buckets. In a follow-up comment, he joked about making £400 in profit by giving the popcorn away to a homeless man.
The reseller's actions have led to backlash online, with many users expressing anger at the lack of purchase limits imposed by Cineworld. "These videos are absolutely diabolical and disgusting so many people who genuinely wanted one missed out because you just let resellers clear the shelf," one user commented on X. Another added, "Honestly quite despicable. My sister wanted one of them and she couldn’t get one because they’re all sold out."
Some users called for Cineworld to produce more of the buckets or implement stricter limits on purchases. A fellow reseller also condemned the act, stating, "Taking their stock from actual kids going to see a movie and being excited to get hold of one is not it."
Alex Ursell is a co-founder of Resellers Paradise, a group that claims to be the UK's largest reselling community, with thousands of members reportedly having made over £1.5 million from reselling. Ursell's biography on the group's website states he has earned more than £2 million in a single year through reselling. Membership in the group costs £25 for premium access to website monitors and trading guides.
A spokesperson for Cineworld acknowledged the popularity of the Buzz Lightyear popcorn buckets, confirming they are sold out. The company noted that Toy Story drink cups and character toppers are still available, and mentioned upcoming collectible ranges for other films. "We’re delighted by how popular our collectible merchandise has been with guests," the spokesperson said. "Creating extraordinary experiences is at the heart of what we do, and our merchandise is another way for fans to celebrate the stories they love."
Resellers Paradise was approached for comment.