Long queues at Uggli Muffins giveaway: Some upset after leaving empty-handed, one uncle fainted

From food to merchandise to concert tickets, it seems like Singaporeans will queue for anything.

The latest commodity to be snapped up appears to be free pastries from Uggli Muffins, which held a giveaway at its Block 127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh and 202 Jalan Besar outlets on Wednesday (Oct 11).

In an announcement on its Facebook page on Saturday, Uggli Muffins said the giveaway was to thank its supporters and "in case" it ceased operations for good due to a lack of a successor to take over the business.

The giveaway was supposed to be from 11am to 2pm.

One person was entitled to "one set" unless you were a healthcare worker, from a social enterprise or representing a charity organisation. However, Uggli Muffins did not specify what each set would contain.

A long queue was seen at Uggli Muffins's Toa Payoh store at around 11am. The shop, which is located on the second floor of the hawker centre, saw a line snaking till the ground level.

It is unknown how long people had to queue for, but what's clear is that some people left disappointed and empty-handed, based on comments on Uggli Muffins's Facebook post.

Common complaints include how there were not enough muffins to go around and the vague mechanics of the giveaway.

One user said: "Many wasted their time and money to head down" and chided: "Don't play with people."

Another netizen called the giveaway a "gimmick" and said the set turned out to be just one muffin.

However, some defended Uggli Muffins by saying that staff had told people not to queue as there might be insufficient muffins for them. They also noted that the Facebook post had stated "while stocks last".

One commented: "As someone who came at 10am, they already informed us beforehand and inform people not to queue as there may not be enough."

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Uggli Muffins thanked its supporters as well as apologised for the "unexpected phenomenon" at both its outlets.

It wrote: "We have to apologies (sic) because there were many of you who took the time and effort to come down yesterday but did not manage to get any muffins.

"We run out of stock as we did not expect such a big crowd. Thousand apologies. If given another chance, we will definitely do a better job.

"We also have to apologies to the uncle who fainted while queueing. Apologies for putting you through such ordeal.

"Thankfully, the other queueing customers help to attend to him and call the medical personnel. Thank all of you kind saints. May the uncle have a speedy recovery."

Uggli Muffins also called the turnout a "happy problem", adding: "The business has reach (sic) a point that is somewhat beyond my capability of management, just like yesterday.

"Who would have thought, 18 years ago, a 'Zhi char' hawker son, a semiconductor engineer would be able to establish a brand: Uggli Muffins.

"Of course, all these is only possible with the help of many many people along the way.

"If you think our muffins, cookies etc is worth continuing baking, kindly help us to search for the worthy successor who is able to bring this brand forward. Make it the 'Pride of Singapore Hawkers'."