Unbelievable Resale: Trader Joe’s $2.99 Tote Bags Fetching Up to $500 on eBay
Discover the astonishing resale market of Trader Joe’s mini tote bags, originally priced at $2.99, now commanding an incredible 167x markup online. Dive into the craze surrounding these sought-after canvas totes that have become a hot commodity in the resale world.
A Trader Joe’s canvas mini tote bag that is priced similarly to a pack of gum is being resold online for almost 200 times its original retail price.
The Trader Joe’s bags, which come in blue, red, green, and yellow, have become incredibly popular on social media in the past week, with over 11 million views on Tik Tok. Some stores have started to limit the number of bags customers can purchase at once, but people are still rushing to stores nationwide to buy as many of the $2.99 bags as possible, as reported by store employees.
The viral Trader Joe's mini canvas tote bag.
The viral Trader Joe's mini canvas tote bag.
Some people have been selling the bags on websites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Currently, there are hundreds of mini tote bags listed on eBay, with prices starting from $5 and going up to $500.
One eBay user shared that selling tote bags felt like a natural choice for them. They are currently selling four tote bags in all available colors for $145 or best offer. So far, they have sold eight bags and have one left in their store. The seller mentioned that they believe these bags were limited production.
Another seller's page shows that they are offering a set of four bags for $499.99 or best offer. One set has already been sold, and two more sets are still available.
It’s unclear whether these bags have actually been sold at their advertised price point, since eBay users can bid below the starting offer.
A 23-year-old woman in Northern California was arrested after she stole 65 Stanley cups valued at $2,500, the Roseville Police Department said in a Facebook post Sunday. On Wednesday, officers responded to a report of a theft at a retail store where staff "saw a woman take a shopping cart full of Stanley water bottles without paying for them," and refused to stop for staff, police said.
A 23-year-old woman from Northern California was taken into custody by the Roseville Police Department for stealing 65 Stanley cups worth $2,500. According to a Facebook post by the police department on Sunday, officers were called to a retail store on Wednesday following a theft report. Staff members witnessed the woman filling a shopping cart with Stanley water bottles and attempting to leave without paying. Despite being asked to stop, the woman refused and continued to walk away.
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Police arrest California woman for allegedly stealing 65 Stanley cups
One store employee from Iowa mentioned to CNN that the bags were quickly sold out within a week, and the next shipment is not anticipated until September.
At a New Jersey store, another employee shared that the excitement from customers began around two weeks ago. Some shoppers are purchasing the bags in advance, especially those preparing for Easter. As one employee stated, "Customers are really enjoying them. They are buying them in bulk. With Easter approaching, they are perfect for making gift baskets for kids."
The frenzy at Trader Joe's stores is similar to the chaos seen during the Stanley Cup last year. In December, Target released a special Valentine's Day collection of Stanley tumblers. Customers eagerly grabbed these items, with some even jumping on them. The excitement was captured in TikTok videos showing people lining up outside Target stores, eager to get their hands on the tumblers. Stanley has now made changes to their product launches to avoid such chaotic scenes.
CNN's Parija Kavilanz provided some of the reporting for this story.
Editor's P/S:
The recent frenzy surrounding Trader Joe's canvas tote bags has ignited a whirlwind of emotions and reactions. On one hand, the surge in popularity highlights the power of social media and its ability to create mass demand for seemingly mundane items. The bags, once a humble grocery accessory, have now become a highly sought-after commodity, with people willing to pay exorbitant prices for them.
On the other hand, the situation raises concerns about consumerism and the potential for artificial scarcity. The sudden demand for these bags has led to a hoarding mentality, with people clearing out store shelves and reselling them for inflated prices. While it's understandable that retailers want to capitalize on this trend, it's important to question whether the creation of such a frenzy is ethical and sustainable. The incident also highlights the need for companies to better manage product launches and prevent chaotic situations that can lead to injuries or altercations.
