This Viral Trader Joe's Tote Proves Resellers Are Unwell

Trader Joe's, the home of niche food items, top-tier flowers and service attendants that never hesitate to flirt with you, is re-entering the reseller chat, again.

Resellers are the literal Achilles heel of fashion, footwear, concert tickets and more. From over 300%+ price markups to inauthentic products, the lore just keeps getting juicier. In March of 2024, Trader Joe's totes were such a hot commodity that the store's already bustling parking lots were gridlocked with shoppers hoping to snag a tote of their own. Those who couldn't get their hands on a tote flew to TikTok in droves to share their disdain. Soon, shoppers sold out the shop's mini canvas tote bags, then priced at $2.99 USD.

The shop didn't even get to promote the product, a representative told USA Today. Following the hype, resellers worked their magic and began selling the item for over $500 USD as TikTok users complained.

"The California-based grocery store chain confirmed to USA TODAY last month it would release its mini canvas totes in April at stores nationwide, and now they're finally appearing on shelves." The restock is meant for Easter shoppers, with mini totes available in blue, pink, purple and green.

According to a Trader Joe's rep, the new mini canvas tote bags are available as "limited stock" so the likelihood you'll get your hands on a tote -- before resellers do -- is slim.

It raises the question: Has consumerism gone too far? Are resellers okay?

The grocery store has a word for resellers: "To be clear, we neither condone nor support the reselling of our products and do all we can to stop the practice."

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