Trader Joe’s highly sought-after mini tote has returned to shelves, but with a few new hues.
Earlier this month, the grocery store chain dropped the mini bags in pastel shades of pink, blue, green and purple for $2.99.
However, several customers have begun to resell the highly coveted bag as they become elusive at retail. Currently, a pastel purple bag is listed on eBay for $1,600, a pastel blue tote is priced at $1,400, a pastel green bag is going for $1,100, while one pastel pink tote was listed for $999.99.
Other eBay sellers are listing all four together, and one seller listed the set for $400.
“When it comes to our reusable bags, our customers have made themselves abundantly clear: the smaller the tote, the bigger the sensation,” the product page reads. “Last year, when we introduced our Mini Canvas Totes, we were so pleasantly surprised by their rapturous reception that we’re bringing in even more Mini Totes, this time in a series of Pastel shades to herald the beginning of spring.”
The totes, which are 13 x 11 x 6 in, hit stores in February 2024 and quickly became a viral sensation, with customers eager to take it home. At the time, the blue, green, red and yellow totes incited a frenzy. The totes were then re-released in September 2024.
But due to their high demand the first time — and customers reselling for much higher prices — certain stores around the nation decided to implement purchasing limits.
At the time, a Trader Joe’s representative responded to the steep price surge in a statement to PEOPLE.
“Our Mini Canvas Tote Bags certainly sold more quickly than we anticipated. Before we had the opportunity to promote them in any way, customers across the country found them at their neighborhood Trader Joe’s,” said the spokesperson. “Our customers, in our stores, are our focus; we do not endorse the re-sale of any of our products, anywhere.”
The grocery store also released a $3.99 mini insulated tote bag in June 2024. The insulated tote bag can carry a six-pack of drinks or fit your lunch, according to the product page.
Like the canvas tote, and despite the store’s best efforts, some customers resold the bags beyond retail price, ranging from $30 to $155.
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A Trader Joe’s representative did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Tuesday.
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