Money in the bag: Trader Joe's tote bags making money online

A good bag makes an outfit.

It all starts with a tote bag from Trader Joe's.

Mini Trader Joe canvas tote bags have become the season's hottest item. It started on TikTok, where videos featuring the bags have gone viral. And it's also jacked up the prices.

The bags have been available since early February, and sell for $2.99. There are four colors available, red, yellow, green and blue.

But buying on on the secondary market? Expect to pay as much as $1000 for the item. The bags were selling so well, it inspired the company to release a statement.

"At times, and more so recently, we have been aware of our products being resold, often at exorbitant prices, in various places (online and elsewhere)," the California-headquartered grocery chain's statement said. "This is done without our approval or authorization and outside the controls of our quality-minded supply chain."

If you missed your chance to snag one at the discounted rate, you're not completely out of luck.

Nakia Rohde, public relations manager for Trader Joe's, told USA TODAY on Monday that its "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," Rohde said.

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Rodhe reiterated that Trader Joe's is focused on its customers and stores, so it does not "endorse the resale of any of our products, anywhere."

Customers unable to get a bag will get another chance when they hit stores again in late summer, according to Rodhe.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: TikTok videos have Trader Joe's tote bags prices skyrocketing