Trader Joe's tote bags obsession

[MsChristy12]

TJs came out with another cute little Easter tote bag recently and people went nuts, again! People are willing to stand in line for hours and wait for the stores to open, just to buy a $2.99 tote. You would think it's gold if you ever saw these videos, people want to swipe the entire stack but get told by the staff there's a limit per person. Besides throwing them online to make money, Why?!? Also, people who sell them don't list them for like $5/bag, it's usually at least $20/bag. Some people sell the full set for well over $100!! No judgement on how anyone spends their money, but I couldn't do it. I have waited in lines for many things, but never for something like this.
So are you obsessed w/ Tj's tote bags/lunch bags? Did you wait in line? Please enlighten us here, why?

 

[Magical2017]

I would not stand in line for one, but from my last two trips, I have come home with a new tote bag. I use them at grocery stores so feel it's an okay souvenir for myself. I do not shop at WFs because there is not one close by, and it is very expensive. I paid almost $6 for a dozen eggs at Giant (not cage free or anything, just regular old eggs to dye) and that was the cheapest dozen in the store.

 

[MsChristy12]

If I like the bag, and they are available while I'm shopping anyways, sure I'll buy one. But waking up crack of dawn and stand in line....I can't do it.
We don't shop at WF either. There's one really close to my work so I browse in there once in awhile and might buy snacks if they are on sale. I feel like it really depends on what you buy because some of their items are on par with regular grocery stores, but some are outrageously expensive. When their meats are on sale, they can be really good deals!

 

[DVCjj]

Much to my husband's dismay, I'm definitely a tote lover. Thankfully, TJ isn't real close to me because I'd be the nut waiting in line in the freezing cold.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Reminds me a lot of the Stanley cup craze that happened a while back. I don't shop at Trader Joe's as the nearest location is not close to where I live and that parking lot is a nightmare as it shares space with an Aldi so I have 0 interest in this bag. Plus I already have enough reusable bags as you have to pay for bags here.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I read stories about this and remain amused.
No, I’m not waiting on line for a reusable bag and no, I’m not buying one at a higher price from a resell site.
I do however have a bridge to sell you.

 

[tasha99]

I love bags, but waiting for a $3 one is not something I'm willing to do. If you could order them online, I certainly would, though, even if shipping killed the deal.

 

[MsChristy12]

Much to my husband's dismay, I'm definitely a tote lover. Thankfully, TJ isn't real close to me because I'd be the nut waiting in line in the freezing cold.

I like the honesty! I love totes too. I had to talk myself out of many many of them! What makes you willing to wait in line for them though? FOMO? I think social medial definitely plays a big part of it, but still, it's a tote bag!

 

[DVCjj]

If I like the bag, and they are available while I'm shopping anyways, sure I'll buy one. But waking up crack of dawn and stand in line....I can't do it.
We don't shop at WF either. There's one really close to my work so I browse in there once in awhile and might buy snacks if they are on sale. I feel like it really depends on what you buy because some of their items are on par with regular grocery stores, but some are outrageously expensive. When their meats are on sale, they can be really good deals!

Everyone in the world calls Whole Foods "Whole Paycheck". I have gone to their cooked foods to get some healthier lunches for myself (husband says 'nope'). I shake my head at the price per pound and prices of everything. But I also did buy the chopped salads (take yourself) as I refuse to spend all day chopping just for me as my husband pukes at the sight of broccoli, brussels sprouts. cauliflower etc. etc. (married 60 years and gave up trying many years ago because he works out every other day at the health club and looks shockingly good on corn & beans, corn & beans...Ha).

I do find walking around the store enjoyable very occasionally but unless I spot a sale, ummmm, no.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I have the large TJ canvas tote bags. I love them. I live in a state where you have to bring your own bags. I struggled to find a sturdy washable reusable bag. I wash these after each grocery trip and they have heId up well. I didn’t get up early or wait in line for them. I have 4. If I were to be there and they had them I would grab two more. Not sure what I would use the mini for.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I rarely get tote bags at point-of-purchase. We have so many--they're frequently given out. When our Aldi's opened, they gave everyone a free bag on their way in--since my whole family went, we have a collection, way more than I need for one grocery run.

Now, when we were in Maui, I made a point of getting Walmart's reusable bags, because they have Hawaii-specific ones (Target didn't). Hawaii requires reusable bags. But, the ABC stores gave you a nice bag, and if you saved receipts, $150 in sales could get you 3 "upgraded" bags. For the uninitiated, ABC stores are ubiquitous and sell sundries, liquor, snacks, souvenirs--very easy to spend $150 there. And the upgraded bags are sturdy and gorgeous. That was the last time I went out of my way to buy tote bags (2023).

 

[georgina]

Everyone in the world calls Whole Foods "Whole Paycheck". I have gone to their cooked foods to get some healthier lunches for myself (husband says 'nope'). I shake my head at the price per pound and prices of everything. But I also did buy the chopped salads (take yourself) as I refuse to spend all day chopping just for me as my husband pukes at the sight of broccoli, brussels sprouts. cauliflower etc. etc. (married 60 years and gave up trying many years ago because he works out every other day at the health club and looks shockingly good on corn & beans, corn & beans...Ha).

I do find walking around the store enjoyable very occasionally but unless I spot a sale, ummmm, no.

Whole Foods is the closest grocery store for me to walk to, so I will stop in if I need some fresh broccoli or a few bananas, etc. I like some of their store brand stuff like peanut butter. Because I am an Amazon Prime member, I get extra off on sale items. Scored a great sale price on several bags of steel cut oats a few days ago. Disappointed that they discontinued their 365 brand coffee chip ice cream (at least my store no longer has it)

Trader Joe's is a much farther walk, but I do it on occasion. I have one TJ grocery bag I use.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I had to look them up - they are cute. Kind of small compared to my usual grocery bags, but cute.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Do adults use the mini bags? My daughter got one as a gift...not the Easter one, it was around Xmas time

 

[barkley]

I live in a state where you have to bring your own bags. I struggled to find a sturdy washable reusable bag

my state as well and I agree-their bags are very easy to clean and hold up well. I will also vouch for the collapsible insulated coolers they sell-we've had a couple for years and they are great for either heated or cold foods (fold up nicely in a suitcase if one for a hotel room is wanted as well).

I like the honesty! I love totes too. I had to talk myself out of many many of them!

I purged a bunch when my oldest was selling stuff on FB marketplace-everything went into totes that were 'complimentary with purchase' I've only found one since that I could not resist-it was actually meant to be a kid's trick or treat bag-KILLER CLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE (it breaks up the tj bag monotony for the baggers).

 

[LoveDaisy]

Do adults use the mini bags? My daughter got one as a gift...not the Easter one, it was around Xmas time

I have a coworker who uses it for their lunch.

 

[MsChristy12]

I rarely get tote bags at point-of-purchase. We have so many--they're frequently given out. When our Aldi's opened, they gave everyone a free bag on their way in--since my whole family went, we have a collection, way more than I need for one grocery run.

Now, when we were in Maui, I made a point of getting Walmart's reusable bags, because they have Hawaii-specific ones (Target didn't). Hawaii requires reusable bags. But, the ABC stores gave you a nice bag, and if you saved receipts, $150 in sales could get you 3 "upgraded" bags. For the uninitiated, ABC stores are ubiquitous and sell sundries, liquor, snacks, souvenirs--very easy to spend $150 there. And the upgraded bags are sturdy and gorgeous. That was the last time I went out of my way to buy tote bags (2023).

Oh my husband and I are both reusable bags hoarders! We like buying different ones when we travel, like souvenirs. We have way too many now and I just told him recently that we NEED to retire some of the older ones as they are "well-loved" and we got a lot of usage out of them. I think we have the most from Hawaii, between Don quijote, Foodland and ABC stores...I couldn't resist!

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I had to look them up - they are cute. Kind of small compared to my usual grocery bags, but cute.

Yep that's it! The Easter edition. I agree too they are cute. People use them as lunch bag or their day-to-day bag.

my state as well and I agree-their bags are very easy to clean and hold up well. I will also vouch for the collapsible insulated coolers they sell-we've had a couple for years and they are great for either heated or cold foods (fold up nicely in a suitcase if one for a hotel room is wanted as well).

Tjs had the mini insulated bags awhile back, they are cute! I was tempted but I was like...what am I gonna use this for? So I made a responsible adult decision, put them down and walked away! LOL!

 

[MsChristy12]

Reminds me a lot of the Stanley cup craze that happened a while back. I don't shop at Trader Joe's as the nearest location is not close to where I live and that parking lot is a nightmare as it shares space with an Aldi so I have 0 interest in this bag. Plus I already have enough reusable bags as you have to pay for bags here.

And now no one cares for those cups anymore. It was a hot thing for literally a minute!

 

[Smugpugmug]

And now no one cares for those cups anymore. It was a hot thing for literally a minute!

Yup, just give it a few months and the people who paid $100 for a grocery store tote bag on ebay will be feeling VERY silly.

 

[georgina]

Yup, just give it a few months and the people who paid $100 for a grocery store tote bag on ebay will be feeling VERY silly.

As they should! Ridiculous. I have a large burlap TJ bag - holds a lot of stuff!