Community Corner
$70 Cups, $50K Trader Joe's Bags, And The Run On Monkeys, Bears And Costco: CA's Collector Frenzy
From Dodger Stadium souvenirs to grocery bags and stuffed animals, ordinary items are fetching extraordinary prices on the resale market.
As the baseball season began at Dodger Stadium last week, many fans were stunned to see the stadium selling a $70 souvenir cup designed to look like Shohei Ohtani's jersey.
And while that price alone is enough to make jaws drop, it turns out people were willing to pay even more for the chalice. Just days after the cup first went on sale, two sold for $250 each on eBay, while a third sold for $290.
But the hot secondary market for what is ultimately just a plastic cup also reflects a recent trend of ordinary items fetching extraordinary value on the secondary market. The trend includes reusable grocery bags, stuffed animals, and, of course, sneakers.
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Here's a look at the phenomenon:
All Things Ohtani
The high resale value of an already expensive cup likely reflects the already-hot appeal of collectibles themed around Ohtani, who will make an estimated $127 million this year — an all-time record for baseball player, according to a new Forbes ranking.
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Trader Joe's Bags
Trader Joe's reusable tote bags are easy to grab for a few dollars at the checkout of any one of the company's hundreds of U.S. stores. But earlier this year, people were clamoring for them overseas — and willing to pay much, much more than the $2.99 retail price.
The grocery store's mini tote bags have sold on online resale platforms for up to $50,000, having achieved global status symbol.
Observers say the vibrant international resale market has to do with the fact that Trader Joe's exists only in the U.S. as well the message that the bags convey.
Starbucks Bear Cups
Starbucks recently triggered another cup craze with its Glass Bearista Cold Cup.
The cup — shaped like a hat-clad bear — was released as part of the coffee chain's holiday 2025 lineup. Originally priced at $29.95, the cup quickly sold out after it became available in November.
Business Insider reported that people trying to get their hands on the sold-out cups bid close to $300 on eBay.
Ikea's Monkey Stuffed Animal
Earlier this year, a heartbreaking video went viral showing a bullied baby macaque cuddling with a stuffed orangutan at a zoo.
Internet users quickly identified the provenance of the stuffed animal: sold by Ikea as the DJUNGELSKOG. The toy was priced at $19.99 and quickly sold out in stores and online.
One person bought 17 of them and listed them on eBay for over $50 each. Others were listed in the hundreds of dollars, the New York Post reported.
Less than two months later, the stuffed animal is still hard to find: It's sold out online at Ikea and listed as being unavailable at every location in California and in the Western U.S.
Nike-Kirkland Collaboration
In February, Costco sold the Nike SB Dunk Low x Kirkland Signature Exclusive in four states including California for $134.99, triggering a sneakerhead run on Costco. Within days, the shoes were reselling for up to $1,000 on StockX, eBay and GOAT, The New York Post reported.
Stanley Cups
In 2023 and 2024, Stanley tumbler cup became a full-fledged craze.
People reportedly were willing to "trample" and battle each other for the refusal metal cups. Shoppers lined up for hours at Target stores across the nation trying to get newly released colors. And one woman stole 65 cups from one California store.
Aided by social media-fueled buzz, the cups — which retailed for around $45 — were sold online for as high as $200.
But the Stanley cup craze might serve as a resale cautionary tale. Today, it's selling for $35 on Amazon.
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