If you love luxurious kicks from top brands like Nike (and their coveted Jordan sub-brand) and Adidas, you probably know a couple of trusted resellers. They somehow get the latest releases just as, if not earlier than retail stores do. Some even provide shoes that aren’t sold or just simply sold out in local shops. Apart from earning the respect and admiration of local sneaker collectors, these resellers also earn a lot of cash doing what they do.
If you’re not convinced, a 16-year old kid in the U.S. is earning thousands of dollars from his sneaker reselling business, serving big clients like famous rappers and athletes. Because they sell rare kicks you can’t find anywhere else, they get to sell their products at significantly higher prices than retail. This is called flipping and it’s a widely accepted practice in the community. If you want to get in on the action, here are factors you should consider.
The Authenticity of the Shoes
It’s bad business to sell counterfeits, as you end up lying to customers about the quality and authenticity of your products. You can’t fool the sneaker community, too. Its members do extensive research on shoes and what makes them legit. They can easily spot a suspicious pair from a mile away.
If you’re going to resell shoes, always make sure they’re legitimate. Before making a deal with a supplier, do your research on the brand and the factors that make a certain pair legitimate. Double-check the product you’re about to buy and resell to see if it has the same features.
The Grind
You always see sneaker resellers talking about their “grind” or “hustle.” This is because a lot of them do work or spend hard to get rare pairs. Some camp out at retail outlets to get first dibs on limited drop shoes. Others look for contacts at stores and manufacturers to get pairs reserved for them. There are also people who shop in the U.S. and get them shipped to the Philippines. For a beginner like you, the first option is your best bet.
Wait for exclusive releases, find out which stores will sell them, and try camping out in the early morning, or even midnight outside or near the store. Chances are, other resellers will be doing the same thing. As such, camping out might be a gamble, depending on your position in the line. But it’s still worth the effort if you can get a limited drop that you can flip for twice the price.
The Demand
Don’t expect every sneaker you buy to double in price of your resell them. The more common the pair is, the less money people are willing to pay for them. Plus, if the item is in stock in outlets, they’ll just buy them from the brand themselves. Do your research and look for limited edition pairs like the Kanye West and Adidas collaboration Yeezys or retro Jordan pairs. You could also get pairs that get sold out quickly and sell them for a small premium.
Check out sneaker news and blog sites like Complex, Hypebeast, Sneaker News, and Sole Collector for the hottest sneakers on the market. You could also join local sneaker communities to see what their consensus is on upcoming drops. Gauge their interest to see which sneakers you should get and who you should sell them to.
The sneaker reselling business is quite difficult to get into, as it requires you to find your own sources or even camp out in retail stores just to get your items. However, the earning potential for this business is huge if you do it right. Consider these factors before getting into the game. With enough research, hard work, and good old “diskarte,” you’ll be able to earn big while handling and selling the best and most luxurious sneakers.
