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Whether you have too many shoes, want to barter for a better pair, or recycle the previous season's style, consignment shops let you turn your footwear into cash. In this guide, you will learn how to strategize your approach (locally and online) step by step to get a sale from shoe prep to deal close. Let’s get started!
Steps
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Research popular shoes. Then, choose the best picks from your collection to maximize your profits.
- Gather all the shoes in your collection you would like to sell.
- Sort the shoes by manufacturer type (e.g., place Nikes and Adidas separately).
- Look up the dates that each shoe was made. Newer dates could have sold out drops, and older dates could have low shoe supply, which increases the rarity – meaning you may be able to sell it for a higher margin.
- Look up if the shoe is a collaboration shoe, meaning it had a limited run and may sell for a higher margin.
- Look up if the shoe is a sub-brand of the manufacturer. Adidas may be the manufacturer, but a Yeezy shoe is a separate entity in the consumer market, meaning it will have different price points than an average Adidas shoe.
- Look up the brands of your selected shoes. Some brands consistently resell well.
- Look on social media and forums to see the shoe’s popularity and niches they can stylistically fit. Famous shoes that can be sold to trending niches can go for a higher profit margin.
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Clean up each shoe pair. This is a delicate process of restoration rather than replacement.
- Leave all the original shoe material intact; this is part of the resale value.
- Research the materials used for your shoe and find the appropriate cleaning chemicals to avoid damage.
- Do not mix cleaning chemicals that work on the surface of the shoe with the inside of the shoe or other surface elements with different fabrics or textures. This can damage the shoe.
- Untie the shoes and hand wash the laces, carefully not unraveling them. Do not discard the laces, as they are part of the resale value of many shoes.
- Remove dirt from the shoe using a brush, including from underneath the shoe.
- Use soap and water to clean the shoe’s surface initially.
- Use vinegar or a cleaner specifically designed for your shoe’s fabric. Make sure the white sections of the shoe return to their original color – do not use paint.
- Similarly, clean the insole of the shoe.
- Deodorize the shoe with a spray, deodorizer, or baking soda, depending on what chemicals are compatible with your shoe’s internal surfaces. Make sure no odors emit from the shoe from this point.
- Dry the shoes by leaving them in the air and insert cardboard and paper to keep the shape of the shoe.
- Retie the shoes and remove any cleaning debris.
- If your shoe is leather, you can apply leather polish.
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Inspect the shoes you want to sell.
- Ensure your shoes are authentic. Resale markets and buyers will not purchase counterfeit shoes, and it may be illegal to sell counterfeit goods, even if outlined in your jurisdiction.
- Check for wear, stains, and damage that remains after cleaning. Note down any abnormality with the shoe for later description purposes.
- Check the shoe’s features for structural integrity, such that there aren’t holes or impalements or the shoe isn’t falling apart. Note down any abnormality with the shoe for later description purposes.
- Select the shoes that are in near perfect condition to have the highest chance of selling later on.
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Gather the original packaging, if available.
- Try to locate the original shoebox, dust bags, laces, cards, stickers, accessories, and receipts. This also helps in proving authenticity.
- You can reuse shipping boxes to deliver your shoes if all previous labels are removed and it is sturdy.
- Make sure to keep the original insoles and shoelaces exactly how the shoe originally came.
- Insert new cardboard and paper, replacing the ones used for drying to keep the shape of the shoe.
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Consider your local consignment shop.
- Using a local consignment shop may be a good idea if you are in a popular city or have a sneaker outpost; however, using online stores improves discoverability to get a sale.
- Not all consignment shops may accept shoes, your shoe type, or your shoe’s season, so give them a call or visit in person to examine your options.
- Research previous reviews of the shop to ensure that it is trustworthy and safe.
- Compare the fees that they take from the final sale and any stocking fees for unsold items with online stores (below). Consider that fees do not encompass the total value a shop can give, either in person or online, since discoverability is also a factor.
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Consider eBay.
- eBay is a quick way to display your shoe to millions of people.
- However, many eBay items won’t have the same authenticity measurements that reseller websites do, so shoe collectors may not entirely trust all postings without good display and appropriate wording. Usually, on shoe reseller websites, the actual shoe photos are not shown unless you are a new seller because the shoe has already been verified.
- eBay has many upsells to try to advertise your shoes, but this may cost you money and not lead to a sale. It is more optimal to research eBay for effective title formats, making your post or description stand out – especially the first photo (to increase clicks).
- You can read this article to learn more about selling on eBay.
- You can check out this article to learn about how to check the sold prices on eBay and compare them to the current listings.
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Consider shoe reseller websites.
- Common reseller websites include StockX.com and GOAT.com
- You should research which reseller website’s guidelines and profit cuts work for you. [1] X Research source
- These platforms may require verification of your identity to continue [2] X Research source . Also, some may require manual approval of sellers, so start early to be approved in time to sell your shoes before their price changes. [3] X Research source
- These platforms group shoes together by size, condition, and from all sellers (unlike eBay), which can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on how many other people are selling that shoe in your size and condition. [4] X Research source
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Consider local reselling apps.
- Common local reselling apps include OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay (local feature).
- Since these websites may let you have a request and chat feature before purchase, you may be able to list on more than one website for discoverability between platforms because the buyer must confirm before the transaction settles.
- However, even though these sites are online, their scope is limited, and you must set up the meeting location. This is not as versatile as the reseller websites.
- Selling locally comes at some risk because you need to look out for your safety and the surveillance of the item. Choose locations to meet that are public, well-lit, and with many people around to complete the transaction.
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Research your shoes selling price across websites, apps, and in person.
- Research all the methods listed above, even if you are not using them to sell the shoes, because you want a complete market picture of the prices.
- If the website allows, like eBay or StockX, view the historical sale prices to determine the appropriate value.
- Selling in person does not mean you have to lower the shoe price because there is an extra cut. You can keep the price the same as online and get more profit margin.
- Keep track of trends on paper or in a spreadsheet over time if you are waiting some time before selling your shoes in person or online.
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Consider the individual price margin points depending on your volume.
- If you are selling many shoes at once, you can lower your prices on all of your shoes because you are selling so much volume that you will still make a sizable profit.
- However, if you are selling many shoes that are in high demand, then you should still keep your prices high because you can still sell these shoes at scale for this price.
- Consider if the cut taken by the shop or website is justifiable for the amount of time you will spend. If in-person apps take too much time, it may be a better idea to accept the platform fee instead of setting up an online shop.
- However, if you are selling a shoe that is different than the others, for example, with accessories that came with the shoe, you can set a higher price than them for it.
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Consider your pricing strategy.
- Don’t undercut your price to get your shoes sold. When people buy undercut shoes from competitors first, yours will be left for someone to buy, and you may be able to increase the price further since the stock is so low!
- You can get a higher margin by using eBay’s bidding feature with a strike price set. So, if the bidders reach the minimum, it will sell (the minimum is set at your price point), but if they continue bidding, you can make even more profit! If the bidders don’t reach the strike price, then the shoe doesn’t sell.
- If you allow buyers to ask for a lower price, don’t accept lowball offers. Try to get them as close as possible to the price you want to sell at, while still making a significant profit.
- If you want to get rid of a lot of shoes, you can price them slightly lower than the average sales, but you will get less profit.
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4Evaluate your net profit in a revenue diagram.
- Take out a sheet of paper or a spreadsheet program.
- List each shoe you have per row and each amount next to it.
- List the selling price average for each shoe next to it.
- Now consider multiple pricing strategies, such as selling in bulk at the average price, selling with minimal stock, and so on. Apply these effects to the price in the columns next to each shoe.
- Now consider the fee for the platform and consider that in the final price.
- Now, you should have a better idea of how multiple strategies and platform cuts affect your profit for each shoe to develop a plan for your price.
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Take photos of the shoes. Photos document the quality of the shoe at the time of sale.
- Make sure not to mix up shoes that you are taking pictures of and photograph the right shoe that you are going to sell.
- Take well-lit shots (direct sunlight can help) from multiple angles of the shoe, including inside, underneath, and any additional angles that are of interest for a custom shoe.
- Take close photos of logos and tags as a part of proving authenticity.
- Make sure to show any damage, wear, flags, and discoloration in the photos close up.
- Ensure both shoes are shown together in a single, clear image.
- Make sure both shoes are fully visible in the frame of a picture.
- Make sure to capture the shoe specific details, like the tag inside of the shoe and on the box.
- Make sure no other items that are not a part of what you are selling are shown in the photo or background.
- Make sure you do not reveal personal information in any photos. [5] X Research source
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List the shoes on the web.
- Create a seller account on the website of your choice. You may need to upload a photo ID or be manually approved.
- Find the product page for shoe reselling sites or create a new one for eBay/local sites and describe the product in as much detail as possible, clearly stating the condition.
- Upload all the photos for the shoe and arrange them so that the first few pictures are eye-catching - especially the first one.
- Post the final page only when you are ready to ship, since there are penalties for late shipping.
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List the shoes in person.
- Make an appointment with the shop. Some shops may have walk-in windows, but many require an appointment to be made.
- Bring a valid ID and the shoe with its accessories.
- Make sure you know what happens if your shoes don’t sell.
- Fill out the consignment agreement. Read the terms carefully and note the consignment period, markdown schedule, and payout method.
- Provide the shop with contact information so they can notify you when the shoes are sold.
- Keep your receipt and contract so you can collect your payment and any unsold items.
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Follow up and collect your earnings.
- For in-person consignments, check in with the shop near the end of the consignment period. Once the shoe is sold, pick up the cash or request an electronic payment if the store allows it. If the item is unsold, decide whether to retrieve it, extend the contract, or mark down the shoe.
- For online consignments, ship your item to the place specified or to a drop off location if available [6] X Research source . Failure to ship within the time limit for some shops, such as StockX, may result in a fee. [7] X Research source
- For local consignments, bring the shoe with you and someone else for safety. Visit a well-lit public place to complete the transaction.
- Don’t be discouraged if your shoes do not sell immediately; they may be able to sell later!
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Tips
- Selling shoes in a seasonal style will increase their price.Thanks
- Foster a good relationship with the shop staff so you can sell more shoes as you go.Thanks
- You may be able to get deals for reducing store cuts if selling in bundles, which means you will keep more of the profits. Make sure this update is outlined in your consignment agreement.Thanks
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Warnings
- Never attempt to sell counterfeit, replica shoes or stolen merchandise.Thanks
- Watch out for scams when offering shoes locally in an app. Do not accept suspicious payment methods.Thanks
- Be aware of the return policies for the site and your listing specifically. The best way to prevent problems is to document the shoe's condition more thoroughly and display it in the photos.Thanks
- Late shipping, bad descriptions, and bad photos not only hurt your selling ability and wasted fees but also may give you a bad reputation on your selling account.Thanks
- Pricing too high means your shoes won't sell.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Clean, authentic shoes to sell
- Original box, packaging, and accessories
- Internet access
- Camera or smartphone with a camera
- Soft brush
- Soap and water
- Shoe cleaner or shoe shiner
- Shoe deodorizer spray or baking soda
- Cardboard and paper for inside shoe
- Photo ID
- Shipping box, tape, and printer for label
- Spreadsheet or notebook to keep track of sales and profit margins
References
- ↑ https://stockx.com/help/articles/what-are-stockxs-fees-for-sellers/
- ↑ https://stockx.com/help/articles/as-a-seller-why-am-i-being-asked-to-verify-my-information/
- ↑ https://www.goat.com/selling
- ↑ https://stockx.com/help/articles/how-do-i-sell-on-stockx
- ↑ https://www.goat.com/selling
- ↑ https://stockx.com/help/articles/stockx-drop-off-locations
- ↑ https://stockx.com/sell/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-unc-reimagined
About This Article
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