Reselling footwear, whether as a dedicated side hustle or simply a way to declutter a closet, has become a significant part of the modern consumer economy. The market for pre-owned shoes, particularly for limited-edition sneakers and designer heels, continues to grow rapidly. Selecting the correct venue for your item determines the speed of the sale, the effort required, and the final profit margin you realize. The right choice ultimately depends on the shoe’s value and the amount of personal effort a seller is willing to invest in the process.
Preparing Your Shoes for Sale
A profitable sale requires maximizing visual appeal and accurately assessing the item’s condition. Cleaning and minor restoration are necessary steps, which include removing dirt from the soles, wiping down uppers, and ensuring laces are clean or replaced.
High-quality photography is the most important element of any successful listing outside of price. Listings must feature clear, well-lit images from multiple angles, including close-ups of logos, size tags, and the sole tread. Honesty about wear is also required, meaning the seller must grade the shoes accurately, using terms like “Deadstock” (brand new, unworn, with original box), “New with Box” (unworn, but perhaps missing accessories), or “Gently Used” (minor signs of wear).
Specialized Online Marketplaces for Verified Footwear
Platforms catering to high-demand footwear offer mandatory third-party authentication. This attracts buyers seeking guaranteed legitimacy for high-value items, making these marketplaces the preferred destination for collectible sneakers and luxury shoes. Sellers benefit from reduced disputes related to authenticity, though this service comes with higher transaction fees compared to general selling sites.
StockX
StockX operates on a “bid-ask” model, functioning much like a live stock market for products. Sellers place an “Ask” for their desired price, and buyers place a “Bid.” A transaction occurs instantly when the two meet. This platform is designed for blind sales, meaning the seller focuses purely on the product and price without needing to interact with the buyer or take detailed photos. StockX focuses primarily on new, unworn items and offers real-time pricing data to help sellers set competitive rates.
GOAT
GOAT accepts a wider range of conditions, allowing sellers to list both new and gently used sneakers and luxury footwear. After a sale is made, the seller ships the item to a GOAT facility for verification by a team of specialists. This platform offers a hybrid system where some highly-rated sellers may be approved to ship directly to the buyer, bypassing the initial verification step for faster delivery.
Stadium Goods
Stadium Goods operates primarily as a consignment service. Sellers submit their items for review, and the platform handles the entire listing process. The company takes possession of the sneakers, authenticates them, photographs them professionally, and lists them across its websites and physical retail locations. This hands-off approach suits sellers who prioritize convenience and want to maximize visibility to a high-end, luxury-focused clientele. While the seller only receives payout once the item is sold, the professional presentation can sometimes yield a higher sale price.
General Peer-to-Peer Selling Platforms
General peer-to-peer platforms allow sellers to manage all aspects of the transaction, including listing creation, pricing, buyer communication, and shipping. These sites feature lower commission rates but place the full responsibility for accurate descriptions and dispute resolution squarely on the seller. Mandatory third-party verification is not standard, so sellers are responsible for ensuring the item’s authenticity.
eBay
eBay offers sellers flexibility in listing format, supporting both traditional auctions and fixed-price listings. The platform has a massive, global audience spanning all categories, making it suitable for vintage shoes and modern collectibles. For high-value sneakers, eBay offers an “Authenticity Guarantee” program, which provides third-party verification for qualifying items, though the seller remains responsible for creating and managing the initial listing.
Poshmark
Poshmark is a social commerce platform that encourages interaction between buyers and sellers through sharing and engaging with listings. The listing process is streamlined, allowing sellers to upload photos and details quickly using the mobile app. Poshmark simplifies shipping by providing a flat-rate, pre-paid label for most sales, removing the need for the seller to calculate postage based on weight or destination.
Mercari
Mercari is known for its simplicity and transactional nature, selling a wide variety of items. The listing process is fast, appealing to sellers who want to quickly offload items without extensive social engagement or complex customization. Mercari’s broad audience means it is a good option for selling mid-range or used shoes that may not fit the niche of a fashion-only platform.
Depop
Depop attracts a younger, trend-driven audience, often focusing on vintage, streetwear, and unique styles. Sellers frequently curate their shops to feel like online boutiques, emphasizing strong visuals and personal branding. The platform’s social interface encourages sellers to present items in a creative style, making it ideal for unique or highly stylized footwear.
Local and Consignment Selling Options
Local and physical consignment options are practical choices for sellers who want quick payment, prefer not to deal with shipping logistics, or have lower-value items. These methods allow for immediate cash or trade and eliminate the need for packaging and postal trips.
Physical consignment shops, especially those focused on luxury or sneakers, take the item, price it, and manage the sale in exchange for a percentage of the final price. Buy-sell-trade stores, such as general secondhand shops or specialized children’s resale locations, offer cash upfront for gently used items. While immediate payment is the main benefit, the payout is typically lower than what a seller might realize on a P2P platform.
Local classified applications, including Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp, allow sellers to list items for free and arrange in-person exchanges. Using these local apps requires meeting a buyer in a safe, public location to complete the transaction, as the seller is responsible for managing the exchange of goods and cash.
Comparing Platform Fees and Logistics
Choosing a selling platform involves balancing potential profit against the required effort. Specialized authentication marketplaces generally feature higher fees, ranging from a base commission to payment processing charges. These higher costs are offset by the convenience of centralized authentication, which includes insurance and pre-generated shipping labels for secure transport to the verification center.
General P2P platforms offer lower commission rates, but sellers assume greater responsibility for logistics and transaction risk. While Poshmark includes a prepaid label, platforms like Mercari and Depop offer flexible shipping options where the cost may be covered by the buyer or calculated by the seller. Lower P2P fees translate to more work, as the seller must handle all photography, listing creation, customer service, and final shipment security.