The resale market for footwear has become a significant economic force. Millions of people are turning their lightly worn or unworn shoes into cash using digital platforms. These options range from high-volume marketplaces to specialized consignment services. Success depends on aligning the specific type of footwear with the correct selling channel and understanding the effort required. This process begins with an accurate evaluation of the item to determine its market fit.
Assessing Your Footwear and Its Market Value
Before listing any shoe, sellers must assess its condition and current market price. Condition standards include “Deadstock,” meaning brand new and unworn with the original box and accessories, which commands the highest value. “Used” shoes require an honest evaluation of wear, noting any creases, scuffs, or sole degradation, which affects the final sale price. Providing the original packaging, such as the box, spare laces, or dust bags, increases the shoe’s desirability.
Authenticity verification is important, especially for high-value brands, as counterfeits erode buyer confidence. Sellers should research the shoe’s current price by checking sold listings on various platforms, not just active asking prices. Analyzing historical sales data and price trends for the specific model, size, and colorway provides a benchmark for setting a competitive price. Factors like rarity, brand significance, and limited-edition status help determine which selling channel will yield the best return.
Selling Through Broad Online Marketplaces
Broad online marketplaces offer high visibility, catering to a wide demographic suitable for everyday and mid-tier fashion shoes. These peer-to-peer platforms require the seller to manage the entire listing, communication, and shipping process. While the reach is extensive, sellers must factor in platform fees and handle all customer service interactions, including potential returns.
General Auction Sites
Platforms like eBay provide a global audience, which is advantageous for items with a geographically dispersed collector base. Sellers control the listing format, choosing between a fixed price or a traditional auction format to drive competition. Fees on eBay for shoes are tiered based on the sale price and whether the seller has a store subscription. For instance, final value fees for sneakers under $150 can be up to 13.6%, while those over $150 are significantly lower, sometimes reaching 8% for non-store sellers.
Social Commerce Platforms
Social commerce platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace, prioritize local transactions and typically have no selling fees. Proximity to the buyer allows for cash-on-delivery and in-person meetups, eliminating shipping costs. While the lack of an intermediary provides maximum profit retention, sellers must prioritize safety by arranging meetups in public, well-lit locations. Listing items in local buy-and-sell groups in addition to the main marketplace listing can increase exposure.
Dedicated Fashion Resale Apps
General fashion resale apps like Poshmark and Mercari focus on apparel and accessories, offering an easy interface for listing shoes. Poshmark employs a flat 20% commission fee for sales over $15, but provides a simple, flat-rate shipping label paid by the buyer. Mercari offers a lower fee structure, around 10% commission plus processing fees, and allows flexibility in choosing a shipping carrier based on weight. These platforms foster community aspects, using features like sharing to boost listing visibility.
Selling Collectible Sneakers and Streetwear
The market for limited-edition sneakers and streetwear requires specialized platforms designed for authentication and high-value transactions. Marketplaces like StockX and GOAT cater to collectors seeking assurance of authenticity. The built-in verification services justify the transaction fees, as they mitigate the risk of dealing with common counterfeit products.
StockX operates on a bid/ask system, similar to a stock market, where transactions occur automatically when the highest buyer bid matches the lowest seller ask. All items sold must be new and unworn (deadstock) and are shipped to an authentication center for inspection before reaching the buyer. GOAT offers a curated marketplace experience, allowing the sale of both new and used collectible sneakers. Both platforms employ rigorous, multi-point authentication processes, where experts inspect the item’s stitching, materials, and packaging to verify legitimacy.
Selling High-End Designer and Luxury Footwear
Luxury footwear from designer brands requires platforms that provide an elevated shopping experience and focus on professional service. Sites like The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective specialize in luxury goods, emphasizing trust and presentation.
The RealReal uses a consignment model: the seller ships the item, and the platform handles photography, pricing, and all sales logistics. This hands-off approach uses a tiered commission structure where the seller’s payout percentage increases with the item’s value or their total sales volume.
Vestiaire Collective is a peer-to-peer marketplace that includes an authentication step. Sellers are responsible for creating the listing, setting the price, and shipping the item upon sale. The platform charges a selling fee that covers its authentication and quality control process. Consignment is convenient, while the peer-to-peer model offers more control over pricing, potentially leading to a higher final payout.
Selling Locally and In-Person
Selling in-person provides the fastest path to payment, immediately transferring the item while avoiding shipping costs and online platform fees. This method includes traditional consignment stores and local buy/trade shops.
Resale shops purchase shoes directly from the seller for cash upfront or store credit. Payment is immediate, but the offer is typically lower than a peer-to-peer platform, as the store must account for overhead and profit margin.
Consignment stores display the shoes and pay the seller a percentage only after the item is purchased. If the shoes do not sell within a specified time frame, the seller must retrieve the item or allow the store to donate it. Specialized sneaker conventions or flea markets also allow for in-person sales, providing direct access to enthusiasts and collectors.
Strategies for Safe and Profitable Selling
Maximizing profit and ensuring a smooth transaction depends on strategic execution, regardless of the chosen channel. High-quality photography is essential, as listing images are the first point of contact with a potential buyer. Sellers should use bright, consistent lighting, preferably against a clean white background, and capture all necessary angles, including the soles, size tag, and any signs of wear. Stuffing the shoes with tissue paper before photographing helps maintain their shape and presentation.
The listing description must be detailed and transparent, including the shoe’s size, model name, colorway, and an accurate description of its condition. Sellers should factor in all costs, including platform fees and shipping, when setting the asking price. For secure packaging, items should be wrapped in tissue paper and placed into a sturdy box to prevent movement and damage during transit. Using payment methods with seller protection and shipping with tracking information minimizes risk and secures positive feedback.