5 Brands of Shoes to Sell on eBay for Profit – The Balance …
eBay sellers are always looking for low-cost, high-profit items to sell. They may frequent thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, or consignment stores for deals on items to flip on eBay. Preowned shoes are one of the most popular. If you can get past the “ick” factor of handling, cleaning, photographing, and shipping someone else’s preowned shoes, you can make good money on eBay.
What Are the Best Brands to Sell?
The best brands to sell are not what most assume. High-heeled, high-fashion, expensive designer brands like Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Coach, and Gucci are not the best money makers. First, sellers have to find those items at a low enough price to sell them for a profit on eBay. Also, these shoes need to be authentic. Yes, shoes can be counterfeit just like handbags. So, it is wise not to delve into the high-end designer shoe market.
The best brands to resell on eBay are practical, comfort, well-constructed, durable, everyday shoes. Here are the top 5 brands that hold their resale value and are popular worldwide.
Doc Martens. This brand originated in the United Kingdom and is a popular with the grunge crowd, as well as in food service. Characterized by black leather, heavy buckles, and thick lugged soles, Doc Martens are a cultural icon and sell well globally. Sellers may find these shoes at thrift stores for around $3, and they sell at a steady $50 and up depending on condition, size, and color.
Naot. Originating in Israel in 1942, Naot shoes are known for quality construction, comfort, and style. These shoes can cost over $300 new and can sell for $100 on eBay, in used condition. This is definitely a brand to learn about if you aren’t familiar with them.
Birkenstocks. This brand brings back the nostalgia of the 1960s and Woodstock—the shoes of hippies! This brand is a great seller on eBay. In fact, Birks that look like they have been run over by a car sell well; so, don’t worry about a little dirt or footprints in the footbed of the shoe. Birks in new condition can retail for over $200 and can sell on eBay in preowned condition for over $100, depending on the size and condition.
Cole Haan does not have the cultural following of Doc Martens or Birkenstocks; they are known as a conservative and practical shoe brand. Cole Haan makes everything from sandals to boots, and regular retail price can be over $300 for men’s dress shoes. Cole Haan also makes other leather goods, including jackets, handbags, briefcases, belts, and vests, which also hold their resale value well. On eBay, used Cole Haan shoes can sell for over $100.
SAS (San Antonio Shoemakers) used to be a brand associated with the elderly, but not anymore. Family owned and made in the USA, this brand is the epitome of comfort for folks with feet problems or for consumers who just like comfy shoes. SAS makes sandals, dress shoes, boots, work shoes, and athletic shoes. Original retail for SAS shoes can be over $200, and they sell consistently on eBay, in preowned condition, for an average of $50.
Why Do People Buy Used Shoes
If you are going to resell shoes on eBay, it is important to understand why people buy used shoes online. Aren’t preowned shoes gross? Someone else’s foot has been in the shoe, and that can mean odor, fungus, or other health issues. Sometimes, that is true. However, cost and availability are two reasons why consumers buy on eBay. For example, the retail price of a pair of Mephisto shoes is easily upwards of $350. Mephisto shoes, among other brands of shoes, are known for quality construction and materials, comfort, style, and durability. However, many people do not have $350 to shell out for a pair of shoes; so, they look on eBay for quality shoes in gently used condition.
Additionally, size may be an issue. Wide and narrow widths can be difficult to find in a retail store and online. If you have ever shopped for someone with a wide or narrow foot, you can relate. Sometimes, eBay is the only option when wanting a specific style of shoe in a specific size and color.
Honestly, sometimes people just don’t care if the shoes are used and broken in. A construction worker may need a good quality brand of shoes or boots and can’t justify spending over $100 on a new pair, especially to trod in mud or dirt all day. This is true with any shoe worn in a profession where things get messy, such as food service or the medical field. And let’s not forget kids’ play shoes. Mom and Dad might not want to spend big bucks to buy a brand new pair of sneakers for kids who are just going to wear them to play outside in the dirt, mud, or snow.
Why Do Comfort Shoes Sell Better Than Fancy Dress Shoes?
As our population ages (Baby Boomers are leading the way), foot comfort is of paramount importance. With almost 80 million Baby Boomers – and older Gen Xers right behind them -, there is a huge market for comfortable shoes. Baby Boomers are a generation of doers—they aren’t going to sit around as their parents did. They are active and want to stay active as long as possible. But, as we age, feet problems may be the first sign of needing to slow down; so Baby Boomers seek out comfortable shoes so they can continue their active lifestyle of traveling, exercising, working a part-time job, or whatever activity they desire. And they can find exactly the shoes they need on eBay at an affordable price.
How To Sell Used Shoes On eBay (Plus 30 Brands To Look For)
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It has been a longstanding goal of mine to go an entire summer without wearing shoes. Inside? No shoes. Outside? No shoes. Church? No shoes. Airport? No shoes…and probably a visit to a security room. Why this idea has always fascinated me, I don’t know… but it does seem to be at odds with my fascination (not weird, right? haha) for selling used shoes on eBay.
If you are a footwear guy or gal, eBay is your playground. There are currently 440, 393 pairs of shoes on eBay in my size alone! Used shoes, new shoes, rare shoes, shoes for 50%+ off retail – you name it, and you can find it.
And anywhere that there is a shopping bonanza for buyers, you can bet that there is a huge opportunity for sellers as well. In the past 90 days, we have sold almost $5, 000 worth of shoes (80% of them used) on eBay.
We get most of the items we resell on eBay from thrift stores. If I could only check two areas at a thrift store, shoes would be one of them. Unlike clothing, it is typically easy to recognize shoes that are worth money, they are easy to photograph and easy to list. And when they sell? Yep, easy to ship.
Many people (even full-time resellers) avoid learning how to sell used shoes on eBay out of fear that they will have loads of returns for fitment issues, or simply because they don’t want to sell grimy used shoes. Whatever the reason, the purpose of this article is to dispel this horrendous notion. We have found shoes with an MSRP of over $800 at our local thrift stores and several of the following brands are actually increasing in value as they age!
Do people really buy used shoes online?
The world is divided into two types of people: people who are fine with used shoes and people who think used shoes are “EW! ” If you are a reseller, it doesn’t really matter if you are into rubbing your feet where someones else’s have been or not. What matters is that there are millions of people who don’t see the “ick factor” and are happy to get their feet into some used kicks.
In my experience, the majority of people who buy used shoes on eBay fall into one of these 5 categories:
People looking for rare or hard to find shoes (Jordans, high end shoes, limited edition colors, etc. )People with unusual or mismatched shoe sizes (we have sold up to a men’s size 22! )People who want an exact replacement for a pair of shoes they have worn outPeople who are loyal to discontinued shoe lines or brands (eg. Skechers Shape-Ups)Deal-seekers and those with a tight budget We have sold well over a thousand pairs of shoes on eBay and, despite market saturation, shoe sales don’t seem to have slowed much. There will always be people with feet (or foot, amputees buy single shoes off of eBay all the time) willing to give money to resellers. In fact, there are half a dozen resellers I know that sell exclusively shoes and do over $100, 000 in sales per year. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that pie?!
Shoes are the perfect beginner’s item…
Selling used shoes is the perfect side hustle (in my opinion). Not only are they plentiful at nearly every thrift store, yard sale, and discount store but they are incredibly easy to sell online. With the plethora of sizes and styles available, you can almost always find something to resell with very little investment. What’s more, you don’t need a mannequin, a softbox, or any fancy equipment to make shoes look great. See those red wing boots above that we just sold for $123. 45? They were stuffed with newspaper and the background was a piece of paper from the dollar store. So if you are just starting out and want something easy to source, easy to picture, and easy to ship, learn to sell shoes on eBay!
eBay Shoe Seller FAQs
Don’t you have tons of returns for fitment issues?
No, actually. Our shoe return percentage is lower than our store average (around 2%), and we rarely have expensive shoes returned. When people buy expensive shoes online, they are well aware that fit can be an issue so they either buy a brand they already own and know their size, go to a store and try on a similar shoe, or just guess and get lucky!
How do you ship shoes?
Shoes are typically too large to fit in any sort of flat rate box so we send them in a Priority Mail Shoebox (available for free from USPS). Shoes typically weigh 2-3 pounds and we always use calculated shipping. If we are shipping a pair of extra heavy boots, we typically ship via FedEx.
Where do you find shoes to sell?
Shoes worth reselling can literally be found almost everywhere. We have gotten used shoes from thrift stores, yard sales, craigslist, school/church sales, discount stores, estate sales, store return liquidations, and even dumpsters! (How’s that one for the “ick factor”? ) Once you know a handful of profitable brands, you are more likely to have problems storing your growing shoe inventory than sourcing it!
Most Profitable Used Shoe Types To Sell Online
When it comes down to it, the brand is the absolute most important thing in deciding whether or not a pair of shoes will resell and the price you can ask for them. However, there are exceptions to that rule. Some well-known name-brands resell miserably, and there have been shoes with absolutely no brand that we have sold quickly and for great money. The following 4 things are types of items we look for every time, regardless of brand. If an unbranded shoe pair has one or more of these things going for it they might be worth picking up, but couple it with a well-known name and you’ve got a home-run!
Material
A high-quality material can give a pair of shoes an intrinsic value beyond what you’d normally expect from the brand. After all, a gold necklace with no brand is still made of gold! Look for shoes made of leather or suede, shoes that still have the hair on, painted shoes, embroidered shoes or shoes with inlays, and pretty much any material that looks out of the ordinary.
The shoes to the right are a good example. They are handmade (in Morocco apparently) and have no brand, size, or makers marks. But because of the awesome amount of goat hair gracing the straps and the leather footbed/stitching they still sold for $40!
Unusual Shoe Designs
In 2012, Skechers agreed to a $45 million dollar refund settlement for making false claims about how their Shape-up line could help customers “get fit without ever setting foot in the gym. ” Despite this (and similar debunking lawsuits for other unique shoe designs), people still love to get sucked into marketing and nearly every unique shoe design has developed a loyal, almost cult-like, following. If you see anything outside of the norm sitting on the shoe rack, it’s probably worth looking up. While we’re mainly referring to unusual designs, this can also apply to colors, materials, etc.
Shoes With A Specific Purpose
An extension of the “Unusual Shoe” vein of thought is to look for shoes that have a legitimate purpose. For example, fishing waders, weightlifting shoes, and orthopedic sandals can all fetch a pretty penny. When a friend of mine was redoing his roof, he called me up asking me if I had any “roofing shoes” in stock. I didn’t…because I didn’t know there was such a thing. After doing a bit of self-education, I found out that roofing shoes were not a made-up thing, and they’re super expensive! While I haven’t found a pair yet, 5 minutes of educating myself and learning some of the more popular brands has given me the edge if I ever see a pair at a thrift store or yard sale!
Shoes With Appealing “Content”
I’m sure you remember in high school there were those weird kids who were always drawing pictures or writing things on their shoes. It might not shock you to know that I was one of those weird kids. I wrote “Right” and “Left” on the toes on my Converse as well as writing quotes on the sides which were inspiring to my teenage brain. That type of drawing and writing is a great example of something that makes shoes terrible for resale, not to mention making parents crazy. A good example, on the other hand, can include something like hand painted art pieces, embroidery, shoes from a specific sports team, shoes that rep a t. v. show or cartoon, etc.
Now that we have the groundwork laid, let’s get to the real meat of the matter. After all, the more brands you know, the more money you can make. If you don’t know brands, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t find great things. However, if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you will have to handle and look up almost every pair of shoes you find…meaning you’ll be slow and get passed up by every other seller in the store.
Now, I didn’t include many mall brands on this list. By all means, pick up the Calvin Klein boots or Stafford dress shoes if they’re in good condition and a great price, but those things are no-brainers. Learning how to sell used shoes on eBay is about getting beyond the obvious. The more of these unusual brands you know, the faster you’ll be, and the less likely you are to leave items behind. So let’s do this!
The 30 Best Shoe Brands To Sell Online
1. RED WING SHOES
Founded in 1905, Red Wing Shoes got their first big break as manufacturers of fine shoes by making most of the shoes for soldiers in the First World War. They continued to refine their art by making fine leather shoes for soldiers in WWII, and their craftsmanship carries through to today.
What To Look For: Whenever we’re sourcing shoes to sell on eBay, we check all the men’s leather boots we see. Leather boots (and dress shoes) have the most profit potential, especially in thrift stores. Look for boots and work shoes. New sells, old and distressed sells, pretty much anything is worth picking up if it’s priced well!
Quick Tips: Also keep an eye out for Worx (Red Wing’s work shoe line) and Irish Setter (typically hunting boots).
2. JOHNSTON & MURPHY
Johnston & Murphy grew out of the William J. Dudley Shoes Company, founded in New Jersey in 1850. William J. Dudley was a master craftsman who had been schooled in the classical art of English shoemaking. This strong influence is still found in Johnston & Murphy shoes today.
What To Look For: Johnston & Murphy makes exclusively dress shoes and boots. They have a distinctive style and you will learn the models as you see them – but the only real way to find them is by digging methodically through the racks. Unlike some brands, you won’t have to scour the shoe to find the brand name. Johnston & Murphy shoes always have the brand name on the inner heel.
Quick Tips: Be sure to include the model name of the shoe you’re selling in the listing title. People become loyal to distinct shoe lines and want the same ones every time. Many shoes of this brand have leather soles that can crack over time. Bend the shoe to look for cracks and be sure to check for heel wear.
3. ALLEN EDMONDS
Allen Edmonds is a U. S. -based upscale designer with heavy influence from Italian Styles. Vintage shoes in good condition are a hot seller here. Distressed brogues are also great sellers, but be sure to check out the soles as they are particularly prone to wear.
What To Look For: Dress shoes of all types. Leather brogues with distressed uppers but solid soles are very good sellers.
Quick Tips: As with Johnston & Murphy shoes, Allen Edmonds has specific style names that you should include in your listing. We keep a tin of neutral shoe polish on hand to clean up and smooth out dress shoes. A 5-minute polish can easily add $20 to your asking price. Also, for dress shoes such as these, invest in a quality pair of shoe forms for taking pictures (just be sure to mention that they aren’t included).
~DO THESE RUN TRUE TO SIZE? – QUICK TIP~
Occasionally we get questions from potential buyers who don’t seem to have any idea how eBay works. The truth is, the majority of items being sold are not coming from the original owner. Because of this, questions like:
Do you find these fit true to size? Do you have wide feet? I do, and was wondering if these would fit will you take pictures of yourself in these sandals? Maybe with purple toenail polish to match the shoe color? (Okay, maybe this one doesn’t need a response. This is a real question I have received though.. )First off, if you want to make money selling used shoes, don’t ignore questions like these! Ignoring them can lead to either a lost sale or bad feedback/a return if they buy them and they don’t work out. Here’s what we do: research their question and answer it! If you are selling a newer shoe that you can find online, both Amazon and Nordstrom have fitment guides and will tell you how the shoes run, size-wise. If that fails, we read reviews of the shoes to get a general consensus of how they fit. Then we respond to the question with something like, “I am selling these shoes on consignment but was told that they fit true to size. Thanks! ” Sales every time.
4. ASOLO
Founded in 1975, ASOLO is a relative newcomer to the shoe industry. They are an Italian brand that specializes high quality, technical footwear with an emphasis on expeditions, trekking, and alpinism.
What To Look For: ASOLO does make a line of casual everyday footwear, but it’s almost always hiking boots that we find. You should be checking all the hiking boots you see, so look for the large logo and model name usually located on the tongue of boots.
Quick Tips: Be sure to thoroughly torture test ASOLO boots or shoes before you buy them. The soles are notorious for dry rotting if they have been sitting for too long. So bend them, twist them, maybe even step on them a bit. We sold a pair once that looked absolutely mint (they were vintage and must have been sitting in a closet for 15+ years), and the first time the buyer wore them the soles pretty much exploded off their feet.
5. WHITE’S
White’s has been dedicated to creating “the finest work boots in the world” since 1853. They got their start making tough-as-nails boots for loggers, and built a reputation for the most comfortable, long-lasting boots. They produce their boots (still by hand) in Spokane Valley, Washington.
What To Look For: White’s Boots is most famous for their “Smoke Jumper” boots for wildland firefighters, and these are the most valuable to sell. They also make all types of outdoor work boots, both out of rubber and leather. If they are leather, they will always have the White’s logo on the side.
Quick Tips: Do not be put off by White’s boots in poor condition. Leather boots can be conditioned, resoled, and totally restored. The rubber bottom boots in the example picture were actually in terrible condition. The rubber had several large cracks in it and was beyond my skill to repair. I just explained the condition thoroughly, took pictures, and waited for a buyer dedicated/desperate enough to try and fix them!
6. NIKE
Nike is a great brand to find at thrift stores and has been a very consistent seller for us on both eBay and Mercari. Condition is the most important factor in Nike’s selling price. Pristine, discontinued shoes can go for thousands if they’re still in their box! We’ve had the most luck with running shoes in excellent pre-owned condition. Often, we’ll run over these with some sneaker cleaner to make sure they look as good as they can!
What To Look For: The Nike swoosh is easy to recognize on nearly any shoe. Look for bright colors, shoes made of leather, and shoes with unusual soles. Regular old running or casual shoes from Nike can still do well on eBay, but only if they are in very good, clean condition. The more unusual the shoe, the more likely it is to be profitable.
Quick Tips: Be sure to torture test any Nikes you find. Bend and twist them around to make sure they don’t have cracks or that the tops aren’t separating from the soles. Nike is also one of the few brands that can be worth much more in clean condition, so invest in some shoe cleaning foam or wipes.
7. UGG
We only find a couple pair of UGG boots every month, but it’s always exciting for us! Made in Australia, Ugg boots are sheepskin and shearling, which makes them very soft and comfortable. Be sure to reach your hand all the way to the toe area as the fur tends to wear out there the soonest. Don’t avoid dirty boots (suede cleans easily) or other types of shoes with the UGG brand.
What To Look For: Be sure to look for slippers and sheepskin boots. The UGG brand is typically displayed prominently on the heel. There is always a code (typically 4 digits) on the inside of UGG shoes/boots that you can google to get an exact style name. If the boots feel light or cheap at all, be sure to make sure they’re genuine before listing them. The market is rife with fake UGGs which are easy to identify once you’ve felt the quality of the real thing.
Quick Tips: Ugg slippers and boots in poor condition still sell on eBay because people looking for a deal can always clean them. If you have limited funds for inventory you can always clean your Ugg boots yourself and ask for a few more dollars for them. Unless you are strapped for cash, however, cleaning them typically takes more time than it’s worth since you have to let them dry for at least a day before picturing and listing.
8. H. Trask
H. Trask is one of those brands that are quite expensive new but doesn’t have the brand recognition or demand to command high prices used. With that being said, we have still sold used shoes in good condition for $40-50 and people with better luck have gotten more. What To Look For: H. Trask makes mostly dress shoes and, of those, the majority that we find are loafers. When we’re looking for men’s dress shoes, we typically grab out any shoe that looks nice or is in good condition and check the brand. While we probably miss some things, this way is much faster, and let’s face it, very nice brands in poor condition aren’t worth much anyway.
9. Cole Haan
Founded in the US almost 100 years ago, Cole Haan is known for both men’s and women’s footwear as well as accessories. Cole Haan is a brand known to most thrift stores so expect to pay a little more.
What To Look For: Condition is very important in Cole Haan shoes, but not in the way that you’d think. As long as the soles are in good shape, there is a buyer out there for them. If the uppers are mint, people want them. If the uppers are highly worn and distressed (but the soles aren’t worn out), people still want them. Keep a look out for dress shoes (men’s and women’s) flats, and boots. Although they are harder to find, look for shoes from Cole Haan’s collaboration with Nike-which are recognizable by the vibrantly colored soles.
10. Merrell
Before I was an eBay seller, my Merrells were the most expensive pair of shoes I owned. When I needed new hiking boots, I headed straight to a local sports store (like an idiot) and dropped $130 on a new pair of Gore-Tex Merrell Boots. While I’m not impressed with my thriftiness, it does give me an appreciation for how expensive Merrell shoes/boots can be, and an understanding of why they are one of our best-selling brands on eBay.
What To Look For: Merrell boots are very recognizable, as are their running shoes. After finding them a few times, you’ll be able to simply scan the rack and pick out any pairs. Merrell shoes all have style names and numbers which are printed on the inside of the tongue. This is also where the size and gender of the shoe can be found. Look for both hiking boots and Merrell’s barefoot running brands of shoes.
Quick Tips: Because people tend to put a lot of miles on their hiking boots, you can find Merrell boots with uppers in very good condition but with terrible sole wear. Once you’ve determined that the soles don’t have any unusual wear patterns, be sure to twist and bend the shoes, as they tend to crack with age (or non-use) and can separate from the uppers.
11. Sperry Top Sider
“Well Bob, it sure looks like a beautiful day today. We’re looking at a high of 83 degrees and a high chance of men in Sperrys and salmon-colored shorts…”
What To Look For: Sperrys are very easy to find at almost any thrift store. That’s not to say, however, that they are easy to sell – or that you should buy everything you find. Look for men’s boat shoes in very good condition or in wide sizes. Women’s boat shoes are extremely plentiful (both at thrift stores and on eBay), so we don’t grab them unless they’re $2 or less. As with all other clothing, unusual colors or designs tend to do better. Sperry also makes boots, dress shoes, etc. but you’re unlikely to recognize them unless you are checking brands.
Quick Tips: Older Sperrys tend to be pretty shapeless, so a good pair of shoe forms makes a world of difference. We typically store and ship Sperry’s with a wad of paper in the shoe to keep them looking nice.
Also, give older Sperrys a good bend before buying them, as the soles can harden into slick pieces of plastic that can crack.
12. Steve Madden
What To Look For: One of our local stores hangs all their boots (with those stupid little pinch hangers that ruin leather). The easiest way to find nice boots there is to simply walk down the aisle and touch as many boots as possible. Nice leather has a very distinct feel, and Steve Madden boots are no exception. Feelings aside, Steve Madden boots always have a large logo across the inside heel.
Quick Tips: All Steven Madden boots have a style name that is typically printed near the inside top. Using this style name in the title will really help your listing get found by people looking for that specific boot. Also, pick up a pair of boot forms for picturing taller boots that you don’t want to stuff with newspaper. If you’re too cheap to buy those, pool noodles cut to boot length also work well.
13. Birkenstock
Despite their popularity, Birkenstocks are not readily available in the U. unless you want to head to a retailer and pay full MSRP. Dumb. While you can find a majority of sizes and styles, both times that Kirstie has ordered them recently they had to come straight from Germany because her exact size/style combo was not available anywhere else. This (along with their price) has created a huge aftermarket for all kinds of Birks online.
What To Look For: Strappy leather sandals. While certain colors and styles are worth more, they’re nearly all worth picking up. There are several sub-lines of Birkenstock (Birki & Papillo for example) that we also pick up as well. Watch out for fakes because they are plentiful and not profitable.
Quick Tips: Be sure to check the heels and toe area closely, as the cork will crumble and the footbed peels away from the sole. It is possible to clean Birkenstocks (we use this method for the footbed), but it’s simply not worth it if they are too far gone.
14. Tony Lama
What To Look For: Cowboy boots, western boots, riding boots, work boots, whatever the distinction is, almost anything Tony Lama sells well. The only items we avoid are older boots where the leather has stiffened or has cracks.
Quick Tips: As with all cowboy boots, check for excessive heel wear, cracks where the boot bends, and tears in the inner liner. If you are lucky enough to find Tony Lama boots made of exotic leather, going the extra mile to figure out what type it is can increase the value. If you can’t find similar skin patterns in boots for sale, emailing a picture to Tony Lama will usually help get them identified.
15. TOMS
Every time I wear my Toms, I get funny looks. People seem to think that there is something wrong with a 6’3″ 250lb man wearing girl shoes. Weird.
What To Look For: When I think of Toms, the classic slip-on Toms that every girl and strange man wears come first to my mind. Slip-on Toms are the least valuable and most plentiful in thrift stores. Instead, look for men’s chukka boots and women’s suede boots. No matter the style, look for the characteristic blue TOMS logo patch on the heel.
16. KEEN
What To Look For: The bulbous rubber toe is the easiest way to identify Keens. They make hiking boots, work boots, sandals, and casual shoes, but all have the same rubber toe which curls around the top. Leather Keens are worth more, but all except the most basic ones are worth picking up. As with most shoes, men’s items are worth more than women’s for this brand.
Quick Tips: One of the biggest problems with Keens (particularly the sandals) is that the rubber toe separates from the material underneath. The effectively kills any resale value they have, so be sure to push around the toe are to check for flaws.
Keen has this bad habit of putting the size information on a sticker in a high wear spot inside the shoe. If you can no longer read the size, take a guess and include a measurement of the insole.
17. ALTRA
What To Look For: Altra’s big claim to fame is their “Zero Drop” design with a wide toe box. This makes them very recognizable. Simply look for the wide toe and chunky sole. Their minimalist running shoes (very little sole) also have a wide toe box, and all styles have the Altra logo on the side.
The most valuable Altras by far are the leather and casual shoe/boot styles with the wide toe box. They are harder to find but are usually worth at least 2x what the running shoes are and we have sold several pair for over $100.
Quick Tips: Altra is known for making very well padded shoes and this translates to several problems for resale. The soles are soft and squishy and tend to wear quickly and strangely, depending on their previous owner. Also, the big squishy inner lining tears easily, and often has holes in the heel area. Because people who want Altras are usually particular about their running, we only pick up shoes with soles in excellent shape.
18. DR MARTENS
In the past few years, Dr. Marten has gone from being the love of punks to being a widely accepted shoe maker. It’s no longer unusual to see Docs in the workplace, jobsite, etc.
What To Look For: Classic Dr Martens are easily recognized by their two main characteristics: the “airwalk” loop on the back, and the chunky sole. You’ll soon learn to recognize both and will be able to pick out all the vintage Docs in a sea of drivel. Newer pairs are harder to find, and you’ll recognize them by checking tags or by seeing the telltale DM on the side. The best selling boots or shoes are those with either two tones or unusual colors. For example, the best pair we have found recently was a metallic silver pair of boots that we could nearly see our reflection in!
Quick Tips: Invest in a good tin of neutral shoe polish for all the glossy but faded colors of Dr. Martens that you find.
19. SOREL
What To Look For: If you see a pair of serious-looking rubber and leather snow boots at a thrift store, they are often either Sorel or Lacrosse. While they are both worth reselling, Sorel boots are the cream of the crop and some used pairs can sell for over $100! Looking for the polar bear emblem embossed on the side is the quickest way to ID Sorel boots. The best boots are those with the lowest temperature rating, particularly men’s. The other excellent selling line is women’s fashion footwear, namely leather items such as booties, and sandals.
Quick Tips: Boots without liners and liners without boots are both also worth picking up to sell.
20. CHIPPEWA
Chippewas is just one of many boot lines under the Justin Brand that is worth picking up. Also look for Justin, Nocona, and Tony Lama Boots.
What To Look For: Chippewas makes mainly heavy duty leather work boots. Keep a special eye open for “packer” boots that lace up and have a wooded heel. Made in the USA is a bonus as well.
21. CHACO
What To Look For: The most recognizable Chacos are also those that are most in demand. The thick soled sandals with nylon straps are by far Chaco’s best seller and sell the best used as well. While we don’t leave any Chacos behind, the more unusual the strap color or pattern, the more you can ask. Also, wide versions are slower sellers but tend to bring more money. Also, look for the “Made in USA” tag that is sewn onto one of the straps that will tell you one of two things:
The Chacos are vintage and are in high demand because they can be resoledThe Chacos are a custom band color or pattern that is probably unusual and in high demandQuick Tips: Be sure to identify the model of Chaco that you’re selling. The models are easy to identify by looking at other pairs for sale and will help people who want that specific style find your listing.
22. ECCO
I served a 2 year religious mission in Africa and the only pair of shoes I took with me was a pair of Eccos. While they didn’t make it the full two years, they lasted over 1, 000 miles of walking before needing to be replaced! I was so impressed with them I hunted high and low in the market and ended up spending 110, 000 shilling (about $45) for a nice used pair to replace my dead ones.
What To Look For: Look for men’s dress shoes in good condition. Both lace-ups and slip-ons are valuable but the dressier the shoe is the more it is (usually) worth. “ECCO” is almost always stamped on the side of shoes so the brand is easy to recognize.
23. FRYE
What To Look For: Like most of the leather boots we flip, we find Frye boots by feel and then confirm it with the logo on the heel or inside. Men’s Frye boots are consistently worth much more than women’s and can sell for $200-300, even in used condition. Look for engineer boots, lace-up styles, and dress shoes. Frye makes all types of women’s boots, shoes, and flats which are all worth picking up but not worth quite as much to resell.
24. HOKA ONE ONE
In direct competition to minimalist shoes and barefoot running movement, Hoka decided to produce what they call “Maximalist” shoes. That is, they have large, soft soles with way more than the average amount of cushion.
What To Look For: The large soles make Hoka shoes very recognizable. Keep an eye open for bright colors with hefty, contrasting soles. The HOKA name is typically prominent on the shoe so you shouldn’t have much trouble spotting them.
Quick Tips: The soft cushy soles on Hoka shoes make them particularly susceptible to wear. The majority of shoes that we find have funky wear patterns and we leave them on the shelf.
25. SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
When we first started reselling, I found a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo Suede horse-bit loafers for $8 at a local thrift. My research skills weren’t up to much, so I couldn’t find much on them and just bought them on a hunch. When I got home I learned that they were still available online and had an MSRP of $800!! I still felt strange about pricing my used items high so I put them on auction starting at $. 99. They ended up selling for $153. While I haven’t found many Ferragamo shoes as nice since then, we do find a couple a month and they are always good sellers.
What To Look For: Salvatore Ferragamo typically makes men’s dress shoes and rather plain women’s shoes/heels. Keep an eye open for men’s loafers and brogues, especially the double-bit loafers that the company is best known for.
26. WOLVERINE
While we do pick up and flip a number of boots with the name “Wolverine” on them, the company is actually much larger than that. What started as a leather shop in 1883 has grown into a worldwide business that owns Hush Puppies (their casual line), Cat Footwear, Merrell, Sebago, and Chaco, and are licensed by dozens of others including Harley Davidson, Sperry Topsider, Keds, Bates, Saucony, and more. Pretty much anything they own makes shoes worth picking up!
What To Look For: Leather boots – whether they’re work boots, casual boots, or western boots – are work checking. In fact, we check almost every pair of shoes we see that seem to be made of quality leather.
Quick Tips: One of the most important things to note in a listing for workboots is the “toe status. ” Is it a hard toe? Soft toe? Does it have a composite hard toe for electrical work? Knowing this can either add value to the sale or at least avoid an angry buyer who assumed something that wasn’t stated.
27. POETIC LICENSE
What To Look For: Anything crazy enough to catch your eye on the shoe racks is worth checking out, and this brand is no exception. Poetic License pushes “expression of individuality and zest for life, ” so you’d expect their shoes to be exactly what they are: crazy. Look for mainly heels with bright colors and outlandish embellishments. All of them will have a style name printed on the inside (unless it’s worn off) that you can use to look up similar/solds on eBay. The most valuable ones seem to be those with a specific theme that are still modest enough to wear to work, e. g. a pair that we just sold that was covered with a pri
3 Ways How to Make the Most Money When Reselling Shoes – Six Figure …
Reselling shoes can be an incredible opportunity, but in order to move ahead and make more money, you need to follow certain steps if you want to have success and avoid common issues that plague new resellers.
Here we will go over a 3 of the best ways that top six figure shoe resellers use to make top dollar when dealing with rare shoes.
We’ll teach you how to get top dollar and to get the best prices for your shoes on the resale market so you can make the most money across all platforms.
In short:
•move your shoes quickly
•use the best resale platforms
•sell the hottest stuff.
Keep reading to see each of these 3 expert tips explained in depth!
1. Avoid price drops by selling quickly
You can earn significantly more money if you move your merchandise quickly at top dollar.
However, in order to do this, you need to act quickly and know what you’re doing.
Let’s explain this concept a bit more:
Just because a shoe’s peak resale price is $500, you may only get buyers giving you $400 for a pair, meaning that you miss out on $100.
Add that up over the course of the year, and that can mean thousands of dollars lost.
This drop happens because of hype and interest surrounding a release that peaks during its release date.
Many times, shoes will drop in price the week or even the days following the release.
Although you will still be able to make money from limited release shoes any time you choose to flip them, your profits will not be as high as listed in articles like this which include the best streetwear reseller opportunities in one $14, 000 month.
Profits stated in the article above on selling streetwear are real, but the people making this kind of money are top sellers who are experts in the shoe reselling community.
Becoming a sneaker plug might seem impossible, but with enough time, research, dedication and hustle, you can certainly become a self made shoe reseller making up part of the billion dollar sneaker pie.
On the flip side of this tip that’s almost always correct, sometimes waiting to sell the shoes will gain you much more money than if you sell them right away.
This experts-only strategy can make you plenty more money, but it’s for those who thoroughly understand the history of sneakers so they know which shoes to hold onto that will go up in value over time.
As a rule of thumb though, especially as a beginner, sell shoes quickly and reinvest.
Education is key in this game, and you have to price perfectly as the market demands.
Pay attention to which releases are worth buying every month. We post complete lists every month, here’s one for May 2019.
It takes a bit of experience to learn how to price: not so high that your inventory sits, but not so low that you sell too quickly and ruin the resale market price for everyone. But once you do this, you’ll see your bank account grow.
2. Tools and resources: Sell on multiple platforms like eBay, GOAT, StockX, even Craigslist
Make use of the plenty of tools and resources out there for people who want to get top dollar for their rare sneakers. Aside from sneaker bots, which can be a bit tricky (we do our best to explain them here), platforms are abundant in creating six figure resellers.
The highest earning sneaker resellers are savvy about all of the different platforms that people use to sell their kicks, and understand all of the pros and cons (check out our post on advanced eBay, GOAT and StockX strategies here).
2 of the best platforms of all time to use for flipping shoes are StockX and eBay.
StockX
Take plenty of time browsing different categories and models of shoes on, and you’ll see some shoes with a historic rise in prices.
By noticing patterns, you’ll become an expert at pricing shoes, which will earn you extra money.
The Yeezy 350 Turtle Dove from 2016 is a good example of a shoe that has risen in value over time, one of the first pairs of Yeezys I started selling multiple pairs of that really got me into the game as I started seeing success.
eBay
eBay is a great place to sell quickly for a higher profit. Even though the platform is littered with fakes, it still has a base of loyal customers who take advantage of things like eBay bucks and buyer protection that no other reselling sites have.
There are a handful of sneaker resellers on eBay who make over six figures every year on eBay alone.
But you can’t just throw some shoes on eBay and hope they sell.
Not everyone who is selling shoes on eBay is making money, only those who know what they’re doing.
Having an eBay account with good reputation is absolutely critical to being found first and thus selling quickly when listing shoes, the hypemaster playbook goes through advanced strategies and much more like this.
Online platforms are great because you can get a lot of traffic and fresh buyers so you can almost be sure your shoes will sell on these websites as long as you appropriately price them.
Also consider doing some old fashioned wheeling and dealing for some straight cash.
You can do this by selling your shoes in person.
Selling locally on Craigslist and in person will help you avoid platform fees and shipping so you can sell for less money and still pocket more profit.
You’ll have to have hypemaster lingo, knowledge, and a growing network to take full advantage of this strategy, but once you do, it’s totally worth it.
3. Sell the hottest sizes
From my past experience, size 8 US and size 12 US are the 2 absolute best sizes to sell with the highest demand, the quickest sales, and often higher prices than other more common sizes like 9 and 10.
Also, gain regular customers who will request something in their size, and make sure you get at least one pair in their size so you can fulfill their need, and often they will pay you more than normal to secure the shoes for them when you become their personal shopper that they trust.
Sometimes though, it’s good practice to see what shoes are currently selling on eBay, and then filling the gap with a size that’s not currently available.
Advanced tools and strategies like this are discussed in depth in our exclusive Hypemaster Playbook.
Of course, this takes the ability to secure multiple sizes which only hypemasters who know the best manual techniques along with the use of sneaker bots can do.
~~~
Employ these 3 strategies above, and this can make difference between making $500 a month and $5, 000 per month with sneakers, the difference between a full and part time living.
Selling shoes is an incredibly fun way to make a living and to stay up with current fashion trends, whether it’s your intention to rock the kicks or not is up to you, but making money is a duty that everyone should take part in and if that’s your only intention, then more power to you????.
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Frequently Asked Questions about best shoes to resell on ebay
What shoe size sells the most on eBay?
From my past experience, size 8 US and size 12 US are the 2 absolute best sizes to sell with the highest demand, the quickest sales, and often higher prices than other more common sizes like 9 and 10.Apr 21, 2018
What is the best way to sell shoes on eBay?
eBay offers feedback for a reason, check it once. … Most scammers on eBay sell high grade replicas, which are good enough to trick the average consumer. However, if they sell enough fake shoes, they’ll eventually be exposed.
