How Do Sneaker Resellers Get So Many Shoes?
And why you don't
Key Points:
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Using a combination of bots and monitors, sneaker resellers have a competitive edge
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Some claim they have “backdoor” access, but this isn’t always the truth
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Joining a community of other resellers is the fastest way to learn the ins and outs of reselling shoes
We’ve all seen it on social media. Boxes and boxes of sneakers piled up in living rooms, garages, and literal warehouses. Sneaker resellers will horde their kicks like greedy dragons, and can make an absolute killing on the aftermarket. What’s their secret? How are they able to pick up so many pairs, when it feels like every drop sells out instantly? Let’s get into it.
Sneaker resellers use bots
Okay, this one needs to be said first. If you’ve ever tried competing for the latest shoe drop and are greeted with an OOS message, the answer is probably bots. They’re everywhere, in every industry, and everyone is using them. At least, the resellers who hit are using them.
Essentially, bots work by automating the checkout procedure, speeding through the process far faster than any human can, and snatching up stock. Bots also allow users to spoof their location and personally identifying information, allowing them to dodge purchase limits.
@kickswithfrank The inside look of my sneaker warehouse, aka the living room 💀😭 #sneakerreseller #sneakercollection #sneakertok2023 #sneakercollector #sneakerreselling
But wait! Most drops lately are raffles. How can bots be used here? Well, actually sneaker bots eat up raffles as well. By creating thousands of accounts with unique emails, personal information, virtual credit cards, and addresses, bots allow a single sneaker reseller to mimic thousands of individuals. It’s like buying up half the lottery for the price of a single ticket.
The fact of the matter is, bots dominate the sneaker industry. While retailers may take steps to fight back, sneaker bots are only getting stronger. Without one, you will struggle to compete.
Sneaker resellers use stock monitors
A monitor allows an individual person to be notified when a website is updated. It’s up to the user to configure what causes a monitor to fire, but most will be set up to watch for stock being loaded. When a shoe goes up for sale, the monitor will send an alert to the user, letting them know what’s happening. Monitors are critical for keeping up with new releases.
Additionally, monitors are commonly used for proprietary sites. The main sneaker bots are designed to work for a particular checkout flow, so a third-party seller using their own system may not be compatible. On these sites, a monitor is ideal so that a reseller can make a purchase immediately after stock is loaded.
Sneaker resellers backdoor drops
In this case, “backdooring” refers to a buyer having access to shoes before the general public. Whether through personal connections, favors getting called in, or insider access, backdooring allows a sneaker reseller to completely avoid the competition, and buy up as many pairs as they like.
But how common is backdooring really? Resellers often like to claim, or at least imply, they have backdoor access, but is that legit? Well, it’s hard to say. If you come across a sneaker reseller offering to sell hyped pairs at low prices, even below retail, they may have backdoor access.
Chances are, they’re just a scammer. Zadeh Kicks is a great example of a supposed backdoor reseller actually just committing fraud. Zadeh claimed his company had access to thousands of sneakers, available before the actual drops. They sold pairs for $50-$100 below retail prices, and when the drop happened, buyers actually got the pairs.
Or at least, some of them did. In reality, Zadeh pocketed most of the cash from his business, and used a combination of refunds, threats, and just straight ignoring the problem to try and keep the business going. In the end, he was charged with fraud, and the company collapsed.
Sneaker resellers join cook groups
So, sneaker resellers use bots, monitors, and have backdoor access. But how do they know which shoes to buy? How do they decide what to cop and what to skip? Where to sell their shoes and at what price? And how did they learn to do all of this in the first place.
They joined up with other resellers, and started learning. Whether you’re just getting started reselling or a seasoned pro, joining a community of other resellers is the easiest way to level up your resell skills. In RC Elite, you’ll have access to numerous opportunities for reselling. If shoes are all you’re interested in, we’ve got you covered. You won’t miss another drop, and you’ll have expert knowledge at your fingertips 24/7. From sneakerheads to casual flippers to full-time resellers, RC Elite has a spot for everyone, including you.
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