It doesn’t matter if you’ve camped out, won a raffle, or paid way too much on eBay for a pair. If you’ve never been to a sneaker convention, you can never truly call yourself a sneakerhead. Like many other subcultures, we sneaker lovers gather together to buy sell and trade in wearable currency. It’s also the chance to cop general releases you missed or, those grails you been thirsting for. The knowledge I’m about to bless you with will help you save time and money when you’re out in the trenches:
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1) Do your Research
There’s no bigger letdown than showing up to an event with 15+ boxes of kicks, only to realize that “event” you saw on Instagram is really just a sweaty conference room. No bigger than a studio apartment in Brooklyn. You go back to the Instagram post thinking “Am I in the right place? I paid $20 for this?” Or even worse, showing up to the address and there’s no event at all. I learned the hard way (I got my refund though. Shout out to PayPal). That’s not a shot at any promoters or entrepreneurs. Their job is to get you to show up, but if it takes you less than 5 min to walk the whole floor just, take the L and try again next time. The major events usually have major sponsors, like Jason Markk, or local radio stations like Hot 97, and will be well promoted via Twitter, Instagram, etc. Call the venue a few days before and find out how much floor space the event will have. Keep up with your local retailer to see if they will have vendor booths set up. That way, if the flyer says music by “DJ Ham Sandwich”, you can probably skip this one.
2) Be Prepared
Buy your tickets at least one week before the event. Tickets will almost always be more expensive at the door, and lines will be long. This should be nothing new, as you probably waited on line for shoes at some point in you sneakerhead journey. Some events even let advanced ticket holders enter the venue early. Stay hydrated: almost every sneaker show/event I’ve ever been to is crowded and as hot as a Jamaican club in August, so bring water. The bigger venues will have food on site, but who wants to pay $15 for a slice and a soda? These kind of events are always better with friends, so bring your squad. Designate one person to keep you from spending all your hard earned money. You can’t admire your collection in the dark either, so pay your damn light bill.
3) Cash is King
The best deal can come at any moment, so be sure to have enough cash on hand. Larger events may have ATMs on site, but you’ve already bought a ticket, paid for transportation and parking depending on the venue! You came to buy and sell, not pay fees! Retail prices on most Jordan retros, or Nike signature shoes are between $180-$220. The resale value of deadstock retros can start at $300 and up, so a wise man (or woman) should bring at least that much. It’s enough to cop some low key heat, but not enough that you’ll be on a Ramen noodle diet till payday. Don’t be afraid to negotiate or trade.
4) CO-OP is key
Partners in crime. Wingmen. The squad. Whatever you choose to call them. Having another set of eyes and ears can maximize your potential for making deals and keep you from spending more than you should. Never underestimate the power of a “Nah, chill” from a trusted associate. Always have a friend double or triple check the quality and authenticity of any purchase. If there’s money to be made, trust that someone will try to get over. Which brings us to No.5.
5) Don’t Get Got
The last few years have seen unauthorized replicas flood the market. What’s worse is that they’re getting closer and closer to the real thing. If you have you eye on a particular pair, go to your local consignment shop and take a good look. Take note of the shoe’s construction, detailing , and materials. Always look at the tag on the inside. Youtube and Instagram are good resources to use to get the details on the latest pairs.
6) Rock Your Heat
It’s that simple. We wait on long lines, camp outside of stores and spend thousands of our hard earned pesos on these shoes. For what? To stockpile boxes of kicks and keep the locked up in your mom’s basement? Never that! Shoes are made to be worn, so go forth and break necks.
