[Discussion] Downsizing/Minimizing Sneaker Collection or Quitting Collecting (WITH TIPS/RESOURCES)

[fluid hips]

Hard to resist when shoes selling for $100-$150 get discounted to $40-$70

Last three cops

Panda dunks $60
P6000 $60
Puma palermo $50

 

[rbk93]

I want the all red Diamond Turf 2s admittedly.

 

[TSCQ]

NEVER. STOPPED FOLLOWING THESE PAGES/SITES A FEW YEARS AGO.

TOO MANY BRANDS RELEASE WAY TOO MUCH TOO OFTEN… TOO MUCH TO KEEP UP WITH.

man, i wish i was one of those nature dude who collected plants and bugs.

 

[us3less]

TIL (today I learned) about the Endowment Effect. If this isn't spot-on in sneaker culture, I don't know what is. Found this after searching up about "signs the things you own end up owning you."

The endowment effect in sneakers occurs when people place a higher value on shoes they own—or feel they own—than identical ones they do not, often leading to higher valuations and reluctance to sell. Sneaker brands fuel this by increasing perceived ownership through customization (e.g., Nike By You), limited-release raffles, and the "thrill of the hunt" for scarce, exclusive collaborations.
Key Aspects of the Endowment Effect in Sneakers

• Perceived Ownership & Value: Once a consumer personalizes or wins a chance to buy a sneaker, they perceive its value as significantly higher, often 2.5 times more than the market price, because of a sense of psychological ownership.
• Customization (The IKEA Effect): Designing custom sneakers on sites like Nike by You makes individuals feel responsible for the final product, increasing their attachment and inflating its value because they invested time and effort into creating it.
• Scarcity and Exclusivity: Limited releases (e.g., Supreme, Off-White) enhance this effect. When a consumer manages to secure a rare pair, the effort to acquire them makes them part of their self-identity.
• Loss Aversion: The pain of losing or selling a highly sought-after sneaker is greater than the pleasure of gaining a similar one, making collectors hold onto items even if they don't wear them.

Marketing Tactics Leveraging the Effect

• The "Digital Try-On": Online platforms allowing users to build and view their own custom shoe in 3D create "virtual ownership," leading to higher purchase rates.
• Raffles and Social Media: Creating a "hunt" or "gamified" experience forces customers to invest energy before owning, strengthening the psychological bond.
• "Drop" Culture: By limiting availability, brands make the possession of the sneaker a badge of honor, increasing emotional attachment and perceived rarity.

This video exemplifies that.

 

[iOnlyWearAir]

^lost out on a decent sale cause of this. smh I should've sold it at the price offered.

 

[truenike81]

 

[truenike81]

 

[truenike81]

Google Search

 

[pwguy]

No offense, but this is marketing 101 that's been around for 100 years. Surprised that video makes it sound like some kind of discovery. The name they applied to it might be new, but this is extremely intuitive.

 

[us3less]

No offense, but this is marketing 101 that's been around for 100 years. Surprised that video makes it sound like some kind of discovery. The name they applied to it might be new, but this is extremely intuitive.

Right. I think not a lot of people are aware at how much of a chokehold it can have on people (including me). Some awareness in some tactics relating to it, but I personally never knew about it to this level haha. In some ways, I feel like it can blur the lines between that and sentimental value (i.e. waited hours or beat out bots to get some hyped shoes, which now the shoes pairs itself with the experience of getting it).

No doubt, Nike (as the prime example here) has mastered the hell out of marketing and a hell of a lot of tactics, which is the reason I believe it's a marketing company.

 

[truenike81]

Nike return policy is real strict now good lawd

 

[us3less]

Nike return policy is real strict now good lawd

What happened? Is it no longer a 60-day window?

 

[truenike81]

What happened? Is it no longer a 60-day window?

Still 60 days but use to be longer if shoe was still DS

 

[Public Enemy]

Still 60 days but use to be longer if shoe was still DS

Oh they changed that like a year ago, maybe even longer

 

[rbk93]

Last cop was the Nina Chanel Abney 3s, which I bought because it's the only shoe I actually won a raffle on(before Fragment Union Royals) lol.

To keep it simple and short, I try to make "intentional" shoe purchases. And that could mean anything really but I don't feel the need to chase every pair anymore, which is a good thing.

Still like trying new designs/tech though so that's the downside.

I'll figure it out one day.

 

[nice jahb]

Still like trying new designs/tech though so that's the downside.

That’s the hardest part for me. I love new tech as well, but what I’ve realized over the last 10 years is a lot of these gimmicks aren’t worth it.

Really just learning to appreciate from a far.

 

[Arthur Shelby]

 

[Public Enemy]

Glad I'm not a size 9

 

[sneakaprince]

I'm a 9/ 9.5 but Seth has been called out a lot for dabbling in fakes. I'm gonna pass.

Sadly I still own far too many sneakers.

 

[s dubl]

I don’t know who that dude is, or how long he’s actually been in this.

I think a lot of us want to off pairs/slow down, because we’ve been doing it so long, it gets overwhelming with all that we own/the frequency we buy… but some of these dudes, I assume they want to get out of this because shoes just aren’t as hype/valuable as they used to be.

 

[Air Champa]

I remember Seth. A lot of these dudes seemed to have popped up around 2014 - 2015ish.

Out of curiosity, I might look some of them up to see if they're even still around.

I gotta say some of these prices do make it just a little tempting to jump back in.

 

[sneakaprince]

I don’t know who that dude is, or how long he’s actually been in this.

I think a lot of us want to off pairs/slow down, because we’ve been doing it so long, it gets overwhelming with all that we own/the frequency we buy… but some of these dudes, I assume they want to get out of this because shoes just aren’t as hype/valuable as they used to be.

They new to this not true to this. They will be back when the hype returns.

I'm not downsizing nearly as much at this point partially because the market is down.

I have away probably 10-20k (dollars) in SBs right before they were trendy again. I happen to finally have the space to store all my **** so it cost me nothing to wait until hype returns. I will probably move a lot of pairs once it's back tho.

 

[s dubl]

Market sucks to off pairs, for sure. But the money I get from offing pairs, pretty much goes right back in to other pairs. I guess it balances out. My mind tells me it sucks to lose money on certain pairs, but then I’m buying something else at retail (which in the past could’ve been difficult) or at a nice discount. This past weekend was a perfect example of that. Grabbed volt foams, comet 95s, and banned 1 lows (x2) for all less than retail. Also grabbed Nigel 4s for retail. Market being trash is a gift and a curse. Before would be a struggle to spend money on shoes, unless you pay resell. Now it’s like, BOOM 700+ on GOOD pairs that woulda been a pain to get at or around retail.

Still in a deficit for the year. I’ve sold 15 pairs, and only bought 12, that’s a positive for me.

 

[the red model]

Same here. I move stuff but I end up getting something else I really want for way cheaper. I guess the fact that Im actually wearing them is a good thing.

 

[truenike81]

Im just offing stuff I don't wear or worn a few times just to buy the stuff I really want