How much are you willing to spend on a pair of sneakers? $100? $200?
For some, the answer is between $400 and $500. Sometimes, even more!
These devoted buyers are always on the constant lookout for the newest designs. Others can’t afford that much.
If you’re the latter, don’t worry. There are ways for you to become a successful sneakerhead and get your hands on everything the fashion industry has to offer without emptying your bank account. We can help you do it.
Check out this guide to learn how to get the best deals on the latest kicks in stores and online.
Set Your Budget
The first step in getting a good deal on your Nike Dunks Low is to figure out how much you’re willing to spend on them. Once you have a number in mind, set aside a bit of cash from all of your paychecks so you can afford your athletic footwear without asking your family for help.
If need be, don’t be afraid to get a side gig. Simply DoorDashing for a few hours after you finish your main job will give you cash that you can add to your sneakers saving pool.
Take Advantage of Online Sales
If after saving, you still find that the shoes you want are out of your budget, wait for online sales. There are so many times during the year when you can get a good deal that sitting on your hands shouldn’t be too painful.
Start searching around the back-to-school season. Retailers know that parents are going to be buying new shoes for their kids during this time. To take advantage of the demand, they put a ton of promotions on all the latest sneaker brands.
If you miss the back-to-school rush, there’s always Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These are the biggest shopping days of the year, so you’ll most likely find several pairs marked down.
You should also keep your eye on new sneaker releases. The fresh designs won’t be on sale yet, but retailers will beg you to take the shoes from the previous lineup off their hands.
Wait for Releases to Hit the States
Speaking of new sneaker releases, oftentimes, they hit other countries before coming over to the States.
While you may be tempted to get ahead of the game, you should hold off. Paying for overseas shipping is no joke.
Don’t Invest in Every Shoe
As a collector, we understand that you want to grab every pair of designer shoes that you can get your hands on. When it comes to the footwear industry, however, it’s quality over quantity.
You shouldn’t waste your money investing in a pair of shoes that don’t have a good return investment. That, and being a sneakerhead isn’t a measure of how much you spend.
You don’t have to prove yourself by dishing out $700 for a single pair of sneakers, not when a $100 pair will suffice.
Visit Obscure Stores
Being a sneakerhead when you live in a large city can be a challenge. Everyone’s heading to all the designer stores to buy the latest shoes.
Beat the crowd by not joining in with them. Mom and pop shops out in the suburbs may have what you’re looking for at a fraction of the price. The only reason why people aren’t visiting them is that they’re not as well-known.
It’s not a bad idea to head to your local thrift store. You’d be surprised at what people give away.
Talk to Other Sneakerheads
When you buy a pair of sneakers, don’t rush through the checkout line and leave. Talk to the person at the register for a bit.
If you make friends with them, they may be willing to give you a call when they get new releases.
Your fellow sneakerheads on online forums might have designer kicks that they can offload on you for a good price as well.
Craigslist and eBay
No matter if you’re buying or selling sneakers, eBay and Craigslist are great resources. You can use them to find out where you should set your prices.
As far as purchasing goes, it can be cheaper to buy from these platforms than to go to a store.
You do need to watch yourself, however. People post up fakes all the time. If you’re not careful, you’ll get caught up in a scam.
Put in an Application at a Sneaker Store
If you love sneakers and you’re looking for work, there’s no better place to submit an application than a sneaker store. When new designs hit the shelves, employees get to have their pick of them before anyone else.
You’ll also have access to sweet discounts and sometimes, free shoes. The problem is that these stores don’t usually pay too much.
You’ll have tons of perks, but you’ll barely work for minimum wage. Even if the store gives you a decent salary, it can be hard to hold on to your cash when you’re surrounded by beautiful shoes all day long.
Become a Sneakerhead Without Spending a Fortune
The life of a sneakerhead can be a hard one. Paying for all the latest releases isn’t easy. If you don’t wait for sales, you could end up dishing out hundreds of dollars for a single pair.
As you can see, there are ways for you to avoid emptying your bank account. If you play your cards right, you’ll have access to the kind of shoes you’ve always dreamed of.
For more tips that’ll help you get your hands on your favorite sneaker designs, visit the Fashion & Beauty section of our blog.