Sneaker Buying App
Unfortunately, buying in-demand sneakers these days isn't as easy as it used to be. The chances of wandering into a retail store and finding a rare pair are slim to none, and even highly trafficked websites are as plagued with bots as ever, but apps are often more reliable. Thanks to raffle systems and an evolving aftermarket, the right apps can remedy a lot of the headaches that come along with buying sneakers in 2019.
sneaker buying app
StockX have stamped themselves as the go-to platform for sneakerheads searching for secondary market cops. Specialising in sneakers, StockX also deals in the latest streetwear, accessories, and even handbags.
The app is unique in that it encourages community engagement and social sharing. The interactive approach has led to the app becoming most popular among the Gen Z sneakerheads out there, with the average user age quoted as 15 years old.
Essentially, Copdate aims to take away the crowds, lines, and hassle of the hyped sneaker drops, allowing the stores to deliver releases straight to the smartphones of hypefiends worldwide. Expect more shops to adapt the Copdate approach in the future.
I can't even remember how many times I've had to get in line at a FootLocker to buy the latest pair of Air Jordans. But that was years ago, long before websites and apps became the main way I shop for sneakers. Nowadays, if I do end up at a FootLocker, it's because I won a raffle through its app and just have to go pick up a pair of shoes -- no waiting on long lines necessary. With the rise of smartphones and the internet as a whole, retailers along with brands like Nike and Adidas have turned to technology to sell sneakers, especially limited-edition ones that have the potential to cause physical fights. If I want a pair of Jordans in 2019, I just use Nike's SNKRS app, and I don't have to worry about someone jumping me for them as I leave a store.
Naturally, those limited-edition sneakers (that bots may or may not be buying) often end up on third-party marketplaces such as StockX, GOAT, SneakerCon or eBay. And while many pairs are sold for more than their original retail price, you could also find some below market cost on these services. It just depends on how hyped the shoes you're looking for are. It wasn't long ago that eBay was basically the only site sneakerheads could turn to if they missed out on a particular shoe, but today there are so many options on the internet.
Of course, you can't talk about online marketplaces without mentioning eBay. You probably already know how eBay works, but just in case: The main difference between it and apps like StockX, GOAT and Sneaker Con is that here, you're going to be buying your sneakers directly from an independent seller. Sure, that can make the ordering process quicker than on StockX or GOAT, but it also comes with risks of its own. Unlike with the StockX, GOAT or Sneaker Con apps, eBay doesn't have an authentication service for sneakers, so you're going to have to trust that the seller is sending you authentic goods.
Ultimately, choosing between any of these services comes down to whether you want to buy new or used. StockX, GOAT and Sneaker Con all have reliable authentication systems in place, and although the shipping process could take a little long, I'd rather have piece of mind that my shoes legit. And while eBay claims there aren't many fakes on its site, until it gets an authentication system like these other apps, I'll always be worried about buying pairs from its independent sellers.
The sneaker company added new terms for U.S. online sales this month to prevent resellers from purchasing its products and reselling them on the secondary market using automated technology or software. The Wall Street Journal first reported the changes Tuesday.
Previous versions of Nike's terms already prohibited buying products for resale. But the new rules allow the company to cancel orders placed with bots. Nike also added that it can decline refunds, charge restocking fees and suspend the accounts of users it suspects of reselling.
Earlier this year, Nike took legal action against online resale marketplace StockX for allegedly allowing sales of counterfeit versions of its sneakers. Nike said in May that it bought four pairs of counterfeit footwear from StockX, despite that company's claim it authenticates the shoes sold on its site.
The big picture: The sneaker market runs on hype, and FOMO when it comes to coveted limited editions, like retro Jordans or Yeezys, says Mike Sykes, writer of The Kicks You Wear blog. (Sykes is also a former Axios reporter).
The bottom line: Wannabe buyers can sit on apps for hours a day, and monitor social media announcements, trying to win just one pair. For long-time sneakerheads, the market can sometimes feel broken.
If you love having a fresh set of sneakers, chances are you've used Nike's SNKRS app. It lets sneakerheads join drawings to buy the company's latest designs. But recently, customers have had complaints - resellers. They deploy bots, or fake automated accounts, to scoop up all the shoes, forcing many customers to pay double or triple the retail price. But all that could be about to change. To tell us more about it, we turn to Mike Sykes II. He writes "The Kicks You Wear" newsletter and is a staff writer for USA Today. Thank you for joining us.
SYKES: All right. So what's going on is Nike has updated their terms of sale agreement with the consumers to include these anti-bot regulations. So they're allowing themselves to cancel orders, charge restock fees, limit purchase quantities of all of these different sneakers that you see on, like, the SNKRS app or even on nike.com or the Nike app, sometimes, so that the consumers who actually just want to wear the shoes and not resell them have a better chance of getting them while, you know, the resellers are doing what they do.
SYKES: So the SNKRS app is something that sneakerheads use pretty much every weekend and even throughout the week, to go after these limited releases that Nike will release. They all come in limited quantities, and so you have to enter into these drawings to literally have a chance to purchase the shoes. So you know, like, with a normal raffle, maybe you would have a chance to, you know, win the shoe for free, but in the sneakers world, you get a chance to actually buy it and spend your money, which is kind of weird, but that's how it works.
SYKES: Ayesha, I'm buying sneakers constantly, or I'm trying to. And that's the thing, right? It's like - there are times when you'll get them, but more often than not, you're not actually buying these sneakers. You're just trying to do it. It's almost like a game.
Hunting For Kicks is an independent online magazine show hosted by Mkay Frash, dedicated to showcasing and documenting urban youth and sneaker culture. First launched in 2013, the aim of the show is to share knowledge on the essence of sneaker culture and the people who truly live it. We do not support the notion of hoarding of shoes; we support the love and appreciation of sneakers as wearable art and memorabilia. Everyone has a unique story behind their favorite pairs and culture as a whole.
When sneakers are released in limited quantities, it's often a race to see which sneakerheads can input their credit card information on a website or app the fastest in order to checkout before the product sells out. Bots are specifically designed to make this process instantaneous, offering users a leg-up over other buyers looking to complete transactions manually.
Though bots are notoriously difficult to set up and run, to many resellers they are a necessary evil for buying sneakers at retail price. The software also gets around "one pair per customer" quantity limits placed on each buyer on release day.
As the sneaker resale market continues to thrive, Business Insider is covering all aspects of how to scale a business in the booming industry. And bots are a major part of that. From how to acquire and use the technology to the people behind the most popular bots in the market today, here's everything you need to know about the controversial software.
Bots, like sneakers, can be difficult to purchase. Most bot makers release their products online via a Twitter announcement. There are only a limited number of copies available for purchase at retail. And once sold out, bots often resell for thousands of dollars.
While bots are relatively widespread among the sneaker reselling community, they are not simple to use by any means. Insider spoke to teen reseller Leon Chen who has purchased four bots. He outlined the basics of using bots to grow a reselling business.
While most resellers see bots as a necessary evil in the sneaker world, some sneakerheads are openly working to curb the threat. SoleSavy is an exclusive group that uses bots to beat resellers at their own game, while also preventing members from exploiting the system themselves. The platform, which recently raised $2 million in seed funding, aims to foster a community of sneaker enthusiasts who are not interested in reselling.
In many cases, bots are built by former sneakerheads and self-taught developers who make a killing from their products. Insider has spoken to three different developers who have created popular sneaker bots in the market, all without formal coding experience.
Splashforce, a bot that services nearly 4,000 customers, was created by an 18-year-old who had previously described himself as "dirt poor." The teen founder and co-owner of Adept, another major sneaker bot, initially earned money via a paper route. Meanwhile, the maker of Hayha Bot, also a teen, notably describes the bot making industry as "a gold rush."
The Nike SNKRS app is available for Android and iOS. Once you've installed the app, it's time to create an account. Nike requires an account to be able to buy sneakers on the SNKRS app. To create an account you will need to enter a valid email address, password, name, DOB, country of residence, preferred product type and password. Upon creation, it is important to sign into the newly created SNKRS account to confirm and verify your phone number. Nike will send you a 6 digit code to do so. 041b061a72