The Advantages, Disadvantages, & Dangers of Pre-Orders
Posted by George Kiel III | Oct 12, 2009 Waiting for a major sneaker release is not easy. Often, several months separate the first look and the actual release of a sneaker. In between time, a plethora of detailed photos surface in attempt to hold us over until the release.
However, a few pairs (one way or the other) hit the web early possessing a price more than double the retail tag. All in all, having the shoes early would be great, but the price is just a little too much out of reach of justification. Along comes offers to “pre-order” and reserve your pair. Priced slightly higher than the box price, this option sounds like a great way to ensure you get these great kicks and take away the need to camp out only to potentially be shut out on a cold winter morning. There has been a recent phenomenon of the practice of pre-orders in the sneaker community and while the process might sound simple and convenient, consumers should still exercise precautions. In this article Nice Kicks explores the business of pre-ordering sneakers - the advantages, the disadvantages, and the dangers. |
Reselling sneakers has long been a practice in the community though it still remains something quite controversial. Purchasing a pair for personal use is worth the campout for many, but grabbing a second, or third pair can help one offset the cost of their time and hassle of getting up early to wait in the cold for a few hours. The afternoon of a highly anticipated release will bring many pairs to eBay of sellers looking for a quick flip. For years the process was almost a guaranteed win as quantities were relatively limited and demand was strong, but as companies started increasing quantities and frequency of releases, reselling wasn’t a guaranteed money maker like before.
While some quit the practice all together on general release goods, others drafted other plans. In business, the old saying goes “buy low, then sell high”, but what if the formula was reversed and the process was flipped to “sell high, then buy low.” Welcome to the concept of pre-orders. Since the sellers take on less risk of getting stuck with a pair they can’t move or the risk of buyers not paying a good price for the shoes on the after market, a lower price is demanded for payment up front.
Buyers can sleep in, stay in their warm houses, and count on receiving their shoes the following week with ease. But, what if everything doesn’t go according to plan?
We caught up with a reader of the site, Mike Ruiz, who experienced just this. “The problem came with the Eggplant Foamposites. Usually I got my tracking number on the release date or the Monday, but I didn’t hear a word from the seller. I knew the site was legit, but I had to send an email 5 days after the release to ask what was up. The seller took too many orders and told me that he should be able to get my pairs if he had a couple more days to call other stores. Another week went by and the best he could offer me was my money back. This wasn’t much help since the shoes were selling on eBay for $275 in my size - out of my price range. I didn’t want my money, I wanted my sneakers. I was told if I paid in advance my pairs were reserved. I guess the seller was just on the hunt like everyone else.”
Thankfully for Mike, his money was returned to him, but this hasn’t always been the case. “I knew the demand was going to be stupid for the Jordan 11/12 CDP,” said Jason Miles, “so I paid $420 for a pre-order in October way ahead of the release date just to make sure I got my shoes. The release date came and I started sending emails every day after the release asking for a tracking number. I never heard a word. Finally I contacted Paypal, but since it had been almost 3 months, I wasn’t protected as a buyer. My Christmas present was getting scammed.”
These two stories were not the norm when we asked readers to submit their stories of pre-ordering. Most were thrilled of the process of not having to camp out or risk waiting all the time in line to not get their shoes by the time it was their turn to purchase.
“We usually get the pre-order items 2 weeks before the available date we have listed on our website,” states Ron from the website ShoeTrends.com, a website that offers pre-orders, “…If buyers pre-order the shoe they are guaranteed their pair.”
From our research we came across pre-orders being offered on eBay and was able to get in touch with one of the sellers. “The key is knowing how many of what shoes and what size,” states the seller who wished not to be identified, “I only offer for sale the exact quantities once I receive my shipping confirmation from my vendor.”
As with any buying decision, some precautionary steps and pre-purchase research can go a long way to making your pre-order experience a success. Below we have assembled a quick list of 7 steps you should take before you decide to pre-order your next pair.
7 Things to look out for when Pre-Ordering
1. Read Reviews. Take a quick look at sneaker forums such as NikeTalk and look for user experiences. Don’t be afraid to post questions in the appropriate part of the forum for a legit check. If all else fails, Google is your friend.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask. Ask the seller what processes they take to ensure that they will be able to obtain the shoes for you. Asking a seller for names and connects will most likely not receive a response, but it is well within your rights to ask what steps they take to secure your pair. It doesn’t hurt to ask about the “what if’s” as well. It is important to know how the seller will handle the situation in the event that they are unable to obtain your shoes.
3. Read seller’s policies. Take the couple minutes to read through the seller’s store policy. Make sure you are comfortable with the terms and conditions of the site.
4. Protect yourself. Use a credit card or Paypal to make your pre-order. Both of these payment methods do provide buyer protection.
5. Don’t pre-order too early. Before you place your pre-order, find out how many days you have after the purchase to file a dispute from your credit card issuer. The “period of protection” varies from as short as 30 days to 180 days. It is strongly advised only to make a pre-order within this period in the event that you do not receive your merchandise.
6. Can you contact? Make sure that the site or person taking the pre-orders has reasonable avenues of contact. Does the seller have an email address? Phone number? It is always to know this before you pre-order.
7. Copies of contact. Save all emails and communication between yourself and the seller. Hopefully you will never need to use these, but it is always advised to keep copies.
Nov 14, 2009 at 9:25 pm
No I haven’t heard anything despite the fact they said on Twitter they all should have arrived by this week Nov 14th.
Oct 27, 2009 at 5:11 am
Kenneth,
Did you received your order from Kixclusive since the 20th? Or did you have any contact with them?
I ordered August 31st and have no more contact with them since October 13rd !!! They pretend to be busy because they are opening a store in SoHo!!! F**k that man..This is BS…They received the shoes 2 days ago and are proud to put some pics on twitter !!!
Oct 27, 2009 at 5:06 am
yep yep
Oct 20, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Kixclusives are hacks dont buy any of their stuff. I am still waiting on my Space Jams even tho they said on their site it would be mailed out on the 14th. Its the 20th now. Ive sent 2 emails with no response. Status on my page still shows my payment hasn’t gone through (it has I saw it on my bank account) and that it hasn’t shipped yet. DO NOT BUY FROM KIXCLUSIVE DONT GIVE A CRAP WHAT PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE HACKS!
Oct 18, 2009 at 8:47 am
dam. . . mad heads got juked by shoetrends. but wat r gudd sites?
Oct 16, 2009 at 6:42 am
Very informative article I just wish nice kicks did more research into which websites are recomended to pre-order and the others to ignore. I’ve read all the peoples’ repsonses on them losing there money and it was more than what I lost. I ordered 2 lebrons from the website OSNEAKER.COM after I mad the purchase I found another website which offered the shoe $50 less. I talked to a guy from the website and I told him I wanted a full refund because of me finding the shoes at $50 less. He made me a deal that if I bought the shoes he would give me a $100 credit instead okay so I bought the shoes. I was gonna make another purchase and use my $100 credit to purchase a pair of Melos but the man who runs OSNEAKER never answered my emails and never returned my calls so I had to take the $100 loss. I will never do business with this website again so you sneakerheads out there avoid OSNEAKER they’ll just take your money and leave with nothing. Peace!!
Oct 15, 2009 at 11:19 am
100% STANDOUT shoes
1) Stand out quality
2) Constantly update NEW.
3) Original packing and retro card.
4) favorable price
I am a serious supplier,if you have any questions ,please feel free to contact with me , i will try my best to do for you
MSN:linda021@live.cn
Oct 14, 2009 at 7:11 pm
LMAO I saw the ice blue 10 at the NBA store a month after release. People who pre-order or camp out are STUPID!!!!!! small chain-stores are best or chain stores not really know to sell sneakers such as Modells.
Oct 14, 2009 at 12:14 pm
kixclusive can eat a d-ck!
Oct 14, 2009 at 8:37 am
Space Jams r sicckk deff. coppin 2PAIRS
Oct 14, 2009 at 12:02 am
informative article. both the ‘grand finale’ cdp and the eggplant was mentioned. missed out on both of them . . . still trying to get the cdp. as for the article, i think it goes both ways. when the ice blue 10s dropped showed up at Niketown at 8pm for a midnight release and missed out on my size. i called another ATL based shop to put a pair on hold and purchased them 8 hours later. i don’t think i will have a problem getting the jordans releasing this december though. the price will definitely be in my favor as well
Oct 13, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I never pre-order…NEVER!! Da best thing 2 do is 2 just go 2 da store, go bout 2-5 peeps deep w/ some friends, pack some heat, bring some food and wait like every1 else. I know da excuses: I gotta work, I gotta go 2 school, my dog’s sick, I need 2 cook dinner 4 all da starving kids n my neighborhood….whatever! Request da day off, clear out ur schedule….do what u gotta do 2 get ur shoes….we all have responsibilities n our everyday lives but if u want something bad enuff, do what u gotta do 2 get ur shoes. Waiting might not be 100% but u do get 2 keep ur ends if u don’t get da shoes and u won’t be one of those horror stories like some of da people above!
Oct 13, 2009 at 9:37 pm
bought two pairs of space jam’s from vmvinc and true blue III’s from rmk, both legit and got my shoes in less than a week.
Oct 13, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I wear a size14 and live in a limited area so I just hit eastbay at 12am and order my shoes. If eastbay does not have them I call Nike Town and they ship.
Oct 13, 2009 at 8:42 pm
RMK is legit. sometimes they take a week and sometimes its 2 days.. always legit though. I got true blue 3s and the space jams last month from them. they a good seller.
Oct 13, 2009 at 7:41 pm
DK 2000 Dallas, TX.
They sell shoes before they come out. You will always be garanteed Jayz.
I never worry they got you……. They split packs too…..
Oct 13, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Real talk camping out doesnt even work anymore, i work at DTLR and we have policies against selling shoes early and holding jordans,(Were not even allowed to buy jordans from our own store, we have to go to another store to get a popular release) but at stores like Footlocker they told me that if i didnt want to wait i could give them the money and they would put it in there safe and hold my size and i could just come in and get em whenever i come in without camping out. Wish sucks for the person who waited for that size in the cold or got up hella early to be told they dont have the size when they really do. At footaction i got banned from there becasue they was holding a 11/12 package behind the counter for a customer and my girl was getting another pair for me and they told here they was sold out but she saw the package behind the counter and they was like its not for sell. And Athletes foot, lets just say if you want shos early thats the BEST place to go caz they let everything go also LEGENDS, they dont care either. Real talk in order to gurantee you get your shoes you have to network with people at the retail stores and let them know your face caz if they dont know you they wont even think twice about you.
Oct 13, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Pick your shoes is the TRUTH!! i have got all my shoes EARLY and Authentic!!! Never had a problem with them. i have ordered almost all the countdown packages from them along with other J’s
Oct 13, 2009 at 6:17 pm
WELL let me tell you that “Camping out” at the store doesnt work EITHER the slimmy ass ppl at Champs in Oklahoma city will let you wait out side all day and night then LIE about the shoes being sold out!!!!!!! i waited for 5 hours and i know they had my size only to have the clerk there tell me they had sold out! how the hell do you sell out!!! i was the 1st in line!!!!!!!!!! they some straight up haters looking out for there friends! i reported it to CHAMPS they dont give aFu_k! thats why i dont go to CHAMPS any more. plus they tell you to pay ahead and then dont get you the shoes! just a waist of time!!! this happened to me with the 6/17 package deals. i ended up paying 500 on PYS.com!!! bastards!
Oct 13, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Big Mark i know what you’re saying cuz like my friend went to dtlr and saw the 5’s pack for like $250
Oct 13, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I personally don’t mess with pre-orders i’d rather just wait outside with a bunch of other folks that have the same passion for shoes that i do then trust somebody that could be anywhere with getting me my shoes. If i miss a release i’ll just save up some money and go to flightclubny or just buy them from flightclub’s online website.
Oct 13, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Kixclusive seem F-ckn shady to me.
Oct 13, 2009 at 5:20 pm
keep it real its not like it use to be with Jordan dropping so many sizes pre-ordering isnt really an issue shoes that i thought would be in high demand like the 5 package was still in the stores a week or two later..does jordan still do limited sizes anymore
Oct 13, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I ordered my rising sun 12’s from pickyourshoes.com when they first listed them almost 2 weeks ago and i didnt have any problems.
Oct 13, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Propz on the artice nicekicks, but those r the disadvantages of pre orderin i went through hell to get my egg plants and cdp 11/12 and planning on going through hell for the space jams and gucci sbs. i was gonna pre order the 1/2 cents of shoetrends but some yall saying i wont get them
Oct 13, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Now this is an issue I’ve spoken on before. For those of you who choose to Pre-order I personally feel its a waste of time…. Unless you do have a reliable source and I mean reliable. But who reliable now adays?? Too many of my friends I kno done got done in tryna Pre-order shoes. I say this to the Early bird that gets the worm. Get UP EARLY!! And get down to the store and purchase them, but in the case of the matter if you happen to kno show up on time or they sell out. You can always wait! If not some more than most of these cats are buying these shoes just to flip’em anyway. So how bout trying to purchase them on-line after they release… you still run the risk of receiving fake shoes or not getting them at all. But that’s how I eliminate the whole process….. by getting to the store early. And if you don’t get’em there I feel you don’t deserve’em at all then. Just how it works in my opinion
Oct 13, 2009 at 1:59 pm
very good read, right on for this Nicekicks….i’ve neva pre-ordered before cuz usually the price is crazy high.i usually order mine from eastbay, get 3 day ship and have em on tues!! r rather jus wait at the mall, havnt had to wait much at all this year…it’ll be a deff campout for the spacejams…
Oct 13, 2009 at 1:13 pm
youre gay if you pre-order.
i wait outside the mall n footlocker for every release.
“love is being first in line on saturday morning” - Michael Jordan
Oct 13, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Good & Useful information, Thanks!
Personally, I always per-order at rmkstore.com(over 5 times, Max 1 OG, AJ3 true blue, LBJ..)they are nice and can be trust. Price ok. They replied all my emails, tracking # and shoes received on time! I recommend this online shop.
Oct 13, 2009 at 1:03 pm
the best article from nicekicks in a minute, nice OP
Oct 13, 2009 at 12:57 pm
i would nver pre order a pair of kicks Never. and i am craving these “flu-game 12’s” and the “white and red 12’s” but the chance of them 1.not commin 2.getting something fake 3.not being able to get my money back…etc…..its jus to many flaws that come with a pre-order. Just because one person says “this website is good” or “real” or even “legit” doesnt mean that it will happen for every person that plans to use that site. There is absolutly no problem with waitin for them to drop in stores no matter how bad you want them
Oct 13, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Everytime I do have a pre-order I use kix-files.com, never had an issue with them pre-order or otherwise. But, I always try to make it to the stores.
Oct 13, 2009 at 11:42 am
RMK is legit but their response time to emails and tracking numbers is sloooooooow
Oct 13, 2009 at 11:25 am
ShoeTrends is bullsh*t. The first time I pre-ordered an item from them they never got my size in and I contacted them they said they were gonna be shipped in a week. A week later I contacted again and got no response. Then I had to open a paypal claim finally got my money back. The second time I purchased from shoetrends on ebay they never shipped my shoes and tried to say i was scamming them. Thank you to the wonderful people at ebay who forced shoetrends to give my money back.
Oct 13, 2009 at 11:25 am
man fukc pre-order just wait till they release, i will never trust my money with any of those websites for an early release…you dont know what exactly you are getting, you could be getting factory b-grades and dont even know it, or even fakes…i mean really GOOD fakes, trust me ive seen them, especially with the true blues iii’s that came out this year. Nike would never give these sites that just poped up not too long ago such good accounts to let them sell jordan XI’s and other limited products months before the official release date. A year ago you would never even hear about these sites, its just now that you are hearing this site and that site got them early and ready for pre-order. You gotta wonder how they are getting all this stuff all of a sudden, I would never trust it, and I been collecting sneakers for years and years strong, fukc that..peace!
Oct 13, 2009 at 10:19 am
I bought everything from RMK. They are ligit and quick delivery.
Oct 13, 2009 at 9:43 am
I will never buy from kixclusive they never shipped my blue foamposite I had to cancel my order after 2 weeks.I also had problems with marquee sole for space jams but was refunded by paypal.I only use pick your shoes sneakerhead and sneaker father.I also used rmk for true blues and they ship fast.I also recommend k-files also
Oct 13, 2009 at 9:24 am
Shaun***i feel u fam, i’ve ordered from kixclusive too, n longer do. a lot of reliable sellers/websites tho out here, jus gotta look.
Oct 13, 2009 at 8:56 am
I ordered a pair of AF1 Halloween Savage Beast from RMK, and I just got it today, I think they are trustful…..
Oct 13, 2009 at 8:09 am
Pickyourshoes.com has the rising suns right now I trust them
Oct 13, 2009 at 6:25 am
I ordered a pair of white/red xii’s from rmkstore but its been like a 6 days and i still havent recieved my tracking number…,
Oct 13, 2009 at 3:43 am
VERY USEFUL INFO. THANKS NICEKICKS!
Oct 13, 2009 at 1:46 am
I ordered a pair of Hare 1s from kixclusive.com and they never shipped them. I had to call my bank and get my money back which I did. I pre ordered my Space Jam 11s in early August from vmvinc.com. They are legit. They answered every email I sent them in regards to the order and when they shipped, I was given the tracking number. So, I’ve been telling friends to cop from them if you want.
Oct 13, 2009 at 1:40 am
Jeezy Orteezy
kixclusive.com is legit. i ordered 3 pairs of jordans from them and all 3 came 5days or less. i live in frisco and im gettin mine in 2weeks for $250
Oct 13, 2009 at 1:30 am
MARQUEE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>UP in here
Oct 13, 2009 at 12:16 am
FLIPJAYS.COM screwed me on the 11/12 pack cuz i preordered them months before the drop then paypal wouldnt refund the cash cuz it was 3 months plus since i ordered em…..no response to emails i sent em……what a joker
Oct 13, 2009 at 12:07 am
very sound advice for the novice collectors out there.
Oct 12, 2009 at 11:28 pm
i ordered a pair of sb’s off of shoe trends about 3 weeks ago, and they still havent came in!!!
Oct 12, 2009 at 11:04 pm
good read,
real helpful advice,
i was thinking about preordering a couple kicks….
Oct 12, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Good info!
Oct 12, 2009 at 9:49 pm
anybody have any negative OR positive experiences with KIXCLUSIVE? B/C THEY ARE SELLING SPACE JAMS FOR 300 BUCKS RIGHT NOW.
Oct 12, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I personally would never pre.order online..i buy stuff online but Neva a pre.order..luckily for me my local store gets all da quickstrike kicks and offer preorders at retail price..so I always go there cuz i get a reciept and it’s someone face to face..it’s as safe as it gets
Oct 12, 2009 at 8:34 pm
This is good info to put out there to let people know what to look out for.
Oct 12, 2009 at 8:28 pm
to tell the truth this is what i might end up doing with the space jams coming out because my sneaker size 14 (pause) is hard to find and i doubt that foot locker ,champs,mo’s..etc..etc will have my size when they come out so this is the only way i can get them if that’s possible..
Oct 12, 2009 at 7:54 pm
um ok
Oct 12, 2009 at 7:16 pm
much respect for this article. this is what our society needs, more than 1 paragragh for our readers. thanx
Oct 12, 2009 at 7:15 pm
hey KABZ….did you forget that reading is fundamental? your lazy ass will only tolerate pictures, and not words hehehe!
Oct 12, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I had pre-ordered the true blue jordan iii”s from crooked tongues (yeah i said it!) and weeks and weeks went by with no shoes. 5 emails later they finally replied to me saying that they had oversold the shoes and they could just give me my $ back. So now the shoe is sold out everywhere or going for crazy prices online. i ended up getting them from a good friend, but screw buying overseas and screw buying online!!! shame on you crooked tongues!!! by the way the Cavs will win the nba championship this year!!! Boston, LA start planning for next season.
Oct 12, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I had an experience with flipjays.com… pre ordered two 11/12 packages and they never came.. lost $914. Paypal shut down his ability to use paypal… as you can see if you go there, but since it wasn’t through ebay I am out of my money. I tried contacting flipjays (Erich De La Cruz) but he does not answer his phone and I have sent over 100 emails since December 2008 - never once got a reply.
Oct 12, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I was just wondering if shoetrends.com is a legit webiste? The rising sun retro 12’s are only 125.00 figured they would retail for more. If anyone knows please let me know
Oct 12, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Nice. good job. thanks.
Oct 12, 2009 at 6:59 pm
lol the spacejams ofcourse
Oct 12, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I was thinking on gettin the space jams early but people want more than double the price. I seen em go for 400, thats almost as much as the Retros and the OG jump offs! I think Ima going to wait and see them get released. I dont think they will even been that limited since we’ve seen GS versions of them. Sometimes being the first one on the block with em is cool but it can hurt the pockets.
Oct 12, 2009 at 6:15 pm
good sht nicekicks
way 2 touch bases on that topic w/all these releases. a lot of ppl wanna know that info but dont wanna ask
& fyi- dont pre order for a shoe that comes out next yr on ebay if the seller isn’t proven- your askin 2 get scammd
Oct 12, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Like I was just saying Pre-Orders doesnt guarantee many things but if you keep that URGE in check…you will be better off.. What is actually our GOAL….to make money, wear ‘em 1st, or just collect…? There are many ways I can teach all of you who wanna just buy& sell or just get FRESH in skool in bein’ da 1st to have an expensive kix….what’s your budget…try that site I gave you on my last post….or travel in ASIA and it’s 70% less than the original shoe price…your life, your choices….for me…i wear only the REAL stuff….reminds me…need to save up for the SPACE JAM….Peace!!
Oct 12, 2009 at 6:07 pm
real ni77az dont read
Oct 12, 2009 at 5:58 pm
i feel ya on this. i dont have to worry about it b/c all of the pre-orders benefit people with small feet
Oct 12, 2009 at 5:51 pm
apparently im a nobody. thanks nicekicks for the article!
Oct 12, 2009 at 5:46 pm
im kinda going threw this problem now…rather not say the website name but i have ordered from them before and i did get my kicks but I been waiting for like a over month now….bout to give it a week and see what happens….good looks on the info Nice Kicks
Oct 12, 2009 at 5:28 pm
These are so gay like my queer self. I love men, what can I say?? I love my men and I love fudge….packing it and getting it packed. It is finger lickin’ good like KFC!
Oct 12, 2009 at 5:26 pm
C’MON NICEKICKS. YOU ALL KNOW DAYYYUUUMM WELL THAT AIN’T NOBODY GONNA READ ALL THIS. PEOPLE JUST WANNA SEE PICS OF KANYE IN HIS LV’S OR CUDI IN AJ4′S.
Oct 8, 2009 at 5:08 pm
second last
Oct 8, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Last
Oct 8, 2009 at 5:05 pm
dope news