You’re staring at a stack of orange Nike boxes in the corner of your room, thinking about the rent or maybe that new pair of Jordan 4s dropping next Saturday. We’ve all been there. Sneakers aren't just shoes anymore; they're basically a volatile currency that smells like industrial glue and premium leather. But figuring out where to sell used sneakers isn't as simple as just hitting a "sell" button. If you mess up, you’re either losing 20% to fees or, worse, getting a pair of fake "reps" sent back to you in a fraudulent return.
It's a jungle. Honestly.
Back in 2015, you just posted a grainy photo on a Facebook group and hoped for the best. Now, the secondary market is a multi-billion dollar behemoth. You have platforms like GOAT, StockX, and eBay fighting for your inventory, but they each have very specific "personalities." If you have a pair of beat-up Vans, StockX won't even talk to you. If you have a 1985 Chicago Jordan 1, putting it on Poshmark is basically lighting money on fire. You have to match the shoe to the platform.
The Heavy Hitters: Where Professional Sellers Live
When people ask about where to sell used sneakers, GOAT usually enters the conversation first. They were the ones who really pioneered the "middleman" authentication model. You ship the shoes to them, their experts sniff the glue (literally), and then they send the money to you. It’s safe. It’s clean. But they are picky. If your box has a tiny dent or you’re missing the extra laces, they’ll demote your listing to "damaged box" or "used," which can tank your price by fifty bucks instantly.
StockX is the other giant, but they've had a rocky few years. They recently started allowing "Deadstock" only, though they've dipped their toes into some used markets via their "Seller Program." For most of us, though, StockX is for shoes that have never touched a carpeted floor. If you've worn them once? Go to GOAT or eBay.
eBay is the real comeback story here. A few years ago, it was the Wild West. You'd sell a pair of Yeezys, and the buyer would claim they received a brick, and eBay’s customer service would almost always side with the buyer. It was a nightmare for sellers. Then they launched "Authenticity Guarantee." Now, for most shoes over a certain price point ($100-$150 depending on the brand), you ship to a third-party hub—often managed by Sneaker Con’s experts—and once it’s verified, the sale is final. No returns for "fit" or "changed mind." That’s a game-changer.
Avoiding the Fee Trap
Fees will eat your soul if you aren't careful.
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Let’s talk numbers. GOAT takes a 9.5% commission plus a seller fee that depends on your location. If you have a low seller rating because you cancelled a few sales, that commission can spike to 15% or even 20%. It’s brutal. You’re basically working for them at that point.
eBay is currently much more aggressive about winning back the sneaker community. In many cases, if the shoe is over a certain price, the final value fee is 0% or significantly reduced compared to their standard categories. You still pay for shipping or the optional promoted listings, but you're keeping way more of the "meat" on the bone.
The "Local" Factor: Cash is Still King
Sometimes the best place where to sell used sneakers is the parking lot of a local police station.
Apps like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace are great because there are zero fees. You get $300, you put $300 in your pocket. Simple. But you have to deal with the "Flake Factor." You know the type. They message you "Is this available?" at 3 AM, you say yes, and then they ghost you forever. Or they show up and try to haggle you down another $50 while standing right in front of you.
Pro tip: if you’re selling locally, always check the buyer's profile. If it was created yesterday and has no friends, stay home. It’s not worth the risk of a "grab and run."
Specialized Apps for the "Vibe"
If you have stuff that’s more "fashion" than "basketball," Depop or Grailed are where you want to be. Grailed is specifically tailored for the high-fashion enthusiast. If you’re trying to move a pair of Rick Owens Ramones or some Maison Margiela Gat's, the crowd on GOAT might not appreciate them as much as the "archive" kids on Grailed.
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The downside? The community can be pretentious. Be prepared for people to ask for 15 different photos of the stitching on the inside of the heel tab. It’s part of the tax for selling high-end luxury sneakers.
Preparing Your Kicks for Maximum Profit
Listen, nobody wants to buy your foot sweat. If you want top dollar, you have to do the work.
- The Deep Clean: Get a soft-bristle brush and some dedicated sneaker cleaner (Jason Markk or Reshoevn8r are the standards). Don’t use dish soap unless you want to dry out the leather and make it crack.
- The Lighting: Take photos near a window during the day. Natural light shows the true color. If you use a flash, it washes out the details and makes the shoes look fake.
- The Honesty Policy: If there is a scuff, take a picture of it. If you try to hide it, the authenticator at the warehouse will find it anyway, and they’ll reject the sale. Then you’re stuck paying for return shipping, and you’ve wasted two weeks. It sucks. Just be honest from the jump.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Deadstock"
There is a huge misconception that "Deadstock" (DS) just means "new." In the sneaker world, DS means it has never even been tried on. The laces are still factory-tied. The paper is still in the box. If you walked around your living room in them for five minutes to see how they felt, they are technically "PDS" (Pass as Deadstock) or "VNDS" (Very Near Deadstock).
Platforms like StockX are incredibly strict about this. If they see even a tiny bit of lint on the sock liner or a microscopic scuff on the outsole, they’ll fail the shoe. You’re better off listing those as "Used - Like New" on GOAT or eBay to avoid the headache of a rejected sale.
Why the Market is Changing in 2026
We are seeing a shift. The "hype" era of 2020-2022 where every single shoe sold for double retail is over. Now, buyers are looking for steals. This means that where to sell used sneakers depends heavily on how fast you need the money.
If you need cash today? Take them to a local consignment shop like Flight Club or a local "buy-sell-trade" boutique. They’ll usually offer you about 40-60% of the market value in cash, or maybe 70% in store credit. You’re losing money, but you’re gaining time.
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If you want the most money possible? List them on eBay and be patient.
Actionable Steps for Your First Sale
Start by looking up your shoe's "Style Code." It’s usually a string of letters and numbers on the size tag inside the shoe (e.g., CT8527-100). Plug that into the search bar on StockX and GOAT to see what the "Last Sold" prices are. Don't look at the "Asking" price—people can ask for a million dollars, doesn't mean they'll get it. Look at what people actually paid.
Once you have your price, clean the shoes. Take six clear photos: front, back, both sides, the soles, and the size tag.
List on eBay first because of the lower fees and the Authenticity Guarantee. If they don't move in two weeks, cross-post them to GOAT. Once they sell, ship them within 24 hours. Double-box them! Never, ever slap a shipping label directly on the sneaker box. That’s the fastest way to get a 1-star review or a rejected shipment. Use a proper cardboard shipping box with some bubble wrap or paper to keep the shoe box from sliding around.
Check your payout settings too. Some apps charge an extra 2.9% just to "cash out" to your bank account via PayPal or Stripe. It’s a sneaky way they take another bite of your profit. If you can, use a direct ACH transfer to keep every penny. Selling sneakers is a grind, but once you get the rhythm down, it's the best way to fund a hobby that otherwise gets real expensive, real fast.