Sourcing playbook
Selling sneakers
Verify model, authenticity, condition and real sold prices before buying.
What actually matters in this niche
Before buying sneakers, identify the exact model and size, inspect both shoes and find comparable sold pairs. A box, receipt or scan alone proves neither authenticity nor an achievable resale price.
CrowFlip deliberately does not publish a fixed margin or demand score here. Both depend on the exact item, condition, buy price, sales channel and timing.
Check before buying
- Identify model, colorway and size
- Photograph condition and accessories
- Check sold comparables rather than only active asks
- Include fees, shipping and return risk
Red flags
- Inconsistent labels, stitching or box details
- Missing size/model evidence
- The deal works only against one outlier asking price
Common marketplaces for comparison
This is not a ranking recommendation. Check fees, rules and real comparable sales for the specific item.
How do you inspect a sneaker pair in person?
Photograph the model codes and size labels on both shoes and the box separately. Record the sizing system, colourway, worn or unworn condition and accessories. Resolve mismatched details before comparing prices.
Inspect both soles, heel linings, insoles and visible glued seams. Photograph wear and damage in consistent light. This documents condition; it is not authentication. If authenticity remains unresolved, do not treat an authentic-pair sale price as a dependable valuation.
Hypothetical example: a worn pair with its box
Suppose you find the same model and size with visible heel wear. Compare it with sold worn pairs in similar condition. Unworn pairs or a different size do not justify this purchase price.
List total sale revenue, selling fees, shipping, any cleaning and your desired remainder separately. Budget cleaning before buying rather than assuming wear will disappear. If suitable sales are missing, the price assumption remains uncertain.
Now check the actual deal
Enter a photo or EAN plus your buy price. The scanner shows profit, ROI and BUY / GAMBLE / LEAVE using a sample of active eBay listings, with a link for manual sold-item verification.
Open deal scanner