If you need to save money like I do and would like a simple place to start, try saving on shoes. They are the first thing you put on in the morning before going out and one of the last things you take off before going to bed. Shoes can be expensive, especially designer shoes, and if you like many different types of shoes, such as running and jogging shoes or dance and athletic shoes, chances are you’ve invested a lot of money in shoes alone. Specialty shoes like the ones just mentioned are usually more expensive than common everyday casual shoes and it’s usually due to the fact that you’re paying for quality. Your feet are important and deserve special treatment over other parts of the body, so you shouldn’t necessarily skimp on the quality of your shoes. So what do we suggest you try while scratching to find out? Before you head out shopping for more shoes, take a moment to think about how the Internet can help you find the shoes your feet deserve at the cheapest prices.
The used shoe niche market is expanding in size thanks to the Internet’s ability to link buyers with sellers. Normally, used shoes go directly to charity, which is a great thing in itself, however, due to the internet’s ability to spread ads across the country at surprisingly low prices, if not for free, People are now listing their used shoes for sale on various online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist for starters. People are now starting to realize that used shoes have a recoverable value greater than the cost of shipping plus the charitable tax credit. This is a great concept for men and women who need or want the highest quality shoes at the lowest possible prices. When you buy used shoes, you are recycling and helping the shoe owner recoup a portion of the original cost of the shoes and rewarding them for taking such good care of them.
Just like cars, shoes depreciate over time and use. Certain types of shoes depreciate faster than others, like soccer cleats, which probably only last a single season. Other shoes have a long depreciation life like dress shoes, which like mine are probably worn once or twice a year for a special occasion. These shoes are still in my closet, they look brand new and were worn with a new pair of dress socks that were also worn the same. My designer dress shoes cost me $100 and I expect them to be worth at least half that for only having worn them twice. I could put up an ad for them for $25 and I’m sure they’ll be gone in a week, with their new owner and happy to be part of a new family where they’ll get a little more attention than before. Any shoe that has been “gently used” (a common description for used shoe ads) generally sells well if the asking price is more than a few dollars.
Buying used shoes is very easy. Try a Google search using keywords like “cheap,” “used” and “shoes” or Craigslist under the “for sale” section or try an eBay search under the “Clothing, Shoes and Accessories” category. These types of searches will generate great used shoe listings where you can buy or bid on them. Once you buy your cheap used shoes, you’ll have them delivered to your doorstep (eBay) or meet someone in person (Craigslist). When it comes to used shoes, they come from real people who own the shoes and have had experience wearing them. Some of them might even be a bit emotionally attached to them; who knows. A used shoe listing will usually come with pictures as well as a detailed description of the condition of the used shoes. Pictures never lie unless they’re photoshopped, so if the ad says the shoes are “lightly used” and look worn, then you need to move on to the next ad. In general, the amount of wear on a particular shoe is reflected in the actual selling price. If you’re looking to buy cheap used shoes and are put off by the smell they might have when you open the box, chances are these types of used shoes will never sell. The seller is entirely responsible for accurately describing the item in accordance with the hosting website’s terms of use and privacy policy, so if they smell and the item description doesn’t specify this, you may be eligible for a refund.
Selling your used shoes is easy. You can make some money back if you use the right strategies and you might even buy those new shoes you always wanted after selling a few pairs. First join the eBay community and click “sell an item” or post a local ad on Craigslist for free. Take some photos, describe the item in detail: include shoe brand, model, year, condition, and price. Sound familiar to all car enthusiasts? As I mentioned before, the shoes themselves have a life like cars. They are our transportation vehicle. In fact, the soles of our shoes are made from the same rubber plants that we use to make our car tires. Why not spread the word, recycle – buy or sell your used shoes for cheap today.
