This is the one that always gets me a little heated. This and the never ending auction in the market place. You'll see a pair sitting with a reasonable high offer for months and then the thread gets locked without a "deal has been made" post.
This is the one that always gets me a little heated. This and the never ending auction in the market place. You'll see a pair sitting with a reasonable high offer for months and then the thread gets locked without a "deal has been made" post.
Very well put.Originally Posted by rojanjon
The only reason I contribute to this thread is because I see an opportunity to use it as a means to point to something much more systemic than "lowballers" or "resellers".
To revisit OP's original post, the question has a myriad of different answers all shaded with assumption, opinion, and subjectivity, so ultimately there really is no "true" answer. However, one of the simple answers would be that basic economic systems drive the price of shoes in all markets (as it does other goods and commodities). Supply and demand. It may be hackneyed, but it in its essence boils down to this. High demand + low supply = High prices.
Also, the older kicks were made with better materials and constructed more carefully, and thus are more durable and comfortable, and thus create a desire in the shoe consumer to have them for this reason itself. Add to that the fact that many of these shoes are very hard to come by in an unworn and wearable condition with life still left in them. This is where the ranking system evolved from, as a trade market jargon specifically suited for shoes. This holds true on all specialized markets. The traders develop terminology to expedite the trades and process of the purchase and sell.
But more importantly in my opinion, is the question of how do these shoes gain this value and currency to begin with? Their "retail" price?
As we sit in the midst of America reaching a 4.4 Trillion Dollar deficit (the supposed "ceiling") where our Politicians and Lawmakers begin the process of cutting the pensions of many retirees and current workers that worked for more than half of their life to secure for themselves, we face Medicare and Education and Law Enforcement cuts. Social Services and Public Research funding being slashed as well while the top executives of large corporations and financial agencies continue to rake in record profits. Their salaries continue to skyrocket while the "average worker's" remains the same and his dollar purchases less and less of life's necessities.
As Americans (and I do realize this board is international, that is why I specify), we are consuming a product that is manufactured and produced in China and Taiwan at what REAL cost? Labor and materials are cheap in China. America has a massive debt to the Chinese and we continue to borrow from them. There is no sign of this stopping with our National Deficit reaching this so-called "ceiling".
So the question to me is: Who is determining the value of the shoes as they are produced? Taking into consideration the many aspects of producing shoes to be sold on the "retail market"; for instance, the value of the labor, the materials, processing of the materials, transportation of materials and finished product, marketing, design, quality assurance (if there is any left in JB), and on and on.
What does the dollar buy in terms of these factors and how is that determined? Who is set to truly profit from the production of these shoes? And more importantly, how do they continue to ensure that their profit and power and control are secure?
This is a systemic issue. You are talking about the World Economic System that was most recently developed and revolutionized after World War II at the Bretton Woods Project meetings where the IMF and World Bank were made international financial institutions.
There will always be a High Price and a Low Price, the majority fall closer to the average or median. And there are always many factors that determine what price you will pay for the good or service you seek. Knowledge, mobility, communication abilities, purchasing power, net monetary value of assets, etc etc...
OP, as I can see from your signature, you are under the impression that money has the ability to change people if they have what you call "enough" of it. Indeed it does, but what type of change you manifest from having "enough" money (whatever that truly means) depends more on your morality and character than anything else.
With that being said, I wish nothing but Peace, Respect, and Love to All my Brothers and Sisters.
Very well put.Originally Posted by rojanjon
The only reason I contribute to this thread is because I see an opportunity to use it as a means to point to something much more systemic than "lowballers" or "resellers".
To revisit OP's original post, the question has a myriad of different answers all shaded with assumption, opinion, and subjectivity, so ultimately there really is no "true" answer. However, one of the simple answers would be that basic economic systems drive the price of shoes in all markets (as it does other goods and commodities). Supply and demand. It may be hackneyed, but it in its essence boils down to this. High demand + low supply = High prices.
Also, the older kicks were made with better materials and constructed more carefully, and thus are more durable and comfortable, and thus create a desire in the shoe consumer to have them for this reason itself. Add to that the fact that many of these shoes are very hard to come by in an unworn and wearable condition with life still left in them. This is where the ranking system evolved from, as a trade market jargon specifically suited for shoes. This holds true on all specialized markets. The traders develop terminology to expedite the trades and process of the purchase and sell.
But more importantly in my opinion, is the question of how do these shoes gain this value and currency to begin with? Their "retail" price?
As we sit in the midst of America reaching a 4.4 Trillion Dollar deficit (the supposed "ceiling") where our Politicians and Lawmakers begin the process of cutting the pensions of many retirees and current workers that worked for more than half of their life to secure for themselves, we face Medicare and Education and Law Enforcement cuts. Social Services and Public Research funding being slashed as well while the top executives of large corporations and financial agencies continue to rake in record profits. Their salaries continue to skyrocket while the "average worker's" remains the same and his dollar purchases less and less of life's necessities.
As Americans (and I do realize this board is international, that is why I specify), we are consuming a product that is manufactured and produced in China and Taiwan at what REAL cost? Labor and materials are cheap in China. America has a massive debt to the Chinese and we continue to borrow from them. There is no sign of this stopping with our National Deficit reaching this so-called "ceiling".
So the question to me is: Who is determining the value of the shoes as they are produced? Taking into consideration the many aspects of producing shoes to be sold on the "retail market"; for instance, the value of the labor, the materials, processing of the materials, transportation of materials and finished product, marketing, design, quality assurance (if there is any left in JB), and on and on.
What does the dollar buy in terms of these factors and how is that determined? Who is set to truly profit from the production of these shoes? And more importantly, how do they continue to ensure that their profit and power and control are secure?
This is a systemic issue. You are talking about the World Economic System that was most recently developed and revolutionized after World War II at the Bretton Woods Project meetings where the IMF and World Bank were made international financial institutions.
There will always be a High Price and a Low Price, the majority fall closer to the average or median. And there are always many factors that determine what price you will pay for the good or service you seek. Knowledge, mobility, communication abilities, purchasing power, net monetary value of assets, etc etc...
OP, as I can see from your signature, you are under the impression that money has the ability to change people if they have what you call "enough" of it. Indeed it does, but what type of change you manifest from having "enough" money (whatever that truly means) depends more on your morality and character than anything else.
With that being said, I wish nothing but Peace, Respect, and Love to All my Brothers and Sisters.
Who do you think you are, seriously? Nobody has to justify anything to you. You're just another member on here with an opinion. However, you are a bit more dangerous because you feel the need to cram your views down other people's throats. A shoe is worth what other sellers dictate, whether it be ebay, online stores, message boards, not what the sticker on the box says. Since there are no set prices for second hand shoes, a negotiation comes into play just like any other item without a set price. As a seller, why would want to burn bridges just because you couldn't make a deal this time? That is the point about being professional with the buyer. No one is forcing you to sell your shoes, so if you have to spend 20 seconds saying "no thanks", what is the big deal?Originally Posted by ohdannyboy
What shoes were they and what was the listed price? A link to the actually listing would also be fantastic! It's not about me and my shoes being "too cool" for anything. It's about wasting someones time with a stupid offer. Why can't you just accept the deal for what it is? Like I stated before, "dudes" like yourself will never be satisfied with a price. No matter how good the deal is, you will always play that 10-20 dollar game.Originally Posted by luvtheshoe
Just to enlighten you since you know all the "dudes" in the world. It was a shoe that goes for less than what I offered. Not sure why you feel so high and mighty on the subject. You obviously missed the part about being professional in the first place. If someone offered you something other than what you want, simply say "sorry", " no thanks". I guess you and your shoes are too cool for that though?Originally Posted by ohdannyboy
Case in point. In January I was selling my Christmas Lebron 8's for 170 (they were 160 retail) shipped. Prices at the time were in the 200-225 range. A guy offered me 160 and threatened to walk away if I said no. Chances are that if your offering ten dollars less than the asking price, that your already getting a deal. Dudes like this are never satisfied with whatever your asking price is (no matter how good the deal) and will always try that 10-20 dollar game. Is ten dollars really a big enough amount to make you pass on a pair of kicks? No.
Who do you think you are, seriously? Nobody has to justify anything to you. You're just another member on here with an opinion. However, you are a bit more dangerous because you feel the need to cram your views down other people's throats. A shoe is worth what other sellers dictate, whether it be ebay, online stores, message boards, not what the sticker on the box says. Since there are no set prices for second hand shoes, a negotiation comes into play just like any other item without a set price. As a seller, why would want to burn bridges just because you couldn't make a deal this time? That is the point about being professional with the buyer. No one is forcing you to sell your shoes, so if you have to spend 20 seconds saying "no thanks", what is the big deal?Originally Posted by ohdannyboy
What shoes were they and what was the listed price? A link to the actually listing would also be fantastic! It's not about me and my shoes being "too cool" for anything. It's about wasting someones time with a stupid offer. Why can't you just accept the deal for what it is? Like I stated before, "dudes" like yourself will never be satisfied with a price. No matter how good the deal is, you will always play that 10-20 dollar game.Originally Posted by luvtheshoe
Just to enlighten you since you know all the "dudes" in the world. It was a shoe that goes for less than what I offered. Not sure why you feel so high and mighty on the subject. You obviously missed the part about being professional in the first place. If someone offered you something other than what you want, simply say "sorry", " no thanks". I guess you and your shoes are too cool for that though?Originally Posted by ohdannyboy
Case in point. In January I was selling my Christmas Lebron 8's for 170 (they were 160 retail) shipped. Prices at the time were in the 200-225 range. A guy offered me 160 and threatened to walk away if I said no. Chances are that if your offering ten dollars less than the asking price, that your already getting a deal. Dudes like this are never satisfied with whatever your asking price is (no matter how good the deal) and will always try that 10-20 dollar game. Is ten dollars really a big enough amount to make you pass on a pair of kicks? No.
