Image via Complex Original
Restocks... either you love them or you hate them. If we based it all on your tweets, we would think it leans more toward the latter. Well, to help you deal with that deep-rooted sneakerhead passion, we put together a list of tips to help you get through the next round of restocks. While these can't guarantee that you will get a pair this time around, they will give you the tools you need to be better prepared for next time. And if you do miss out, please, don't take it so personally. Sheesh.
10. Act Like You Want It
While all of the following tips will help, there is nothing better than getting the information yourself. Basically, this means you need to be on your Twitter and Facebook game 24/7. With the limited availability of these releases, we often miss out by one or two clicks. If you can click the link directly, instead of unlocking your phone, opening Twitter, clicking the link, and waiting for it to open in a browser, you are making your chances that much better.
9. Get Familiar With Mobile Check-Out
When a big restock happens, it shouldn't be the first time you use the mobile version of a site. We suggest you cop a random pair on the site you frequent beforehand just so you know when and where to click in the event you need to rush when a restock happens. Having this info will put you ahead of those that are busy refreshing and clicking around. We all know that the surprise restocks happen when you aren't near a computer, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out.
8. Use Guest Checkout
This tip boils down to simple math. You can skip signing in and pay an extra $8 for shipping when you check out as a guest, or sign in, miss the restock, and end up paying $150 over retail at a consignment shop. Since fewer people are checking out as a guest, they have more server space available and usually get you checked out faster. We are not trying to tell you what to do, but we think when you use the $8 to $150 ratio and divide it by the time spent signing in, and multiple that times 3.14, then use the gravitational constant for the Earth when rotating around the sun....just use guest checkout.
7. Don't Follow Resellers
Nike has been restocking kicks like crazy the last few months, so following resellers has started to lose its appeal. Yeah they may have access to kicks a little earlier because of shady deals they set up with certain shops, but with restocks you can exercise a little patience and save yourself $100 at a shot. Plus this way you will know if you really want the kicks and aren't just getting sucked into the hype.
6. Work With Someone on The Outside (If You Are In School)
It has been said that Jordan Brand moved their releases to Saturday to stop kids from skipping school, a good idea because school should ALWAYS be more important than kicks. With that being said, we know that you can't be on your phone while you are in class or in a meeting. So what do you do? Get someone on the outside. It is a lot easier to shoot off a quick text to a buddy then to go through the whole check-out process if you are trapped in class or stuck presenting the financials for the third quarter.
5. Follow The Sneaker Blogs
Sneaker blogs have become vital sources of information. I mean seriously, you are reading one right now. So instead of just commenting "First", stay up to date on the latest blogs because they are able to do what you can't — sit on the internet all day and check for sneaker-related information. If teaser info is sent out, believe me, one of the blogs will have a post up about it within minutes.
4. Troll FL, FA, NS, and Finishline Twitter Timelines for Info
"Troll" may be a strong word, but we're not afraid to admit that we all have done it. You have to, if you want to stay ahead of the game. Fine, let's not use the word "troll." Lets say observe. You should "observe" the timelines of your favorite retailer or brand. How do you think we knew about the Air Jordan XIII restock before it happened?
3. Know What You Want
We may have called sneaker bloggers The Ultimate Hypebeasts, but don't think that excludes you from being one as well. Instead of trying to cop every single release, why not just get the shoes you actually like? Do you really need another pair of vintage whatevers? We didn't think so. Don't be a HYPEBEAST, it will make life easier.
2. Put Money Away
What is the use of knowing when things are going to restock if you don't have the money to cop? So instead of having Fat Burger and Taco Bell for lunch for the next month, you should probably brown bag it. Put that money away so when the next #restock happens you have the money in the bank and aren't wasting precious time trying to put the money together.
1. Set Up Twitter Alerts
This almost seems like a no-brainer, but the truth is some people still haven't done it. Restocks are announced 99 percent of the time via Twitter, and if you have alerts set up, you'll know within seconds of when the tweet goes out from the retailer. Here, we'll make it easy for you: Click here for instruction on how to set-up Twitter SMS alerts.