The Evolution of the Sneakerhead

"The game has changed!" "It didn't used to be like this!" "Those sat forever!" I copped those from the outlet!" All quotes we have all heard within the last year and a half. A few years ago, copping was relatively easy. Wake up, go to footlocker at 10am, get your shoes and go home. Or wake up at 11:55am for the midnight drops on nike.com. When the Space Jam XI dropped, finishline had a limit of five per person. FIVE PER PERSON.

GAME CHANGED

The sneaker game has in fact changed. With so many newbies to the sneaker game in such a short time, the game had to evolve. In the past, you think of sneakerheads being teenagers and 20-somethings who spent all their money on sneakers. Bragged on how they had every Jordan. Sneakerheads were never taken serious. They hung out in malls, usually chatted in groups, joked in the back of the bus...but not anymore. You can't differentiate the sneakerhead from the average Joe anymore. Hard-working, blue-collar corporate executives have joined the party. The single mom goes out to acquire the latest Jordan's for her and her child. The demographic has changed. The buyer has changed. The sellers have changed...

NIKE RESPONDS

Sneaker companies have been very eager to appease the sneakerhead, both newbie and old school. We used to have 12 months of Jordan's. We couldn't wait to see what Jordan Nike would retro the next month. Now Nike and Jordan brand have been as bold to release multiple retros on the same day. I can't remember the last time Jordan brand didn't dropped a Saturday retro release. Every week we are given a retro. Why??? Because we keep buying them. The newbie loves the new colorways. The old school will buy it because it's a retro, but will always, always, buy the OG colorway. The OG colorway was mass-produced in recent releases to accommodate the hype. Don't believe me, you can go out during the next Holiday XI drop.

Hype creates hype. Nike throw's out a teaser...The Internet responds...negatively, make it limited. Then it's a dope shoe. How can we bring the foamposite back to life? Do collaboration with Supreme and make it a Yeezy 2 colorway. Air Force 1 is dead? Put a cork option on Nike ID. Customers complaining about lack of availability of a product? Have a restock. Then restock the restock. Only a few stores are getting the shoe? Nike allows more companies and boutiques to have tier 1 accounts. A shoe isn't in high demand? Throw it in a pack with a shoe everyone wants. Nike might not always supply the demand, but they always have a response. Eventually you will buy something. Which brings me to...

THE RESELLER

There are several types of resellers. The reseller that has connects can get multiple pairs, in multiple sizes, of most releases. A power reseller usually does pre-orders, usually sells out, and usually has a large following. The reseller that has the best bots and fastest Internet, and the best computer money can buy. This reseller will also take pre-orders, but very few compared to a power reseller. They cannot say for sure they will come through. Also, there is a possibility that they will not have the shoe for 3-5 days later. Then you have the reseller that will be lucky to grab a pair and try to sell it for a few bucks over retail. They get the occasional pair. Reselling is a major part of the game. Having paid resale, and resold, I have no problem with the reseller, get your money. My problem is everyone can't be a reseller. Go to sneaker con, and it's more sellers, than buyers, traders or spectators. Hundreds of people holding the latest GR that dropped in the air as they walk through the crowd trying to charge $50 over box price for a shoe that in some instances are still on shelves. The nickel and dime reseller will usually be stuck with a few pairs.

This is just one Angry man's opinion...