Don't Blow that Dough? (Shoes, AI, and eBay)

[Qs Laptop]

About a two years ago the best fitting pair of shoes I've ever owned started to look a bit worn and tattered. These were a New Balance walking shoe, black in color. I bought the replacement model number in the same size as my old shoes, but they just didn't fit correctly. Too tight in the toe area. I continued to wear the old shoes. Now, they don't just look worn, they look a bit ragged.

What to buy next? I like New Balance shoes so...AI to the rescue.

I asked Gemini AI to compare three shoes model numbers--my old, worn shoes, my newer, barely used shoes, and the new replacement model--and give me a comprehensive summary of fit, material, longevity, and average review ratings. Also which shoes were considered wider in the toe box area and measurements, if available. I got a mountain of information. Turns out my old shoes have a wider toe box area than the replacement pair I bought. Also, the newest model is the narrowest of all. Yes, I could buy the wide width model, but my experience in the past is it's too wide for my feet.

Armed with this information I went shopping for my old shoe model. Not much available, and if available, not in my size.

But wait! Ebay has a lot of these shoes and in my size. However, they are preowned. Looking closely at the photos of several pairs of these shoes from different eBay sellers, I could see they were barely used, practically new. I ended up putting in a bid of $16 on a pair from a Goodwill store (asking price was $9.99). I've also bookmarked another pair if I don't "win" these shoes.

Crazy that I'm excited about getting a set of used shoes off eBay, but I guess you have to find your entertainment wherever you can. And I'm potentially saving $53. Don't blow that dough!

Any eBay veterans with hints and tips on bidding, please let me know.

 

[JohnnyPHX]

Add the item to your watched list and you most likely get an email offer from the seller with a lower price in 24 hours or so.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Add the item to your watched list and you most likely get an email offer from the seller with a lower price in 24 hours or so.

There are 8 people with this item on their watchlist. Taking your advice, I just added my name, so now there are 9 people watching. How does this affect your advice that the seller might email me with a lower price?

 

[JohnnyPHX]

There are 8 people with this item on their watchlist. Taking your advice, I just added my name, so now there are 9 people watching. How does this affect your advice that the seller might email me with a lower price?

Time will tell. We have put things in our watch list and received an offer and it wasn't enough of a discount for us to pull the trigger. So could be something like that in this case.

Up to you to decise to play the game and risk loosing the item. If it's something you really want just do it.
Is there a make an offer button option? Most of the time if there is they will accept a reasonable offer rather than lose a sale.

 

[Qs Laptop]

No, there is no "make offer" button.

 

[Time2]

My son was having some foot issues, his podiatrist suggested some Brooks shoes. He bought them, they helped and were great. A years or so later he bought a second pair, They had changed the shoe, and it was longer good for him. He contacted the company the issued a refund/replace and he tried a third pair, without success.

 

[athena53]

Turns out my old shoes have a wider toe box area than the replacement pair I bought. Also, the newest model is the narrowest of all. Yes, I could buy the wide width model, but my experience in the past is it's too wide for my feet.

Ah, shrinkflation in the true sense of the word. Really unfortunate- I've read that New Balance shoes are wonderful for people with foot issues so this is a real disservice to their customers.

Any eBay veterans with hints and tips on bidding, please let me know.

I used auctionsniper ages ago and I see it still exists. I can't vouch for it now but you input what you're watching and in the last nanoseconds before the auction ends they jump in with a winning bid. You get to specify the max you're willing to pay but they go only up to the minimum you need to win.

Anyone with recent experience with auctionsniper?

 

[Pointby2]

About a two years ago the best fitting pair of shoes I've ever owned started to look a bit worn and tattered. These were a New Balance walking shoe, black in color. I bought the replacement model number in the same size as my old shoes, but they just didn't fit correctly. Too tight in the toe area. I continued to wear the old shoes.

As a lifelong runner, I feel your pain. I've come across shoes that fit perfectly and then sadly they have to change them, even though they keep the same model number and name.

 

[Ronstar]

OP needs Altra Lone peaks. Big toe box.

 

[Pointby2]

I used auctionsniper ages ago and I see it still exists. I can't vouch for it now but you input what you're watching and in the last nanoseconds before the auction ends they jump in with a winning bid. You get to specify the max you're willing to pay but they go only up to the minimum you need to win.

Anyone with recent experience with auctionsniper?

I have used Gixen, but not recently. It's a free sniping tool.

 

[bjorn2bwild]

About a two years ago the best fitting pair of shoes I've ever owned started to look a bit worn and tattered. These were a New Balance walking shoe, black in color. I bought the replacement model number in the same size as my old shoes, but they just didn't fit correctly. Too tight in the toe area.

My son was having some foot issues, his podiatrist suggested some Brooks shoes. He bought them, they helped and were great. A years or so later he bought a second pair, They had changed the shoe, and it was longer good for him. He contacted the company the issued a refund/replace and he tried a third pair, without success.

As a lifelong runner, I feel your pain. I've come across shoes that fit perfectly and then sadly they have to change them, even though they keep the same model number and name.

 

[Aerides]

I ended up putting in a bid of $16 on a pair from a Goodwill store (asking price was $9.99). I've also bookmarked another pair if I don't "win" these shoes.

Go look on shopgoodwill.com, that's their own site, and they might have better options and prices there.

 

[Masquernom]

This is something I absolutely hate! You buy a pair of shoes and finally love them, 2 or 3 years later you try to order another pair and that model number is discontinued. The replacement model is totally different. Man, I hate that!

 

[Koolau]

This is something I absolutely hate! You buy a pair of shoes and finally love them, 2 or 3 years later you try to order another pair and that model number is discontinued. The replacement model is totally different. Man, I hate that!

This is why, when I find shoes I like - I buy many (I mean MANY) of them. I encourage DW to do the same.

I found a shoe at Walmart that I liked. IIRC the shoe only cost about $12. I bought a dozen pairs (maybe 15?) over several months. Sure enough, they discontinued them. They do not last all that well, but I'm still wearing out the last couple of pairs some 15 years later. Trying to replace these shoes will be an exercise in futility but I'll have to do it.

DW tried on a pair of Fit Flops (brand) thongs. Full price was around $80 to maybe even $100 but she found a couple of pairs at a discount store for $20 each. I told her to buy both. Then we haunted that store and eventually found more over several months - some as low as $10! They too did not last that well, but DW still has a couple of pairs that she can wear after over 10 years.

This wasn't a play to save money. It was a way to have footwear that is comfortable to "problem" feet (both of us).

 

[deserat]

I ran into same problem with Keen water shoes. Same brand, model, different fit. Very, very, very irritating. So, I buy 2-3 pair if I find some I love. I've also done this with clothes. Consistent quality with a name brand nowadays is rare.

 

[audreyh1]

I just discovered that ExOfficio dropped their entire great outdoor travel clothing line and went underwear only back in 2023!

It was always a struggle to get additional items that I loved as they changed designs so often for women, but I still have quite a bit, just not as much as I’d like. At least DH still has a huge number of shirts and pants. He was able to stock up a bit more not long ago.

 

[folivier]

I've been wearing Skechers Slip-ins for a couple years now. My right foot is about a 1/2 size larger than the left, mostly the instep is higher. So finding shoes that fit has always been a problem. For some reason the Slip-ins fit both feet better than other shoes. I have 3 pair I wear regularly that are different styles and they all fit great. I also just bought another pair 1/2 size smaller to wear without socks and they also fit great. Thankfully the different styles are all sized the same so I can order whatever style I want. So far.

 

[CaptTom]

The problem is, footwear is a fashion item. People want (and pay absurd amounts for) whatever is new and trendy. As long as most people take a BTD approach, and want to be seen wearing whatever is in style, there's no incentive for manufacturers to consider comfort (or price) in their calculations.

 

[Music Lover]

I don't understand why someone would buy shoes without trying them on first.

When I need new runners I look online at local stores for deals in a couple brands that have always fit my feet well. Then I go to the store and try them on. If they fit I buy 2 or 3 pairs.

 

[Aerides]

I don't understand why someone would buy shoes without trying them on first.

When I need new runners I look online at local stores for deals in a couple brands that have always fit my feet well. Then I go to the store and try them on. If they fit I buy 2 or 3 pairs.

this is why there is zappos. You order several pairs, try them on at home, and return (for free) the ones you don't want.

Most physical stores don't carry a full enough range of the available styles and sizes, especially if you want the best price.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I went back through my Amazon history and I discovered I bought these shoes in December 2016. They have lasted me 9 1/2 years!

Amazon has them listed as being available for $54.99 but the photo of the pattern on the bottom surface of the shoe doesn't match the pattern on my old shoes so I don't think it's the same shoe.

 

[COcheesehead]

I do this for all kinds of things on eBay. I save searches for brands in sizes that work for me and then I wait. You’ll find new or almost new at a fraction of retail.

 

[BrianB]

I've been wearing Skechers Slip-ins for a couple years now.

One more vote for Skechers Slip-ins. My specific problem is that my feet are EEE width with a narrow heel. Big Box retailers (Target, Costco, Kohls, Walmart) only stock medium width. Shoe stores have shoes that aren't my style (casual) or have other fitting issues.

Skechers has a loyalty program that usually gets me $5 off, and they regularly offer 25% off on most of their shoes so they are $50-$100 with free shipping and free returns.

BrianB

 

[Qs Laptop]

UPDATE: I won the eBay listing for the shoes with a bid of $26.

Originally , the published price was $9.99. I put in a bid at $10.00 with a maximum bid of $16.00. There were two other bidders that drove the price up to $19.50. I waited until 6 minutes left in the auction and bid $21.03. One of the bidders came back immediately with $21.53. I waited again until there were 2 minutes left and bid $22. Guy immediately counter bid at $23. At this point I figured I'm up against a robot bidder. We went up until he was at $25. I bid $26 with 15 seconds left. Other bidder was silent. I won. He must have reached his max bid at $25.