Does StockX Actually Sell Fake Sneakers?
There have been hundreds of claims that StockX sells fake sneakers. Today, we take a deep dive to see if that is true or not.
Does StockX actually sell fake sneakers? let’s find out
For years now, StockX has been regarded as one of the most legitimate secondary marketplaces for sneakers and apparel. However, over the years many people have publicly shared their suspicions about StockX and its verification process. Today, we will be taking a look at whether or not StockX actually sells fake sneakers.
We also took time to research GOAT and Flight Club̵7;s sneaker authentication.
The StockX Verification Process
The StockX Verification Process
In order to understand whether or not people are actually receiving fake shoes, we have to start with the verification process.
- Condition: StockX only allows deadstock items on the marketplace, ensuring brand-new, unworn products.
- Construction: Authenticators employ checklists with 100+ data points, adept at confirming a product’s authenticity.
- Packaging: The team scrutinizes the packaging to meet the highest quality standards, ensuring a brand-new product upon delivery.
- Accessories: StockX guarantees that purchases include all listed accessories and additional add-ons, replicating the retail experience.
- Advanced Technology: Machine learning assists authenticators in scrutinizing every minor detail.
- Quality Insurance: Quality Assurance experts perform a final check, ensuring a comprehensive authentication process.
It’s expected that StockX would highlight positive aspects of their verification process, as they wouldn’t present themselves as untrustworthy.
While StockX understandably presents its verification process positively, it’s noteworthy that, except for advanced technology, each point involves human verification. Despite specialized training, human error is inherent, as we’ll explore further in the conclusion.
What’s intriguing is that, excluding advanced technology, every point on the list involves human verification. One certainty about human beings is their susceptibility to making mistakes.
We’ll delve deeper into this concept in the conclusion, but for now, it’s crucial to note that the majority of StockX’s verification process relies on human involvement. Despite specialized training and expertise, they remain fallible individuals.
StockX Actually Sell Fake Sneakers: The Public’s Reaction
Reddit serves as a potent platform for millions to engage in discussions on shared topics. In the r/StockX channel, numerous individuals express their frustrations with the $3.8 billion-dollar company.
Here are some claims shared by individuals. It’s crucial to note that these are personal assertions, and their legitimacy cannot be definitively confirmed.
For example, a user reported purchasing a pair of Jordan 7 Greater China. Upon close inspection, they realized the right shoe differed significantly from the left. Despite the shoes being legit checked, the right shoe was deemed fake, prompting the user to file a claim and upload photos to StockX. As of now, there has been no response from StockX, leading the user to contact their bank for resolution. They inquire if others have faced challenges returning fakes to StockX.
u/Front-Experience-826 (September 26th, 2020)
On August 28th and September 10th, I placed two bids on two pairs of Jordan 1 Retro Hign Satin BLACK TOE(W) on Stockx. I am a foreign buyer (from China), through shipping company and 3rd party authenticator, both pairs of shoes were confirmed fake. I ordered the same size for both pairs, but the shoes boxes weren’t even the same size.
I tried contacting Stockx, but they have stopped responding to my emails. I have suspicion that Stockx deliberately sent fake shoes to specific foreign tranport shipping address, because they know since the buyers aren’t from United States, so that we would have trouble dealing with problem like this. I have many pictures that can prove the shoes are fake. Please be cautious when buying on Stockx .
u/sorasong (October 11th, 2019)
These represent just a fraction of the numerous complaints related to fake sneakers. Additional grievances involve website malfunctions, unusually swift bid acceptances, and the company’s notorious lack of customer service. While the legitimacy of each claim may vary, the undeniable reality is that these concerns exist, negatively impacting the reputation of this expansive marketplace
Why Nike Is Suing StockX
Yes, you read that title correctly, Nike is suing StockX.
In February of 2022, Nike filed a trademark lawsuit, citing the new StockX NFT collection as an infringement on the Nike logo. For more information on this specific lawsuit, click here.
Now, Nike has decided to sue the resell giant for selling fake sneakers. Nike has claimed that they have actually purchased their own sneakers through the StockX website, and have found items they call “questionable”.
StockX released a statement shortly after the lawsuit became public:
We’ve invested millions to fight the proliferation of counterfeit products that virtually every global marketplace faces today… Nike’s latest filing is not only baseless but also is curious given that their own brand protection team has communicated confidence in our authentication program, and that hundreds of Nike employees – including current senior executives – use StockX to buy and sell products.
StockX Spokesperson (May 11th, 2022)
So, what does this mean? Can Nike actually win the lawsuit?
Nike is stating that they have actually purchased sneakers through StockX and claim the pairs they received were not legitimate. If Nike has all of the proof of this transaction, and of the sneakers being 100% fraudulent, it sets them up pretty nicely.
On the other hand, StockX CEO Josh Luber has a different take on the situation. His argument is that because they process so many sneakers a day, some pairs get through that shouldn’t. And while they have installed new systems over the years, there is always some oversight.
We are a sneaker informational website, not a law website, so we really have no idea how this case will go. What we can do, is predict what will happen with both outcomes.
If Nike wins the lawsuit: They will greatly discredit one of the resell market’s biggest competitors and gain a step up in their long-time fight against fraudulent, replica sneakers.
If StockX wins the lawsuit: They will most likely solidify themselves as a legitimate marketplace whose verification system has issues, but issues they are tackling and attempting to fix.
Conclusion: Does StockX Sell Fake Sneakers?
Before reaching this conclusion, it’s important to clarify that we have no affiliation with StockX, and this opinion is entirely unbiased.
With a valuation of $3.8 billion in 2021, StockX likely exceeds $4 billion now. To contextualize, there are only about 1,000 companies worth over a billion dollars. Such scale suggests that StockX, as a massive company, didn’t achieve this by running an illegal operation. Hence, it’s reasonably safe to assert that StockX is not knowingly distributing large quantities of fake sneakers to consumers.
We are inclined to align with CEO Josh Luber’s viewpoint that the challenge lies in the verification process, where some sneakers are inadvertently slipping through due to the sheer volume being processed. A potential solution involves expanding operations and implementing a system where each verifier handles fewer sneakers daily, allowing more time for scrutiny on each pair. This approach provides increased certainty, addressing a crucial consumer need.
Refunds
Refunds are a big issue on StockX because they don’t allow them. They are simply a middle man and don’t want to store the sneakers until someone else buys them. This is a pretty big flaw in the business plan because you can return with platforms like GOAT and Flight Club.
StockX should allow refunds and actually resell the sneakers that they receive. Chances are they will lose a little bit on every sneaker, but they will be creating a safer customer environment which is worth a lot more.
Website Issues
This is a simple issue with a simple fix. Tons of people have had some pretty serious website issues with StockX. Bids getting accepted in seconds and payment information failing, along with the site just shutting down for long periods of time have been some of the issues.
Our fix? Hire some developers and make sure the website is running smoothly. Very rarely does GOAT get complaints about their website/app and that’s a big reason why a lot of people prefer GOAT.
Customer Service
The company faces significant criticism, primarily centered around its customer service. Drawing from personal experiences in both buying and selling, I can attest that the customer service is highly unsatisfactory. The dissatisfaction begins with the redirection to a help center that seldom addresses specific questions.
Upon contacting the customer service email and detailing the issue, anticipate a waiting period of about 5-7 business days for a response. This timeframe is notably lengthy, especially considering inquiries involving substantial sums.
The entire customer service department poses a substantial problem, one that could be easily remedied with increased investment. We use the term ‘investment’ because creating an environment within the business where customers feel secure and heard is genuinely an investment. It fosters long-term customer loyalty.
StockX Alternatives
We’ve talked a lot about one company, so here are some alternatives if you still don’t feel comfortable:
GOAT
GOAT is the most similar platform to StockX and has built a much better public reputation. Goat is also a middleman where people can both buy and sell on the platform, with GOAT being the authenticator.
GOAT also offers an interesting service: GOAT Clean. Each pair is authenticated by specialists and undergoes a thorough cleaning process that includes scrubbing, washing laces, removing lint from the sock liner, and smoothing out any existing creases on the leather.
Flight Club
Flight Club operates using a consignment model where sellers typically send in their shoes. Flight Club retains and showcases these shoes in one of its three stores until they are sold. Upon the sale, the seller receives payment, and Flight Club retains a 20% commission, which is a higher percentage than its competitors.
However, the advantage lies in Flight Club’s brick-and-mortar stores and an extensive community for effective advertising, increasing the likelihood of selling your sneakers
eBay
eBay, a pioneer in e-commerce, facilitates user-to-user sales through auctions or direct purchases. Despite the perceived risk without a middleman, its lower fees and efficiency attract many users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is StockX?
StockX is an online marketplace and clothing reseller, primarily of sneakers. Since November 2020, it has also opened up to electronic products such as game consoles, smartphones, and computer hardware. The Detroit-based company was founded by Dan Gilbert, Josh Luber, Greg Schwartz, and Chris Kaufman in 2015–2016.
Can you return with StockX?
Due to the anonymous nature of our live market, they are unable to offer returns, exchanges, or swaps—including if you ordered the wrong size. The good news is you can always resell with StockX if you no longer want your item, although you will probably result in a net loss.
Does GOAT verify sneakers?
Sourcing from the world’s premium boutiques and retailers, as well as their selected network of resellers, they aim to only sell authentic, high-quality products. Their resale products are verified by means such as machine learning technology, digital authentication, in-hand verification, or a combination of the same.
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