Guide
Where to sell shoes: the right place for every pair, online or for cash
Hype sneakers, worn pairs, designer heels, work boots or kids’ shoes: where each one sells, what the fees leave you, and how to get cash today.
By Elena Varga · Reviewed by Sofia Moretti |Fact-checked|13 min read
Key takeaways
- 1Match the shoe to the place: new-in-box sneakers to StockX, GOAT or eBay; worn pairs to eBay, Mercari, Poshmark, Vinted or Depop; designer pairs to The RealReal or Vestiaire; kids’ shoes and bundles to local buyers.
- 2On a $200 pair the spread is wide: $200 on Vinted, $184 on eBay (athletic shoes, 8%), about $176 on StockX, $160 on Poshmark. Check each fee page before you price.
- 3For cash today, Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child pay on the spot. You get less per pair than listing it yourself, but the pairs are gone the same day.
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Where is the best place to sell shoes?
The short answer
Where to sell shoes depends on the pair: new-in-box sneakers sell best on StockX, GOAT or eBay, where buyers pay for authentication, and worn everyday pairs on eBay, Mercari, Poshmark, Vinted or Depop. Designer heels and boots go to The RealReal or Vestiaire Collective. For cash today, take them to a buy-outlet store such as Buffalo Exchange.
Find your pair’s row, list it on the first place named, and add the second if it has not sold in a couple of weeks. Fees change, so check each platform’s fee page, linked below, before you price.
| Your shoes | Best places | Authentication and payout |
|---|---|---|
| Limited or hype sneakers, new in box | StockX, GOAT, eBay | StockX and GOAT check every pair before paying you. eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee covers select models from $75. |
| Worn everyday sneakers | eBay, Mercari, Grailed (menswear) | eBay’s guarantee also covers select pre-owned models from $75. Mercari pays once the buyer confirms and you rate them. |
| Brand-name women’s flats, sandals and boots | Poshmark, Vinted, Depop | Posh Authenticate is free on select luxury items from $500. Poshmark pays within 3 days of delivery. |
| Designer heels and boots | The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, Poshmark | The RealReal authenticates, photographs and prices the pair, and pays when it sells. |
| Kids’ shoes | Once Upon a Child, Facebook Marketplace, Vinted | No authentication needed. Once Upon a Child pays cash on the spot. |
| Work and outdoor boots | eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari | Heavy boxes suit local pickup, paid at the meet-up. |
| Lots and bundles | Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Buffalo Exchange or Plato’s Closet | Stores pick the pairs they want and pay the same day. |
Selling clothes as well? The where to sell clothes online guide compares the same platforms for clothing.
Where to sell sneakers: StockX, GOAT, eBay and Grailed
The short answer
Sell new, unworn sneakers on StockX or GOAT, which check every pair before the buyer gets it, or on eBay, where athletic shoes pay 8% once the total sale reaches $150. Sell used sneakers on eBay, on Grailed for menswear, or on GOAT if you are an approved seller.
StockX: new, unworn pairs
- How it works: on the Verified Marketplace you search for the product and set a price. After a sale you ship to StockX within two business days, using the label it sends, for verification.
- Fees: its seller fees page lists 3% payment processing plus a transaction fee of 9% at Level 1, falling to 7% at Level 5, with a $5 minimum in the US.
- Payout and used pairs: payouts are released after the pair ships or is verified, daily for most sellers. Select US users can sell used pairs on its separate Listings Marketplace.
GOAT: new and used pairs, approved sellers only
- Access: GOAT’s selling policy allows only a select group of sellers; you request access in the app’s Sell tab.
- Fees: a commission of 9.5% plus a seller fee ($5 in the US with prepaid shipping, $0 at drop-off), rising to 25% with cancellations and verification issues, then a 2.9% cash-out fee.
- After a sale: ship to GOAT within three business days for verification. A canceled order costs $10. Used pairs may need photos, and they must show the pair you will ship.
eBay: the widest audience, new or used
- Fees: eBay’s selling fees page charges athletic shoes 8% with no per-order fee when the total sale is $150 or more, and 13.6% below that.
- Authentication: the Authenticity Guarantee covers select models from $75, new and pre-owned, free for sellers. Authenticators inspect the pair within two business days of receiving it.
- Shipping: for eligible pairs, its sneaker page offers a free FedEx label and asks for a handling time of three business days or less. More in how to sell clothes on eBay.
Grailed: menswear sneakers, strict photos
Grailed’s fee page charges 9% on sales of $120 and above and 6% (minimum $1.99) below, plus a processing fee of 3.49% + $0.49 on US payments with Stripe. Its photo standards are covered in the photo section below. The Grailed fees guide works through the numbers.
Where to sell used shoes: Poshmark, Mercari, Depop and Vinted
The short answer
Sell everyday brand-name shoes on the resale apps. Vinted charges sellers nothing, Depop charges US sellers only a processing fee, Mercari takes 10%, and Poshmark takes 20% on sales of $15 or more.
- Poshmark: its fee page takes a flat $2.95 under $15 and 20% at $15 or more. The money reaches your Poshmark account within 3 days of delivery. Good for women’s brand-name flats, boots and sandals. The Poshmark guide covers the rest.
- Mercari: its fees page charges 10% of the item price plus buyer-paid shipping, with no separate processing fee on new or updated listings. The buyer has three days to confirm, you rate them, and the funds are released, per its how to sell page.
- Depop: its seller fees page charges no selling fee in the US, only 3.3% + $0.45 processing on the item, shipping and tax. Suits streetwear sneakers, platforms and vintage pairs.
- Vinted: sellers pay nothing to list or sell, and the full selling price lands in your Vinted Wallet, per its help page. Best for low-priced pairs, where any fee eats most of the profit.
List a pair on two apps at once if you like, and delete the second listing the moment it sells.
Where to sell designer heels and boots
The short answer
Designer heels and boots sell best where buyers expect authentication. The RealReal takes them on consignment and does the work; Vestiaire Collective and Poshmark let you list them yourself and keep more of the price.
- The RealReal: its designer shoes page says you ship, drop off or book an in-home appointment, and its team authenticates, photographs, prices and lists the shoes. You earn up to 75% of the final sale price, and brands must be on its Designer List.
- Vestiaire Collective: its selling fees page charges 12% on items priced $83 to $16,667, a flat $10 under $83, plus 3% processing (minimum $3). It does not accept items under $18.
- Poshmark: Posh Authenticate is free for select luxury items sold for $500 or more. If Poshmark cannot verify a pair, the order is canceled and the item goes back to you and cannot be relisted.
What does a $200 pair actually leave you?
The short answer
A $200 pair of shoes leaves you between $160 and $200 before shipping, depending on the platform. Vinted takes no seller fee, eBay takes 8% on athletic shoes at $150 and up, StockX takes 12% at Level 1, and Poshmark takes 20%.
| Platform | Fees on the sale | You keep from $200 |
|---|---|---|
| Vinted | No selling fee | $200.00 |
| Depop (US) | 3.3% + $0.45 processing, charged on the item, shipping and tax | about $192.95 |
| eBay (athletic shoes, total sale $150+) | 8%, no per-order fee | $184.00 |
| Mercari | 10% of the item price plus buyer-paid shipping | about $180.00 |
| StockX (Level 1) | 9% transaction fee + 3% payment processing | $176.00 |
| Grailed | 9% at $120+, plus 3.49% + $0.49 processing (Stripe, US) | about $174.53 |
| GOAT | 9.5% + $5 seller fee (prepaid shipping), then 2.9% to cash out | about $170.90 |
| Vestiaire Collective | 12% on $83–$16,667, plus 3% processing | $170.00 |
| Poshmark | 20% on sales of $15 or more | $160.00 |
Assumes a Level 1 StockX seller, a GOAT seller in good standing with prepaid shipping, and no shipping paid by you. Pick the place with the right buyers first; a hype pair sells faster where sneaker buyers shop.
Where can I sell shoes for cash near me?
The short answer
To sell shoes for cash today, take them to a buy-outlet store: Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child buy on the spot with no appointment. Or sell locally on Facebook Marketplace and be paid at the meet-up. Both pay less per pair than listing online, in exchange for speed.
| Store | What it buys | How it pays |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Exchange | Men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories in good condition | 25% of its selling price in cash, or 50% in store credit; no appointment, bring a government ID |
| Plato’s Closet | Gently used teen and young adult clothes, shoes and accessories | Cash on the spot if you accept the offer; no appointment |
| Once Upon a Child | Children’s clothing, footwear, toys and baby gear | Cash on the spot if you accept the offer; no appointment |
Sources: Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child. Buffalo Exchange sees every item in person and gives no offers from photos, so bring clean pairs and expect some to come home.
Online or local: which one?
- Sell online when the pair is worth an hour of your time: designer pairs, and sneakers or boots with a model name buyers search for.
- Sell to a store when you have a bag of ordinary pairs and want them gone today. You trade price for speed.
- Sell locally on Facebook Marketplace for heavy boots, kids’ shoes by the bag and bundles. Its selling steps are short: Create new listing, Item for sale, add photos and details, Publish.
Which used shoes sell, and which don’t?
The short answer
Clean, matching pairs with honest photos of the soles, insoles and size label sell. Pairs with hidden wear, a strong smell or a crumbling sole don’t, or they come back as returns. The original box and extras add value on sneakers and designer pairs.
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| Soles and heels | Photograph the outsole straight on. Heavy heel drag, a worn-through tread or a cracked or crumbling midsole cuts the price or the sale. |
| Uppers and creasing | Toe-box creases, scuffs and stains are fine if named and shown. Hidden ones come back as returns. |
| Insoles and inside | Buyers look inside. Pull out removable insoles, clean them, and show the size label sharp enough to read. |
| Smell | Air shoes out and deodorize before listing. Say so in the description if you can’t get it all out; it is a common reason for a return. |
| The box and extras | The original box, spare laces and tags add value on sneakers and designer pairs. Grailed asks for a photo of the box label if the box is included. |
| Both shoes | Check that the pair matches: same size, same colorway, same wear. GOAT rejects photos that do not show both sneakers in full. |
A scrubbed midsole and fresh laces change the thumbnail. If you have repainted or glued anything, say so in the listing.
How do you price used shoes?
The short answer
Price used shoes from what the same model and size sold for in similar condition, because sold prices show what buyers really paid. Then subtract the platform fee and any shipping you pay, and adjust for the box, the condition and the season.
- Find the exact model. The style code on the size label or the box label is more precise than the name.
- Search sold listings. Filter to sold or completed items and note three to five pairs in your size and condition.
- Adjust for condition. A pair with heavy sole wear, no box or a mark sells below the clean pairs you found; a new-in-box pair sells above worn ones.
- Take off the fees. Use the $200 table above as a guide, then check the fee page of the platform you pick.
- Drop or move after two to three weeks. A pair that has not sold is priced too high or listed in the wrong place.
For eBay, its Product Research tool, free to all sellers in Seller Hub, shows the average sold price and total sold, filtered by condition.
List sandals before spring and boots before autumn rather than cutting the price out of season. More on sold comps is in how to become a clothing reseller.
How do you photograph shoes so they sell?
The short answer
Shoot both shoes in bright, even light on a plain background, then add the outer side, the toe, the heel, the top, the sole, the size label and every flaw. Take them yourself: most resale apps allow only your own photos of the actual pair.
The full method, from setup to angles, is in the shoe photography guide. Here is what the platforms ask for:
- eBay: its sneaker page suggests up to 12 photos: the tag, both sides of each shoe, the top, the sole, the front, the back and the box, with every defect shown.
- Grailed: its photo standards require the inner size tag, the outsoles, and the front and back of the tongue; a photo of the box label is recommended if the box is included.
Whose photos go where
Depop asks you to only use photos taken by yourself. Mercari’s prohibited conduct policy bans photos you do not own or have not taken yourself. Vinted’s photo guide says “Use your own pics”.
Grailed says the photos you upload must be your own and of the actual item, with no images of individuals. GOAT wants photos of the pair in your possession, and StockX’s Listings Marketplace runs on your photo of the item. Keep all of those listings to your own photos.
Poshmark’s seller policy asks for your original photos, with the item clearly shown in the main photo; eBay’s picture policy bans stock photos for used items and photos that do not accurately represent the item. There, your own photos lead and an accurate extra can follow.
On-foot shots for your store, social and ads
In your own store, on social media and in ads, buyers want to see the pair worn. With Tryly’s AI shoe photography you upload one photo of the shoe and choose a Lifestyle Shot, a model wearing the pair with an outfit styled around it, or Studio Shot angles, including six on-foot compositions.
01 Your photo
02 On the model
03 On-foot detail
- Choose the model and angles: one of 500+ models, or your own model or yourself; up to four angles a run, one credit a photo.
- Check every photo at full size: logo, stitching, toe shape, heel height and colorway should match the pair in your hand. The sole is not in the angle library, so the sole photo stays yours.
- Use it where the rules allow: your store, social media and ads, and as an extra after your own photos on Poshmark and eBay. Never on Depop, Mercari, Vinted, Grailed, GOAT or StockX.
Photos made on a paid plan can be used on your store, in ads and on social media. Plans start from $9.99/month (Starter plan, billed annually), from $0.33 a day, and photos cost as low as $0.25 each: at Tryly’s lowest rate, four on-foot shots for 25 pairs, 100 photos, cost $25. Start with 10 free photos, no card.
How do you ship shoes you sold?
The short answer
Ship shoes in a sturdy outer box, never in the shoebox alone. Pad the shoebox inside a larger carton, and use the prepaid label the platform sends for that sale.
GOAT’s selling policy puts it plainly: package each shoebox separately in a sufficiently sized cardboard box, with bubble wrap or packing paper, and do not ship using only the shoebox. Watch the deadlines too: two business days on StockX, three on GOAT and on eBay’s authenticated sneakers.
Weights, box sizes and the cheapest services are in the cheapest way to ship clothes, which has a section on shoes.
How do you sell shoes locally and stay safe?
The short answer
Facebook Marketplace’s own safety tips say to meet in a public, well-lit place, tell someone exactly where you are going, keep your home address private and keep the meeting place you agreed.
From Facebook’s tips for meeting in person, plus a few for shoes:
- Tell a friend or family member the exact meeting place, and share your live location during the meet-up.
- Keep your phone charged and message the buyer when you are on your way.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- Let the buyer try the shoes on at the meet-up, so a size question never becomes a dispute later.
- Count cash before you hand over the pair. If anything feels wrong, cancel and report the listing.
Questions about where to sell shoes
Where is the best place to sell shoes?+
It depends on the pair. New-in-box sneakers sell best where buyers pay for authentication: StockX, GOAT and eBay. Everyday used shoes suit eBay, Mercari, Poshmark, Vinted and Depop. Designer heels and boots suit The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective, and kids’ shoes suit Once Upon a Child or Facebook Marketplace.
Where can I sell my shoes for cash today?+
At a buy-outlet store. Buffalo Exchange pays 25% of its selling price in cash, or 50% in store credit, and needs no appointment, just a government ID. Plato’s Closet buys teen and young adult shoes and Once Upon a Child buys children’s shoes, both for cash on the spot. You can also sell locally on Facebook Marketplace and be paid at the meet-up.
Where is the best place to sell used sneakers?+
eBay for most pairs: athletic shoes pay 8% and no per-order fee once the total sale reaches $150, and its Authenticity Guarantee covers select new and pre-owned models from $75. Grailed suits menswear sneakers, and GOAT takes used pairs from approved sellers. StockX’s main marketplace takes new, unworn pairs only.
Is it better to sell sneakers on StockX or eBay?+
For a new, unworn pair of a popular model, StockX is the least work: you search the product, set a price, and ship to StockX for verification. For a pair of $150 or more, eBay’s 8% athletic-shoe fee usually leaves you more than StockX’s 9% plus 3% at Level 1, and eBay also takes worn pairs.
How do I know what my used shoes are worth?+
Check what the same pair actually sold for, because sold prices show what buyers really paid. Search the exact model and size, filter to sold or completed items, and note pairs in similar condition. eBay’s Product Research, free to all sellers in Seller Hub, shows the average sold price and total sold, filtered by condition.
Can I add on-foot photos made with Tryly to my listings?+
Only where the platform allows it. Depop, Mercari, Vinted, Grailed, GOAT and StockX want photos you took of the actual pair, or no seller photos at all, so keep Tryly photos out of those listings. On Poshmark and eBay, your own photo stays first and an on-foot photo, checked against the real pair, can follow as an extra.
Sources: eBay selling fees, selling sneakers, Authenticity Guarantee for sneakers, picture policy and research tools; StockX seller fees and selling on StockX; GOAT commission, seller fee, cash-out and selling policy; Grailed fees, payment processing and photo standards; Poshmark fees, payouts, seller policy and Posh Authenticate; Mercari fees, how to sell and prohibited conduct; Depop seller fees and stock images; Vinted selling fees and photo guide; Vestiaire Collective selling fees; The RealReal designer shoes; Facebook selling on Marketplace and meeting in person; Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child.
Written by
Elena Varga
Head of Content, Tryly Academy
Former e-commerce photo producer who ran catalogue shoots for fashion labels for over a decade. Writes the Academy’s guides.
- 11 years in fashion e-commerce
- 1,200+ catalogue shoots produced
Expert review
Sofia Moretti
Fashion photographer · Expert reviewer
Has shot campaigns and on-model e-commerce for fashion brands for 14 years. Reviews every Academy article for accuracy.
- 14 years in fashion photography
- Campaign and catalogue work across Europe
How we work: every Academy article is written by a specialist, reviewed by a working fashion photographer, and re-checked against its sources when prices or rules change.