Why are Skechers are so highly sought after? Why are they so expensive? How can I increase my chances of finding a pair for CHEAP??  All these questions will be answered below.  But first, let's look up some hidden treasures!

Tips on Finding that Coveted Pair of Skechers Skates:

Many people mispell SKECHERS and mistakenly add a "T", spelling it as SKETCHERS.  Try your search using both variations.  You'll be surprised at how many more skates you'll find.  See how many skates were mispelled??  (click on link)  Or, for even better results, type SKE* Skates in the search box.  The Asterisk is a WILDCARD and will cover any combination of letters that come after the "SKE".  Besides searching in the SPORTING GOODS category, you may want to try the SHOES category.  Every so often, someone lists a pair of skates in the wrong section.  You should also try variations of the description as well.  "SKATES" and "SKATE" will yield different results, so try BOTH!!  

SUPERTIP: Here is what you should type to increase your results: Ske* (roller*, skat*) .  The words in the parenthesis will capture results that have either "roller---" OR "skat---"!!  Notice we're putting in WILDCARDS to cover for any mispelled items.  In the categories section, just select ALL CATEGORIES.  It may take a bit longer to filter out the stuff you don't need, but it's worth it to find that hidden gem at a bargain price.  If you want to narrow it down to your size, just add the size number AFTER the parenthesis.  ex:  Ske* (roller*, skat*) 7    The "7" will bring you results for BOTH 7 and 7.5!

If you really need some skates and don't mind paying more for shipping, try searching on eBay's other international sites.  Occasionally you may get lucky if you log into their EBAY UK or Canadian website.  Their Australian site yields some results every now and then too!  Your login will be the same as your US login, and any WATCHED ITEM from a foreign site automatically is saved onto the US version.  However, keep in mind that you'll pay a premium for shipping!  You can also go into ADVANCED SEARCH, and scroll down to the middle of the page and select WORLDWIDE.  You'll get the same results.

Keep in mind that it may be difficult to buy a new pair of skates at a price you're comfortable with.  Take a look at some used skates.  You can find a great pair of skates with many miles of use left in them if you know what to look for.  I usually steer clear from auctions that use generic pictures, as opposed to taking a picture of the actual item for sale.  If all you see is a skate in a white background, ask for more pics.  You also need to be wary of those listings which have blurry pics, or those that look like they were taken during a new moon.  I've seen skates misrepresented as NEW when it is obvious that the skates have been worn.  Even worse, the seller may not even have a pair of skates to sell you!  Nobody will make millions by scamming you out of a pair of skates, but why risk the time and money on something you thought was nicer in the pic than in person?

Take a close look at the wheel surface.  The wheels are very sensitive to scratching and dulling, so it doesn't take much to show wear on the wheels.  Look for ULTRA SHINY wheels.  If the wheels are dull, they hit the pavement a few times.  I've always taken close-up pics of the inside of the shoe.  If it looks dirty or there is pilling of the material, chances are that skate was not "Only Worn Once"!!  Seriously, how dirty can a skate get in one day???

Size Matters!! Be sure you're getting the right size.  Skechers skates should be the same size as your most comfortable sneakers.  After all, they ARE sneakers on wheels.  Sometimes sellers take it upon themselves to convert sizes from children's to women's.  You can't blame them.  After all, they studied the market and have found that it's easier to sell a woman's skate in a size 6 than it is to sell a child's skate in a size 4 (even though it's practically the same thing).  Just a hint, you can use this to your advantage.  Women's sizes are, on average, 2 sizes HIGHER than a child's or men's size.  But just to be sure you're buying your size and not your little brother's size, ask for the EUROPEAN or the UK size and compare that to your most comfortable sneakers.  Size charts are easily found by googling it.

Finally, don't forget about the accessories.  All of the Skechers skates come with extra brake stoppers and the very important Skate Key (conveniently attached to a keychain).  The key allows you to adjust the tightness of the wheels, allowing you to control the "give" or "tightness" of the roll.  Most styles come with extra laces (sparkles or multi-colored) and some even come with Toe Guards (to prevent scuffing if you take a fall) which are easily secured to the front of the skates using the laces and the brake pad.  Don't be too discouraged if items are not included. Remember, the skates were discontinued 4 years ago, and it is more than likely that a couple of items disappeared along the way.

As for the exterior of the shoe, it may be a bit dirty, but I've found that FANTASTIK CLEANER works wonders.  Footlocker sells a gel to clean nylon, nylon mesh and canvas.  A couple of drops of water plus the gel and a small fingernail brush really gets those grimy insoles and exteriors clean!  When you receive your skates be sure to clean out any grime from the wheel bearings with a lightly oiled QTip.  If the wheels don't spin smoothly, you can loosen the bearings slightly, or take them to any skate shop to have the bearings replaced at very little cost.  In fact, if you have the SKATE KEY, you can do it yourself.

Now, let's explore the fascination behind Skechers 4 Wheelers...

History of Rollerskating:

Belgian manufacturer John James Merlin introduced his latest invention, shoes on small metal wheels, at a formal London masquerade ball in 1970!

He surprised everyone at the ball by rolling across the floor on metal-wheeled skates while playing a valuable violin.  But due to the skates' minor performance limitations (he forgot to put brakes on his skates), Merlin ran into a large mirror, seriously damaging the violin, and inflicting grievous bodily harm to various appendages, and his nose, which made first contact with the glass.

In spite of Merlin's little episode, roller skating technology made some advances. The first version to be patented, in Paris, France, had a wooden sole, leather straps and three wheels made of wood, metal or ivory. People only skated forwards on these skates and turning corners was a major accomplishment.

By 1840, roller skating was a big hit in Germany. A bar in Berlin even had young girls wearing roller skates while they served customers.  Today, you can still find waitresses rolling around in one of Sonic's 3000 Drive-in Restaurants across the country!

By the time roller skates came to North America in the early 1900s, they had a front brake and four or six wheels. James Leonard Plimpton patented a newer version, one that allowed skaters to turn easily, in 1863 in New York City.

Roller rinks soon popped up all over the place. The last big wave of roller-mania took place in the 1960s and 70s - dying out in the early 80s.  Even the CEO of Skechers, Robert Greenberg (who also founded the sneaker company LA GEAR) was owner of the popular ROLLER SKATES of AMERICA from 1979-1983!! Hmmmm....(info courtesy of cbc.ca)

SKECHERS takes a risk and the fad is reborn:

In the year 2000, SKECHERS USA, a global leader in the lifestyle footwear industry formalized an agreement to distribute a line of skates known as 4 Wheelers.  These skates retailed for $119 nationwide, but they did not bear the Skechers logo until 2001.  Only the Boxes had Skechers' name on them.  These skates received rave reviews as being the most comfortable skates available.  Unlike traditional boot-style skates, these came in the form, fit and comfort of a sport sneaker!  And since retro sneakers had been in style recently, it seemed a natural mating of sneakers to skates.  Let's not forget the mastermind behind the deal, Robert Greenberg.

Britney Spears signs up with Skechers:

Britney Spears signed an agreement to endorse Skechers footwear in 2001.  These were very limited production and were very popular with the young Britney fans.  In April of 2002, SKECHERS USA announced the launch of a worldwide high energy, colorful advertising campaign for Britney 4 Wheelers™, the artist's signature roller skate line from SKECHERS.

The campaign comprised of a series of ads (photographed by renowned fashion photog Stephane Sednaoui) depicting the mega-star in her signature roller skates in five different outfits.  They appeared almost immediately in leading trade magazines and national teen, lifestyle and fashion magazines worldwide.

The BRITNEY-SKECHERS breakup:

On December 23, 2002, Britney Spears filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against Skechers Footwear of California, saying the company failed to pay her adequately for endorsing a line of quad roller skates and accessories and that they backed out of an agreement to sponsor one of her tours. She also claimed that the sales of her own line of skates was hindered by Skechers' ad campaign which was launched way before her first skate was produced.  Skechers cashed in on their own line of skates while Britney was still looking for a manufacturer to complete her line, so when she finally introduced her skates, sales were already beginning to see a decline!!

Skechers responded to Britney's suit in March 2003 with a multi-million dollar countersuit, claiming that Britney dragged her feet in approving the skate models, clothing designs, and skating accessories that were presented to her in time for them to be in the stores during the targeted seasons.  This, they claimed, caused Skechers to lose tens of millions of dollars. 

Shortly after, Skechers discontinued the entire line of 4 Wheelers Skates Rollerskates.

eBAY and the Second Wave of Rollerskate Frenzy:

4 Wheelers Skates started appearing on eBay very soon after.  The selling craze reached it's peak in the spring of 2005, with some skates selling upwards of $200!! One customer even payed me an extra $175 on top of his winning bid just to ship it EXPRESS to AUSTRALIA for his girlfriend's birthday!! Needless to say, everyone searched their garages and closets for their old skates to try to cash in on the craze.  However, although Skechers no longer sold the skates in stores, a few new pairs still lingered around and savvy eBayers scoured the stores nationwide in hopes of finding the last skates in the back stockrooms .  In fact, (I have a relative on the inside) we found stacks and stacks of new skates which never reached the stores, tucked away and forgotten in a Skechers distribution warehouse! 

Extinction:

So here we are 2 years later and we can't find any more Sketchers Skates.  An inventory audit revealed the last few gems lingering in stockrooms.  You can search high and low on the internet but you won't find these skates.  Only a couple of ebayers have brand new skates (I'm sold out), and of course, they are selling them for up to $200 depending on the size and model.  One of my favorite sellers is Ms.Melissas.  She has a wide variety of skates and her customer service is outstanding.  Prices may be high, but her skates are of FIRST QUALITY and the styles are awesome.  We've bought from each other, sold to each other and traded skates with each other but I am not associated with Ms.Melissas except in those aspects so please buy at your own risk. 

I hope you enjoyed the history lesson!!  I wish you the best of luck with your search!!