STEALS GUIDE by MadTrix56 (Honolulu, HI)

Sneaker collectors, here is how you can increase your chance in nabbing 'steals' when searching for the hottest shoes on eBay:

STEAL (definition) is to win a listing or find a ridiculously low-priced listing for considerably less than the market rate.  NOTE: There is a huge difference between retail rate and market (going) rate.  Take a look at Nike SBs and Jordan Retros. 

It takes a little bit of effort to run the searches, but luckily, your browsers Bookmarks, or Favorites feature can log in your favorite steals searches for you.  Don't use eBay's 'Save this Search'.  It's not that great.

Here are the tips:
When running a general search for Nike Dunk SBs, say... sz 10, try these methods -

• Type in 'Nike SB -dunk -dunks', and use the shoe size filter on the left hand side and select 10 from the size drop-down.  Doing a  minus (-) and  keyword following will eliminate any search headers with the word 'Dunk' in it.  You'll have to eliminate the plural 'Dunks' too to get the full-filtered effect.  Because gallery is free now, EVERY listing should have a little thumbnail pic on their listing.  Simply scroll down and scan through the list and look for Nike Dunk SBs.  Click to watch the listing.  Obviously the poor sellers have mis-worded their item header and will most likely get a low final value.  
  
  REMEMBER: Just because the shoes have been mislisted doesn't mean it's 100% genuine.  Don't be stupid.  Contact the buyer and ask for the size tag, tagged pictures, box tag, clear pics, etc.
  
  
• Type in 'Nike Dunk SB -10'.  Then, use the shoes size filter and select 10 from the size drop-down.  This will display all of the listings that don't have the size in it.  This search works at times but it's not as effective as the one above.
  
  
• Type your search in the general search bar, not narrowed by any filters yet, and take a look at the 'Vintage' section of Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories.   Also, take a look at the Sporting Goods category.  99% of the shoes on eBay should be in the appropriate category (Men's shoes or women's shoes), and once you use the Shoe Finder feature, you'll be directed to that category, so don't use that when running searches for listings in the wrong category.

All of these search tactics are great for looking for mis-worded listings, but from my experience, the best steals come from sellers that have no idea what the going rate is for their shoes.   There are many reasons why they have no idea.  Perhaps they don't collect shoes.  Maybe it was from an estate.  I have seen original Air Jordans from years ago, worth $200+, in deadstock condition go for $50 and under.  How?  The Buy-it-now feature.   Save a general search for say... 'Nike Dunk SB'.  Then use the shoe finder and filter the size, filter by 'Buy it Now' only, and filter by price.  If your steals budget is $40, set the max price at $40.  Do the search, then save in your browser's bookmarks or favorites.  You can run this favorite search from time to time, but remember, those crafty sneakerhead eBayers have a LOT of time on their hands (like me), and will get the steal minutes after it becomes available.

So there you have it.  I have more steal tactics, but this is the gist of it.

Personal lowest-priced steals:
Deadstock Nike Foamposite Max
$5.64 shipped.  listed in the Sporting goods category, no size, no title.  Did a general 'Nike' search.

Halle Berry Air Rift sz 13 (Artist Series)
$15 Buy-it-now.  Sold years later for $200.  Listed in womens as 'Nike running shoes womens 13'.  Obscure size.  Low buy-it-now.   I had no idea what it was at first either!  Just 'cool ninja shoes'.

Favorite steal:
Jordan XI Space Jam & Jordan XI black/red low:
$130 shipped. Did not list the numbers 11 or XI.  Blurry pics, but after correspondence with the seller, was able to verify that the goods were well.. good, and pulled the trigger.