How to sell late-90s Doc Martens shoes?

October 31, 2018 7:31 PM

What's the best way to get rid of some lightly-worn, brown Docs from around 1996 or 1998 or so, and make something from them? I don't do eBay.

They are men's size (US) 10.5 or 11 -- like half a size too small, anyway; I was given them to wear in a wedding but after that I never wore them enough to properly break them in. The soles are in good shape, too. They look like this pair but in better shape: a recent ebay listing.

Craig's List is full of loonies; I don't sell stuff on eBay and I doubt I would start for this. Local FaceBook groups might be possible (my wife has had success there).

Other than outright donation to Savers/Goodwill/etc., is there a low-effort way to move them and make some cash?

posted by wenestvedt to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total)

Local facebook groups definitely. And make sure you mention that these were (I think, you can check) before Doc Marten were bought by whoever so they will have classic appeal to true fans.
posted by jessamyn at 7:50 PM on October 31, 2018 [4 favorites]

I have had good luck with NextDoor.
posted by assenav at 8:11 PM on October 31, 2018

I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone sell anything on NextDoor, says your friendly neighborhood lead. The local yard sale sites on Facebook are where everyone sells. But for something like that, I’d try Poshmark.
posted by Ruki at 8:20 PM on October 31, 2018 [4 favorites]

An easy way to confirm that they’re from the earlier era of Docs is to see if they say “Made in England” on the bottom of the sole. I would also definitely say that in the ad. (The new ones are made in China.)
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:21 PM on October 31, 2018 [1 favorite]

People have sold plenty of things on my local NextDoor. It’s worth looking into.
posted by Autumnheart at 8:23 PM on October 31, 2018

Best answer: I have a friend in town who sells all her name brand stuff on Poshmark because the yard sale people are cheap. So if they are made in England, I double recommend there.
posted by Ruki at 8:23 PM on October 31, 2018 [2 favorites]

(Oh, and to clarify, I’m literally his NextDoor neighborhood lead.)
posted by Ruki at 8:24 PM on October 31, 2018 [2 favorites]

I had a housemate say OfferUp for something similar a few years back.
posted by aniola at 8:46 PM on October 31, 2018

Are there any vintage-y consignment shops in your area?
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 10:02 PM on October 31, 2018

Best answer: It sounds like you’re looking to find a buyer who would especially value the name brand and vintage. Therefore, I recommend Poshmark.
posted by samthemander at 10:05 PM on October 31, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Sell them on Poshmark as WO Vintage Docs and you'll find a buyer. If they were a size 9, I would buy them for my husband. He won't wear anything else and it's semi-horrendous.
posted by DarlingBri at 3:06 AM on November 1, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: There are some Facebook groups dedicated to buying and selling high-end clothes, but they’re neither as common nor as successful as the “just get this out of my house” groups. And when I’m looking for specific clothing that I’m willing to pay decent money for secondhand, I don’t even consider the Facebook groups.

Poshmark if you want the best odds of getting more than a few bucks; Facebook if getting them rehomed quickly/effortlessly is more important than cash.
posted by Metroid Baby at 5:02 AM on November 1, 2018 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Looks like plenty of people sell them on Poshmark. Facebook groups are a good recommendation if you don't want the pain in the butt of packing and shipping.
posted by Miko at 7:39 AM on November 1, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Poshmark for sure. I buy and sell a ton there and Docs are easy to move.
posted by blaneyphoto at 10:57 AM on November 1, 2018 [1 favorite]

There is also the weekly Buy/Sell/Trade thread on the high quality shoes (GYW) subreddit. They'll recognize the quality and vintage of the shoe.
posted by fonzie at 8:57 PM on November 1, 2018