With the exciting rise of streetwear, sneakers have become a high-demand fashion item. Among those, limited releases are so coveted that people can resell them for thousands of dollars.
However, you can increase your chances of successfully purchasing the prized shoes by being prepared with the right tools and strategies. Here are some things you can do to ensure you’re not left out in the cold when it’s time to cop.
1. Use A VPN Or Proxy
If you’re not familiar with the term, a VPN or Virtual Private Network is a service that allows you to hide your IP address and spoof where you’re located. Sneaker proxies are similar, and there are plenty of both free and paid options to try out, providing you be careful about what you download.
One thing to keep in mind is that all proxies and VPNs aren’t created equally. They’re not necessarily going to work for every site, in every situation. What works for one brand may not work for another, but it’s worth trying out a few different options if you’re determined to cop whatever your heart desires.
2. Use A Sneaker Bot
Using bots for copping sneakers automates the process of buying online. It allows you to place hundreds of orders per second into a virtual shopping cart and check out faster than any human can. Because of this, these bots are very popular with sneaker resellers looking to capitalize on the recent trend of limited-edition sneakers selling out within seconds.
There are dozens of sneaker bots out there that claim to be the best, but there is no single bot that works for every release. Some bots will only work for certain stores, while others will work for any store that allows you to checkout as a guest instead of forcing you to create an account.
3. Be On The Email List
If you’re serious about getting your hands on that limited-edition pair of kicks, you better get yourself on the email list of whatever store is selling them. It’s not uncommon for brands and stores alike to send out emails announcing special releases—and sometimes, it won’t even be for the general public.
There are significant sneakerheads who have email lists to let their followers know when the hottest new shoes are coming out. Be sure to follow those lists and keep an eye out for any emails about special releases, especially if you know that there’s a particular style you’ve been waiting for.
4. Adjust Site Settings
In the world of limited-edition sneakers, every second counts. You could lose out on a coveted pair just because you were a millisecond too slow or your internet connection wavered for a brief moment. One way to avoid this fate is to adjust your site settings. In particular, turn off any elements that can slow down your browsing experience, like images, Flash animations, and pop-ups.
A quick check of your browser settings can make all the difference in whether you get the much sought-after Jordans or not. You should also make sure the website is “responsive,” which will load well on desktop and mobile devices. It will be beneficial if you plan to purchase from a mobile device.
5. Refresh Often And Quickly
Refreshing often and quickly is the most important thing when trying to cope. If you are refreshing slow, you can miss out on a couple of things. First, the page may error out, which means that you will not be able to get the product at all. Second, if you are refreshing too slow and the product does not error out, it may sell out before getting to the checkout screen.
It means that someone else was faster than you were, and they got your pair of sneakers. So make sure that you refresh fast because if you aren’t doing this, there is no point in using other hacks or tricks.
6. Make Sure You’ve Got Multiple Cards
When drops happen, there’s a severe traffic jam. The internet slows to a crawl, and so does the checkout process. If you only have one card, you’ll have a bad time. Having multiple cards will allow you to go through the process faster with multiple browsers open and better check out successfully.
If you’re not concerned with copping multiple pairs, or if you can’t get more credit cards and don’t have enough money on your current card to buy more than one pair at a time, then make sure you’ve got enough money on the card before sitting down and trying to cop.
Takeaway
If you’re looking to cop a pair of limited-edition sneakers, it’s better to be safe than sorry. These tips can help you give yourself the best chance at getting a pair online. Ultimately, though, there’s no surefire way to get your hands on these shoes—it’s part of the fun challenge. And even if you don’t score them right away, there are plenty of other great kicks well worth the hunt. You might have to wait until they come back around again.