The global sneaker revenue so far this year stands at $76 billion, and it’s expected to double by the close of the fourth quarter. That’s not small money and a testament to how much value people put into their shoes.
And at the center of all this, several online platforms for selling sneakers command a huge market segment. The two that stand out the most are GOAT and StockX.
Both were founded in the same year and have become a force in the highly competitive sneaker industry. But how similar or different are they? That’s what we’re here to find out today.
I’ll be comparing GOAT and StockX in terms of their product quality, verification processes, pricing, buying, selling process, and more.
If you’re a sneakerhead like me and want to know more about these two online sneaker resale platforms, then find a comfortable chair, sit back, and read this to the end.
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GOAT Overview
GOAT was created by Eddy Lu and Daishin Sugano in 2015. Initially, the two were inspired by one goal; to address the growing problem of fake sneakers in the resale market.
People were being ripped off by unscrupulous vendors selling fake sneakers for original prices to unsuspecting customers.
With time, the platform grew to become one of the most trusted sneaker resale avenues, and this was mainly due to its emphasis on authenticity. Each pair of sneakers that comes through GOAT’s hands is painstakingly examined and verified before being displayed on the website for sale.
This level of dedication to legality has increased customer confidence and helped GOAT establish itself as a trustworthy marketplace.
Furthermore, GOAT has a vast inventory of sneakers from some of the most well-known brands.
Whether you’re looking for a classic pair of Air Jordans, the latest Yeezy sneakers, or that fancy pair of Supreme shoes, GOAT has you covered. The best part is that the most prominent brands, like Nike, endorse this platform, and that’s why you can find so many branded products in its rich catalog.
StockX Overview
Like GOAT, StockX was founded in 2015. But the main aim behind the creation of this platform was to provide sneaker enthusiasts with updated real-time information on the market values, trends, and prices of shoes. So far, the platform is handling that role very well.
This platform was the brainchild of Dan Gilbert, Josh Luber, Chris Kaufman, and Greg Schwartz and has been based in Detroit since its inception.
StockX employs a rigorous process of verifying each sneaker that falls into their hands to ensure nothing fake is ever displayed anywhere. Before sneakers are dispatched to the customer, the company employs professionals to carefully examine and confirm their authenticity.
This emphasis on legitimacy, like GOAT, significantly contributed to building trust within the sneaker community and reducing the availability of fake shoes.
The company has a global reach and has all types of major brands in its collection, like Air Jordans, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Yeezy, and so much more, So you can always be assured of finding something that fits your style and taste.\
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GOAT vs StockX
And now, to the things that matter the most. People who buy sneakers from platforms like GOAT or StockX for the first time usually have questions, mainly about the authenticity of the products.
So how do these two platforms hold up their end of the deal in the most critical areas? Here’s a detailed breakdown.
Sneaker Authenticity and Verification
Here’s how each platform verifies the authenticity of sneakers in its collection.
GOAT
Photo by Mnz/Pexels
For GOAT, The verification procedure starts when a seller submits their sneakers for sale. A special team of qualified professionals takes their time to thoroughly examine the sneaker using a multi-step authentication process.
What sets these professionals apart is their experience and love for sneakers. They have a sharpened awareness of the complexities and subtleties of different shoe models, down to the details that would otherwise escape the eyes of a layperson.
They examine the stitching, the logos, the materials used on the top and the soles, how the footwear feels when worn, if it has any scratches, and so much more.
There’s also a vast database of authentic sneaker pairs they use as references occasionally to ensure they have the real thing in their hands. This database is constantly updated, making things hard for fake sneaker creators who may not know that rules have already changed.
GOAT also uses advanced tech like UV lights and high-resolution scanning to detect the most subtle counterfeit attempts. This is crucial as it acts as the buffer if something escapes their keen human eye.
For sneakers to be accepted by GOAT, they have to meet a few requirements.
- New sneakers have to be brand new and ultimately unused.
- Used sneakers should be lightly worn at most. Too much damage or alterations are not allowed.
- The sneakers must be clean and should come with their original packaging. This includes the box, tissue paper, and all accompanying accessories. Counterfeit shoes usually lack these things.
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StockX
Photo by Ray Piedra/Pexels
StockX starts its verification process with a detailed visual assessment, similar to GOAT. It also has a team of trained authenticators with years of experience under their belt who examine the sneaker’s colors, materials, stitching, and any inconsistency that may indicate counterfeiting.
After this, StockX moves on to a more thorough assessment using specialized equipment. This is the stage where the placement of tags and holograms is carefully looked at because there’s a specific way that original sneakers place their emblems on their products; it’s never random.
The stage that follows uses digital tools that compare the sneakers to a database of original references to further narrow the scrutiny and catch anything that may have escaped human examiners. The tech used here confirms whether the serial numbers, production codes, and other unique identifiers are from the authentic manufacturer.
Like GOAT, the sneakers that make it to the StockX platform must meet a few basic requirements.
- New ones need to be unused without a single scratch on them.
- If you send in slightly used sneakers, they must reflect that and have no significant scratches or dents.
- The sneakers should not have any alteration that differs from what the manufacturer stipulated.
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| VERDICT
GOAT and StockX have robust verification processes that combine highly qualified experts and the most advanced technologies to confirm the authenticity of the products they sell to people. This is a tie. |
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Pricing and Fees
The next most important thing for sneaker buyers eyeing these two platforms is pricing and any additional fees. Let’s break that down further.
GOAT Pricing and Additional Features
Photo by Brett Jordan/Pexels
Being a resale platform, GOAT allows sellers to set their own prices. But the final prices are determined by what the examination process that we just covered in the last section brings up.
Overall, GOAT bases its pricing on the shoe’s authenticity and condition. For example, a used original limited edition of Air Jordans will cost much more than an original brand new Air Jordan released about three years ago.
As for additional fees, GOAT charges a seller service fee that varies depending on where the seller is located. These seller fees range from $5 to $30.
There’s also a commission fee depending on the rating assigned to the shoes after proper examination. Here’s the breakdown.
- Seller rating – 90 or above: 9.5% commission fee + seller fee
- Seller rating – 70-89: 15% commission fee + seller fee
- Seller rating between 50-69: 20% commission fee + seller fee
- Seller rating below 50: 25% commission fee + seller fee
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StockX Pricing and Features
Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán/Pexels
StockX has a 3% payment processing fee, which is determined by a metric called Seller Level, which is the StockX rating used to grade the sneakers sold on the platform.
Furthermore, the seller fees are also determined by the seller’s location, with the cheapest being $5 if you’re in the United States. Other factors that may carry weight when choosing the rates include the seller’s history and the condition of the products after the authentication process has been completed.
A shipping fee, just like GOAT, increases significantly for international buyers.
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| VERDICT
Both platforms have seller fees, and several factors, like the quality of the sneakers and the location of the seller and the buyer, determine the final price. But a quick look at both websites reveals that shoes on GOAT are costlier than those on StockX. So StockX has the upper hand in terms of affordability. |
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Sneaker Selection and Inventory
So how do these two measure up to each other regarding sneaker brands from around the United States? Let’s have a quick look.
GOAT Collection
Prominent brands of sneakers you can find on GOAT include Adidas, Nike, Gucci, Supreme, Saint Laurent, and Comme de Garcons PLAY, among many others.
Besides shoes, you can also buy t-shirts, outerwear, bags, hoodies, bottoms, and jewelry from well-known brands worldwide. And they don’t come cheap.
For example, a pair of AirJordan 11 Retros costs about $249 here, significantly higher than similar shoes on StockX.
But again, resale products don’t have a fixed price, and there are many factors that determine the final cost at checkout.
StockX Collection
StockX, on the other hand, has a sizable selection of sneakers from numerous renowned brands.
A quick scroll through the platform revealed major brands like Nike, Adidas, Jordan, Yeezy, New Balance, Supreme, and Puma, just to mention a few.
StockX also stocks apparel brands like Drew House, Eric Emanuel, Chrome Hearts, Adidas, Gucci, KAWS, Moncler, The North Face, Stussy, Off-White, and Kith.
Surprisingly, you can also buy electronics, collectibles, and other fashion accessories like watches and handbags. In short, while StockX’s biggest inventory is shoes, that’s not the only product it deals in.
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| VERDICT
GOAT and StockX have stocked all major sneaker brands on their platforms. The prices may vary depending on the authentication mechanism employed by each. Furthermore, both platforms also sell apparel and jewelry, which compliments the sneakers making it easy for someone to get an entire outfit from one place. But StockX edges past GOAT as it has a more diverse catalog that even includes electronics. |
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Buying and Selling Process
When you see products displayed on StockX and GOAT, an intricate process occurs between a seller submitting their products and the buyer receiving their shoes after buying. Here’s what happens.
GOAT
Photo by Pixabay/Pexels
The GOAT app allows sneaker sellers to submit their products through the GOAT app on Android or iOS for the authentication process to begin. Once the products pass the verification process and are cleared, the seller can either sell them through GOAT or directly to the buyer.
As for the buying process, sneaker shoppers can browse the selection of shoes and choose the ones they fancy straight from the GOAT website or through the app. Then, buyers can make offers or buy at the listed price.
Once the transaction is complete, the seller delivers the sneakers to GOAT’s verification facility. After they have been verified, GOAT sends the sneakers directly to the buyer with the appropriate fees applied based on the distance and the courier services used. This procedure ensures the authenticity of the footwear.
As for payment options, all products are listed in US dollars, and buyers can pay for sneakers using credit cards like American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, and Visa. Other secondary options include PayPal, Alipay, Afterpay, Apple Pay, Klarna, Google Pay, and Affirm.
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StockX
Photo by Pixabay/Pexels
On StockX, vendors kickstart the selling process by creating a listing for their sneakers and any other product they wish to showcase. They provide detailed images of the sneakers together with information about their size, condition, and any other pertinent details after the rigorous verification process.
The seller then specifies an “Ask” price for their sneakers, which is the approximate sum of money they hope to make at checkout. After listing, interested buyers may submit offers or make a direct purchase at the Ask price. Every time a sale happens, the seller is informed.
On the buyer’s end, they can scroll through the vast inventory from their Android or iOS devices and then place their bids, which are usually below the Ask price set by the vendor.
Once the submitted bid matches what the seller may be looking for, the transaction is completed, with StockX as the intermediary between the two parties for security.
Like GOAT, you can buy items on StockX using all major credit cards like Discover, Visa, American Express, JCB, MasterCard, and UnionPay.
There’s also an option for debit and gift cards backed by major credit brands. Others include PayPal and Alipay, but there are many different payment options in other countries, and you can find all of them here.
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| VERDICT
The buying and selling process is very straightforward for both platforms, with options for buyers and sellers to transact directly. Countless payment options are available for buyers, including major credit cards and international payment platforms like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. However, StockX has a slight advantage as it has more international payment options unique to each country it’s available in. |
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Customer Support and Feedback
Customer support is crucial to any eCommerce platform, and StockX and GOAT are no exceptions to this rule.
GOAT
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels
On top of having a straightforward in-app communication framework where people can get in touch with their customer reps, GOAT allows buyers and sellers to contact each other directly through the in-app messaging system. This resolves issues quickly and efficiently.
There’s also a strong sense of accountability and community that’s fostered within the platform thanks to this simplified approach. Furthermore, GOAT has an email support channel, which typically delivers rapid assistance and support for more complex issues.
The support section on the official GOAT website is also equipped with resources that can be accessed with a single click. You can get information about orders, shipping, returns, refunds, gift cards, promotions, and auctions.
Most importantly, there’s a Live Chat function to communicate with an expert for immediate feedback.
In terms of user reviews and feedback, GOAT has a review score of 4.3 out of 14,000+ reviews on Trustpilot, which is excellent.
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StockX
Photo by Mikhail Nilov/Pexels
StockX also provides a variety of options to contact customer support. Like GOAT, buyers and sellers can also get in touch directly as a faster way of getting more details about the products in question.
Email is the most preferred communication method for buyers and sellers on StockX, and the support staff will answer any specific questions or complex problems within 24 to 48 hours.
The StockX website and mobile app also provide an easy-to-use live chat option that’s very helpful if you want quick answers to urgent queries on their products or services.
But the StockX Live Chat is more detailed than GOAT as it comes with a set of commonly asked questions you can tap on to get answers immediately.
StockX has a review score of 4.1 out of 87,000+ reviews on Trustpilot, and that’s even better than GOAT, considering it has six times the reviews.
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| VERDICT
StockX and GOAT have clear communication channels that resolve issues faster. You can use email and Live Chat tools to get in touch with support as well as get in touch with buyers and sellers. Both platforms have excellent user ratings on Trustpilot but StockX has the upper hand as it has more positive reviews and its Live Chat option is more resourceful than GOAT. |
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Trust and Security
Finally, we compare where GOAT and StockX stand when protecting buyers and sellers from being shortchanged and protecting sensitive payment information.
GOAT
Photo by Markus Spiske/Pexels
The long verification process we mentioned earlier gives consumers confidence in this platform. It’s rare for anything counterfeit to escape the hawk-eyed experts, and even if that happens by some miracle, the technology used in other stages catches everything else.
GOAT doesn’t slack on user privacy, either. The program uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption to scramble any data sent between a user’s device and GOAT servers.
This ensures that critical data, like credit card information, is encrypted during transmission, greatly enhancing its security against possible eavesdropping or data breaches.
StockX
Photo by Pixabay/Pexels
To build and maintain trust among its buyers like GOAT, sneakers that make it to the StockX display are taken through a series of verification processes by both human experts and machines. This effectively eliminates any chance of scammers taking advantage of buyers.
Regarding safeguarding sensitive customer data, StockX uses industry-standard encryption techniques, the best in the game. This ensures that payment information is delivered securely, blocking third parties from intercepting or accessing this data.
StockX also avails two-factor authentication (2FA) to give additional security to user accounts. But this has to be activated by the user and linked to their email or phone number.
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| VERDICT
Regarding customer confidence, GOAT and StockX go out of their way to ensure nothing substandard is sold on their platforms. The two platforms have invested heavily in security frameworks that protect sensitive payment information and ensure it never lands in the wrong hands. This is a tie. |
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Ready to Purchase Some Sneakers?
As you can see, you are assured of quality sneakers on both StockX and GOAT, thanks to the rigorous verification processes employed by both to ensure no counterfeit products ever see the light of day.
The two platforms are also well-secured and will protect customer information from third-party entities.
So it all boils down to your preferences and the money you’re willing to spend. As much as GOAT products cost more, there are still a lot of affordable sneakers and accessories that rival those on StockX.
So take your time checking out the inventory on each to make your decision.
