Which is Better, Goat or StockX? (It Depends…)

Buying sneakers online is becoming more accessible than ever, with shoe marketplaces like StockX and GOAT on the rise. As the market for sneakers expands online, buying and selling shoes online is much more accessible to people everywhere. But that also means we become much more spoiled for choice.

Say you want to cop a pair of the latest drops; where should you go? You could wait at the retail store for hours or find the right website or application from the comfort of your home. GOAT and StockX are major contenders for consumers, but which is better? Read on to know more about which marketplace is the one for you.

Which is Better, GOAT or StockX?

The answer depends on what you prioritize when shopping. GOAT performs better if you’re looking for an overall excellent buying experience. Meanwhile, StockX has the advantage of a stock market-like system that allows you to snag the best prices if you’re strategic about your purchases.

There are multiple areas to look into when comparing GOAT and StockX, both when you’re a buyer or a seller.

Selling on GOAT vs. StockX

Selling on GOAT

It’s not as easy to sell your shoes on GOAT as on StockX or Flight Club. GOAT often gets their shoes from retailers and trusted sellers, so you will have to become a part of that trusted circle before you can sell them your shoes.

GOAT requires you to apply as a seller on their site before you can sell. You will have to provide the preliminary details to verify that what you’re selling is genuine. This process makes GOAT’s shoe authentication process all the more thorough.

While GOAT has a new bidding feature on its mobile application, sellers can still opt to price their items according to the pricing guide available on GOAT. GOAT does extensive market research to update its pricing tools so sellers don’t overprice or underprice their shoes.

Selling on StockX

The individual seller has a little more power on StockX. With their stock market concept, sellers can place their shoes for sale while buyers bid for them. The seller can select a suitable bidding price or propose an asking price, so buyers don’t have to play the waiting game and proceed immediately to purchasing.

As for the authentication process, you will only need to send them in once a buyer has confirmed their purchase of your pair of shoes. You should be very careful during this process, as StockX withholds the right not to return your shoes if they do not match their description.

You May Also Be Interested In: Is StockX Legit?

How Much Can You Earn on StockX or GOAT?

Earnings on GOAT

GOAT is slightly more cutthroat with its fee policies. While the amount of money forked out of your selling price on StockX and GOAT are more or less the same, that heavily depends on how you perform as a seller.

GOAT records your reputation as a seller, which affects how much you will have to commission them. The record is a major downside for beginner or first-time sellers on GOAT. The commission fee is, on average, 20% and only goes down to 9.5% once you’ve established yourself as a reputable seller. If you do not uphold your end of the deal well, it can even go up to 25%.

On the bright side, shipping costs on GOAT are provided at a flat rate, which makes it easier for you to calculate your earnings.

Earnings on StockX

Meanwhile, StockX works on a merit-based system, where you’re working for benefits instead of fair commission rates. Unlike GOAT, StockX’s transaction fee starts at 9.5% and will decrease the more successful sales you make, dropping by 0.5% whenever you hit a certain number of sales.

You also get paid better on StockX. StockX will provide your compensation as soon as they verify the quality of your shoes.

GOAT does the same but, on average, takes longer than StockX. GOAT also requires a larger transfer fee of 2.9% to bank the funds into your account. Comparatively, StockX sets a maximum transfer fee of $9.95.

In this way, it’s more profitable to make sales on StockX, especially if you don’t plan on becoming a long-term seller and just need to make a few bucks on the side.

You May Also Be Interested In: Is Kickscrew Legit?

Buying on GOAT vs. StockX

While you may be interested in letting go of some of your shoes on these websites, the average sneakerhead is heading to GOAT or StockX to buy shoes. With their vast catalogs, it’s easy to pick the first one you see and go with it.

But if you did, you probably wouldn’t be here in the first place. StockX is known for its stock market layout, which offers transparent pricing to buyers and provides them with better insight into how much they should pay for their shoes. This is a significant selling point on StockX, so many people find that they can get better deals on the website.

Meanwhile, GOAT sources shoes from both retailers and independent sellers. GOAT’s prices depend on the internal team’s marketing research, which guides independent sellers to price their shoes accordingly.

GOAT also has a bidding feature available now for buyers to bid on shoes, but this is only on their mobile application. GOAT also does not provide as much information as StockX does regarding past prices and sales made.

You May Also Be Interested In: Is GOAT and Flight Club the Same?

StockX Authentication

StockX only sells deadstock, which makes authentication a significant responsibility for the seller. All shoes sold on StockX should come with their initial accessories or add-ons, such as extra laces.

GOAT is more lenient in this area, selling shoes that may have defects (for a reduced price, of course) and having a no-lid option for their shoes.

StockX claims they have a 99.95% accuracy rate. However, it would help to check reviews to see if this is indeed the case. StockX does have a history of accidentally letting fakes past the authentication process, which make it difficult for buyers when they cannot return their shoes.

StockX’s terms are not as clear on returns, as it has been stated that returns are and aren’t accepted simultaneously. It is advised to email StockX on counterfeit items with evidence should you receive fakes.

GOAT Authentication

GOAT uses machine learning in addition to their staff to verify shoes that come in. They generally source from retailers, but now and then, they receive shoes from their list of trusted sellers.

GOAT screens all the shoes received before releasing them to the buyer. On this front, GOAT also takes more time than StockX when it comes to its authentication process.

This has helped them maintain a better track record of authentic shoes than StockX. If your shoes are found to be fake, GOAT will refund the total amount and dispose of the shoes.

Shipping from GOAT or StockX

The longer the shipping time, the more nervous you get about whether your shoes are arriving at all.

GOAT usually takes about a week to ship items to buyers, as the team has to authenticate shoes before shipping. However, GOAT has an Instant Ship feature that allows them to send pairs that have been pre-authenticated. This dramatically reduces your shipping time.

GOAT extensively tracks your order, prompting you throughout each step of the shipping process, right down to the warehouse location.

StockX also verifies the shoes sent to them only once a sale has been confirmed. While the shipping process may take a few days if you are within the US, the time it takes from payment to the day it reaches your doorstep may be about two weeks.

StockX also notifies you of your purchase progress, but it is not as detailed as GOAT’s trackers.

Conclusion…

Whether GOAT or StockX is better depends on what you’re expecting from each company. StockX has a friendlier seller policy, while GOAT delivers on customer experience. To know more about the processes involved in either shoe marketplace, read the articles below:

Drop us a comment if you’d like to know more or share your thoughts!