Basically, from what I can gather (and I’m *no* expert, okay?), it’s extra stock. Like, maybe the factory in Bangladesh (or wherever) made too many Triple S sneakers, or they had slight imperfections, or the department store didn’t order enough, or SOMETHING. And instead of just chucking ’em, they sell ’em off as “overruns.”
Now, here’s where it gets a little… hmmm, shady-ish? Because sometimes you’ll see stuff like “O.E.M (Original Equipment Manufactured) ACTUAL PHOTO.” Which, to me, screams “NOT REALLY BALENCIAGA, but kinda sorta maybe made in the same factory?” You get me? It’s like, they’re hinting at the real deal, but not *quite* saying it. Sneaky!
Then you got StockX, which *claims* everything is 100% authentic (and, honestly, I kinda trust StockX a little more), but even *they* have Balenciaga stuff for below retail. Which makes you wonder, like, why is it so cheap? Is it *really* authentic? Is it a past season thing? It’s all a bit of a gamble, innit?
And don’t even get me STARTED on those “retail: ️180 reseller: ️170 (min 12)” deals. Like, why would a reseller sell for *less* than retail? It smells a little fishy, right? I’m betting those are *definitely* not the real deal. Probably made in someone’s basement, lol.
I saw one ad for Balenciaga for women, but it’s “lemited stock Only.” You see “lemited” on the page. I do not know why people do that. Maybe it is a way to get around the algorithm because it is not the real deal, or just poor work.
And then you have legit retailers like Galeries Lafayette in Paris talking about new Balenciaga sneakers. Which is great, but it’s a totally different world from the Bangladesh stock lots, you know? It’s the real-real, expensive, high-fashion world. Which, let’s be honest, is out of most people’s reach.
