JOR ONE'S GUIDE TO CUSTOM SNEAKERS
Some customizers think that if they could just get their shoes in their local cool-guy quickstrike sneaker shop then things would be sweet and they’d soon be rich and famous.
I’ll tell you from experience that the cool stores (you know the ones) are not interested in anything but their Nike and New Era accounts and won’t be too excited about the idea. Those shops know that kids are literally lining up to spend money and some even tell their employees to treat customers like shit. So don’t be surprised if you get dissed hard after approaching these stores. If you do go in to talk business, remember that most of the guys on the sales floor are just retail clerks getting paid in the form of low wages, discounted shoes, and promo t-shirts. They may even be bitter because they work in such a cool place yet still can’t pay their own rent.
TIP 4: FIGURE OUT WHO ACTUALLY MAKES DECISIONS AT THE STORES AND GO STRAIGHT TO THEM.
The buyers or owners will probably blow you off and you might feel crushed, but don’t take it personally. When they opened shop, I’m sure you weren’t in their business plan but if your work is strong and you knock on enough doors, eventually some will show interest. If you do set up a deal, make sure to start out very slow, maybe just one shoe to see how it goes. You’ll find out if the store treats you professionally and whether they pay you in a timely manner.
TIP 5: TRUST IS GOOD BUT IT'S ESSENTIAL TO HAVE SOME SORT OF CONTRACT THAT OUTLINES PAYMENT TERMS ETC.
However, there is still a major problem with working with stores. It’s a scientific fact that you can’t make money. Shops want half the profit. More than likely they will also want to work on a commission basis so there’s less risk involved. And to make it even harder, they will probably tell you they can only price the shoes at some shitty low amount so that your shoes don’t die on the shelves. Earlier I mentioned an hourly rate for your hard labor. Now imagine taking that rate and cutting it in half now that the store has to make half too. Instead of your not-so-decent $12 an hour, you’re making $6 an hour. How’s that sound? Like a shit sandwich if you ask me.
TIP 6: EITHER FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAINT AMAZING SHOES VERY, VERY FAST OR OPEN UP YOUR OWN SHOP ONLINE.
TIP 7: WHEN EVERYONE IS LINING UP FOR QUICKSTRIKES, HAND OUT A PROMO FLYER. I PICKED UP MORE SALES THAT WAY THAN I EVER DID HAVING MY SHOES IN ANY STORE.
Check out our next feature: VANS AND PROPER - NAUTICAL... BUT NICE!
