19 replies to this topic

[Meeka]

Hi All,

After reading through the forums on where to purchase a new pair of ASICS GEL KAYANO 14 or 15’s for less or at least with a decent special and not finding very much in our Brisbane stores (Intraining, Foot Locker and Rebel Sport all cost $259), I decided to take the plunge and purchase on eBay.

Being somewhat desperate to replace my Asics Gel Nimbus for something with more foot support and wider foot bed (yes, possibly my pervious shoes resulted in my latest running injury) and being somewhat of an eBay queen - I did my research and made a purchase.

All up, including postage to Australia, they cost $163 AUD. This US seller has 26,000+ sales with 100% positive feedback and sells an arrangement of different running shoes. There was one other seller, who offered free postage, with the shoes costing a similar figure, selling Kayano 15's - but for me, this seller couldn't get the wide (D) width fitting.

So, if you know what you're looking for and you have had yourself fitted in the past (I kindly asked a staff member at Rebel Sport to fit me for the Kayano’s 15’s, even though I didn’t purchase them – they were more than happy to oblige after selling me 3 pairs of somewhat expensive soccer boots for my kiddies - purchasing on eBay is another option to look at. And even if you get them, and they’re not quite what you're looking for, you can always resell them on eBay for a high profit (oops, there’s that eBay queen coming out again .

Oh, I'm happy for people to PM me to request these seller's details - and no, I am not in any way connected with these sellers.

Happy shoe shopping!
Meeka

[Vurt]

i am suspicious

[JustinS007]

Vurt, on Mar 14 2009, 08:10 AM, said:

i am suspicious

Why?

In the last 18 months Shaz and I have bought 15 pairs of shoes from eBay (10) and online retailers (5). 7 of those pairs came from the US. One pair of Puma's that I bought recently may be a knock off, but the rest are definately genuine (if this is what you're getting at). The Puma's are super light weight, comfortable and only cost me $40 delivered so I'm not fussed about their genuine-ness. I agree with Meeka that if you know what you want then eBay & online retailers are fantastic. Often selling superseded stock (which, lets face it, isn't any worse than current models) you can get som real bargains.

I also agree with Bellthorpe though who in a different thread suggested that it's not reasonable to 'try' shoes in a local shop and then get them online. Buy the first pair at the shop, but then the contract is over and buy online for ever more. In this house we are more than $1000 in front in the last 18 months, so I'm not fussed if I get a pair online now that aren't right. I figure that getting it right so many times already outweighs the issue of getting something in future that isn't right.

[Vurt]

i am suspicious that this is advertising

[JustinS007]

Vurt, on Mar 14 2009, 10:58 AM, said:

i am suspicious that this is advertising

Ah, fair enough. If so, then I got hooked

[Bellthorpe]

Never mind. No-one can PM her anyway ...

[Meeka]

Hi,
Just read your replies. Firstly, it was rather forward of me to ask a staff member to fit me for shoes, when I had no intention of purchasing them. That is something I would not usually do and not something I am recommending here. In the context of the event, I had just spent 1+ hours and $300 fitting my children for soccer boots and in the last few minutes asked him (and was very upfront that
I would not be purchasing them there at that price) and he was very kind enough to do this for me.

Secondly, when researching for my next pair of running shoes, I did read through this forum and found others to have gone to the various shoes places and had great experiences, which is where I started, though when I called around, all Kayano 14 & 15’s were full price at $259.

And lastly, no this not advertising. I merely made a transaction, it has turned out positive and I am passing my experience on to others. I have NOT advertised anyone’s details, I do NOT sell anything and if you would like the details to my experience – you would see my sale up there well.

That’s it really. Oh, I'm not sure why I can't PM. Will have to work that out

Edited by Meeka, 14 March 2009 - 01:23 PM.

[orlando]

Meeka, you need at least 10 posts to be able to PM.

[Meeka]

Oh, ok. Thanks for letting me know

[Meeka]

Forgot to add. On the topic on socks and shoes and purchasing on ebay

From the recomndations of others from this site, I also purchased on ebay.com (from a separate seller of the Asics Kayanos), Injinji toe socks (performance series) for my partner. These were half price too, including postage to AUS They haven't arrived yet, but I would be interested to know if they have helped prevent blisters and in his case, loss of toe nails in other long distance runners?

[JustinS007]

Meeka, on Mar 14 2009, 04:26 PM, said:

....Injinji toe socks (performance series) for my partner....

Ah, so your partners in on this advertising scam too is he?

No no, I'm just kidding. I'm sure it's just you.

See, Vurt has got me all skeptical

[Meeka]

lol. Good grief, my first posting where I excitedly thought I was making a contribution in finding a bargain and we have sceptics Since those sellers are based in the US, UK and Hong Kong - that's some fraud Now, I really feel intimated about posting another topic!

[JustinS007]

Meeka, on Mar 14 2009, 06:25 PM, said:

lol. Good grief, my first posting where I excitedly thought I was making a contribution in finding a bargain and we have sceptics....

Sometimes you have to take people like Vurt with a grain of salt. But I'm a good guy don't worry.

We do get the odd first poster here trying to flog their wares, that's all. Your continued response makes me think you were genuine. Although, you might just be persistent!!!!

And please post away elsewhere.

[Ellie80]

JustinS007, on Mar 14 2009, 06:42 PM, said:

Sometimes you have to take people like Vurt with a grain of salt. But I'm a good guy don't worry.

We do get the odd first poster here trying to flog their wares, that's all. Your continued response makes me think you were genuine. Although, you might just be persistent!!!!

And please post away elsewhere.

"people like vurt" spend a lot of time policing the site for spam so we aren't innundated with it. Not to mention posting news updates, answering queries, helping with gear orders, and doing a whole lot more behind the scene!

Meeka - I hope you realise that a lot of people try to avoid paying for advertising by posting infomercials!! Yours is obviously very genuine (seeing your subsequent responses) and I hope that others can get a good deal like you did


(ps - i declare a personal interest liking this Vurt character)

[Meeka]

No problem guys. Yes, I totally understand. Public forums are an easy target for spammers and those of the like. I’ve been a silent viewer of the cool running forums for some time now. The quality and depth of knowledge that people take the time to answer to other runners questions, is totally amazing. To think you can look up nearly any running topic and someone is kind enough to give an in-depth answer from personal experience, is just great. I for one have been very grateful, as I’m in training for my first GC marathon and also in the process of secretly looking up, ‘how to heal a highly suspected shin splint’ –quickly! I have been out of training for over a week and it’s driving me crazy.

Squats, modified lunges and LOTS of stretching, doesn’t quite produce that same feeling as my weekly long run (plus other training during the week) and my dear partner is now insistent that I visit a physio this week. I’m sure that the cause of this is a combination of wearing slightly worn out shoes (they felt comfy at the time) for my 21km time trial, plus I have been upping my the km’s each week quite significantly. Gee, having finishing the 21km and feeling tired, but good, I was saying to my seasoned running partner, that I probably had about another 5km or so left in me and how the heck, does one actually get to 42km+ to complete a marathon!!? We saw (3 times) and absolutely loved the "The Spirit of the Marathon" movie, which was shown at the Dendy Cinema here in Brisbane some months ago (and now can be purchased on ebay.com ) It was absolutely brilliant and very motivational.

Off topic. My last little funny on shoes. I do wish there had been an online forum for newly signed up ‘soccer mums’ of three ‘soccer playing offspring’, to pre-warn and virtually scare off any potential parent, from not attending the yearly RS soccer boots sale on this particular weekend – because; a) it’s not a personal invite just for your soccer team, even if you have a personal ivite telling you so – the WHOLE world knows about it and is there in full force; just because it’s advertised in the pretty catalogue, there won’t be any of the cheapest soccer boots in stock or in your offspring’s size and; c) master 5 is more fashion conscience than our senior soccer playing miss 15 and lastly, don’t assume you’re very well behaved children will be happy to sit for nearly 2.5 hours and yes, they did run constantly in every other direction (sigh). Thankfully, our staff member was wonderful and I’m sure will be in the lead running to his ‘knighting as a saint’ knighthood!

Thanks for all for your posts, much appreciated.

[Ellie80]

Meeka - my best advice for the shin splints thing is to get yourself to a good running physio asap. It could be as simple as needing to get your calves loosened or new shoes - don't self diagnose!

Good luck with your running training I was amazed to finish a marathon of the substandard (due to injury) training that I did - have faith that it will unfold as it should!!!

[technicallyfit]

Good conversation!! Thought I would add my two cents as I am procrastinating this morning and feeling very philosophical! Are the people that buy things online whether it be ebay or online stores the same people that are concerned with the 'current economic climate'?? I buy locally to help foster the local economy. Short term loss, long term gain!

[Bellthorpe]

technicallyfit, on Mar 17 2009, 08:59 AM, said:

Good conversation!! Thought I would add my two cents as I am procrastinating this morning and feeling very philosophical! Are the people that buy things online whether it be ebay or online stores the same people that are concerned with the 'current economic climate'?? I buy locally to help foster the local economy. Short term loss, long term gain!

I expressed my views on this matter at length a little while back.

[kazz]

I buy most of my running shoes(mizunos) from the US through ebay cause they're too hard to get in Aust off the shelves. The stores have to order them and it takes longer than ordering from the US. I've also bought thorlos from the US too, heaps cheaper and usually about 8 days turn around from ordering to delivery. I've just bought some aerobars for my roadie from there too, hope they arrive quickly!! Everything so far has been less than half the local price, which is including postage.

I'd like to buy locally but if it's almost impossible to purchase what i want without the sales person trying to talk me into buying some other brand, and being ripped off dollar wise, why would i...

kazz.

[Meeka]

Good article Bellthorpe.

At the end of the day, it comes down to where possible, we buy Australia made and support local business, but on the other hand, we have a budget that we choose to stick to and if one can save significant amounts of money buying in alternate places or making it ourselves, I’d know what we choose.

Having lived and worked in an 3rd world country where we had to make/cook everything from scratch or pay exorbitant amounts of money on imported products – taught us some extremely good money saving habits that have followed us through.

Good point guys.