The tariffs are coming for the footwear industry. While appearing on PBS’ News Hour, Matt Priest, the president and CEO of Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, a trade group that represents 97 percent of the U.S. shoe industry, said footwear prices could double amid hyperinflation. As a result, sneakerheads are searching for savvy ways to cut costs—such as New Balance’s Reconsidered program that can save you up to $50 on popular sneaker styles. Here’s everything you need to know.
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What is New Balance’s “Reconsidered” program?
In Feb. 2024, New Balance launched Reconsidered. The resale platform, which exists separately from the NewBalance.com website, offers customer returns and “cosmetically imperfect footwear” at a significantly reduced price. Inventory is always evolving, but shoppers can find sneakers for the entire family. This includes popular, on-trend styles like the 530, the 960, and the 574 Core.
Prior to listing, shoes undergo a third-party inspection process, and every pair is given a condition grade to eliminate any surprises (i.e., signs of minor wear like scuffs or scratches). “Good” indicates the sneakers may have “minor” signs of wear. “Excellent” means the sneakers may have “faint” signs of wear. And “Like New” means “no major issues” were detected. If needed, footwear is also professionally cleaned before hitting the website.
“We know the footwear industry has a significant environmental impact, including too many products ending up in a landfill,” said New Balance director of sustainability John Stokes in a press announcement at the time. “There are many things that have to shift. Launching Reconsidered is one piece of the puzzle with a program objective to help extend product life for some of our product and get the most from what is already made.”
Pricing varies, though customers can expect to pay more for Like New versus Good sneakers. Additionally, the footwear style could play a factor. In some instances, New Balance will knock $30 to $50 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). During our browsing session, we found Reconsidered sneakers for 65 percent off MSRP.
What do shoppers have to say about Reconsidered sneakers?
In a review posted on Reddit, one shopper shared that they were “very happy” with their Reconsidered 993 sneakers. They noted that there were “no signs of wear at all” and the “tread, stitching, [and] craftsmanship is fine.” The only noticeable imperfection was that the 993 logo wasn’t aligned evenly on the tongue patch. However, they said, “this does not bother me” and it “was worth saving $60 retail.”
“I just bought three pairs and I’m actually having trouble finding any defects,” another Reddit user commented. “Great deal all around.”
“I was wary at first, but I would buy again no problem,” reads a third comment.
“I’ve gotten four pairs so far and 3/4 looked brand new, zero signs of wear. Last pair I just got has one very minor wear spot on the toe and a tiny bit of dirt—like a sprinkle—on the treads. Really happy with NBR so far,” shared a Reconsidered consumer.
“Bought one pair so far, looked to be brand new, no noticeable signs of wear,” said another.
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Customers can also turn in old New Balance sneakers for a voucher.
Another cool part of the Reconsidered program? Customers can trade in their gently worn New Balance sneakers for a voucher to use on their next New Balance purchase. (It’s worth noting that vouchers can only be redeemed online; however, you can use them on brand-new footwear.)
To begin the trade-in process, visit the Reconsidered website to find a local drop-off center and/or retrieve a mailing slip. There’s also an online tool that can estimate your trade-in value. According to the press release, “voucher values will be dynamic based on the seasonality and condition of the product traded in.”
Content shared from bestlifeonline.com.