Shambolic wrote:
Can someone please explain the Nike logic with their shoes? I held back on the 4% because it was in so limited stock with everyone frothing for a pair prices were jacked up on eBay if you wanted a set. I didn't want to believe but eventually bought into the hype and pulled the trigger. Eventually the numbers came up but the hype and same thing with the Next%. Mission accomplished by Nike and I had to give them a try.
I personally find the Next% a bit meh and just a soft shoe but at pace I can get some of the 4% return with that shoe. Now there is nothing and the Alphafly I have no interest in as it seems to more resemble the Next%.
Surely it would be in Nike's interest to maintain a level of each shoe? I train in Pegasus Turbos and you can get several models of the Pegasus alone. I found two pairs 11.5 of 4% on eBay the other day and didn't have to pay much over retail. Being the shoe that works for me and the unsure nature of if they will ever be replaced with a similar model I felt compelled to stockpile. I won't need to buy race shoes for some time but is it marketing genius or failure? Other brands stepping up to the plate and all it takes is someone like you who can't get the model they want to find a different brand that works for them and people may not hold them in the same regard?
Frist off, I would never buy a pair of shoes like this off eBay. There are so many fakes that it's not worth the risk when it comes to equipment like this. Going through a place like StockX helps tremendously with their authentication and guarantee. I have bought several pair that way and I set the price I am willing to pay and if somebody accepts my price I'm good.
Remember, shoes like the Vaporfly line and now the Alphafly are niche shoes so they aren't going to turn those out in numbers like a Pegasus line. If you like it, you need to buy it when you see it in stock even if you don't need it at the time.
As far as retail inventory, I have never seen what you are talking about until NOW as it appears that the VF4%Flyknit and VFNext% are probably at the end of their manufacturing line. I have been able to purchase both the VF4%Flyknit and the VFNext% over the past year or so anytime I wanted (through Nike and online retailers). I typically just go straight to the Nike website since they offer free shipping and free returns if you are a Nike member. It does appear though that they have inventory that they would release and then once it is gone, it takes a little to get more back in and then they repeat that process until they are truly done. Maybe it's being manufactured, maybe it's coming back to them from retailers that have stock that hasn't sold, etc.
But....Knowing what works for me is why I will continually check the Nike website for new inventory or colorways since when they do stock it up, it goes relatively quickly and I want to have spares for future racing. I'm set now and don't have to worry for several years of racing.
Cheers, Ray