My Ultimate Money-Saving Guide: How I Buy COMME des GARÇONS x Nike Using 1688 & SugarGoo
As someone who’s been buying limited edition sneakers from Europe for years, I’ve perfected the art of getting COMME des GARÇONS x Nike collaborations without breaking the bank. Here’s my step-by-step guide that has saved me hundreds of euros.
Step 1: Finding the Best Deals on 1688
I start my hunt on 1688, Alibaba’s wholesale platform where you can find authentic COMME des GARÇONS x Nike pieces at factory prices. The key is searching for bulk sellers who offer single pairs – you’d be surprised how many do!
Step 2: Mastering the SugarGoo Spreadsheet System
Once I find my desired items, I use the SugarGoo spreadsheet method. This involves creating a detailed spreadsheet with product links, sizes, colors, and prices. SugarGoo’s agents can then process multiple items efficiently, saving both time and money.
Step 3: Joining the Right Discord Communities
The spreadsheet Discord communities are goldmines for European buyers. I’ve joined several where members share their successful hauls, customs clearance strategies, and real-time shipping updates. This collective knowledge has been invaluable.
Slashing Shipping Costs: My Proven Methods
- Consolidate Like a Pro: I wait until I have 3-4 items in my SugarGoo warehouse before shipping. This reduces per-item shipping costs significantly.
- Choose Budget Lines: For Europe, I always select EU tax-free or DHL triangle shipping lines – they’re slower but save 40-60% on shipping.
- Remove Original Boxes: I request SugarGoo to remove all shoe boxes and unnecessary packaging, cutting weight and volume.
Avoiding Customs: The European Buyer’s Secret
- Declare Smartly: I always declare my packages at €18-€22, well below most European customs thresholds.
- Split Large Orders: For orders over 2kg, I split them into multiple smaller packages to avoid scrutiny.
- Use Triangle Shipping: This routes packages through other EU countries first, making them appear as intra-EU shipments.
My Recent Success Story
Last month, I scored COMME des GARÇONS x Nike Air Force 1s for €85 (retail €180) using this exact method. With optimized shipping and no customs fees, my total savings exceeded €120!
Pro Tip: Always use the 1688 SugarGoo spreadsheet Discord combo – it’s the holy trinity for European sneakerheads looking to save money while building their collection.