10 Ways To Build Up Your Sneaker Collection Without Paying Retail

As baller as we all like to pretend to be, it's always nice to save a few dollars whenever possible—mainly so we can buy more kicks. Thankfully over the past few years we have found some great entities that help us find the best price for kicks, whether it is websites or just great connects we have made through the Internets. We decided to give you guys a guide on the best ways to try and keep from paying full price for kicks—ever. Hit the jump to check out 10 Ways To Build Up Your Sneaker Collection Without Paying Retail and hit us in the comments if you have a few tricks of your own.

Follow @ComplexSneakers

You aren't likely to find something you are dying for going this route but you often will catch something you have been sleeping on here. Sometimes a store might need to make room and just happens to have a have a last size that would look dope in your mix. It takes three minutes and you could possibly walk out with a $30 find on a great casual shoe you can beat up in the rain. Also, don't forget all the clearance sections online — everyone does it from NikeStore to Eastbay, and it's easy to see what they have in your size. With so much product dropping every week, some gems get lost in the shuffle.

You might get hit with the "trolling" responses, but just throwing your wants out there on social media never hurts. You would be surprised how many people are willing to help you out if you are respectful and willing to help others. Don't be that dude begging everyone for retweets — just build your rep and the connections could start paying off.

Yeah, this doesn't seem like the greatest move for 30-year olds who already put in 50 hours of hell a week in the corporate world, but if you're blowing half your paycheck on kicks already, those extra points off retail might be worth a few six-hour shifts on weekends and around the holidays.

It's easy for all of us to think that sneakers started in our lifetime. There's no doubt it has become huge in the past two decades, but let's not forget that there is always someone who did it before you. Old Man Jenkins isn't just a Sponge Bob character, he was an entrepreneur that got a little overzealous in his buying habits for that sporting goods store he owns down the road. Don't be afraid to ask if they have back stock, you might come up on some vintage joints you never knew existed. (And even if you don't find that full size run of Air Force Zeros, maybe you make a connection for future drops.)

We've all seen the crazy finds (and complete crap) that can be found in storage containers. Sneakers take up a lot of space, especially if you keep the boxes they come in. That means they are often times the first thing to go into storage when space gets cramped. When that monthly bill becomes too much to bear for those wannabe resellers that stocked up on Jeremy Lin Air Force 1s, sneakerheads paying attention to their local storage spots can come up big. Will one big score make the swings and misses worth it? Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup.

Kicks Deals is just about to hit its first birthday and already has became a heavyweight in the sneaker game. The site's sole purpose is to find the greatest deals on the internet so that you can come away feeling like you got must-have sneakers for less than full price. Even a retail price for retro Js is a "W" for most. If you haven't started following them or favorited the page on your browser, stop sleeping.

Speaking of clearance, if you have a girl you know all about this spot — The Rack. It's just one of many discount retailers (TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls are a few others) that if your timing is right, you may leave with three or four pairs of deals priced at under $50. And look at all the boxes — sometimes you can even come up on PEs.

That means like a pro, yo. We know people are still uneasy about using eBay to cop kicks but it has become one of the best ways to find rare gems and great prices for kicks. Corporate connects or they fell off the back of a truck, it doesn't matter, the important part is to find someone that is trustworthy through your fellow sneaker connects or feedback. And don't forget to look up "Air Jordon."

A few major sneaker sites have message boards dedicated strictly to a classified-like system for people to buy, sell, and trade. Use the boards wisely, build up a name for yourself, and help out where you can. You can hit up spots like Nike Talk and Sole Collector, but again be cautious and make sure homie on the other end isn't trying to rip you off. You could end up trading a bad decision from the spring for a new release you didn't have the funds for Saturday. Craigslist might be another lane, but beware.

Nothing says cool the way proclaiming yourself to be a "tastemaker" or "influencer" does. And who's gonna tell you that you're not one? It's not like there's a test. And your favorite brands love it as well, so much so that they send you free sneakers! No really, step up your douchebag game, build up your social media following, act entitled, and all the kids will look up to you for getting free stuff.