At this point, it’s hard to talk about the sneaker landscape without at least mentioning bots. (unfortunate but true) We don’t like them, and we definitely do not recommend paying for them, but the reality is they are an obstacle we face when trying to buy the latest releases. We’re sure you’ve seen the comical images of someone standing in front of a wall of sneakers or the (often fake) screenshots on Twitter of multiple order confirmations. There is a lot of noise and false narratives out there about bots, and we want to clear the air once and for all. Below we’re answering some of the most common questions consumers have about bots at a high level. There are a lot of intricacies and nuances with bots, so we want to make it as simple as possible to understand. This is meant to educate and in no way condone or advocate for them. Let’s get started.
What is a Sneaker Bot?
A sneaker bot, in basic terms, is a computer program that is used to help users quickly purchase products online in bulk. Bots greatly expedite the checkout process by auto-filling information and adding products to cart, and can automate actions without human intervention. Using their complicated scripts, sneaker bots can repeat those tasks hundreds of times with no manual work necessary. Sneaker bots are very complex, and some are offered for specific sites like Shopify or brands like Nike, Yeezy, etc.
Do Sneaker Bots Work?
The best answer to this question is: that it depends on the scenario. In short, yes, they do work, especially when a website is releasing a product with no bot protection mechanisms in place. These protections can include humanity checks, skill testing questions, selecting images, and more. Even with procedures in place, a low stock drop will almost always favor a bot, unfortunately. However, the good news is with recent bot protection updates and more and more companies going the extra mile to stop them. They are becoming more costly than ever to use.
Is it Easy to Use a Bot?
The picture you probably have in your head is simply clicking a button and letting the bot do the rest. The truth is it’s pretty far from that, and working a bot requires a wide breadth of knowledge of programming. Bots usually require:
- A functional bot itself
- A proxy server
- Proxy clients that provide unique IP addresses
On top of all of this, you still need information, emails, payment methods, etc. Owning and running a bot is pretty much a full-time job in itself, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, it could really be a huge waste of time. Bot prices are currently falling due to the lessened amount of pairs purchased per drop, but as bots get smarter with hcaptcha and recaptcha sharing, it will soon become easier for bots to hit multiples once more.
How Much Do Sneaker Bots Cost?
As mentioned above, sneaker bots come in various formats and sizes. There are AIO (All-In-One) bots that work on multiple different websites allowing use across an array of brands. Some bots work on specific sites or products, and these typically run you a bit more. Buying the bot is just step 1, as you’ll still need more money and subscriptions actually to have it running properly. Though some may start in the $250-400 range with added monthly fees and depending on their range of use, these bots can cost you upwards of $1,000 monthly.
Should I Buy a Bot?
Bots for personal use are a waste of money as the high cost to run a bot far outweighs the potential outcomes and lower success rates. Running a bot will easily cost you more than resell for a sneaker, and the learning curve is incredibly high.
How to Beat Them
In recent years retailers have been opting to use more bot protection, with some retailers even taking measures to remove bot purchases altogether to ensure fairness. At release, it’s incredibly important to know the best websites to focus on with bot protection and how to navigate them so you can check out faster. This is part of why SoleSavy’s membership can help you prepare ahead of every drop with specialized release support.
Even if you do miss them on release day, release can last for weeks with stores getting their inventory in at different times. With SoleSavy’s monitors, we track over 460 stores looking for releases and restocks. Not only do we help you find those links, but with our new Drop Alerts 2.0, you can get notifications about when a shoe you want drops in your size. Interested in learning more? Check out everything you need to know about SoleSavy here.