NeoGAF

Mush · (08-23-2012, 08:22 AM)

Attention denizens of the 40 something states.

This probably applies to less than 1% of you, but the footwear company eS has decided to go belly-up (official word is "hiatus") in the face of the current recession.

"eS?"

eS is a skateboarding brand that has fostered such legendary skaters like Eric Koston and Tom Penny, just to name a few.

Why is this relevant?

Over on eBay, eS are currently clearing out their inventory at rock-bottom prices. Shoes that are normally $50-60 USD a pop are going out for around half that. Problem is, they aren't shipping outside of the US.

So, here's where you guys come in. Help me get some stuff, and I'll Paypal the money for the product plus shipping costs (or if you wanted to be extra adventurous, I will get a tattoo of your username on my ankle). At these prices, I can get around 3 pairs for around the cost of what one pair would cost here in New Zealand. This company will more than likely not see the light of day again, so in a sense you're helping me own a piece of skateboarding history. And some sweet shoes.

I'm not sure if this thread goes against GAF rules (it's like the Steam trading thread I guess?) so please let me know if it breaches criteria.

Feel free to shoot me a PM or post in here if you're keen to help out.

Thanks everyone!

mik83kuu · 08:28 AM

www.reship.com is a freight forwarding company (other freight forwarding companies exist). Basically you just buy their service and in eBay you register their address as yours. Once they get the stuff they will send it forward to you. I have no experience of this site, but will be using it later this year and at least it seems legit. I'd trust them more than some random guy on NeoGAF :-/

Mush · (08-23-2012, 08:26 AM)

Originally Posted by mik83kuu:

www.reship.com

SAY WHAA?

Mush · (08-23-2012, 08:28 AM)

Can anyone vouch for the site mik posted?

vitacola · (08-23-2012, 08:29 AM)

R.I.P. éS. Good times :(

Erm, I can't see any shoes or other things on the eBay shop?

mik83kuu · (08-23-2012, 08:30 AM)

Originally Posted by Mush:

Can anyone vouch for the site mik posted?

If you do a Google search for "site:neogaf.com freight forwarding" you'll see that many people here do it. Just when I was searching for this stuff earlier I didn't bother checking what sites they use and instead just googled "freight forwarding" and ended up with the link I posted.

JokerOfSpades · (08-23-2012, 08:33 AM)

Yeah, we hear that one pretty much every week, sans the GAF.

I jest

Mush · (08-23-2012, 08:35 AM)

Originally Posted by vitacola:

R.I.P. éS. Good times :(

Erm, I can't see any shoes or other things on the eBay shop?

Try this link.

Cindres · (08-23-2012, 08:38 AM)

Can't remember if I ever got a pair of eS shoes. There were definitely a few at the skatepark wearing em though. Damn shame.

vitacola · (08-23-2012, 08:39 AM)

Originally Posted by Mush:

Try this link.

Nope, nothing.

zerotol · (08-23-2012, 08:39 AM)

I have a brand new pair of e'S that I've been packing around since the 90's. Never wore them. I'll try to find them in my boxes of stuff.

Mush · (08-23-2012, 08:42 AM)

Originally Posted by vitacola:

Nope, nothing.

That's odd.

Maybe try esskateboarding.com and hit the link at the very top?

vitacola · 08:54 AM

Hm, nothing too. Maybe eBay won't show me because of my German IP? I'll try a web proxy.

EDIT: Nope, no luck using an US proxy ...

BlueSteel · (08-23-2012, 08:52 AM)

Holy crap, what a coincidence.

So I bought these pair of pants a long time ago in Taiwan. Like, almost 10 years ago. I've been wearing them since, but never knew what brand they were.

What do you know, eS.

I have nothing more to add, but I hope you're able to get the goods ya want shipped to you.

Mush · (08-23-2012, 08:55 AM)

Originally Posted by BlueSteel:

Holy crap, what a coincidence.

So I bought these pair of pants a long time ago in Taiwan. Like, almost 10 years ago. I've been wearing them since, but never knew what brand they were.

What do you know, eS.

I have nothing more to add, but I hope you're able to get the goods ya want shipped to you.

Well I'm glad you got something out of this thread! :)

abusori · (08-23-2012, 09:10 AM)

So basically, if I buy a bunch of these I can make a decent profit on ebay.co.uk?

I need to do some research on this.

Mush · (08-23-2012, 09:16 AM)

Originally Posted by abusori:

So basically, if I buy a bunch of these I can make a decent profit on ebay.co.uk?

I need to do some research on this.

Well I'm not buying them for profit; I'm planning to use them as they were intended. Skaters go through shoes very very quickly and it's not fun dropping $60USD every few months.

These aren't like Jordans or Air Wezzys or what have you. They might be worth something in a few years, but it's still a niche market.

aznpxdd · (08-23-2012, 09:19 AM)

Hi OP, thanks for the PM. Yep, I used to work at a freight forwarder. What's your question again?

Mush · (08-23-2012, 09:26 AM)

Originally Posted by aznpxdd:

Hi OP, thanks for the PM. Yep, I used to work at a freight forwarder. What's your question again?

Yeah sorry I wasn't more upfront. I was hoping you'd be able to help point me in the right direction as far as who to employ (perhaps the company you used to work for?).

aznpxdd · 09:41 AM

Hmm...well I didn't touch base with export too much (mostly import), but I know personal effects export is a pain in the ass to deal with. Many forwarders won't want to touch the shipment unless they have a super sweet profit margin.

Definitely don't bother with big forwarders such as Expeditors, OEC, Apex, etc...they won't give a fuck. I would try looking for small to medium forwarders that are desperate (trust me..many of them are, freight forwarding is ultra competitive) enough to handle this shipment.

I will try to ask around on which forwarder is the best fit for this. How are you planning on shipping these, loose cargo or full container? And from where to where?

edit: You should also look up the custom clearance process for personal goods in New Zealand for imports. Freight forwarding has a lot of details and complications than just a simple A to B.

Mush · (08-23-2012, 09:51 AM)

Originally Posted by aznpxdd:

Hmm...well I didn't touch base with export too much (mostly import), but I know personal effects export is a pain in the ass to deal with. Many forwarders won't want to touch the shipment unless they have a super sweet profit margin.

Definitely don't bother with big forwarders such as Expeditors, OEC, Apex, etc...they won't give a fuck. I would try looking for small to medium forwarders that are desperate (trust me..many of them are, freight forwarding is ultra competitive) enough to handle this shipment.

I will try to ask around on which forwarder is the best fit for this. How are you planning on shipping these, loose cargo or full container? And from where to where?

edit: You should also look up the custom clearance process for personal goods in New Zealand for imports. Freight forwarding has a lot of details and complications than just a simple A to B.

Cheers for that, looks like I have some homework to do. Are you familiar with the company that was posted at the start of the thread?