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Air Jordan 4 Pale Citron: Price Comparison and Deals Guide
The Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Pale Citron’ gives the iconic silhouette a vibrant look, highlighted by a tumbled leather upper in white with Bright Crimson and Pale Citron accents. This model, also known by nicknames like ‘Bright Crimson’ or ‘Flight Nostalgia,’ released on March 2, 2019. Finding the best deal on sought-after sneakers like the Air Jordan 4 Pale Citron can save you a significant amount of money, especially as they are now primarily available on the resale market where prices can vary widely.
Retailer Comparison
When the Air Jordan 4 Pale Citron first dropped, its retail price was $190. However, being a release from 2019, these sneakers are long sold out at traditional retail stores like Nike, Foot Locker, Finish Line, and other authorized Jordan Brand retailers.
Today, if you’re looking for a new, unworn (deadstock) pair, you’ll primarily be looking at major resale platforms which now act as the “retailers” for these older releases. Prices will vary significantly based on size, seller, and platform fees. It’s essential to compare across these platforms to find the best current market price.
Resale Market Analysis
The resale market is where most transactions for the Air Jordan 4 Pale Citron now occur. Key platforms include:
- StockX: Prices typically range from approximately $280 to $450+, depending heavily on size. Smaller or very large sizes can sometimes be cheaper, while common sizes (US 8-12) often command higher prices. StockX authenticates sneakers before they are sent to the buyer.
- GOAT: Similar to StockX, GOAT offers both new (deadstock) and used pairs. Prices for new pairs are often in a similar range, perhaps $290 to $480+. They also have an authentication process. Used pairs can offer savings, with prices depending on condition.
- eBay: eBay has a vast selection from various sellers. Prices can be highly variable, from $250 up to $500+ for new pairs. eBay now offers an “Authenticity Guarantee” service for many sneaker sales, which adds a layer of security. You might find better deals here, but careful vetting of sellers is crucial if the Authenticity Guarantee isn’t offered for a specific listing.
Factors affecting resale prices include:
- Condition: Deadstock (new, unworn, with original box) pairs fetch the highest prices. Used pairs will be cheaper, with the price decreasing based on wear and tear.
- Size: Popular sizes often have higher demand and thus higher prices.
- Authenticity & Verification: Purchases from platforms offering authentication (StockX, GOAT, eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee) provide peace of mind and can command slightly higher prices than unverified private sales.
- Market Hype & Rarity: While not the rarest Air Jordan 4, its distinct colorway keeps it in demand among collectors and enthusiasts.
- Seller Reputation: On platforms like eBay, sellers with higher ratings and more positive feedback can often sell for slightly more.
Tips for Finding Deals
Securing the best price for Air Jordan 4 Pale Citrons requires patience and strategy:
- Compare Across Platforms: Don’t just check one site. Prices fluctuate, and one platform might have a better deal on your size than another at any given time.
- Consider Used Condition: If you don’t need a brand new pair, looking for “Very Near Deadstock” (VNDS) or lightly used pairs on GOAT or eBay can save you a significant amount.
- Set Price Alerts: Some platforms or third-party apps allow you to set alerts for when a sneaker in your size drops to a certain price.
- Look for Offers/Negotiate: On eBay, some sellers accept offers. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, but be reasonable.
- Patience Can Pay Off: Sneaker prices can fluctuate. If you’re not in a rush, monitor prices for a while; you might catch a dip.
- Beware of Scams:
- If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Excessively low prices often indicate fakes or scams.
- Stick to reputable sellers with good reviews and a history of sales.
- Utilize platforms with buyer protection and authentication services.
- Be wary of sellers asking for payment outside of the platform’s secure payment system (e.g., direct bank transfers, Zelle, CashApp for initial purchases from unknown sellers).
Authenticity Guide
Spotting fake Air Jordan 4s is crucial to avoid disappointment and financial loss. While professional authentication is best, here are some general tips to look for when examining a pair (ideally comparing to photos of confirmed authentic pairs):
- Box and Label: Check the box quality, label font, color, and information (style code 308497-116 for Pale Citron). Fakes often have flimsy boxes or incorrect label details.
- Overall Shape and Proportions: The silhouette of an authentic Air Jordan 4 is distinct. Fakes often get the toe box shape, heel height, or overall stance wrong.
- Stitching Quality: Authentic Jordans have neat, consistent, and high-quality stitching. Messy, frayed, or uneven stitching is a red flag.
- Materials: The tumbled leather on the Pale Citron should feel premium. Fakes often use cheaper, plastic-like materials. The netting on the sides and tongue should be of good quality and correctly shaped.
- Tongue Tag: Examine the “Flight” script and the Jumpman logo on the tongue tag. The font, spacing, and proportions should be accurate. The stitching around the tag should be clean.
- Heel Tab: The Jumpman logo on the heel tab should be well-defined with correct proportions. The plastic quality of the tab itself is also important.
- Midsole Paint Job: The Pale Citron features a distinctive black splatter graphic on the midsole wings and parts of the midsole. On fakes, this splatter can be messy, inconsistent, or incorrectly applied.
- Outsole: Check the details on the outsole, including the Nike branding or Jumpman logo (depending on the specific AJ4 area), and the star pattern at the toe.
- Smell: Authentic Nikes often have a specific factory glue smell. A very strong, harsh chemical smell can be an indicator of a fake.
- Purchase from Reputable Sources: The best way to ensure authenticity is to buy from trusted platforms that offer authentication services (StockX, GOAT, eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee) or from highly reputable consignment stores.
Conclusion
So, the Air Jordan 4 Pale Citron sneakers are really cool, but they can cost a lot of money since they are not new in stores anymore. It’s a good idea to look at different websites to see who has the best price for your size. You also need to be careful to buy real ones and not fakes. Check the shoe details or buy from a place you trust. If you find a real pair you like for a good price, then getting them will be awesome!
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