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Air Jordan 4 Motorsports: Price Check & Deals Guide
The Air Jordan 4 ‘Motorsports’ is a coveted sneaker that pays homage to Michael Jordan’s passion for motorcycle racing. Originally a friends and family exclusive in 2006 for MJ’s racing team, it saw a public release in 2017, delighting sneakerheads worldwide. Because these shoes are so popular and aren’t sold in regular stores anymore, checking prices carefully is super important to get a good deal and not pay too much.
Retailer Comparison
The Air Jordan 4 “Motorsports” was originally released to the public on March 25, 2017, with a retail price of $190. As this release was several years ago, you will no longer find these sneakers available at standard retail prices from major retailers like Nike, Foot Locker, or Finish Line. These stores have long sold out of their initial stock.
Therefore, any “retailer” offering them now would be a consignment store or a reseller, meaning prices will be dictated by the secondary market, not the original MSRP.
Resale Market Analysis
The Air Jordan 4 Motorsports is primarily available on resale platforms. Here’s a general look at what you might expect:
- StockX: Prices for a new (deadstock) pair typically range from $350 to $550+, depending on the size. More common sizes might hover around the $400-$450 mark.
- GOAT: Similar to StockX, new pairs can range from $380 to $600+. GOAT also offers used pairs, which can vary significantly based on condition, potentially from $250 to $400.
- eBay: Prices on eBay are highly variable. You might find new pairs listed anywhere from $350 to $600+, and used pairs with a wider range. Authenticity can be a bigger concern here, so always buy from reputable sellers with strong feedback and look for eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee.
Factors Affecting Resale Prices:
- Condition: Brand new (Deadstock/DS) with original box commands the highest prices. Used pairs will be cheaper, with price reductions based on wear and tear.
- Size: Very common sizes (e.g., US 9-11) might have more availability but also high demand. Less common or very large/small sizes can sometimes be more expensive due to scarcity or specific demand.
- Authenticity: Verified authentic pairs from platforms like StockX or GOAT (which include authentication services) often carry a premium.
- Seller Reputation: Established sellers with positive reviews may price slightly higher.
- Market Fluctuations: Sneaker prices can fluctuate based on current trends, hype, or re-releases of similar models.
Tips for Finding Deals
Finding a “deal” on a hyped sneaker like the Motorsports Retro 4s is about paying a fair market price rather than an original retail price. Here’s how to navigate:
- Compare Across Platforms: Don’t just look at one site. Check StockX, GOAT, eBay, and even reputable consignment shops or social media sneaker groups.
- Be Patient: Prices can fluctuate. If you’re not in a rush, monitor listings for a while.
- Consider Used: If you plan on wearing them, a lightly used pair in great condition can save you a significant amount of money. Ensure you see detailed photos.
- Look for Auctions: On eBay, you might get lucky with an auction ending at a lower price than “Buy It Now” listings, but this is rare for popular sizes.
- Factor in Fees: Remember that platforms like StockX and GOAT add processing fees and shipping costs, so the list price isn’t the final price. eBay also has fees for sellers, which are often factored into the price.
- Beware of Scams: If a price seems too good to be true (e.g., significantly below the average resale market price for a new pair), it’s almost certainly a fake or a scam.
Authenticity Guide
Spotting fake Air Jordan 4s can be tricky, as counterfeiters are getting better. However, here are some key areas to inspect:
- Box and Label:
- The box should be sturdy. Check the label for correct font, spacing, and spelling. Compare the product code (308497-117 for the 2017 Motorsports) with official listings.
- The label details (style, color code, size) should match the shoes.
- Overall Shape and Proportions:
- Familiarize yourself with the silhouette of an authentic Air Jordan 4. Fakes often have an incorrect toe box shape (too bulky or too slim), or the overall stance might look “off.”
- Stitching:
- Authentic Jordans have neat, consistent, and high-quality stitching. Look for sloppy, frayed, or uneven stitching on fakes.
- Jumpman Logo:
- On the tongue and heel, inspect the Jumpman logo. On fakes, the proportions might be wrong (e.g., “lollipop” head, skinny arms, incorrect hand details, “butt crack” on the heel Jumpman is often a tell for fakes).
- Tongue Tag:
- Check the “AIR JORDAN” lettering on the underside of the tongue tag. The font, spacing, and stitching quality are important.
- The “Flight” script on the front of the tongue should be clean and well-defined.
- Netting:
- The plastic netting on the sides and tongue should be correctly oriented and feel durable. Sometimes fakes have netting that is too flimsy or positioned incorrectly.
- Heel Tab:
- The heel tab should be well-molded. The pull tab should be sturdy.
- Insole:
- Check the print quality of the logo on the insole. On fakes, it might wear off easily or be poorly printed.
- Smell:
- Authentic Nikes have a distinct factory smell. Fakes often have a strong, cheap chemical glue smell.
- Price:
- As mentioned, if the price is drastically lower than the established resale market, be highly suspicious.
When in doubt, use legit check services or compare extensively with photos from reputable sources.
Conclusion
The Air Jordan 4 Motorsports are awesome shoes, but you can’t buy them new in regular stores anymore. You’ll mostly find them on resale websites where prices can be high, often hundreds of dollars. It’s super important to check different sites to find the best deal and watch out for fakes by looking closely at pictures and details. Being patient and careful will help you get your hands on these cool kicks without getting tricked.
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