DHgate and StockX are two unique marketplaces that deal in a wide variety of products including shoes, apparel and accessories, collectibles and more.
However the key difference is that DHgate deals mainly in reps and dupes whereas StockX is more inclined on providing an eBay like service (direct pay now/bidding system) but with genuine products.
Due to this major difference, people tend to buy more from StockX than DHgate. But there are some like me, who can't afford many of the high priced genuine shoes or bags on StockX and would rather opt for cheaper replicas from DHgate instead.
This comparison covers everything there is to know about buying from both these platforms and i'll even include how to find DHgate replica shoes that carry the brand logos if you're looking to save a few bucks but still have something with a brand name on it.
Let's get started.
Also Read: DHgate vs Alibaba | What do you need to use?
StockX vs DHgate
The main thing about replicas is, people can wear it everyday. When it comes to original kicks, you want to keep them for special occasions. This is the main difference why someone would buy replica kicks vs original kicks.
Check out Dhgate replica shoes here
DHgate vs Real
Dhgate products compared to the real sneakers are staggeringly similar. There isn't any major difference for the naked eye. BUT, if you are a big time aficionado and a sneakerhead, you might find some smaller differences.
Of course in terms of actual authentication, Dhgate reps do not make the cut. But if you are wondering if Dhgate reps are as good as the real ones, the answer is yes.
Product Availability
When it comes to product availability, StockX wins hands down. You don’t get replicas of all sneakers on Dhgate and you can find only a select few. With StockX, they deal only with original shoes.
When it comes to Dhgate, you’ll find replicas of only the most popular sneakers such as the Air Jordan 1, Yeezy Boost 350 and so on. You'll find other replicas on Dhgate as well.
Sneaker sellers don’t make replicas like watch sellers who’ll have a wide range. If you are looking for a Jordan 5 Retro Grape replica, you might not find it.
So if you are looking for a wide range of sneakers, then you should be checking out StockX instead of Dhgate.
Price
If your main deciding factor is price, then Dhgate obviously wins hands down. The replicas on Dhgate cost about $50 to $80 whereas the original cost close to $200 at a minimum. Here’s a simple price comparison chart for the top sneakers
Sneaker | Price on StockX | Price on DHgate |
Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 | $274 | $50 |
Jordan 4 Retro White | $500+ | $70 |
Jordan 1 Mid Chicago | $150 | $40 |
Nike Airforce 1 | $85 | $25 |
The super popular sneakers are very cheap on Dhgate because they are affordable replicas. StockX is obviously more expensive when it comes because it’s authentic.
StockX is not always cheap even for authentic shoes. Sometimes it’s super expensive because there are sellers who are looking to make a big buck. If you want to get the best of StockX, make sure to follow their price updates, as they send emailers when prices are updated.
Product Quality & Design
The most important comparison is with the quality and the design. Obviously, the question if the Dhgate quality is better than the StockX one. But if the DHgate quality is as good as the original that it can pass off as the authentic one.
DHgate Shoes with Logos
Most replica sneakers on DHgate don’t have the logo displayed such as the Air Jordan’s jumping jordan or Nike's swoosh or Adidas’ three stripe logo. But this doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. All you need to do is speak to the seller and ask them for the actual images of the shoe with the logo and you’ll be able to see that these replicas are 1:1 replicas. This is the issue that most people have with Dhgate.
Even if you go to the Reddit replica sneaker communities, you will see that there are a lot of authentic looking replica shoes.
A lot of people assume wrongly that the replicas look very different from the original that you can make out by just looking at it. I’ve been buying replica sneakers for a long time and that is not the case.
People get on forums and post photos asking other people to find out if their replicas are fake or not and more often than not, the details on the replicas are spot on.
Durability
This is where there is a stark difference between the original and the fake replica. If you are buying fake replicas because you can expect to get quality for a cheaper price, then you are wrong. I have Nike and Adidas sneakers that are original and over 8 years old.
The authentic sneakers are also built for durability. The replicas on the other hand are for the look of it and you will see that it wears off after months of constant use or even years. They are good shoes, but not like the original.
$50 for shoes isn’t inexpensive either. They are not like the $15 Wish shoes. So these replica shoes will have a certain quality that you can expect from any $50 sneaker.
Customer Support
Buying from Instagram stores or standalone websites are tracky, because the transaction is between you and the seller on their platform.
On DHgate, you actually deal with the seller who is separate from DHgate and DHgate ensures that the customers have a good experience.
As StockX is a marketplace between buyers and sellers, StockX plays the role of middleman and ensures there are no issues with the shoes.
I would actually rate Dhgate’s customer support higher because they have a much better system at handling disputes and issues and offer full refunds and other benefits to the buyer. It’s an impossibility that you can get scammed on Dhgate, because the seller has to protect their reputation which is not the case with other sneaker sellers.
Shipping
Both powerhouses offer shipping on all purchases made via their websites and in comparison, DHgate offers the cheapest shipping costs between the two. Here’s a quick run down on the major differences in shipping between these two companies.
DHgate
DHgate shipping time would be calculated based on the shipment method you choose upon checkout and the size/quantity of the item you’re purchasing. This could take anywhere from 3-15 days on average. DHgate will ship your products via one of their premium courier services such as China post, EMS, DHL, FedEx, TNT, Singapore port or Hong Kong post and the order will take roughly 10-25 days depending on your location and shipping carrier you chose.
StockX
StockX calculates their shipping costs based on the size and weight of the order. Larger products will incur higher shipping costs and all orders will be shipped either via DHL, ECMS, FedEx, SF Express, UPS or T-Force. The delivery time of your order will depend on the carrier selected along with the weight of the order and what service was selected upon checkout. They ship all over the world and prices for shipping within the US would amount to roughly $10-$15.
StockX | DHgate | |
Shipping Time | 7-10 Days (within the US);10+ (Other countries) | 10-25 Days |
Shipping Methods | USPS, FedEx, DHL, ECMS, T-Force, SF Express | China Express, Sea Freight, Air Freight, EMS, DHL, FedEx, Singapore Post, TNT, HK Post |
Shipping Costs | $10-$15 (within the US) | Free Shipping + Paid Shipping |
Collector vs a One Time Buyer
If you are a collector and would like to build up a sneaker collection, then buying original shoes can be very expensive. Even 5 pairs, will set you back about $1000.
But with replicas, 5 pairs will set you back only by $250, which is the cost of one authentic shoe.
A lot of collectors move towards replicas because of this reason and this is where Dhgate wins because of its awesome replicas.
Another distinction is the use case of it. Whenever you see sneaker collections on Youtube, most of them are brand new, untouched and unused, as people don’t want to wear out their authentic sneakers.
If you are looking for everyday wear, then replicas are the perfect fit, as they can be thrown out after they are worn out and replaced for a much cheaper price.
Product Range
StockX isn't about sneakers anymore. They focus on other product ranges such as Electronics, Handbags, Streetwear and Watches.
They deal with top brands like Rolex, Nike's, Gucci and more. The product range on StockX is pretty amazing and is more wide-ranged than Dhgate. In DHgate, you obviously get replicas of all the brands mentioned, but only the popular products of the big brands.
If you take Roles as an example, on DHgate, you'll find replicas of the very popular Submariners and Datejust. At StockX, you'll find a wider range of products.
Ease of Finding Products
This aspect definitely needs to be spoken about because, it can get very difficult to find products on Dhgate such as replicas of Gucci, Rolex, LV and so on. You won't be able to type the name of the product and find the replicas as DHgate has banned those terms.
This is why there are special code words or links to find the special products. For people who cannot be bothered about that, they'll find StockX to be a lot more straight forward.
Do StockX sell fake shoes?
StockX deals only with authentic and original shoes and they are a middleman between buyers and sellers looking for top class original sneakers.
What happens if you send StockX fakes?
StockX will be able to identify, if you send them fakes, as they are aware of what makes an original, an original. There are no repercussions though for sending them fakes, because they ask you to take the shoes back by paying the shipping cost. If you think you can pass of your fake shoes as original, then you are mistaken, as StockX’ process is airtight.
Is StockX safe now?
StockX is safe especially if you are looking to buy authentic luxury products like sneakers and handbags and so on.
What happens if the seller never ships StockX?
If the seller does not ship within a certain period of time, StockX will attempt to find a replacement within a few days and if that doesn’t work out, they offer a full refund, which you can expect to arrive at your account within 3 to 5 days.
How trustworthy is StockX?
StockX is pretty trustworthy. They have got a lot of press and are looking to establish the Stock market for everything concept. They have a process for support and handling disputes pretty seamlessly.
Does DHgate sell fake shoes?
Dhgate does sell fake shoes like Nikes, AirJordans, Balenciaga, Yeezys and more. Only a few sellers sell fake shoes and it’s up to you to identify the ones selling the replicas. If you don’t want to buy a fake on Dhgate, then ensure that the price you are paying is a reasonable price and it’s not too low and check with the seller about the authenticity of the product before buying.
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