JOHOR BARU: They were definitely worn by someone else previously but second-hand shoes have become a choice for many, especially during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Second-hand shoes seller Mohd Naim Mat Khir, 38, said he would usually make good sales before Hari Raya Aidilfitri as there was good demand during that period.
“I have been selling second-hand shoes for about nine years now after leaving my job in Singapore. The demand for second-hand shoes is always there. The shoes that I am selling are sneakers as Malaysians prefer streetwear,” he said when met at his shop in Taman Perling here yesterday.
He added that when he first ventured into the business, he got his stock from a local supplier but later decided to get them from Thailand as the market there was bigger than here.
“Most of the second-hand shoes in the Malaysian market actually come from countries that have four seasons such as winter, summer, autumn and spring.
“People in those countries actually wear their shoes only for a couple of times due to changes in their season before giving them to charity and most of them would end up in this part of the world. The second-hand shoes are usually in good condition but I will look for those in grade A, which look almost brand new,” he added.
Mohd Naim said these days quite a number of people opt for second-hand shoes as the prices are affordable compared to brand new shoes.
“Usually, during weekdays, I have locals coming to my shop to buy shoes, which opens daily from 2pm to midnight during Ramadan. During the weekends, most of the customers are from Singapore.
“With Hari Raya just days away, it will be like a bonus for me and my workers as there are more customers looking for second-hand shoes, especially those that are vintage and hard to find,” he said.
“There are over 1,800 pairs of shoes in my shop so customers have a wide selection to choose from,” he said.
Technician Mohd Adam Muhammad Khaled, 38, prefers second-hand shoes.
“It is down to choice and affordability for many. Second-hand shoe shops provide consumers like myself another option to buy footwear.
“Prices of second-hand shoes are much more affordable compared to new shoes and their quality is still good,” he added.
