Clark Kent is known for many things. He's an iconic DJ, record producer, and music executive who's been in the game for over three decades. He's produced hits for The Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim, Mariah Carey, and Jay-Z, just to name a few. His work undeniably shaped the sound of '90s hip-hop and pop, much of which continues to inspire artists today.
Kent is also an avid sneakerhead and shared how his love for kicks began: "Starting when I was about 9, my uncle bought me a pair of Pro-Keds, and all of the older guys on my block were like, 'Whoa.' Because I come from a disenfranchised neighborhood... we started doing odd jobs around our neighborhood to make money just to buy sneakers. By the time I was 10, I might have had 20, 30 pairs of Pro-Keds."
To learn more about how he shops for kicks, we invited him to be part of our eBay Market Mentor series, where sneakerheads in our world give us their best advice on shopping for authentic kicks on eBay. Watch our video above to get DJ Clark Kent's pro tips for hunting down your own sneaker grails on eBay. And be sure to stay tuned for the next edition featuring Liz Beecroft.
Look for Authenticity Guarantee
"Always make sure what you are bidding on or purchasing is part of eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee so you know what you're getting is great."
Buy what you like
"My son and his sneaker addiction... I think the thing I taught him the most is make sure you want to wear it. Don't get it just so you can have it and you can floss and you can take a picture – don't be corny with it."
Send the seller a message
"If I'm trying to get a better price, I'll send the seller a message. Every single person that sells the shoes, I'm calling them all. I'm gonna try. I'd rather have a personal connection than not to. That's why it's part of my process."
Set a budget
"This way you keep your sanity. Set a price ceiling to avoid getting into over-the-top bidding wars. And bring it back to 'there’s always other sneakers and eBay listings on the Watchlist.'"
Check your rotation
"Keep it fresh. Take the time to check your rotation and decide when it's time to send some grails to a new home. Give yourself the space – and cash – to cop a fresh pair."
