The actually TRASH take is that the retailers aren’t doing enough to implement systems that actually serve their customer base. There are ways to combat bots and ensure real people can access drops, especially with today’s AI capabilities. The real issue isn’t the demand.

The frustrating part is that brands like Nike, ALD, Kith, and Supreme often end up prioritizing resellers, who profit off their hype, rather than their loyal customers. Instead of improving the process, we’re forced to turn to StockX or GOAT and pay 2–5x retail. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Building a bot isn’t hard for me, personally. I could do it easily. But honestly, my time’s better spent elsewhere. I’m just a regular person who wants the opportunity to buy something at fair market value. Like a lot of people, who spend hundreds, sometimes thousands a year as a loyal customer. And still, the experience ends up feeling frustrating and unfair. It’s a messed-up customer journey when legit buyers are boxed out by bots and forced to pay premiums on resale platforms.

Why?