So, you see ads everywhere, right? “Balenciaga Official Online Boutique US,” “Shop Balenciaga online at Mytheresa,” “Achetez ou vendez des Balenciaga Chaussures” (that’s French, for those of you who skipped French class, basically means “buy or sell Balenciaga shoes”)… It’s a freaking Balenciaga *explosion* online. Makes you wonder, where’s all this stuff *coming* from?
And that’s where “EU Stock” comes into play, kinda. See, Balenciaga, being a fancy-pants European brand (French, to be exact), probably has a bunch of inventory chilling in warehouses all over Europe. “EU Stock” basically just means shoes (or whatever) that are currently located in the European Union. Think of it like this: they’re not shipping it directly from, like, a factory in China (though, let’s be real, *some* of it probably is at some point in the production line), but it’s already *in* Europe, ready to be shipped to your doorstep.
Now, why does this matter? Well, sometimes it can mean faster shipping to certain places. If you’re in Europe yourself, obvs. But more often, it’s about avoiding extra import duties and taxes. Plus, you know, it *sounds* a bit more exclusive, doesn’t it? “EU Stock Balenciaga”…versus… “Generic shoe from a website.” Marketing, baby!
And let’s be honest, the Balenciaga shoe game is WEIRD. You’ve got the Tractor loafers (which, honestly, look like something a farmer would wear, but make it fashion), the Bel Air sandals (decent, I guess, if you’re into that minimalist vibe), and then you have the *absolute madness* that is the 3XL and 10XL sneakers. Like, seriously, who’s wearing these things? Are they comfortable? Do they come with their own zip code? I have SO many questions.
One thing I *do* know is that finding a good deal on Balenciagas can be a mission. That “Achetez ou vendez” ad is hinting at resale markets, which can be a goldmine if you know what you’re doing. But you gotta be careful of fakes! And that’s where phrases like “100% authentic” come in. Never trust a website that looks like it was designed in 1998. Trust your gut, kids.
Oh, and speaking of sizes… the whole shoe size conversion thing is a NIGHTMARE. You’re looking at US sizes, UK sizes, EU sizes… it’s like trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics. That’s why those “shoe size conversion charts” are your best friend. And yeah, definitely try to find reviews from other people who’ve bought the same shoe. They’ll usually tell you if it runs small or large, which is a lifesaver.
