How to Buy Used Shoes in Slovenia

If you want to buy used shoes in Slovenia, start by searching private classifieds in your town or the surrounding area, then check the seller, the photos and their listing history before arranging a viewing. Prices range from about 5 to 15 euros for everyday shoes and from 30 to 90 euros for lightly worn brands. Payment is made on pickup.

Used shoes in Slovenia are usually for sale where people sell other second-hand goods too: in online classifieds, at flea markets and in specialised second-hand shops. Most supply is in Ljubljana and the surrounding area, followed by Maribor, Celje, Kranj and Koper. Most buyers search on their phone these days, so it helps to have a list of questions and measurements ready before you get in the car.

This guide is for private buyers looking for cheap used shoes who do not want to waste an afternoon on a viewing that turns out to be the wrong size or in poor condition. Below are the steps from search to pickup, price benchmarks and a checklist you can open on your phone during the meeting.

Where to buy used shoes in Slovenia

The widest choice is in online classifieds, where private individuals post by town and category. On EX & GO you can filter by town, area and category, so in Ljubljana you see listings from Bežigrad or Šiška, and in Maribor from around Tezno or Studenci, rather than everything from Koper to Murska Sobota.

Besides online classifieds, other realistic options include:

Private classifieds

The cheapest route, but also the most unpredictable. The quality of photos and descriptions varies, so it is worth asking for extra pictures of the sole and the inside.

Second-hand shops

In Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje there are shops that buy in and resell clothing and footwear. Prices are higher than from a private seller, but the goods are usually cleaned and checked, and an exchange is often possible.

Flea markets and swap meets

Markets in Ljubljana, for example at weekends, and occasional swap meets in Kranj or Koper let you view items in person. The advantage is that you can try the shoes on immediately; the downside is that the choice in your size is random.

Online groups and forums

Groups for children's or sports gear often work on a first come, first served basis. You have to agree quickly, which increases the risk of an impulsive purchase.

How to read a listing and spot a scam

A good listing clearly states the brand, the size in the European system, the condition and the town. If any of these details is missing, that is the first question to ask.

Signs that a listing is suspicious:

• The price is significantly lower than the average for that model and condition.
• The photos look professional or appear in several listings with different locations.
• The seller insists on payment in advance or courier delivery, even though they are in the same town.
• Communication is sparse, the answers are generic, and the seller does not answer questions about size or the sole.
• A request to communicate off the platform, for example only by email or via an unfamiliar app.

With an advance transfer there is no mechanism to get your money back if the goods do not arrive. So the only safe rule is: pay on pickup, when you have the shoes in your hands.

If a seller offers courier delivery and at the same time demands prepayment, that is not a logistical choice but a sign of a scam. Sending cash on delivery is a common and safe option in Slovenia, but only if the seller is willing to send to your address without prepayment.

The rules for posting and behaviour on the platform are described in the community rules, which also explain how to report a suspicious listing. If you come across a listing that breaks the rules, report it; moderation reviews reports and removes listings that do not meet the conditions.

What checklist to use at the viewing

At a meeting you usually have a few minutes and poor light. So use a short list that you go through in order, no matter how much you like the model.

Size and shape

Try on both shoes, not just one. Feet swell slightly during the day, so go to the viewing in the afternoon if possible. Check that there is about a centimetre between your big toe and the tip, and that your heel does not slip.

Sole and exterior

Turn the shoe over and look at the wear on the sole. Even wear is normal; heavy wear on one side means the previous owner walked unevenly or the shoe is already quite worn. Check whether the sole is still attached and whether there are cracks at the flex point.

Interior and insole

Pull out the insole if you can. Look for whether it is damp, dark or crumbling underneath. A smell of mould or chemicals is a reason to walk away, as cleaning often does not remove it.

Zipper, laces, seams

Test the zipper along its full length, not just at the start. Tug at the seams around the heel and at the toe. A zipper repair at a cobbler in Ljubljana or Maribor costs something worth deducting from the price.

Documentation and history

If it is a more expensive model, ask when and where it was bought. With sports shoes it matters whether they were used in a gym or outdoors. With children's shoes, check whether they were worn every day or only on special occasions.

How much to pay for used shoes

The price depends on the condition, the brand and how quickly the seller wants to sell. For everyday shoes in good condition, a realistic range is 5 to 15 euros; for lightly worn brands, 30 to 90 euros; and for special models or hiking footwear, even more.

Purchase channel	Typical price	Advantages	Disadvantages
Private classified	5 to 40 euros	Lowest price, room to haggle, lots of choice by town	Quality of descriptions varies, no returns
Second-hand shop	15 to 60 euros	Checked goods, often cleaned, exchange possible	Higher price, limited choice in your size
Online platform with seller history	5 to 90 euros	Visible listing history and ratings, filtering by town and area	Payment and pickup are arranged directly between the parties

When comparing prices, search for the same brand and model in several listings at once. If one offer is half the price of all the others, that is probably a sign that something is wrong with it, or that it is a scam.

For more expensive items, it is worth checking what the same model costs new. If the difference is small, buying used makes no sense, as you lose the option of returns and a guarantee. Specifically: if new shoes are 80 euros and used ones are 70, wait for a sale instead.

How to negotiate and close the deal

Haggling is a normal part of buying second-hand goods and most sellers expect the price to come down a little. It is effective if you give a specific reason: worn sole, missing insole, cracked seam, a needed trip to the cobbler.

Do not ask for a general discount; offer an amount and justify it. If the seller does not agree, thank them and move on. In Ljubljana and Maribor the supply is big enough that you will always find a similar item.

Once you agree, set a place and time that is safe for both of you: a public space, a shopping centre or a petrol station. Bring cash if the amount is small, or agree on an instant mobile banking transfer that the seller can see on their phone.

On the EX & GO platform you can see the seller's history and ratings from previous buyers before the viewing, which helps you judge whether the deal makes sense. Messages take place within the platform, which means you have a record of what was agreed. If a problem arises, the support path is described in the user help instructions.

Do I have any rights as a buyer of used shoes?

If you buy from a private individual, consumer protection law generally does not apply, because it is not a business-to-consumer transaction. This means there is no right to a return or exchange unless the seller decides otherwise. The agreement you make therefore needs to be checked before payment, not after.

It is different if you buy in a second-hand shop that operates as a business. Then the usual consumer rules apply, including the right of withdrawal for online purchases within the statutory period and the requirement that goods match the description. You can find details and deadlines in information from state institutions that regulate consumer protection, for example at gov.si.

In practice this means that with a private seller you should ask your questions before paying: whether the shoe has been repaired, whether it was worn outdoors, whether it has been washed. If the seller does not answer these questions clearly, that is a reason to walk away from the purchase.

Frequently asked questions about buying used shoes

Where should I look for used shoes near me?

The most effective approach is to search by town and area, not the whole country. Online classifieds usually let you filter by location and category, so in Ljubljana you see listings from your neighbourhood, and in Maribor from the surrounding area. Second-hand shops and occasional flea markets are also useful, as you can try the shoes on right away.

How do I check whether a seller is reliable?

Look at how long they have been active, whether they have multiple listings, and whether reviews from previous buyers are visible. Read the description and compare the photos with other listings of the same model. If the seller replies vaguely or insists on payment in advance, that is reason enough to walk away, even if the price is good.

How much should I pay for used shoes?

For everyday shoes in good condition, the usual range is 5 to 15 euros, and for lightly worn brands 30 to 90 euros. For pricier items, compare the price with new: if the difference is small, buying used makes no sense because you have no right of return. Also factor in any possible repair at a cobbler.

Can I claim a right of return when buying from a private seller?

When buying from a private seller, consumer protection law generally does not apply, because it is not a business-to-consumer transaction. So there is no right of return or exchange unless the seller chooses to offer one. It is different when buying from a shop that operates as a business, where the usual consumer rules apply.

What should I check on the shoes before paying?

Try on both shoes, look at the wear on the sole and whether it is still attached. Pull out the insole and check whether it is damp or falling apart underneath. Test the zipper along its full length and tug at the seams around the heel. A smell of mould is a reason to walk away, as cleaning often does not remove it.

Is it safe to pay in advance if the seller sends by courier?

Advance payment to a private seller offers no protection, as there is no mechanism to get your money back if the goods never arrive. If the seller is in another town, agree on cash on delivery or an in-person pickup instead. Insisting on a bank transfer in advance is a common sign of a scam.

How do I negotiate the price without seeming rude?

Give a specific reason: worn sole, missing insole, cracked seam, a needed trip to the cobbler. Offer a specific amount and justify it, instead of asking for a general discount. If the seller does not accept, thank them and look for a similar item elsewhere, as supply in larger towns is big enough.

Conclusion

Buying used shoes in Slovenia makes sense if you know what you are looking at and where to search. Start with listings in your town and the surrounding area, check the seller's profile, and go to the viewing with a list you work through in order. Payment always happens on pickup, not in advance.

The price should reflect the condition, not the seller's wishes. With a private seller, negotiate with a reason; with a shop, check what rights you have. If the difference between a new and a used item is small, wait for a sale. In Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje, Kranj and Koper the supply is big enough that you will always find a suitable pair in your size.

See also: used shoes, used shoes in Ljubljana.