With Oakley discontinuing their X-Metal line in 2013, there has been a lot of discussion on where to find the elusive shades. With values skyrocketing on most of these pairs, and ten fold on extremely rare ones, collectors are thinking outside the box to get their hands on what could be the holy grail of Oakley’s.
Starting with the basics, eBay is one of the easiest places to check for them, however don’t be surprised to find overprices pairs. Many collectors are posting old pairs for exorbitant prices just to see if they can get a bite. Don’t be that sucker! Instead every once in a while, hope on to eBay, and search for whatever pair/style you are looking for, but sort by “newly listed”, with “buy it now” only criteria selected. This will essentially show you new pairs that you can snatch up quickly. Many sellers aren’t aware of the Oakley’s they have, or at least their true value. So if you stay peeled long enough, chances are you will find your self staring at a pair of Metals for a fraction of their true value.
Your next stop is your local craigslist, try varying your search terms, and beware of counterfeits. Many of the rare pairs you see on craigslist going for dirt cheap amounts are just scams. Don’t be surprised if the seller introduces himself as a Nigerian prince who has millions stashed away in Oakley gold! But that doesn’t mean it’s hopeless. It just takes persistence! I have seen time and time again, collectors find rare pairs for next to nothing being sold by a mother cleaning out the house. But as always, with anything, be cautious. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!
One of the best places to find old/discountinued pairs of X-Metals is your local Oakley Vault. Oakley Vault’s are just outlet stores where you can find new and old pairs that have been discontinued, forgot about etc. Although it is hard, and getting even harder, to find a very valuable pair at one of these stores, it isn’t impossible. Most of the popular stores in major cities (Las Vegas, New York, etc.) have been cleaned out already. But next time you’re on a family vacation, don’t forget to check and see if your near a vault, you could just end up scoring big!
Another great place to find tons of Oakley X-Metals is OakleyForum.com! They have an entire area dedicated to just X-Metal Discussion and an area just for buying, selling and trading. Although most prices will be fair market value, you may come across a good deal every once in a while. Plus members often post craigslist deals they come across in other areas. If you get lucky, you could be snatching up your grail pair faster than you know!
This is definitely the time to start hoarding X-Metals. As stores supply dwindle, prices online will begin to escalate and drive most non-serious collectors out the door. Spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on sunglasses definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, however for those collectors who see them as art over function, it is definitely worth it!