Just for grins, I've been researching the market value of pieces of my collection. For example, the Icon Card Case originally sold for $30, now averaging $45 on ebay. That's a 50% increase. Not bad at all. The problem is, I can't find prices for some rarer pieces, since they don't get sold very often. My Frogskins that sold for $35 in 1985 would be worth how much? The new models are $100+ each, and I've seen several pairs of the re-release over $300. That leads me to believe that the originals would be worth far more. Along with that thought, whenever I see a pair that's out of production being sold at original price or less, I try to pick them up. Now the question, how much have Oakleys appreciated in value? Not that I want to sell any, I'm just curious. How much did you originally pay for them, and how much is being asked for the same pair now?

The market is hard to predict: ie what might sell for $150 one day could go for $60 the next. It all depends on if you find the right buyer. I have seen original Froggies for usually over $100. I would say that's pretty good. If they are mint with box and no ware- maybe $130s-$150s but again not how much are they worth, it's how much they are worth to the buyer.

That's exactly what I think.

The only value is the one you think it is worth.
Just think : " At which price I would sell it ? And at which price I'll never sell it ?"

I have some models that I will never let go even if someone propose me 500$: for example my Mars Ruby or my Zero 0.3. And at that price they would never been bought on ebay.

It's hard to say. Anything at a decent price gets snapped up by scalpers, and then relisted at high prices. Those don't often sell, so they enter a never ending cycle of relisting, giving the impression of great value. The reality is, they are worth less, but we'll never see those prices.

Overall, the prices on rare and popular pieces have been up. Less popular pieces, of course, tend to pull in less than what they originally retailed for due to low demand. Frogskins in particular have had their share of increases, but once the fashion fad goes away, prices should go back to being more realistic. In previous years, the hot items were X-metals. The Mag Switches are a time were hot as well. It all goes through cycles.

It really is hard to say. I've picked up all of my Zeros for under $30 a pair...and I know I could double to triple my money only a year later.

My Eye Jackets...the right buyer might think over $100....and Dan's goggles could be worth $1000 to the right person.

I grew up with baseball cards. Even with book pricing, a card was only worth what someone would pay to own. I would say, for the most part, the same will go with your shades. Overall, if you DO eventually look to sell certain pairs, I would think it's best to at least know a minimum that you feel they're worth.

Back when I joined the o-review, I coulda picked up countless pairs of original froggies for 12-18 bucks off of eBay. I didn't because I personally didn't like how they looked on me and always felt like they would always be that price. Now that the fashion fad has hit and they're popular again, the prices have gone up 10-fold (as we all know).

eBay prices in general have risen by a large amount recently as well, so that could lend to some massive jumps. For an ailing economy, people still bid like mad on Oakley products.

And I agree with Dann and the never-ending cycle of high-priced products. I've seen a pair of OTT"s on eBay for months at like 350 bucks. It just causes people to see other pairs of OTT's and think, "Hey, at least I'm not going to have to pay 350 for these...I'll bid 250 and get a good deal"

yeah, so true when i bought my df 1 it was around 1k now i saw one at ebay that went for 400 to 600.. so all depends on the market at that current time.

it's like this: FLAVOR OF THE MONTH/MOMENT.

remember when Ichiro lenses alone would fetch over $200, now maybe $125...It's all about what is hot. Artist pieces that are hard to find jump more when a new one that is drawing attention is released. Just like froggies...When the re-release happened, people went nuts to find them, new or old...Now, somewhat stale. Ruby Juliet with the "1st gen lenses" (haha) anywhere from $650+, now, maybe $475 - $575 range....

Ultimately, they are worth what someone is willing to pay at the moment...

Personally, it strikes me as bad investment policy to buy up any discontinued Oakleys at or below original MSRP. I just don't see most pairs making a good investment. Not really my cup of tea to view purchases and the collection as such.

Really, though ... all you need is 2. 2 people is all it takes to net a crazy price on ebay.

Well, 1 and a shiller might do it too, I guess.

I bought my Juliet at about $200 couple years ago.
Few weeks ago I went to Oakley Official dealer here (Indonesia), they cost about $400 instead of $300 as the Oakley.com stated for exactly same place where I bought and same Juliet type (X-Metal/Black Iridium)

ahh, this reminds me of the shoe game and buying and selling jordans. its all called "HYPE" and the more hyped an item is then the more it will fetch and the more people will want it.

i remember a few years ago right after they discontinued ruby juliets. there was a ruby thread on the o-review with i forget how many pages and pages of posts and pictures just hyping the "ruby" glasses. during that same time, they were selling for well over 400+ on ebay all because of hype. if we dedicate a thread on here to the collector frogskins and predictions of the most valuable and just keep the "hype" going, then i guarantee people would start buying them up just for sure "collectability" down the road.. same thing happens with all the other vintage oakleys out there.

buying and selling jordans is the same way.. a nice pair will release and people will camp outside the store all night to go in and buy 3-4 pairs @ 135.00 and go home and put two pairs up on ebay for BIN of 200 each plus shipping and people will pay because the shoes will sell out everywhere just because everyone out there wants to buy them all up and make a profit on ebay.. I see oakley heading this way in the future with all of these limited editions, supreme collaborations, (supreme also collaborates with nike and the supreme brand is a mega hype brand on its own).

well thats my 2 cents

and for the record is it Oakleys or Oaklies?

I would vote Oakleys since Oakley is a set name on its own.

As for worth, its what you are willing to part with them at first and foremost. I have glasses that I would part with at a much lower price than others and part of my whole feel of "worth" & price for Oakleys has been skewed in the past 3 years since I work for Oakley and deal with them each day.

Oakley is a proper noun, so I don't think it's subject to usual pluralization.

ahh, this reminds me of the shoe game and buying and selling jordans. its all called "HYPE" and the more hyped an item is then the more it will fetch and the more people will want it.

This is very true. It's a "Flavour of the Month" thing and when the hype dies down, prices will adjust accordingly. We say that with the Artist Series and the same thing will happen with the Frogskins. Something hot will come in to replace the Frogs and the cycle repeats.

It feels like it's already on the out and they are jsut trying to cash in on the end of the fad.