Authenticity & Sourcing
Retroboots.de is operated by Peppersack und Frey Sports GbR, Westheck 13, 59427 Unna, Germany. We are an independent retailer of rare and discontinued football boots and have been sourcing, verifying and selling them since 2021.
This page explains where our boots come from, how we check them, and what happens if you ever doubt a pair you bought from us.
Where our boots come from
We buy through three channels only:
- Private collectors — long-term collectors selling single pairs or parts of their collection.
- Estates and full collection buy-outs — complete collections that we acquire and document pair by pair.
- European retail stock — unsold, factory-new stock from authorised retailers inside the EU.
Every pair we list is factory-new and unworn (deadstock) from an earlier production period. We do not sell worn boots.
Own stock and partner-fulfilled stock
Most pairs are held in our own stock in Unna and are checked before they are listed.
A smaller part of our range is marked Retro Boots Network. These pairs are sourced through a vetted network of specialist dealers we have worked with for years, and they are held by that partner until you order. They go through the same six checks below, but after your order and before dispatch — which is why the delivery time for these items is 5 to 9 working days. If a Network pair does not pass the checks, we cancel the order and refund you in full. Network items are marked as such on the product page.
How we check every pair
Each pair goes through the same six checks. A pair that fails any of them is not sold.
- Insole label — font, spacing, print quality, size grid and country of manufacture are compared against a confirmed reference pair of the same generation.
- Production code and article number — the code on the label is matched against the manufacturer article number of the model, the colourway and the production period. Codes that do not match the model are rejected.
- Stitching — stitch density, seam alignment and thread quality at the collar, heel and upper.
- Soleplate — moulding, stud geometry, stud placement and the embossing of brand and model markings on the plate.
- Material comparison — the upper material, lining and finish are compared directly against a reference pair we hold for that model generation.
- Photography — pairs from our own stock are listed with photographs of the exact pair you receive. Network pairs are listed with reference photographs of the same article and colourway; you receive photographs of your actual pair before it is dispatched.
Who carries out the checks
The checks are carried out by the two founders, Ben Peppersack and Luca Frey. Both have six years of hands-on experience with these specific boot generations and handle every pair personally.
If a pair is unclear at any point, we do not decide alone. We bring in our network of specialised resellers and dealers who work with the same model generations and ask for a second and third assessment. If doubt remains after that, the pair is not sold and goes back to the seller.
If you have doubts
If you have any question about a pair you bought from us, write to us. Tell us what you observed and send photographs. We will re-examine the pair on the basis of the six checks above.
If your concern is justified, you receive a full refund of the purchase price including the cost of returning the pair to us. We will also take the pair out of circulation.
Independent retailer
Retroboots.de is an independent retailer of rare and discontinued football boots. We are not an authorised dealer of Nike, adidas or PUMA; we have no business, distribution or contractual relationship with these companies and are neither endorsed nor sponsored by them.
Third-party brand, model and technology names belong to their respective rights holders and are used solely to identify the goods we offer. We trade exclusively in original products of the manufacturers named.
Contact
Peppersack und Frey Sports GbR, Westheck 13, 59427 Unna, Germany — contact details, legal notice.