What Is QC and Why Does It Matter?
When you order through KakoBuy, the agent purchases your item from the Chinese seller and receives it at their warehouse. Before shipping it internationally, KakoBuy takes detailed photos of your item — these are your QC photos. You then review these photos and decide whether to approve the item for shipping or request a return/replacement.
This step matters enormously because:
International returns are expensive and slow. Once your item ships internationally, returning it if there's a problem costs more than the item itself in most cases. QC is your only practical opportunity to catch issues.
Sellers can send wrong items. Even reputable sellers occasionally send wrong colorways, sizes, or entirely different products. QC catches these mistakes before they become your problem.
Quality varies between batches. Even the same product from the same seller can have quality variations between production runs. QC lets you see exactly what you're getting.
It's free protection. KakoBuy's QC service is included in their agent fee. There's no reason not to use it thoroughly.
How to Read QC Photos Like a Pro
Follow this systematic approach when reviewing QC photos:
- 1
Start with the overall shape — does the item look like what you ordered? Check proportions and silhouette
- 2
Examine the colorway carefully — compare against reference photos from the product listing
- 3
Check all logos and branding — placement, font, size, and stitching quality
- 4
Look at stitching throughout the item — it should be even, tight, and consistent
- 5
Examine materials — leather should look smooth and consistent, fabric should have even texture
- 6
Check hardware (zippers, buckles, eyelets) — should be clean, properly aligned, and functional
- 7
For shoes: check the sole, toe box shape, heel counter, and any visible cushioning units
- 8
Look for any defects — loose threads, uneven dye, scratches, or misaligned components
- 9
Check the size tag — verify it matches what you ordered
- 10
Request additional photos if you need to see specific details more clearly
Category-Specific QC Checklist
Different product categories require different QC focus areas. Here's what to prioritize for the most common categories:
Shoes: Toe box shape, heel counter stiffness, swoosh/logo placement, sole color and texture, boost/air unit visibility, lace quality, insole printing, size tag accuracy.
Hoodies & Sweaters: Embroidery quality (no loose threads, correct colors), print clarity and placement, fabric weight and texture, zipper quality, drawstring symmetry, hem evenness.
T-Shirts: Print quality (no cracking, correct colors, sharp edges), fabric weight, collar shape, stitching at seams, tag printing accuracy.
Jackets: Zipper functionality, lining quality, logo/patch placement, seam alignment, material consistency, pocket placement and functionality.
Accessories: Hardware quality, stitching on leather goods, logo accuracy, clasp/buckle functionality, material texture and color consistency.
When to Accept vs. Reject
Use this framework to decide whether to accept or reject your QC:
Accept If...
- Overall shape and colorway match the listing
- Minor imperfections not visible when worn
- Logos and branding are accurate
- Size matches what you ordered
- Materials look as expected
- No structural defects visible
Reject If...
- Wrong colorway or completely different item
- Obvious defects visible from normal viewing distance
- Logo placement is significantly off
- Wrong size received
- Materials look cheap or wrong
- Structural issues (broken zipper, torn seam)
Requesting Additional QC Photos
Don't hesitate to request additional QC photos if the standard set doesn't show you what you need to see. KakoBuy allows you to request specific angles or detail shots, and this is completely normal — experienced buyers do it regularly.
Common additional photo requests include: - Close-up of specific logos or branding - Sole/outsole detail shots - Interior/lining photos - Size tag close-up - Specific angle that shows a detail you're concerned about - Comparison shot with a reference item
When requesting additional photos, be specific about what you want to see. "Can you take a close-up of the Nike swoosh on the left shoe from the side?" is much more useful than "Can you take more photos?"
Most KakoBuy agents respond to additional photo requests within 24-48 hours. Factor this into your timeline if you're working toward a specific delivery date.
Using KakoBuy Spreadsheet QC Photos
One of the unique features of KakoBuy Spreadsheet is that many product listings include pre-existing QC photos from community members who have already purchased and received the item. These photos are invaluable for several reasons:
They show you what the item actually looks like after it's been received and worn, not just the seller's promotional photos. They often include comparison shots with retail items. They come with community commentary about quality, sizing, and any issues encountered.
When you open a product modal on KakoBuy Spreadsheet and click the QC tab, you're seeing real photos from real purchases. Use these as your baseline when evaluating your own QC photos — if your photos look similar to the community QC photos, you're likely getting the same quality batch.
