Quality Control (QC) is the single most important skill you can develop as a W2C buyer. The KakoBuy QC system gives you a critical window to inspect your item before it leaves China — and once you know what to look for, you'll be able to spot issues that would otherwise ruin your haul. This guide breaks down the QC process step by step, with specific things to check for different product categories.
98%
Items Pass QC
2-3
Days for QC Photos
15+
QC Photo Angles
Free
Reshoot Requests
What Are QC Photos?
When you purchase an item through KakoBuy, the agent receives it at their warehouse in China. Before shipping, they photograph the actual item you'll receive — not stock photos. These QC photos are uploaded to your account dashboard, usually within 2-3 business days of the item arriving at the warehouse. You then have the option to approve shipping, request additional photos, or reject the item for a refund.
The QC Review Process
Receive QC Notification
KakoBuy sends you an email or app notification when QC photos are ready. Log into your dashboard to view them.
Compare to Reference
Open the retail reference images alongside your QC photos. Look for any obvious differences in color, shape, or details.
Check Critical Details
Zoom in on logos, stitching, tags, and soles. These are the areas where quality differences are most visible.
Request Reshoot if Needed
If photos are blurry or missing key angles, request a reshoot. This is free and usually completed within 24 hours.
Approve or Reject
If satisfied, approve shipping. If the item has significant quality issues, reject it for a refund or replacement.
Checking Sneakers: The Complete Checklist
Sneakers are the most popular W2C category and also the most scrutinized. When reviewing QC photos for shoes, you need to check multiple areas systematically. Start with the overall silhouette — does the shape match the retail version? Then move to specific details.
Sneaker QC Checklist
- Toe box shape and height matches retail reference
- Heel counter is firm and correctly shaped
- Midsole color and texture matches (especially for Yeezys and Jordans)
- Outsole pattern is correct and clean
- Logo placement is accurate — check both sides
- Lace holes are evenly spaced and cleanly finished
- Tongue label text is correct and properly positioned
- Size tag inside matches ordered size
- No glue residue visible on upper or midsole
- Stitching is even with no loose threads
Checking Clothing: What Matters Most
For clothing items like hoodies, t-shirts, and jackets, the QC focus shifts to fabric quality, print accuracy, and construction details. The most common issues with W2C clothing are incorrect colorways, off-center prints, and poor stitching quality.
Good QC vs Bad QC: What to Look For
✅ Good QC Signs
- Sharp, clear photos from multiple angles
- Colors match retail reference accurately
- Stitching is even and tight throughout
- Logo/print is centered and correctly sized
- Tags are present and correctly formatted
- No visible defects or damage
❌ Red Flags to Watch
- Blurry or poorly lit photos
- Colors look washed out or wrong
- Uneven or loose stitching visible
- Logo is off-center or wrong size
- Missing or incorrect tags
- Visible glue, stains, or damage
Before approving QC, search Reddit's r/FashionReps or our community Discord for QC threads on the same item. Other buyers may have already identified common issues with that specific batch or seller.
When to Request a Reshoot
You should request a reshoot whenever the photos don't give you enough information to make a confident decision. Common reasons include: photos are blurry or poorly lit, key details like logos or tags aren't visible, you need to see a specific angle not shown, or you want to compare a specific detail more closely. Reshoots are free and KakoBuy agents are generally responsive to these requests.
When to Reject an Item
Rejection is appropriate when the item has clear quality issues that can't be resolved — wrong colorway, significant construction defects, or the item simply doesn't match what was advertised. KakoBuy's buyer protection policy covers these situations, and you can typically get a refund or replacement. Don't be afraid to reject — it's much better than receiving a bad item after paying for international shipping.
After you approve QC and the item ships, resolving quality issues becomes significantly more difficult and expensive. Always take your time with QC review — it's the most important step in the entire W2C process.
Developing a sharp eye for QC takes practice, but the community is here to help. Share your QC photos in our Discord or Telegram groups and get feedback from experienced buyers. Over time, you'll build the confidence to make quick, accurate QC decisions and consistently receive great hauls through the KakoBuy Spreadsheet.
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