Why QC Matters More Than Anything Else
In the rep world, QC (quality control) is your last line of defense before a product ships from the warehouse to your door. Once you approve QC and authorize shipping, the purchase is generally final — returns from overseas can be costly or impossible. A thorough QC check catches problems like wrong colorways, obvious logo defects, size discrepancies, and damaged goods before they become your problem.
Most shopping agents, including those linked from the Cnfans spreadsheet, offer QC photo services. KakoBuy includes basic QC photos free with every purchase. Understanding how to read these photos is an essential skill for any rep buyer.
How to Request and Access QC Photos
Follow these steps to get QC photos for your Cnfans spreadsheet purchase via KakoBuy:
- 1Complete your purchase on KakoBuy — once the item arrives at the warehouse, you'll receive a notification
- 2Go to "My Purchases" → find your item → click "Request QC Photos"
- 3KakoBuy staff will photograph the item within 24-48 hours during business days
- 4You'll receive 8-15 photos depending on the item type — shoes get more, basic tees get fewer
- 5Review each photo carefully against the reference images on this spreadsheet
- 6Either "Approve" and authorize shipment, or "Reject" and request re-purchase if quality is poor
What to Look For: QC Checklist by Category
Different product types have different QC priority areas. Here's what experienced buyers check first:
| Category | Check First | Common Issues | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoes | Swoosh angle, sole color, box label | Off-white soles, heel tab placement | 78% |
| Hoodies | Logo embroidery, zipper quality, tag print | Faded prints, off-center logos | 85% |
| T-Shirts | Print alignment, fabric weight, neck tag | Low-res prints, wrong font | 91% |
| Jackets | Zipper teeth, lining stitching, sleeve length | Mismatched lining, weak zippers | 80% |
| Jerseys | Number font, crest quality, fabric mesh | Wrong number placement, fuzzy crests | 83% |
Reading QC Photos Like an Expert
Here are the tips experienced rep buyers use when reviewing QC photos:
- Always zoom in to 200%+ on photos — details invisible at normal size become obvious when zoomed
- Compare side-by-side with the retail reference photo, not just the seller's listing photo
- Check the back, bottom, and interior — sellers photograph these to show completeness
- For shoes, the tongue label and insole print are common tells for batch quality
- Request additional angles if the photos don't show a specific detail you care about
- For embroidered logos, look for thread consistency and clean edges
- Lighting affects perceived color — ask for natural light photos if warehouse shots look too dark
When to Reject QC and What Happens Next
Rejecting QC is a legitimate and common occurrence — don't feel bad about it. When you reject:
1. The agent notifies the seller 2. You can request a replacement from the same seller or a full refund to your agent balance 3. The refund typically takes 3-7 business days to process 4. You can use the refunded balance for your next purchase
In some cases, the seller sends a replacement that's better batch. In others, the refund is the best outcome. Trust your judgment — if the QC photos show something you're not happy with, it's almost always worth rejecting.
