The Complete ACBuy QC Checklist for Every Category

Why QC Is the Most Important Step

Quality control is the single most valuable service an agent provides. Without QC, you are buying blind from overseas sellers with no recourse once the item leaves the warehouse. With QC, you get a checkpoint where you can identify flaws, request returns, and approve only the items that meet your standards. Skipping or rushing QC is the number one cause of buyer regret.

In 2026, ACBuy has improved its standard QC photo package to include 3–5 high-resolution images per item, with consistent lighting and neutral backgrounds. However, the photos are only as useful as your ability to interpret them. This master checklist teaches you what to look for across every major category, so no detail escapes your attention.

The checklist is organized by category because inspection priorities differ dramatically between shoes, apparel, accessories, and other goods. A flaw that is unacceptable in footwear may be irrelevant in a hoodie, and vice versa. Train yourself to evaluate each item against category-specific criteria rather than applying a generic "looks good" standard.

Footwear QC: Shape, Stitching, and Materials

Shoes are the highest-stakes category because flaws are immediately visible when worn. Start by assessing overall shape from the side profile. The toe box should have the correct height and taper. The heel counter should have the proper angle and curvature. Even subtle shape deviations are noticeable on-foot.

Next, inspect stitching alignment. Factory stitching should follow consistent curves with even spacing. Loose threads, skipped stitches, or asymmetric alignment between left and right shoes are red flags. Pay special attention to the heel tab, ankle collar, and any panels that meet at an angle — these are common flaw locations.

Material quality is harder to judge from photos but not impossible. Leather should have consistent grain and no artificial shine from synthetic coatings. Suede should have visible nap that changes direction when brushed. Mesh should have uniform weave density. If the materials look plasticky or overly shiny in photos, they will likely feel cheap in hand.

Apparel QC: Construction, Print, and Fit

For T-shirts and hoodies, start with collar construction. A quality neck rib should have dense stitching, clean binding tape on the inside, and recovery when stretched. Loose or wavy necklines are immediate rejects. Shoulder seams should align with the body panel without twisting or offset.

Print quality varies by method. Screen prints should have crisp edges, consistent ink thickness, and no visible underbase peeking through. Embroidery should have tight satin stitches with no visible jump stitches on the reverse side. Puff prints should have uniform elevation without collapsed or flattened areas.

For sizing, compare the flat-lay measurements in QC photos against the spreadsheet size chart. Even if the construction looks perfect, an incorrect measurement means the item will not fit. A 2cm deviation in chest width or length is enough to change the fit profile significantly.

Accessories QC: Hardware, Materials, and Function

Accessories like bags, belts, and hats often get less QC attention because they are smaller items, but their flaws can be just as disappointing. For bags, inspect zipper brand and slider smoothness first — a jamming zipper ruins daily usability. Stitch density at stress points (strap attachments, bottom corners) should be high.

For belts, check the buckle weight and mechanism. Hollow or lightweight buckles feel cheap and may break under stress. The leather edge should show clean burnishing or painted finish without fraying. For hats and caps, inspect crown shape, visor curve, and embroidery density. Structured caps should have firm buckram that holds shape when pressed.

Using Community QC Threads

Even with a thorough personal checklist, community input adds value. Post your QC photos in the relevant subreddit with a clear title including the batch name and item name. Ask specific questions rather than vague "GL or RL?" requests. "Is the toe box height accurate for this batch?" gets better responses than "Does this look good?"

Experienced community members can spot batch-specific flaws that you might miss. For example, some factories consistently produce slightly oversized heel tabs or off-center embroidery. These patterns are known in the community but invisible to first-time buyers. A single well-asked QC thread can save you from approving a known-flawed batch.

When to Reject vs. Accept

The ultimate QC decision depends on your standards and the item's purpose. An item you plan to resell or wear to a detail-conscious event requires stricter QC than a daily beater. Set your personal threshold before viewing QC photos to avoid emotional decision-making.

As a general rule, reject items with: major shape deviations, obvious color mismatches, construction defects that affect function (broken zippers, detached hardware), or sizing errors beyond 2cm. Accept items with: minor stitching inconsistencies that are invisible at normal viewing distance, slight color variations due to lighting, or common batch characteristics that are widely known and accepted.

Advanced QC: Requesting Supplementary Photos

Standard QC photos cover the basics, but some items need additional angles. Do not hesitate to request supplementary photos for critical areas. Common requests include: insole shots for footwear, interior lining shots for bags and jackets, label/tag close-ups for verification, and fit photos on a mannequin or flat-lay with measurements for apparel.

Most agents charge a small fee for extra photos (typically 1–3 USD per angle), but the cost is trivial compared to receiving an item you cannot use. For high-value orders, request a video if still photos do not capture the detail you need. A 15-second video of a zipper in motion tells you more than ten still frames.