Litbuy QC Checklist: Complete Inspection Guide for Every Category
Master the QC process with category-specific inspection checklists, comparison workflows, and tips for approving or rejecting items with confidence.
The QC (Quality Check) process is the single most important feature of the Litbuy platform. It is your only chance to see your actual item before it ships internationally. Once you approve the QC, the item is packed and sent. Reversing an approval after shipping is nearly impossible. This guide provides a complete inspection system for every category, with specific checkpoints, comparison techniques, and decision frameworks for approving or rejecting items with confidence.
The Universal QC Workflow
Every QC review follows the same workflow regardless of category. The workflow is: gather references, check macro details, check micro details, verify materials, and make a decision. Skipping any step increases the risk of missing a problem. The most common QC mistake is rushing to approve because you are excited to receive the item — this is exactly when problems are missed.
Gather Retail References
Find official retail photos of the exact item, colorway, and size. Use brand sites or authorized retailers for the most accurate reference.
Check Macro Details
Compare overall shape, silhouette, color, and proportions. These are the most obvious callout points.
Check Micro Details
Zoom into logos, stitching, tags, and hardware. These are the details that separate good batches from bad ones.
Verify Materials
Check texture, sheen, weight, and pattern against the reference. Material differences are often the most noticeable flaws.
Document and Decide
Note any discrepancies. Approve (GL) if everything matches. Reject (RL) with specific reasons if discrepancies exceed your tolerance.
Shoes QC: The Most Critical Category
Shoes demand the most detailed QC inspection. The community has developed a standard shoe checklist that covers the most common flaws and callout points. The QC photo set for shoes usually includes: front view, side view, back view, top-down view, logo close-up, sole pattern, tongue tag, and insole. Each angle checks a different aspect of the construction.
The most critical shoe QC points are: midsole shape from the side angle (the most common callout), toe box curve from the top-down view (affects the overall silhouette), heel tab placement and angle (visible from behind), logo embossing depth and alignment (the detail most people check), and tongue tag font and spacing. Start with these five points before moving to secondary details.
Shoes QC Checklist
Clothing QC: Hoodies, T-Shirts, and Pants
Clothing QC is more straightforward than shoes but still requires systematic inspection. The main areas are: print and embroidery quality, fabric weight and texture, construction details, and fit accuracy. The QC photos for clothing usually include: front view, back view, close-up of the main detail (print, logo, or embroidery), tag close-up, and interior detail.
For hoodies, the critical points are fabric weight (should match the batch note), print placement (should align with the reference), collar construction (ribbing width and height), and drawstring hardware (metal vs plastic). For t-shirts, focus on collar ribbing, shoulder seam drop, print cracking, and overall fit. For pants, check inseam accuracy, pocket construction, and leg opening width against the size chart.
Clothing QC Quick Reference
| Category | Primary Check | Secondary Check | Common Flaw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoodies | Print placement and fabric weight | Collar ribbing and drawstring hardware | Print off-center by 5-10mm |
| T-Shirts | Collar rib width and shoulder drop | Print quality and hem straightness | Collar too thin or loose |
| Pants | Inseam and rise measurements | Pocket depth and stitch density | Inseam 1-2cm shorter than chart |
| Jackets | Hardware brand and zipper smoothness | Down fill and baffle spacing | Generic zipper instead of branded |
| Sets | Color consistency between pieces | Fabric weight match across items | Color mismatch between top/bottom |
Accessories and Small Items QC
Accessories are detail-heavy items where small flaws are the most noticeable. For bags, check hardware smoothness, logo engraving depth, stitch density, and interior lining quality. For jewelry, check chain weight (should feel solid, not hollow), clasp operation, and logo engraving. For caps, check embroidery density, brim shape, and crown height.
The challenge with accessories is that the QC photos are often smaller and less detailed than clothing or shoes. Request additional close-up photos if the standard QC set is insufficient. A $2 fee for an extra photo is worth it if it prevents you from receiving a flawed item. The most common accessory flaw is hollow or lightweight hardware that feels cheap compared to the retail reference.
When to Approve (GL) vs Reject (RL)
The decision to approve or reject is personal and depends on your standards. The community guideline is: approve if the item matches the batch description and the flaws are within the expected range for the tier. Reject if the flaws exceed the tier expectations or if the item does not match the batch description at all.
For B-tier items, minor flaws are expected. A logo placement that is off by 2-3mm is normal for B-tier. A logo placement that is off by 10mm or crooked is not. For A-tier items, the standards are higher — a 2mm variance might be acceptable for B-tier but not for A-tier. The key is comparing against the batch note description, not against retail perfection.
The GL/RL Decision Framework
Ask yourself three questions: (1) Does this match the batch description? (2) Are the flaws within the expected range for the tier? (3) Would I be happy receiving this based on what I paid? If the answer to all three is yes, approve. If any answer is no, reject with specific reasons. The more specific your rejection reason, the faster the replacement process.
Requesting Additional QC Photos
The standard QC photo set covers the basics, but sometimes you need additional angles. Most warehouses will take extra photos for free or a small fee. The key is being specific about what you need. Vague requests like "more photos" result in unhelpful additions. Specific requests like "side view of the heel logo" or "close-up of the collar stitching" get you the information you need.
- Request specific angles, not "more photos"
- Limit requests to 2-3 specific shots per order
- Ask for photos under natural lighting if the standard photos are too dark
- Request measurements on items where sizing is critical (pants, fitted items)
- Ask for material close-ups if texture is a concern
- Be polite and patient — warehouse staff handle hundreds of orders daily
Universal QC Decision Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
How many QC photos do I usually receive?
The standard QC set includes 5-8 photos per item. Shoes typically get 8-10 photos from multiple angles. Clothing gets 5-7 photos. Accessories get 4-6 photos. You can request additional photos for specific angles or details if needed.
What happens if I reject the QC?
When you reject (RL), the platform contacts the seller for a replacement item. The seller ships a new item to the warehouse, and the QC process repeats. This adds 7-14 days to your timeline. If the seller cannot provide a satisfactory replacement, the platform processes a refund according to the seller policy.
Can I approve some items and reject others in the same order?
Yes, you can approve individual items within a multi-item order. Approved items are packed for shipping while rejected items are processed for replacement. This is common for large hauls where some items pass QC and others do not.
How long do I have to review QC photos?
You typically have 24-48 hours to review QC photos after they are uploaded. The exact window is shown on your order page. If you need more time, contact platform support before the window expires. Extensions are usually granted if you have a specific reason.
What if the QC photos are too dark or blurry?
Request additional photos with better lighting or focus. Most warehouses will retake photos if the quality is insufficient. Be specific about the problem: "The logo close-up is too dark to see the embossing depth" is better than "photos are bad."
Related Categories
Related Guides
Ready to Start Buying?
Browse the full catalog with 10,000+ items and put what you learned into practice.