Quality checking — or "QC" — is the most critical skill in the W2C buyer's toolkit. It's the process of reviewing photos of your item taken at the agent's warehouse before it ships internationally. A thorough QC review can save you from receiving a disappointing item, while a careless one can result in expensive mistakes. This comprehensive guide teaches you everything you need to know about QCing W2C items effectively.
Understanding the QC Process
Here's exactly how QC works when you order through AllChinaBuy:
- 1
You place an order through AllChinaBuy. The agent purchases the item from the Weidian seller.
- 2
The item is shipped from the seller to AllChinaBuy's warehouse in China (1–3 days).
- 3
AllChinaBuy staff photograph the item from multiple angles and upload photos to your account.
- 4
You receive a notification to review QC photos. You have a set time window to respond.
- 5
You review the photos and either approve (item ships) or reject (item is returned to seller).
- 6
If approved, you select a shipping line and pay for international shipping.
- 7
Your item is packed and shipped internationally.
QC Checklist for Shoes
Use this systematic checklist when reviewing shoe QC photos:
Overall shape — does the silhouette match retail reference photos?
Toe box — correct shape, not too round or too pointed for the model.
Stitching — even, tight, no loose threads or skipped stitches.
Color accuracy — compare under natural light, not flash.
Sole unit — correct color, texture, and any text/branding.
Heel counter — firm, correctly shaped, not collapsed.
Tongue — correct shape, label placement, and any branding.
Lace holes — evenly spaced, correct size.
Insole — correct branding and cushioning.
Box — correct label, colorway, and size information.
QC Checklist for Clothing
For hoodies, t-shirts, jackets, and other clothing items:
Overall construction — no visible defects, puckering, or misalignment.
Logo/print accuracy — correct font, size, placement, and color.
Stitching — even and consistent throughout, especially at seams.
Fabric quality — should look substantial and correctly textured.
Tags — correct placement, content, and font.
Zippers/buttons — functional, correctly branded, and properly aligned.
Pockets — correctly sized and positioned.
Measurements — request a flat lay measurement photo if sizing is critical.
How to Request Additional QC Photos
Standard QC photos may not always show everything you need to see. AllChinaBuy allows you to request additional photos through the order notes or customer service chat. Here's how to make effective requests:
Be specific: Instead of "more photos," say "please photograph the sole unit from directly below" or "please show the interior tag close-up."
Reference retail photos: "Please compare the logo placement to this reference image" is more helpful than a vague request.
Ask for measurements: "Please measure the chest width and body length flat" gives you concrete data to compare against size charts.
Request lighting variations: "Please photograph the colorway in natural light without flash" can reveal true colors that flash photography distorts.
Most agents will accommodate reasonable additional photo requests within 24 hours. There may be a small fee for extensive additional photography.
When to Accept vs. Reject
Use this framework to decide whether to accept or reject your QC:
| Feature | Option A | Option B |
|---|---|---|
| Minor color variation | Accept — normal variation | Reject if significant |
| Loose thread | Accept — easily fixed | Reject if many |
| Wrong colorway | Reject immediately | No exceptions |
| Logo misplacement | Reject if noticeable | Accept if minor |
| Sole separation | Reject immediately | No exceptions |
| Slight asymmetry | Accept — common | Reject if severe |
Using Community Resources for QC
You don't have to QC alone. The W2C community has developed extensive resources to help buyers make informed decisions:
Reddit r/FashionReps — The largest W2C community with dedicated batch review threads for popular items. Search for your specific item + "batch review" to find community assessments.
Telegram Groups — Our community Telegram channel (linked in the floating social buttons) has active members who can help review QC photos and provide second opinions.
Discord Servers — The AllChinaBuy Discord has dedicated QC channels where experienced buyers review photos and provide feedback.
Reference Photo Databases — Sites like Legit Check App and various Reddit wikis maintain databases of retail reference photos for popular items, making it easier to compare your QC photos against authentic versions.
Conclusion
Mastering QC is what separates experienced W2C buyers from beginners. By following systematic checklists, using community resources, and knowing when to accept or reject, you can dramatically improve your W2C success rate. AllChinaBuy's QC photo system is one of the best in the industry — use it to your advantage. Browse AllChinaBuy Spreadsheet to find your next purchase, and approach every QC review with the knowledge from this guide.
