How to read QC photos.

What is QC?

QC stands for “quality check.” Before your buying agent ships your stuff internationally, they take photos so you can confirm it's the right item, in the right condition.

You approve it, you reject it, or you request more photos. It's the single most important step between paying and receiving, and it's where the rep community gets serious.

When you order through an agent like CNFans, Kakobuy, or Sugargoo, your item lands at their warehouse first. QC happens there, before international shipping.

How the QC process works

1. You order an item via your agent's interface (or paste a link via haulkit's converter).
2. The agent buys it from the seller. The item ships to the agent's warehouse, usually in Guangzhou or Shanghai.
3. Within 1–5 days of arrival, the agent posts QC photos to your dashboard.
4. You approve, request more photos (usually free), or reject and return.
5. Approved items wait in free storage (60–90 days, depending on agent) until you bundle them and ship.

Most agents, including CNFans and Kakobuy, offer free QC photos. Check the Agent Comparison page for a full breakdown.

What to look for

Sneakers

• Logos: stitching, alignment, font weight
• Box label: SKU, size, country of origin, should match listing
• Soles: tread pattern, midsole shape, paint splatters (if applicable)
• Insole branding and stitching
• General glue marks, asymmetric panels, glaring color mismatches

Bags

• Hardware: weight, finish, engraving, screw alignment
• Stitching: count per inch, evenness, thread color
• Lining: material match, internal stamps
• Date code or microchip placement

Clothing

• Tags: care label fonts, country of origin, size grading
• Print: alignment, color saturation, cracking
• Embroidery density and thread tension
• Use our Size Guide before ordering, since CN sizes run small.

Watches

• Movement type (auto vs quartz), match listing
• Dial print, indices, hand alignment
• Bezel rotation, crown function
• Bracelet fit and end-link alignment

Know your batches

Reps of the same model are made by several factories, and each factory's version is called a batch. The batch you bought determines what good QC photos of that item should look like — so the first QC question isn't “does it match retail?” but “does it match this batch's known standard?”

Community batch sheets (r/fashionreps, r/RepsneakersDogs and similar) rank the current best batch per model. Rankings shift as factories update, so always confirm today's consensus before ordering. These are the batches most commonly referenced for popular models:

How the batch shows up in QC: style codes on the box label and size tag, insole prints, and the seller's listing — many sellers state the batch in the product title. If the listing claims one batch but the QC box label shows a different style code, treat it as a red flag.

QC against the batch, not just retail: every batch has known weak points. Checking “is the toe-box shape right for this batch?” is far more useful than a generic “does it look like the website photo?” Read the community's GL/RL threads for your exact batch before approving — that's where the current standard lives.

How to use a batch sheet when you order

1. Look up your model on the current sheet and note the recommended batch. Exact picks vary by sheet and change over time; 2026 beginner sheets commonly list LJR for Air Jordan 1 High, GX or KZ2.0 for Jordan 4, M batch for simple Dunks, and LW or PK for Yeezy models.
2. Find a listing whose title includes that batch name, or ask the seller or your agent which batch a listing actually is.
3. When QC photos arrive, check against the batch's known strengths and flaws, not against a perfect sample.

Keep in mind

• Batch names get reused and faked. A listing claiming “top batch” proves nothing. Trust the batch only if the QC photos match what that batch is known to produce.
• Seller labels like “Level 5”, “Top Quality”, or “Budget” are marketing, not factories. A seller's “Level 5” might be LJR for one shoe and GX for another, so ask which factory batch it actually is.
• Some sellers rebrand top-tier batches under their own name. For example, ZOK is a well-known seller who re-labels LJR/PK pairs; a seller name is not a factory batch.
• Be cautious of hyped batches. A batch with lots of online discussion can still have poor materials (e.g., CVW). Check recent community reviews, not just threads.
• Price isn't quality. The most expensive listing is not automatically the best batch.
• Sheets go stale. Factory quality shifts; check the most recent version of the sheet and recent QC posts for the model before ordering.
• Some “batch sheets” are affiliate bait. Prefer sheets that don't push you toward specific sellers or agents.

Red flags: when to return

Major flaws (always return): wrong size, wrong colorway, structural defects, missing major components, factory damage.

Moderate flaws (usually return): visible glue, asymmetric stitching, off-center prints, hardware blemishes on RL-tier batches.

Minor flaws (judgment call): tiny scuffs, very slight stitching variance, packaging wear. If the flaw isn't visible at arm's length, consider whether the return cost is worth it.

When in doubt, post QC photos to r/fashionreps; the community is helpful and honest.

Requesting better photos

Most agents take a default 4–6 photos. You can request more, usually free, within a few days of QC. Be specific.

• Sneakers: sole shot, heel logo close-up, box label, both side profiles.
• Bags: all hardware engravings, date code, lining label, all four corners.
• Clothing: tag close-ups, embroidery zoom, flat-lay with tape measure.
• Watches: dial straight-on, caseback, clasp, weight on scale.

Common mistakes beginners make

• Skipping QC entirely. Once it ships internationally, returns are far harder and more expensive.
• Comparing against brand marketing photos. Compare against real retail in-hand shots from the community, not studio-perfect images.
• Returning over minor cosmetic flaws. If the flaw isn't visible at arm's length, consider whether the return cost is worth it.
• Not checking the size chart before ordering. A CN "L" is not a US "L". Use our Size Guide.
• Approving blurry photos. If you can't see the item clearly, request reshoots, always.

Useful resources

• Size Guide: CN to US, UK, EU before you order
• Compare agents: fees, QC quality, storage policies
• Convert Link: paste any link, get all agents
• r/fashionreps: community GL/RL calls, batch reviews
• r/RepLadies: women's-focused QC community