How to QC Reps in 2026: The Full Pre-Payment Checklist

By the basetaospreadsheet.org sourcing desk · Updated

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Quick Answer: QC (quality control) is the step where you inspect photos or a video of your actual item before it ships, so you can approve or reject it. A 360° QC video beats QC photos because it reveals colour, stitching and logo issues that a still can hide. Check the silhouette, logos, stitching, colour and any stamps. Reject anything that's off — that's what QC is for.

What QC actually is

When your item is bought and brought to the warehouse, a good agent or service photographs or films it and sends you the media to approve. This is QC. It is the single most important consumer protection in rep buying, because it lets you catch a problem while the item is still in China and easy to replace — not after it has crossed a border. Skipping QC is the most common reason buyers end up disappointed.

Why video beats photos

QC photos are better than nothing, but they have blind spots. A still image can be lit to flatter, shot at an angle that hides a flaw, or fail to show how a colour reads in motion. A 360° video shows the whole item turning under steady light, so a wandering stitch line, a glue smudge, a slightly wrong logo curve or an off shade becomes obvious. That is why we film video on every order rather than sending a few photos.

The universal QC checklist

Whatever you're buying, check these five things first:

Category-by-category QC

What to focus on, by category
CategoryInspect closely
SneakersToe-box shape, heel curve, sole stamp, stitching density, midsole tooling
JerseysBadge alignment, sponsor-print sharpness, fan vs player cut, name-set font
BagsLeather grain, hardware weight, edge painting, interior stamp/date code
WatchesDial alignment, date-window magnification, bezel action, second-hand sweep
Hoodies/jacketsFabric weight, embroidery vs print, zipper brand, lining finish

For deeper category notes, each category guide has a "3 mistakes to avoid" section tailored to that product.

How QC works with our service

After you pay, we bring your item to QC and film a 360° video within about 48 hours, then send it on WhatsApp. You inspect it against the checklist above and either approve or ask for a fix. Only after your approval do we ship. If something is wrong, we arrange a replacement or refund — the whole point is that nothing you haven't seen and approved leaves China. Once you're happy, see the ordering walkthrough for what happens next.

QC mindset: be picky, politely

The buyers who get the best results treat QC as a real inspection, not a formality. Spend the two minutes, zoom in, compare against a retail reference photo, and speak up if something looks off. A good service welcomes this — it is far cheaper for everyone to fix an issue before shipping than after. Being specific ("the left logo stitch looks loose") gets a faster, better resolution than a vague "looks wrong".

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FAQ

What does QC mean?

QC stands for quality control. In rep buying it refers to the photos or video your agent or service takes of the actual item before it ships, so you can inspect it and approve or reject it before paying for shipping.

Is QC video better than QC photos?

Yes. Photos can hide a colour cast, a glue smudge or an off logo at the wrong angle. A 360-degree video shows the item moving under consistent light, which catches issues photos miss. We include QC video free on every order.

What should I check in QC?

It depends on the category, but the universals are: overall shape/silhouette, logo accuracy and placement, stitching evenness, colour match, and any stamps or serials. The checklist on this page breaks it down by category.

Can I reject an item after QC?

Yes — that is the point of QC. If the item has a defect or doesn't match what you ordered, you can ask for a replacement or a refund before it ships. Approval is the step where you accept the item.

How long does QC take?

Usually within about 48 hours of payment we film and send the QC video over WhatsApp. You then approve at your own pace before dispatch.

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