The QC checklist: reading warehouse photos properly
Warehouse photos are taken quickly and in fixed positions. Knowing what each angle can and cannot tell you is the difference between catching a problem and finding it after the parcel arrives.
What warehouse photos are for
They confirm that the item that reached the warehouse is the item you ordered, and that it is in the condition the seller claimed. They are not an authentication service and they do not test function: a watch is photographed, not timed; a jacket is measured, not worn.
That distinction matters because it tells you what to escalate. If the photo shows a different colourway, that is a clear discrepancy. If it shows a faint scuff that might be a lighting artefact, ask for a second photo under different light before deciding.
The five-point check
Run the same five checks in the same order every time. Consistency is what turns a glance at a photo into an actual inspection.
- Identity — does the colour, model and variant in the photo match the order line?
- Size — is there a size tag or a measurement visible, and does it match the variant you chose?
- Quantity — are all units present, and are pairs actually matching pairs?
- Condition — marks, creases, glue residue, scuffs. Ask about anything you are unsure of.
- Completeness — box, dust bag, spare links, tags: only if the listing promised them.
Category-specific checks
| Category | Ask for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sneakers | Inner size tag, heel and outsole angle | Kicks look alike from the front; the side profile and the insole measurement differ |
| Clothing | Flat measurements and a print close-up | Letter sizes do not travel well; print placement shifts between runs |
| Watches | Dial at an angle, caseback, bracelet end links | Alignment and finishing are not visible straight-on |
| Bags | Hardware close-up, corner stitching, open interior | The interiors are where material quality shows and where sellers skip photos |
| Jewelry | Clasp open and closed, plus a short moving video | Loose stones and weak springs do not show in a static shot |
How to request extra photos
Write the request as a numbered list and name the angle you want, the thing you are checking, and why. Vague requests get vague photos. A useful request looks like: “1) the size tag inside the shoe, photographed flat; 2) the insole measured with a ruler, in centimetres; 3) the left shoe from the heel, to check the midsole line.”
Do this before submitting the parcel. Once the item is inside an international shipment, a request has to travel back through the warehouse, which costs days you may not have.
When to accept, and when to escalate
Accept minor variations that the listing did not promise against: small marks inside a sole, a box that is slightly dented. Escalate anything that changes what you actually received: wrong variant, wrong size, missing items, or damage that affects use.
Know what is not a valid complaint, so you do not waste the storage window: a colour that looks different under warehouse lighting, a scent of new material, or packaging that is not the retail box when the listing never offered one.
How many photos should I expect?
Do photos prove authenticity?
Can I reject an item at the warehouse?
What if the item never arrives at the warehouse?
Should I ask for measurements on every order?
Keep reading
Kakobuy QC Checklist: 12 Checks Before You Ship
A twelve-point QC checklist you can run in five minutes, covering identity, size, quantity, condition and completeness — with the wording to use when requesting extra photos.
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Kakobuy Coupons & Shipping Codes: How to Check Them Honestly
How shipping coupons and event codes actually work, where they apply, when they expire, and how to verify a code before you build an order around it.