Sneakers and shoes: what to confirm before ordering

Where the mistakes actually happen

Sizing is the single most common problem in this category. A US 9 in one silhouette is not a US 9 in another, and the label inside the shoe can read in EU or JP units even when the listing is written in US. Ask for a photo of the size tag in your QC request, not the box label — the box is often reused.

Second is the colourway name. Retailers rename a colour every season, and sellers copy whichever name is indexed best. Compare swatches against the actual product photos rather than the title.

• Size tag inside the shoe, photographed flat — not the box label
• Heel and outsole angle shot: the silhouette is where copies usually differ
• Midsole and toe-box stitching, close enough to judge uniform spacing
• Insole length in centimetres if you are between sizes

Which silhouettes are worth the freight

Heavy boots and chunky runners cost more to ship than their price suggests, because couriers charge on volumetric or actual weight, whichever is greater. Flat sneakers and slides ship compactly. If you are building a first parcel, mixing one bulky pair with three flat ones is usually the cheapest way to fill chargeable weight.