QC photos are quality control photos taken of your actual items before they ship. They show you exactly what you are receiving.

Should I reject an item if I see a small flaw?

It depends on the flaw and the price. Minor stitching issues on a budget item are normal. Major flaws on a premium item warrant rejection.

Litbuy QC Guide: How to Inspect Your Photos Before Approving

Quality control is the most critical step in the Litbuy ordering process. The Litbuy QC guide you are about to read will teach you how to inspect your photos systematically, what flaws to look for, and how to decide whether to approve or reject an item. Mastering QC review is what separates experienced buyers from beginners who end up disappointed.

QC photos are taken of your actual items before they ship. They are not stock photos. They are not catalog images. They are photos of the specific items that will be sent to you. This is your last chance to catch issues before the item leaves the warehouse. Once you approve, the item ships. After shipping, returns become much more difficult.

What Is QC and Why It Matters

QC stands for quality control. In the Litbuy system, this means your agent takes photos of your actual items and sends them to you for review. You inspect the photos, compare them against the catalog reference images, and decide whether to approve or reject. This process exists because the catalog contains items from multiple suppliers and batches. Quality varies, and QC is your protection.

The importance of QC cannot be overstated. Many buyers skip this step because they are excited to receive their items. This is a mistake. The few minutes you spend reviewing QC photos can save you weeks of frustration if the item is wrong. Always review QC photos carefully. Never approve blindly.

QC Tip: Always request additional photos if the provided ones do not show the area you want to inspect. Most agents will take extra photos if you ask politely. The cost is usually minimal or free.

QC Checklist for Shoes

Shoes are the most complex category to QC. They have multiple components, and each component has specific things to check. Start with the overall shape. The toe box should be symmetrical. The heel counter should have the correct height and angle. The overall silhouette should match the reference photo. If the shape looks wrong, reject immediately. Shape is the hardest thing to fix.

Shoes QC Checklist

Toe box shape and symmetry
Heel counter height and angle
Swoosh or logo placement accuracy
Stitching consistency along the upper
Midsole paint line evenness
Interior label and size tag accuracy
Outsole pattern and color consistency
Lace quality and aglet details

Logo placement is critical for branded shoes. The swoosh, stripes, or other logos should be positioned correctly. Compare the angle, size, and placement against reference images. Even small differences in logo placement are noticeable when wearing. Stitching should be consistent. Uneven stitching or loose threads are signs of lower quality.

QC Checklist for Clothing

Clothing QC is different from shoe QC. The focus is on fabric, construction, and print quality. For hoodies and sweaters, check the fabric weight and softness. Look at the interior fleece. Check the drawstring quality and metal tips. For T-shirts, check the neckline ribbing. A poorly constructed neckline will stretch and lose shape after a few washes.

Clothing QC Checklist

Fabric weight matches description
Embroidery thread density and alignment
Print alignment and saturation for graphic tees
Neckline ribbing shape and elasticity
Stitching consistency on cuffs and hem
Tag print accuracy and placement
Interior fleece consistency for hoodies
Seam alignment and no loose threads

QC Checklist for Accessories and Bags

For accessories, the focus is on hardware and material quality. For bags, check the zipper quality, stitching density, and material consistency. Hardware should feel weighty, not cheap. Zippers should be smooth. For jewelry, check the plating uniformity. Uneven plating will wear quickly and look bad after a few weeks.

Approve

Item matches description. Minor flaws are acceptable for the price. Overall quality is satisfactory.

Request More Photos

Uncertain about a specific area. Ask for additional angles before deciding.

Reject

Major flaws visible. Item does not match description. Shape or color is wrong.

When to Approve vs. When to Reject

Deciding whether to approve or reject is a judgment call. The general rule is that minor flaws on budget items are acceptable. Major flaws on any item are not. A small stitching inconsistency on a $20 T-shirt is normal. A misaligned logo on a $150 jacket is not. The price should match the quality. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

Always reject if the shape is wrong. Shape is the hardest thing to fix and the most noticeable flaw. For shoes, a bad toe box shape is a dealbreaker. For clothing, a completely wrong silhouette is a dealbreaker. Print and stitching issues can sometimes be acceptable depending on the severity. Shape issues are never acceptable.

Rejection Rule: If the shape is wrong, reject immediately. If the color is wrong, reject immediately. If the size is wrong, reject immediately. These are fundamental errors that cannot be fixed. Minor stitching issues may be acceptable if the price is right.

How to Request Additional Photos

Sometimes the provided QC photos do not show the area you want to inspect. This is common. Most agents will take additional photos if you ask. Be specific about what you want to see. "Please show the left side of the shoe" is better than "Can I see more photos?" Specific requests get better results.

The cost of additional photos is usually minimal. Some agents include them for free. Others charge a small fee. Either way, the cost is worth it for expensive items. A $2 photo fee is nothing compared to receiving a flawed $100 item. Do not hesitate to ask for more photos if you need them.

Documenting QC Issues

If you reject an item, document the issue with screenshots and descriptions. Send the agent a clear explanation of what is wrong. Reference the specific photo and the flaw. The clearer your explanation, the faster the replacement process. Vague rejections like "it looks bad" are not helpful. Detailed rejections like "the left swoosh is 3mm too low compared to the reference" get results.

QC Best Practices

Always compare against reference photos, not just catalog images
Use a systematic checklist for each category
Request additional photos for expensive items
Document rejections with specific descriptions and screenshots
Adjust expectations based on the price point

Final QC Advice

Quality control is a skill. The more you do it, the better you get. Your first few QC reviews might take 30 minutes. After a few orders, you will recognize common flaws instantly and know what to look for. The community is your best teacher. Look at other buyers' QC posts. Read the comments from veterans. Learn from their experience.

Remember that QC is your last line of defense. Once you approve, the item ships. After shipping, your options are limited. Take QC seriously. Do not rush. Do not approve because you are excited. Approve because the item is correct. This discipline is what separates satisfied buyers from disappointed ones.