A complete guide to reviewing QC photos from the Cnfans spreadsheet — what to check on shoes, hoodies, jerseys, and accessories before approving your shipment.
Why QC Photos Matter
QC (Quality Control) photos are taken at the agent warehouse when your item first arrives from the Weidian seller. They serve as your final visual inspection before the item is packed and shipped internationally. Once an item clears customs and arrives at your door, returns are essentially impossible — making QC photo review one of the most important steps in the entire buying process.
The Cnfans spreadsheet integrates community-sourced QC photos directly into each product modal, giving you a reference point even before you place your order. These photos come from real buyers who have received the same item, so they reflect actual product quality rather than seller-provided images.
QC Checklist for Shoes
Shoes require the most detailed QC review of any product category. Here is what to look for when reviewing shoe QC photos from the Cnfans spreadsheet or your agent warehouse.
First, check the sole unit. The midsole pattern, air unit visibility (on Air Max/Jordan models), and outsole tread should all match the authentic colorway exactly. Next, inspect the upper material texture — leather should have consistent grain, suede should have even nap, and mesh should be clean without loose threads.
Logo placement is critical. On Nike Dunks, the Swoosh should begin at the same point on both shoes (symmetrical placement). On Jordan 4s, the "NIKE AIR" heel tab lettering should be clearly stamped and vertically centered. Check the tongue label — it should show the correct style number, size, and country of origin with clean print.
- 1
Check sole unit pattern and midsole colorway accuracy
- 2
Inspect upper material texture and consistency
- 3
Verify Swoosh/logo placement symmetry on both shoes
- 4
Review tongue label print quality and correct style number
- 5
Check stitching on overlays — no loose threads or skipped stitches
- 6
Confirm lace color matches the authentic colorway reference
- 7
Compare insole branding and cushion thickness
QC Checklist for Apparel
For hoodies, T-shirts, and jackets, focus on three key areas: graphics, stitching, and material weight. Graphic-heavy items like box-logo hoodies or collab tees should have sharp, clean print edges with no ink bleeding or cracking visible in the QC photos. Screen-printed logos often look best in a direct overhead shot under bright lighting.
Stitching quality is visible in close-up QC shots of seams and hems. Look for consistent stitch density — uneven stitching often indicates lower-tier batch. Ribbing on cuffs and waistbands should be tight and symmetrical. Material weight is harder to judge from photos, but heavier fabrics will often show natural drape and slight wrinkle in handling shots.
Pro Tip
Request additional QC photos if the standard set does not show the logo from directly in front. Most agents will take up to 3 extra photos for free.
When to Reject and Request RTS
Requesting a Return to Seller (RTS) should be done when the item clearly does not match what was advertised in the Cnfans spreadsheet listing. Common valid RTS reasons include: wrong colorway or size received, visible manufacturing defects (broken stitching, damaged material, cracked sole), incorrect label or missing tags, and significant asymmetry in logos or graphics.
Minor imperfections that are present on the authentic version (slight material grain variation, micro-asymmetry that is within tolerance) are generally not valid RTS reasons and will often be rejected by the agent. The Cnfans community Discord is an excellent resource for second opinions on borderline QC decisions.
| Issue | Severity | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong colorway | Critical | RTS immediately |
| Wrong size | Critical | RTS immediately |
| Broken stitching | High | RTS or negotiate partial refund |
| Minor logo asymmetry | Low | Compare to auth ref, likely W |
| Light sole yellowing | Low | Normal, ship |
| Packaging missing | Medium | Request seller to include |
Summary
Reviewing QC photos carefully is the difference between a W and an L on any Cnfans spreadsheet order. Use the checklist in this guide for each product category, cross-reference with the community-provided QC photos in the product modal, and do not hesitate to request RTS if something looks clearly wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most agents give you 7–14 days to review QC photos before auto-approving for storage. KakoBuy gives 7 days. Set a reminder as soon as you receive the QC notification.
The Cnfans spreadsheet modal shows community-sourced QC photos that are already available. For personal QC photos of your specific item, you need to order through an agent first.
A "W" means a win — the item looks great and matches the authentic version closely. A "GL" (good loss) means the item has issues but is still acceptable. An "L" means the QC is unacceptable and should be rejected.
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