Before you start
You need three things: an Oopbuy account, a tape measure and about twenty minutes. The account lets you order; the tape measure is the single best tool for avoiding sizing mistakes; the twenty minutes is what it takes to do the steps below properly the first time. After two or three orders the whole routine takes five minutes.
It also helps to decide on a rough budget for the whole haul, including shipping. A simple rule of thumb for planning is to assume shipping will be a noticeable share of your item total, then refine that figure once your items are weighed in the warehouse.
Step 1: Shortlist, don't shop
Open the Oopbuy spreadsheet and go to one category. Instead of adding everything you like, write down three to five items. A short list forces you to compare, and comparing is where you save money. Note the row name and price of each so you can find them again.
Tip: decide your parcel first. "One pair of shoes, two hoodies and a cap" is a better plan than "whatever looks good".
If you are torn between two similar items, keep both on the shortlist for now. Step 2 usually makes the decision for you, because one of them will turn out to have the wrong colour option, a higher price for your size or a missing size chart.
Step 2: Read the product page, not just the row
Click through to each product page. This is where most beginners skip a step. A single listing often holds several colours, versions or bundles, and the spreadsheet photo may show only one of them. Look for:
- The option list. Write down the exact option name or number you want.
- The price per option. Different versions can have different prices.
- The size chart. Note whether sizes are in centimetres, EU or Asian letter sizes.
- The photos. Scroll through all of them; detail shots often show the label, material or packaging.
Step 3: Size in centimetres
Lay a garment you already own flat and measure it: chest width armpit to armpit, body length from shoulder to hem, and sleeve length. For shoes, measure your foot from heel to longest toe. Compare these numbers with the chart on the product page, not with the letter size on your current clothes. Asian letter sizes often run one or two sizes smaller than European or American ones. Our sizing guide goes into detail.
Write your measurements down once and keep them on your phone. You will reuse them for every future order.
Step 4: Order, then check the QC photos
Add your chosen option to the cart and pay. When the item reaches the warehouse, Oopbuy's quality inspection photographs it. This is your chance to catch a wrong colour, a wrong size label, a stain or poor stitching while the item is still in China. Compare the photos against the original listing and against a checklist. Ours is in the QC photo guide.
Do not rush this step. Zoom in, compare left and right shoes, and check that prints are straight. If something is wrong, contact support with a specific description of the problem.
Step 5: Plan the parcel
When everything has arrived, combine the items into one parcel. International shipping is charged by actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher, so bulky items cost more than their weight suggests. Removing shoe boxes and vacuum-packing hoodies and jackets are two simple ways to reduce cost. The free storage period means you can wait until your whole order is in the warehouse before you ship.
Before you pay for shipping, check the restrictions next to each shipping line. Items with batteries or liquids are only accepted on some lines.
A worked example
| Step | What our buyer did |
|---|---|
| Shortlist | Two sneakers, two hoodies, one cap from three categories |
| Product page | Dropped one sneaker after seeing the colour they wanted cost more |
| Sizing | Measured a favourite hoodie (chest 60 cm) and picked the chart size closest to it |
| QC | Approved four items, asked for an exchange on one hoodie with a crooked print |
| Parcel | Removed the shoe box, vacuum-packed the hoodies, shipped about 2.5 kg |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ordering the first option on the page without checking which one it is.
- Choosing a letter size instead of comparing centimetres.
- Approving QC photos without zooming in.
- Shipping items one by one instead of combining them.
- Mixing battery items into a parcel without checking the shipping line.
- Forgetting that a price range means different options cost different amounts.