What QC photos are for
QC (quality control) photos are pictures of your actual item, taken in the agent's warehouse before it ships. The Oopbuy homepage lists 1:1 quality inspection as part of its service. These photos are your last chance to catch a problem while the item can still be exchanged or returned to the seller cheaply.
Think of QC as the moment the spreadsheet promise meets reality. The spreadsheet showed you a style; the QC photos show you the exact item that will arrive at your door.
How to look at QC photos
- Use a bigger screen if you can. Small defects are easy to miss on a phone.
- Open the original listing next to the photos so you can compare colour and details.
- Zoom in on seams, prints, labels and hardware.
- Check every photo, not just the first one.
A note on lighting and colour
Warehouse photos are taken quickly under bright artificial light. Whites can look slightly blue, blacks can look grey and pastel colours can wash out. Before rejecting an item for colour, compare it with the listing photos and, if you are still unsure, ask for a photo in natural light. Colour differences caused by lighting are one of the most common reasons buyers wrongly request an exchange.
The general checklist
- Right item: colour, style, option number and size label match your order.
- Clean: no stains, marks or glue residue.
- Construction: straight seams, no loose threads, no holes.
- Details: prints, embroidery and patches are sharp, straight and correctly placed.
- Complete: accessories, laces, straps or chargers are included.
Shoes
- Both shoes photographed side by side from the side, top and back — shapes should match.
- Toe box height and shape look right compared with the listing.
- No glue marks where the upper meets the sole, especially on white soles.
- Size label inside the tongue shows the size you ordered.
- Laces, insoles and any extra laces are included.
Hoodies, tees and knitwear
- Print or embroidery is centred and straight.
- Cuffs and hems are not stretched or twisted.
- Drawcords are even in length.
- Knit items have no pulled loops.
- The colour matches the option, which can look different under warehouse lighting.
Jackets
- Zips run smoothly; snaps close.
- Quilting or padding looks even, with no flat panels.
- Hood trim, patches and pockets are attached neatly.
- No feathers or filling poking through seams.
Bags and small leather goods
- Edges painted evenly, no cracks.
- Hardware is clean, with no scratches.
- Pattern alignment looks consistent at seams.
- Straps and dust bags are included.
Electronics
Photos cannot show whether something works. Ask for a short video showing the device switched on, paired or charging. Check that cables and accessories are in the box, and remember that battery items need a battery-friendly shipping line.
Asking for extra photos or measurements
If the standard photos do not show what you need — the inside label, the sole from below, a measurement of the chest width — ask for additional photos. Be precise: "please photograph the size label and measure the chest flat" gets a better result than "more photos please".
When something is wrong
Be specific when you contact support: "print is 2 cm off-centre on the front" is far easier to act on than "looks bad". Options usually include an exchange with the seller, a return for refund or, for minor issues, accepting the item. Decide based on how much the issue bothers you and how much an exchange costs in time and domestic shipping. For tiny imperfections that will not show when worn, many buyers simply approve and move on.
Accept, exchange or return?
| What you see | Typical choice |
|---|---|
| Wrong colour, size or item | Exchange or return — this is the seller's mistake |
| Large stain, hole or broken zip | Exchange or return |
| Print clearly crooked or off-centre | Usually exchange |
| One loose thread, tiny glue mark | Usually accept; easy to fix at home |
| Slight colour difference due to lighting | Ask for a daylight photo before deciding |
Keep in mind that an exchange takes time: the item goes back to the seller, a new one is sent and a new set of QC photos is taken. If the rest of your parcel is ready, you can ship it and add the replacement to a later parcel.
Keep a record
Save your QC photos together with the spreadsheet row and the option you ordered. If something is wrong when the parcel arrives, you will have clear evidence of what was approved. A record also helps next time: you will know which listings delivered exactly what they promised and which ones needed an exchange.