KakoBuy QC Checklist: What to Inspect Before You Ship

Quality control photos are the only way to verify what you are actually buying before it ships. The seller's marketing photos are often edited, staged, or taken from a different batch. The QC photos show your actual item. If there is a defect, wrong size, or color mismatch, you will see it here. KakoBuy offers QC photos as part of their service. Some packages include them automatically. Others require you to request them. Always request QC photos for high-value items, items with known quality issues, or your first purchase from a new seller. The small cost is worth avoiding a bad item.

No matter what you are buying, check these basics first: 1. **Color accuracy.** Compare the item to the listing photo. Lighting can shift colors, but the base tone should match. 2. **Logo and branding.** Check placement, size, and clarity. Blurry or crooked logos are common defects. 3. **Stitching.** Look for loose threads, skipped stitches, and uneven spacing. Tight, even stitching indicates good construction. 4. **Material texture.** Does the fabric look like the description? Shiny when it should be matte? Thin when it should be thick? 5. **Size verification.** Compare the item to the size chart. Measure if necessary. 6. **Hardware quality.** Check zippers, buttons, drawstrings, and metal parts. They should feel solid, not cheap.

Shoes are one of the most detail-sensitive categories. Here is what to focus on: - **Sole pattern:** The shape, depth, and alignment should match the retail version. - **Toe box shape:** Too boxy or too slim are both common issues. - **Heel counter:** The back of the shoe should hold its shape. Soft or collapsed heels are defects. - **Insole print:** The logo and text should be sharp and centered. - **Lace quality:** Laces should be thick and have metal tips. Cheap laces are a red flag. - **Tongue padding:** The tongue should have consistent padding. Thin or lumpy padding is a defect. - **Stitching around the swoosh or logo:** This is the most visible area. Uneven stitching here is the fastest way to spot a lower tier.

For hoodies, T-shirts, jackets, and pants, focus on these details: - **Print registration:** The design should be centered and aligned with seams. Off-center prints are defects. - **Fabric weight:** The item should feel substantial. Too light usually means lower quality. - **Collar construction:** The collar should hold its shape. Floppy or stretched collars are common issues. - **Cuff and hem elasticity:** These should snap back when stretched. Loose cuffs mean poor construction. - **Pocket alignment:** Pockets should be level and symmetrical. Uneven pockets are a clear defect. - **Interior finishing:** Check the inside seams and lining. Clean, finished seams indicate quality. Raw, exposed edges are signs of budget construction.

Not every minor flaw is worth a rejection. Here is how to decide: **Reject if:** The item is the wrong size, the wrong color, has a major defect, or does not match the tier you paid for. **Accept if:** There is a minor thread you can trim, a slight color variation within normal range, or a small scuff that will happen during wear anyway. **Ask for more photos if:** The lighting is too dim, the angle hides a critical area, or you need a close-up of a specific detail. Remember: rejecting an item delays your order by a few days. Accepting a bad item wastes money. When in doubt, ask the community. Post the QC photos on Reddit and ask for opinions. Experienced buyers can spot issues you might miss.