ACBuy QC Checklist: How to Inspect Every Category

ACBuy QC Checklist: How to Inspect Every Category

QC photos are your only chance to catch a problem before the item leaves China. Once you approve shipping, the item is on its way to you, and exchanges become expensive or impossible. This guide gives you a comprehensive QC checklist for every major category on the ACBuy Spreadsheet.

Why QC Matters

The purpose of QC is not to find perfection. It is to find unacceptable flaws. A small thread out of place is not a reason to exchange. A misaligned logo, a wrong color, or a broken zipper is. The QC checklist helps you distinguish between acceptable variance and actual defects.

The QC process should take 2-5 minutes per item. Look at each photo systematically. Do not rush. Do not approve just because you are excited to receive the item. Two minutes of careful inspection can save you from receiving a disappointing product.

Shoes QC Checklist

Start with the toe box shape. It should match the retail silhouette. Retro runners should have a rounded toe. Basketball shoes should have the specific shape of that model. Compare to a retail photo from the brand's official site.

Check the heel counter stiffness. Press the heel area in the photo. It should hold its shape. A floppy heel counter is a sign of weak construction.

Inspect the insole print. The text should be clear and aligned. Faded or off-center print is a common flaw on budget tiers.

Look at the lace tips and aglets. They should be clean, with no fraying. Metal aglets should be solid, not hollow.

Check the midsole paint lines. The paint should be crisp, with no overspray. The line between the midsole and upper should be sharp.

Verify the swoosh or logo placement. It should be centered and at the correct angle. Even a small misalignment is noticeable on foot.

Hoodies and Sweaters QC Checklist

Check the fabric weight first. If the item looks thin in the photo, it probably is thin in person. The fabric should have visible density. Light passes through thin fabric.

Inspect the hood shape. It should be structured and hold its form. A floppy hood that collapses flat is a sign of weak construction or thin fabric.

Check the pocket alignment. The pocket should be centered, with even spacing from the side seams. The pocket opening should be clean.

Look at the drawstring quality. The tips should be metal or high-quality plastic. The cord should be thick and consistent.

Check the cuff and hem ribbing. It should be elastic and hold its shape. Stretched-out ribbing is a sign of poor quality.

T-Shirts QC Checklist

Inspect the collar ribbing thickness. It should be thick and hold shape after stretching. The collar is the first thing to fail on a cheap tee.

Check the print texture and adhesion. The print should feel embedded, not sitting on top. In photos, look for cracks, bubbles, or misalignment.

Verify seam alignment. The side seams should be straight. The shoulder seam should sit at the correct point.

Check fabric opacity. The photo should not show light passing through the fabric. If it does, the shirt is too thin.

Look at the hem straightness. The bottom hem should be even and consistent. A wavy hem is a sign of poor cutting or stitching.

Jackets QC Checklist

Check the zipper quality and alignment. The zipper should be straight and run smoothly. The pull tab should be solid metal or branded plastic.

Inspect the pocket depth and placement. Pockets should be deep enough for your hands and evenly placed.

For puffers, check the baffle evenness. The down or synthetic fill should be evenly distributed. No lumps or empty sections.

Check the stitching around cuffs and hem. These are stress points. The stitching should be tight and consistent.

Inspect the lining material and seams. The lining should be smooth, with no loose threads. The seams should be reinforced.

Pants and Shorts QC Checklist

Check the waistband construction. It should be elastic or structured, depending on the style. The waistband should hold its shape.

Inspect the pocket depth and alignment. Pockets should be functional and evenly placed.

Check the inseam consistency. Both legs should have the same inseam length. A difference of more than 1 cm is a defect.

Verify dye evenness and color fastness. The color should be consistent across the garment. No patchy or faded areas.

Check the hem and cuff stitching. It should be straight and consistent. No loose threads.

Accessories QC Checklist

Check the hardware weight and finish. Metal hardware should feel solid. The finish should be consistent, with no scratches or discoloration.

Inspect the stitching consistency and edge paint. Leather edges should be painted cleanly. The stitching should be even and tight.

Verify the logo placement and engraving quality. The logo should be centered and clearly engraved. Blurred or shallow engraving is a flaw.

Check the material texture and smell. Leather should feel natural. Canvas should be tight and consistent. There should be no chemical smell.

Inspect the closure quality and alignment. Zippers, snaps, and buckles should operate smoothly and align correctly.

What to Do If You Find a Flaw

If you find a clear defect, request an exchange immediately. Do not approve shipping. Write a clear message to ACBuy support with the photo number and the specific flaw. Be polite but direct. "Photo 3 shows the logo is misaligned by 2 cm. Please exchange for a corrected item."

If the flaw is minor and acceptable, approve shipping. Not every imperfection is worth the exchange hassle. Use your judgment. A slightly loose thread on the inside of a hoodie is not a defect. A misaligned logo on the chest is.

Bottom Line

The QC checklist is your quality control tool. Use it for every item. Do not skip it. Do not rush it. The two minutes you spend on QC can save you weeks of disappointment and the cost of a bad purchase.