The Complete ACBuy QC Checklist for Every Category in 2026

Quality control photography is the single most valuable service your agent provides, yet many buyers underutilize it by approving photos hastily or failing to request critical angles. This comprehensive checklist addresses every major category available through ACBuy spreadsheets, providing detailed inspection points that separate a worthwhile purchase from a disappointing delivery. Use this guide systematically during your QC review phase. Request any missing angles before approving items, and do not hesitate to ask for additional photos or exchanges when inspection points reveal issues. The time you spend in QC review is the most cost-effective investment in your entire order process.

Footwear QC: The Most Demanding Category

Shoes require the most detailed QC inspection because they involve complex three-dimensional shapes where small deviations are immediately visible once worn. Start with overall silhouette accuracy by comparing the side profile against reference images. The toe box height, slope, and proportions are often the first elements factories get wrong. Inspect stitching spacing along all seams, looking for uniform spacing without loose threads or skipped stitches. Midsole texture and paint lines should appear clean and consistent. The heel counter shape is critical for retro basketball and runner silhouettes, where proportions relative to the upper determine overall accuracy. Insole print clarity and thickness affect both appearance and comfort. Request interior photos showing the insole from above, the interior lining construction, and any size labels. Box label font weight and placement accuracy matter if you intend to keep original packaging. Finally, check lace tips and aglet finishing, which are often overlooked but immediately visible during wear.

Apparel QC: Hoodies, T-Shirts, and Jackets

Apparel quality control focuses on construction details that determine both immediate appearance and long-term durability. For hoodies and sweaters, inspect the collar rib thickness and stitching pattern, which indicates blank quality. Shoulder seam alignment and stitching density reveal whether the garment was constructed with care or mass-produced with minimal quality standards. For graphic pieces, print placement accuracy relative to reference images is critical, but also examine print texture for bubbling, cracking, or uneven curing. Puff prints require specific inspection for even lift and edge definition. Tag accuracy and material feel are immediately noticeable upon wear and should match reference specifications. Hem stitching consistency and thread color should be uniform throughout. For jackets, additionally inspect shell material texture, zipper brand and pull engraving, snap closure tension, interior lining material and seam finishing, and drawstring hardware weight.

Accessories and Small Goods

Accessories encompass the widest variety of inspection points due to their diversity. Bags require attention to stitching density, hardware weight and engraving clarity, interior lining quality, and zipper or closure smoothness. Belts need inspection of buckle engraving, leather or material grain consistency, hole punch spacing uniformity, and edge finishing quality. Wallets should be checked for card slot construction, stitching color match, interior material accuracy, and fold alignment. Jewelry demands evaluation of plating thickness, clasp quality and tension, engraving precision, and overall weight relative to expected specifications. Sunglasses require hinge tension consistency, lens clarity without distortion, frame alignment when folded, and logo placement accuracy. Across all accessory types, functionality testing is important: zippers should glide smoothly, clasps should close with satisfying tension, and moving parts should operate without grinding or looseness.

When to Reject or Request Exchange

Knowing when to approve, request additional photos, or reject an item is a critical judgment skill. Minor cosmetic issues that will not be visible during normal wear may not warrant rejection, especially on lower-cost items. However, certain issues should always trigger a rejection or exchange request. Structural defects like broken stitching, misaligned seams, or non-functional hardware affect durability and should never be accepted. Shape inaccuracies on footwear that alter the visible silhouette are significant because shoes are viewed from all angles during wear. Incorrect sizing where measurements deviate meaningfully from the spreadsheet specifications should be rejected immediately. Color mismatches that are obvious in natural lighting conditions are unacceptable for items where color is a defining characteristic. Print or embroidery errors on graphic pieces, including misspelled text or incorrect placement, should always be returned. Trust your judgment: if an issue bothers you in the QC photo, it will bother you more when the item arrives.

QC Photography Best Practices

Maximizing the value of QC photography starts with knowing what to request before items arrive at the warehouse. Communicate specific angle requests to your agent when placing the order, particularly for categories where standard QC photos may not cover critical details. For shoes, request side profile, top-down view, heel close-up, insole removal shot, and interior construction photo. For apparel, request flat lay measurements, collar close-up, shoulder seam detail, print close-up if graphic, and interior label. For accessories, request all sides, interior shots, hardware close-ups, and functional demonstration if applicable. Request natural lighting or color-accurate lighting rather than warehouse fluorescent lighting when color accuracy is critical. Finally, ask for photos against a neutral background when possible, as busy backgrounds make detail comparison more difficult.

This checklist reflects best practices as of May 2026. Individual item types may have additional category-specific inspection points not covered here. When in doubt, request more photos rather than fewer. The QC phase is your insurance policy against disappointment.