Shipping a rep before you have checked it is the single most expensive mistake a buyer can make. Once the parcel leaves the warehouse, a bad logo or a broken zipper becomes your problem to fix or eat. The reason buyers skip this step is not laziness — it is that they do not have a system, so they look at the photos, feel vaguely uneasy, and hit ship anyway. This is the full 20-point checklist I run on every item before I press ship, grouped so you can move through it fast and with confidence.
Identity and Details (Items 1–4)
- Correct model and colorway. Does the item match the exact listing you paid for? A wrong colorway is the most common silent swap.
- Size label. Check the printed size on the tag, the box, and the insole. All three must agree.
- Logo placement. Is the logo centered, level, and the correct size? Slight misplacement is visible from across a room.
- Packaging. If you paid for a box, dust bag, or tags, confirm they are present and not crushed.
Construction and Stitching (Items 5–10)
- Seam alignment. Panels should meet cleanly with no gaps or overlaps.
- Stitch density. Stitches should be tight and even, not skipping or running loose.
- Loose threads. One is snip-able; a cluster suggests poor finishing throughout.
- Glue marks. Check sole edges, heel counters, and logo edges for dried glue residue.
- Symmetry. Compare left and right — collar height, toe shape, and heel curve should mirror each other.
- Shape integrity. Creases and dents from folding are normal; a warped sole or misaligned toe is not.
Materials and Finishing (Items 11–16)
- Material texture. Leather should not look plasticky; suede should have a visible nap, not a flat sheen.
- Color consistency. Compare panels under the same light; mismatched shades happen more than you would think.
- Hardware finish. Zippers, buckles, and eyelets should be clean, not scratched or tarnished.
- Embossing and printing. Letters should be sharp and deep, not shallow or bleeding at the edges.
- Stains and marks. Scan the entire surface for scuffs, pen marks, or water spots.
- Odor clues. A strong chemical smell is invisible in a photo — ask your agent to note any unusual smell.
Function and Completeness (Items 17–20)
- Zippers operate. Ask for a photo of the zipper mid-track; a jammed zipper photographs deceptively well when closed.
- Closures and snaps. Buttons, magnets, and clasps should be present and aligned.
- All pieces accounted for. Laces, straps, removable liners, and extras must all be in the shot.
- Both sides photographed. If only one angle is shown, request the other before approving.
Quick Reference Table
| Zone | Top issue to catch | Action if wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Logo | Off-center or tilted | Request exchange |
| Stitching | Skipped or loose stitches | Exchange if widespread |
| Hardware | Scratched or jammed zipper | Exchange |
| Size tag | Mismatched labels | Always exchange |
| Material | Wrong texture or shade | Exchange if obvious |
The Five Most Common Misses
In my experience, five problems slip past buyers more than any others. The wrong colorway, because buyers assume the listing photo is what they got. The inner size tag, because the default photos rarely show it. The back of the hardware, because scratches hide there. The sole edge, because glue residue collects there. And a jammed zipper, because it is always photographed closed. If you remember nothing else from this list, check those five spots.
Using the Checklist With Your Agent
Working through twenty points sounds tedious, but it takes under two minutes once it is a habit. The practical way to use it is to keep it open while you review, and to message your agent any missing photo requests in a single batch the moment the item arrives. Keeping the list in a tracking sheet — the kind you can build alongside a tool like sheetquik.com — means you never skip the material check on item seven of a ten-item haul. Oopbuy Spreadsheet readers tell us the same thing every month: the shipping button is a one-way door, and this checklist is the lock.