What does RL and GL mean in W2C?

RL means Red Light — you are rejecting the item and requesting a return or replacement. GL means Green Light — you are approving the item for shipment. These terms come from the traffic light system used in QC communities.

How many QC photos should I expect?

A good agent will provide 8-15 photos for shoes and 5-10 for clothing. If you receive fewer than 5 photos, you can request additional angles from your agent before making a GL/RL decision.

Can I get a refund if I GL an item and it arrives damaged?

If the item arrives with damage not visible in the QC photos, most agents will offer a partial refund or replacement. However, if the defect was visible in the QC photos and you still GL'd it, you generally cannot claim a refund.

Where can I get help reading QC photos?

The GTBuy Telegram and Discord communities are excellent resources. Post your QC photos and experienced community members will help you identify any issues and make the GL/RL decision.

How to QC Your Orders: The Complete Photo Inspection Guide

Quality control (QC) is the most critical step in the W2C buying process. Before your agent ships your order, they take detailed photos of the actual item you will receive. These QC photos are your last chance to catch defects, wrong items, or quality issues before the package leaves China. Getting good at reading QC photos can save you from receiving disappointing items and help you build a collection of high-quality finds. This guide covers everything from basic inspection techniques to advanced defect spotting.

Understanding the QC Process

When your agent receives an item at their warehouse, they photograph it from multiple angles before storing it. These photos are uploaded to your order dashboard, and you have a window (usually 24-72 hours) to review them and decide whether to approve shipment (GL — Green Light) or request a return/replacement (RL — Red Light). Some agents also offer a "hold" option if you need more time to decide.

Day 1

Order Placed

Agent purchases item from seller on Weidian/Taobao

Day 2-3

Item Received

Agent receives item at warehouse, begins QC photography

Day 3-4

QC Photos Uploaded

You receive notification to review QC photos

Day 4-5

GL or RL Decision

You approve shipment (GL) or request return (RL)

Day 5-7

Packaging & Shipping

Agent packages and ships your approved items

What to Check for Shoes

Shoes are the most complex items to QC because there are so many details that can go wrong. Start with the overall shape — does the silhouette match the retail version? Then check the sole, which should have clean, even molding with no air bubbles or rough edges. The upper material should be consistent in texture and color. Check the stitching around the toe box, heel, and tongue — it should be tight and even. Finally, examine the logo, text, and any branding elements for correct font, placement, and color.

Shoes: Check These

Sole shape and molding quality
Upper material texture and color
Stitching evenness around all seams
Logo font, size, and placement
Insole printing and branding
Lace holes and hardware quality
Heel counter stiffness and shape

Common Shoe Defects

Glue marks on the midsole
Uneven or crooked stitching
Wrong colorway or materials
Blurry or incorrect logo text
Asymmetric toe box shape
Loose or missing lace holes
Creasing on unworn leather

What to Check for Clothing

For hoodies, t-shirts, and jackets, the main things to check are print quality, stitching, and material weight. Prints should be crisp with no bleeding, cracking, or misalignment. Check that the print is centered and at the correct height on the garment. Stitching should be tight and even, especially at stress points like the cuffs, collar, and hem. The material should feel substantial — thin, lightweight fabric is a sign of poor quality.

Ask your agent to photograph the item next to a ruler or measuring tape if you are unsure about sizing. This is especially useful for hoodies and jackets where fit is critical.

The RL/GL Decision Framework

Deciding whether to GL (approve) or RL (reject) an item can be stressful, especially for beginners. Use this framework: First, compare the QC photos to the listing photos and any retail reference images you can find. Second, identify any defects and rate their severity. Minor defects like a slightly off-center print or small thread are usually acceptable. Major defects like wrong colorway, significant logo errors, or structural issues warrant an RL.

Open the QC photos and the original listing photos side by side.

Check the overall shape and silhouette first — is it the right item?

Zoom in on logos, text, and branding elements for accuracy.

Examine stitching and construction quality at all seams.

Check for any visible defects, stains, or damage.

Rate each issue: Minor (acceptable), Moderate (consider RL), Major (definitely RL).

If in doubt, post the QC photos to the GTBuy community on Telegram or Discord for a second opinion.

Using the GTBuy Spreadsheet QC Photos

The GTBuy Spreadsheet includes QC photos for many products in the database. These are real photos from community members who have already ordered and received the items. When you open a product modal, scroll to the QC Photos section to see these images. They give you a realistic preview of what to expect before you even place your order, helping you make a more informed purchasing decision.

Never GL an item if you have serious doubts about the quality. The cost of returning an item is much lower than the disappointment of receiving something that does not meet your expectations. Trust your instincts — if something looks wrong in the QC photos, it probably is.