Signature deep dive
Grade checks and authenticity, explained honestly
Asdbuy's positioning is "superior grade goods," and warehouse photos are a real part of that. But a grade check is a visual check, not a lab test. This page draws a clear line around what those photos can confirm, what they can't, and the part that stays your job — so you order with your eyes open.
The honest line
What a grade check can, can't, and shouldn't be asked to do
Photos can show
- The right colour, size tag and model arrived
- The item matches the listing you ordered
- Obvious defects — stains, tears, scuffs, misprints
- That the parcel actually reached the warehouse
- Rough count and included accessories
- On used items, visible wear versus the description
Photos can't confirm
- Guaranteed authenticity of any brand
- Long-term durability or true materials
- Hidden or internal faults not visible on camera
- How the item performs after use or washing
- How it fits you — a photo isn't a fitting
- Whether it clears your country's customs rules
Your job
- Read the size chart before ordering, not after
- Request extra photos while the item is in the warehouse
- Compare the photos against the original listing
- Ask support before any restricted or borderline buy
- Confirm live fees and shipping lines on Asdbuy
- Decide whether to ship, hold, or query the seller
Definition
What a grade / QC photo actually is
When your item reaches Asdbuy's warehouse, staff photograph it before it ships onward. That is the "grade check" (also called QC — quality control).
A set of warehouse photos — and sometimes short notes — showing the item you actually received: colour, tags, obvious condition, and whether it matches your order.
It is not an authentication service, a materials test, or a durability rating. Nobody is disassembling the item or verifying a factory. Treat it as a careful visual look, no more.
The value of the photo is the moment it gives you: a chance to catch a wrong or damaged item before it crosses a border, when it is far easier to resolve. Use that moment deliberately rather than clicking "ship" on autopilot.
Before you ship
How to request extra photos
The standard photos are a starting point. While the item sits in the warehouse, you can usually ask for more detail — and that is the cheapest insurance you have.
Ask before you approve shipping
Once a parcel leaves, extra photos can't help. Make your requests while the item is still held at the warehouse.
Name the exact angle you want
Be specific: "close-up of the stitching," "sole and heel," "inside label," "screen powered on." Vague requests get vague photos.
Point at the risk area
Ask for whatever tends to go wrong for that category — corners on a bag, the dial on a watch, print alignment on a tee.
Compare against the listing
Put the new photos next to the original product page. If something is off, ask support about your options before you ship or, on final-sale items, factor it in.
Tip: extra-photo and inspection options, and any related fees, are set by Asdbuy and can change. Confirm what's available and what it costs on the official site before you rely on it.
Practical checklists
Reading photos by category
Different items fail in different places. Here is what to look for — and what extra photo to request — for four common categories.
Shoes
- Check both shoes match — shape, colour, logo placement
- Look at stitching, glue lines and midsole evenness
- Confirm the size on the box and inside label
- Ask for: soles, heel counters, and inside the tongue
Clothing
- Match colour and print against the listing photo
- Check print alignment, seams and loose threads
- Read the size tag and compare to the size chart
- Ask for: the care/size label and any graphic close-up
Bags
- Inspect corners, edges and base for scuffs
- Check hardware — zips, clasps, chain — works and matches
- Look at lining, stitching and symmetry
- Ask for: all four corners, hardware close-up, interior
Watches
- Check the dial text, alignment and hands
- Confirm it runs and the crown/functions respond
- Look at the case, bezel and bracelet for marks
- Ask for: dial macro, case back, and a running shot
Browse these categories to see finds before you order — then bring the link back to Asdbuy: Sneakers on W2CSpreadsheet → Bags on W2CSpreadsheet →
Illustration slot
What a helpful QC photo example looks like
What to add: one real warehouse-style photo of a common item (e.g. a sneaker on a plain surface next to its box label), with any order numbers, names or barcodes blurred out.
Why it helps: a single concrete example shows beginners what to expect from a grade check and where to look, far better than words alone.
Caption: "Example grade-check photo: colour, size label and sole condition are all visible in one frame."
Alt text: "Warehouse grade-check photo of a sneaker beside its box, showing the size label and sole for inspection."
Status: not yet added — we will not fabricate a photo. Drop a privacy-safe image here when one is available.
Reality check
Authenticity: an honest take
This is the part a photo cannot solve, so it is worth stating plainly.
A grade check confirms what an item looks like. It cannot certify that any brand-name item is genuine — that would need the brand or a specialist authenticator, not a warehouse camera. If a listing implies a brand, treat brand authenticity as unverified unless it comes from an official source.
Keep your expectations tied to what you can actually confirm: the right item, the right size, no obvious damage, and — on second-hand pieces — condition that matches the description. Anything beyond that is a judgement call you make about the seller and the listing.
Read the policy: Asdbuy publishes a Counterfeit Item Policy. Before ordering anything brand-sensitive, read that policy on the official Asdbuy site so you understand how they handle these items and what is and isn't allowed.
Handle with care
Restricted items & customs
Some items are limited or prohibited on certain shipping lines, or by your own country's import rules. This is separate from quality — a perfect item can still be undeliverable.
If an item might be restricted — batteries, liquids, powders, certain electronics, anything brand-sensitive — ask Asdbuy support whether it can be sourced and shipped to your country before you order.
Import duties, taxes and what's allowed through customs are set by your country, not by Asdbuy. You are responsible for knowing your local rules and any charges on arrival.
Rules change: from 1 July 2026 the EU removed the under-€150 duty exemption for small parcels, and some shipping lines were affected. Shipping availability and fees shift over time, so always confirm current lines and costs on Asdbuy before you commit. See what changed →
When in doubt, ask first. A quick question to support is cheaper than a parcel that can't ship or gets held at the border.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-09 · Independent guide · Confirm live details on asdbuy.com