Review methodology

Order stage

We place the order through the Kakobuy agent as an ordinary customer and log the timestamp. We record the time from order placement to agent purchase, from purchase to warehouse arrival, from warehouse arrival to QC images, and from QC approval to international dispatch. Those four intervals form the agent timing table that accompanies each report. Photographs of the QC set are archived unedited.

Bench stage

On arrival the parcel is photographed sealed, weighed on a calibrated scale, then opened and photographed flat. We measure chest, shoulder, sleeve, inseam, hem and collar depth on garments, or footprint, midsole stack and internal length on footwear, using a seam gauge and a steel rule. Textiles get a stitch density count per 3 cm at three seams, a seam allowance measurement, and a fibre check by burn test where the listing states a blend. Packaging condition, odour and hardware finish are noted in plain language.

Comparison stage

Each item is placed in a comparison table against two or three alternatives bought the same way. The table shows measured weight, measured dimensions, stated versus observed composition, agent handling time and price paid, so a reader can see where the difference actually lies.

Scoring stage

Five criteria carry the score: construction, materials, fit or function, documentation accuracy and agent communication. Each is scored on the five-point scale, then weighted into a single figure written as X / 5. Hands-on scores in this book run from 4.0 to 5.0. A score of 5 means we found no material fault; 4 means one clear weakness that a buyer can plan around. Scores are signed off by two editors before publication and the retest date is set at sign-off.