5 signs not to buy from a certain seller

Before spending money on something that might arrive damaged or not even reach you at all, check out these five red flags.

1. Only store photos, no real product images

You click on the listing and see only perfect photos from Nike’s website or another well-known brand. There are no pictures of the shoes on a person’s foot or close-ups of the seams.

• Why it’s a problem: A honest seller takes their own photos of what they have. If they only provide images from the internet, you have no idea what you’ll actually receive. You might get a very low-quality fake.
• What to do: Look for listings where the seams, embroidery, sole, and tags are clearly visible. If those aren’t shown, message the seller on WeChat and ask for photos. If they refuse, don’t buy it.

1. Extremely low price for “top quality”

Good shoes (like Jordans 4 from the GX factory) normally cost around $70–80. If someone claims to have the same high-quality product for $35, they’re lying. You’ll just get a cheap fake in a nice box.

• Why it’s a problem: Sellers themselves pay a lot for good products, so they won’t sell them for half price. Someone is trying to scam you.
• What to do: Check what the item costs elsewhere. If one seller’s price is half lower than everyone else’s, it’s not a deal at all. Poor quality stuff.

1. No one has ever bought anything from them.

There are no photos from other buyers online, nor any reviews on Reddit or Discord. A catalog with pictures exists, but no one confirms having received anything from there.

• Why it’s a problem: Even average sellers have some kind of track record. The lack of reviews means it could be a scammer or someone selling junk and deleting negative comments.
• What to do: Search for the seller’s name on Reddit (e.g., in groups like r/FashionReps or r/Repsneakers) to see if anyone has ordered from them before. If there’s no trace of them, don’t take the risk as the first buyer.

1. A thousand different items listed, and each one “perfect.”

You go to their catalog and see 800 products: from T-shirts to perfumes to electronics. Every item claims to be “highest quality 1:1.”

• Why it’s a problem: A good seller specializes in one specific product. Someone who sells shoes, perfumes, and headphones all at once doesn’t check their quality. They just grab whatever they can from wholesalers and list it online.
• What to do: Look for sellers who focus on one brand or type of clothing. For example, NewDp has Ralph Lauren items, Baymaxsocks has socks, and GOAT has Trapstar and other brands. Corteiz. A limited selection means better quality.

1. Contact is only possible through private messages; no regular store exists.

The seller insists on you messaging them on Instagram, WhatsApp, or Telegram. There’s no link to a Chinese store (Weidian or Taobao), and they want you to send money via regular transfers (like PayPal F&F).

• Why this is a problem: Any honest seller has a store on Weidian or Taobao. If they handle everything only through private messages, you have no protection. If they cheat you, you won’t get your money back.
• What to do: Don’t buy through private messages. Always order through a broker (agent, like KakoBuy) who safeguards your money. If the seller doesn’t have a store link, just move on.