Review methodology

Every hands-on review follows the same eight steps, in the same order. Most of what a buyer needs to know is decided before the parcel ever moves.

1. Order placement. We paste a product link into the agent, choose size and colour the way a first-time buyer would, and log the minutes from payment to purchase confirmation.
2. QC review. We count the QC photos, note which angles are covered, and request one extra set — sole, label, insole stamp — then log the hours from request to upload.
3. Warehouse intake. Items are checked against the order sheet, weighed on a calibrated scale and photographed on a grey card before consolidation.
4. Consolidation. We ship mixed hauls of two to six items so packing weight and volumetric weight can be compared honestly.
5. Shipping line. We record the line, the quoted transit window, the actual transit days, the tracking updates and any customs charge on delivery.
6. Unboxing. Parcel weight, box condition, tape, moisture protection, creasing and missing items are photographed the day the parcel lands.
7. Fit and wear. Footwear is measured at the insole with calipers and worn for three sessions of at least two hours each; apparel is washed twice at 30 °C before the second wear note.
8. Landed cost. Agent fee, domestic shipping, consolidation, international shipping and duty are added to give a landed cost per item, shown beside the item price in a comparison table.

Scoring

Scores use a five-point scale: 5 excellent, 4 good, 3 adequate, 2 poor, 1 very poor. Each review states the date we ordered, the date we scored and the shipping line used.

Comparison scope

Link each fee, date and measurement to the underlying record. Match QC images to the correct listing variant and arrival observation. For AI-assisted summaries, recheck units, dates, quotations and service names. Generated wording does not prove an inspection. Do not attribute an AI feature to Litbuy without a current source supporting that specific capability, and identify generated illustrations when they could be mistaken for documentary images.

The review identifies the sample, dates, conditions and any steps omitted. A hands-on claim requires documented inspection or use; desk research is labelled. Scoring uses the complete 1-to-5 scale with the criteria and evidence explained, including unfavorable findings and missing information.