How to Ask Your Agent for Extra Photos and Measurements
By Chen Hong Jie · Updated · 5 min · Español · Français · Italiano · Français (CA)
Quick answer
Ask for extra photos when an important area isn’t visible (size label, stitching, sole, inside) and for measurements when you’re unsure about the size. Write a short, specific request in plain English, add the Chinese version and paste it into your agent’s chat or the order note. The Check QC message generator builds both texts for you.
Ask your agent for extra photos whenever a part that matters isn’t visible in the standard QC set, and ask for measurements whenever the size is in doubt. Keep the request short and specific — name the exact part or measurement — write it in plain English, add the Chinese version, and send it through the agent’s chat, ticket system or the order note. Below you’ll find which photos are most useful for each product, how to get measurements you can actually compare, and copy-ready templates.
Why the standard QC photos aren’t always enough
Most agents take a fixed set of photos: front, back, maybe the label and one close-up. That works for a plain T-shirt, but not for sneakers (you need both tags and both sides), a jacket (the zipper done up, the lining) or electronics (the item powered on). If the one detail that decides between GL and RL isn’t there, asking for it is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Which extra photos to ask for, by product
| Product | Most useful extra photos |
|---|---|
| T-shirts and hoodies | Size label, collar stitching, close-up of the print |
| Jackets and coats | Zipper done up, inside and lining |
| Pants and jeans | Waist measured flat, fly open, both legs folded together |
| Sneakers | Both tags, both sides, the outsole |
| Bags and backpacks | Where the handles join the body, the inside, the hardware |
| Electronics | Item powered on, voltage label |
Each product checklist highlights the points that most often need an extra photo — for example, the sneaker checklist flags mismatched tags as a critical check.
How to get measurements you can compare
- Ask for flat measurements — the garment laid flat on a table.
- Name the measurements you want: chest (pit to pit), length, shoulders, sleeve; waist and inseam for pants; insole length for shoes.
- Ask for centimetres. Chinese size charts are in cm, so you avoid conversion errors.
- Compare with the chart and with a piece of clothing you already own and like the fit of. Measure yours the same way, flat, in cm.
Remember that many Chinese charts give the full chest or waist (胸围, 腰围). Divide by two before comparing with a flat measurement. A difference of up to 2 cm is normal for knits.
Templates you can copy
Extra photos (English):
Hello, could you please take a few more photos of this item? I would like to see the size label and the stitching. Thank you!
Extra photos (Chinese):
您好，麻烦帮我多拍几张这个商品的照片，我想看：尺码标、走线。谢谢！
Measurements (English):
Hello, could you please measure this item flat and send me the chest width (pit to pit) and length in cm? Thank you!
Measurements (Chinese):
您好，麻烦帮我平铺测量一下这件商品的胸宽（腋下平铺）、衣长，单位厘米。谢谢！
For any other combination, the agent message generator lets you tick the parts or measurements you want and copies both versions in one click.
Where to send your request
| When | Where |
|---|---|
| Before you pay for the order | In the order note or comment field |
| Item already at the warehouse | Agent chat, support ticket or the paid photo service |
| After an exchange | Same as above, for the replacement item |
Adding the request to the order note at checkout is the smoothest option: the agent takes the photos you want on the first pass, and you save a round trip.
Tips for getting a useful answer
- One request, all the details. Listing everything in one message is faster than three follow-ups.
- Be precise. “The inside of the left shoe near the heel” beats “more photos please”.
- Ask for daylight if colour matters. Warehouse lights shift tones — see why in our guide to QC photo colour differences.
- Stay polite and short. The Chinese templates use the polite phrasing agents’ support teams are used to.
- Check the price list. Some agents charge per extra photo; it’s usually small, but it adds up across a big haul.
Requests that work well (and ones that don’t)
The difference between getting the photo you need and getting another generic shot is usually the wording. Compare:
| Vague request | Precise request |
|---|---|
| More photos please | A close-up of the size label inside the collar |
| Check the shoes | Both shoes side by side from above, and the inner tag of each shoe |
| Is the colour right? | One photo of the front in natural daylight, next to a window |
| Measure it | Chest width pit to pit and total length, laid flat, in cm |
| Does it work? | A short video of the item powered on, showing the screen or lights |
Precise requests also make it easier for the warehouse team, who handle hundreds of items a day and often work from the Chinese text. The more concrete you are, the less room there is for misunderstanding.
A few more things to keep in mind:
- Group your requests by item. If you have several items at the warehouse, send one request per item rather than one long message for everything. It keeps each ticket clear.
- Be realistic about video. Short videos are common for electronics and sneakers, but not every agent offers them for every item. Check the agent’s service list first.
- Ask once, then follow up. If you haven’t heard back within a reasonable time, reply in the same ticket instead of opening a new one.
- Keep the photos. Save the extra photos alongside the original QC set. If you need to open a return later, you’ll have the evidence ready.
If you’re ordering several sizes or colours of the same item, ask for a measurement photo of each one: it’s the fastest way to spot the one that doesn’t match.
What to do with the new photos
Once the extra photos arrive, go back to your checklist and update the points you’d marked “can’t tell”. If everything checks out, approve the item. If the new photos reveal a problem, move on to requesting an exchange or return while the item is still in China.
Frequently asked questions
+How many extra photos can I ask for?
It depends on the agent: some include a few for free and charge for the rest. Ask only for the photos you need to make a decision.
+Can I ask for extra photos before the item arrives?
Yes. Add the request to the order note when you buy, and the agent can take those photos as soon as the item reaches the warehouse.
+How do I ask for a garment to be measured?
Ask for flat measurements in centimetres and name the ones you want: chest width, length, shoulders and sleeve. The “Ask for measurements” template in our generator does it for you.
+Do I need to write in Chinese?
No, but it helps. Agents read English; adding the Chinese version makes it easy for the warehouse team or the seller to act on it without a translation step.