Beginner Guide

HOW TO BUY

Everything you need to know — from choosing an agent to receiving your package. No experience needed.

01 — What Are Reps?

"Reps" (short for replicas) are products inspired by or resembling branded items, manufactured primarily in China. They range from budget quality to near-indistinguishable "1:1" copies of the originals.

Filfindz curates links to products across all quality tiers, focusing on the best value finds. We don't manufacture anything — we simply surface the best seller listings from Weidian and Taobao.

⚠️ Note: The legality of purchasing replica goods varies by country. Filfindz does not endorse or encourage any illegal activity. Please read our full disclaimer before purchasing.

02 — What Is a Shopping Agent?

Chinese platforms like Weidian and Taobao don't ship internationally directly, and most sellers don't accept foreign payment methods. A shopping agent acts as a middleman:

  • You send them the product link and your size/variant
  • They purchase it on your behalf using their Chinese account
  • The item ships to the agent's warehouse
  • You pay for international shipping and they send it to you

Agents typically charge a small service fee (around 5–10%) on top of the item price, plus international shipping. All Filfindz links are pre-formatted for the most popular agents.

03 — Choosing an Agent

All the agents below are widely trusted by the rep community. Most Filfindz links default to Joyagoo.

AgentNotes
Joyagoo DefaultFast UI, good customer support. All Filfindz links are pre-formatted for Joyagoo. Recommended for beginners.
KakobuyOnce known as Hagobuy. Solid warehouse QC photos, growing community. Good alternative if Joyagoo is unavailable for a specific item.
AcbuyEstablished agent with a clean interface and competitive shipping rates. Reliable for both Weidian and Taobao orders.
OopbuyEstablished agent. Good for bulk hauls with items from multiple sellers consolidated into one parcel.

04 — Step-by-Step Buying Process

  1. Find a product on Filfindz and click "Buy Now." This opens the agent page for that item.
  2. Create an account on the agent site if you don't have one. Verify your email.
  3. Select your variant (size, colour) and add to cart.
  4. Submit your order. You'll pay the item cost in CNY (Chinese Yuan). Most agents accept PayPal, credit cards, or crypto.
  5. Wait for warehouse arrival. This typically takes 3–7 days. You'll be notified when your item arrives.
  6. Check QC Photos (see section 05) and review them carefully.
  7. If approved, select your shipping line and pay for international shipping.
  8. Track your package via the agent's tracking page or 17Track.
💡 Tip: You can use the Link Converter to switch any Weidian or Taobao link to your preferred agent.

05 — Quality Check (QC) Photos

QC photos are pictures of your actual item taken at the agent's warehouse before shipping. Always request QC photos before approving shipment.

What to Check

  • Labels & tags: Check the brand label, size label, and washing instructions tag. Compare to authentic photos online.
  • Logos & embroidery: Look for clean stitching, correct fonts, and accurate placement.
  • Stitching quality: Seams should be straight and even with no loose threads.
  • Colourways: Compare to the seller's listing — colours can differ from photos.
  • Sole (for shoes): Check for bubbles, clean gluing, and correct pattern.

Post your QC photos in our Telegram or Discord for community feedback.

⚠️ GL vs. RL: "GL" means "Green Light" (good to ship). "RL" means "Red Light" (reject and refund). Most agents allow 1–2 free reshoot requests.

06 — Shipping Lines

After approving QC, you choose a shipping method. Common options:

  • EMS — Budget option, 15–30 days, higher customs risk
  • Royal Mail Lines — Mid-range, Safe from customs alot of the time, 10–20 days
  • DHL / UPS / FedEx — Fast (5–10 days), more expensive, higher customs scrutiny
  • Sea freight — Very cheap for bulk, 30–60 days

For most rep items, Royal Mail strikes the best balance between speed, cost, and customs risk.

07 — Customs & Risk

Items may be inspected and occasionally seized by customs. The rep community refers to this as "seized" or "held." To minimise risk:

  • Ask your agent to remove or obscure branded packaging and tags before shipping
  • Use economy shipping lines that receive less scrutiny
  • Don't ship large quantities of the same item in one parcel
  • Many agents offer reshipping guarantees if your package is seized — check before ordering
⚠️ Risk acknowledgement: Customs seizure is always a possibility. Filfindz takes no responsibility for seized, lost, or delayed packages. See our Disclaimer.

08 — Pro Tips

  • Join our Telegram and Discord — experienced buyers help newcomers daily
  • Use the Link Converter to switch any link to your preferred agent instantly
  • Check seller ratings and review counts before ordering — higher is better
  • For shoes, always check the size guide if provided
  • Consolidate multiple items into one parcel to save on shipping costs
  • Screenshot your QC photos — they're useful if you need to dispute quality issues later