The photo column
The photo tells you the style. It does not tell you the exact item you will receive. Many spreadsheet photos are seller images, sometimes reused by several sellers. Treat the photo as "this is the look" and use the QC photos later to confirm the actual item.
Watch for collage images. A photo showing twelve colourways usually means the listing has twelve options, and the price may vary between them. Photos with a ruler or tape measure in the frame are a good sign: they often come from buyers or warehouses rather than marketing shoots.
The name column
Names are written by whoever made the spreadsheet. Some are precise ("grey heavyweight zip hoodie, 450 gsm"), others are vague ("hoodie 3"). A good name describes the product type, colour and a key detail. If the name is vague, rely on the product page.
Be aware that names are translations and simplifications. A "leather" jacket in a name may be faux leather on the product page; a "wool" sweater may be a blend. When material matters to you, look for the fabric details in the listing photos or ask the agent.
The price column
The price is the item price only, usually converted to USD. It does not include:
- Domestic delivery from the seller to the warehouse.
- Optional services such as extra photos or special packing.
- International shipping, which depends on weight, size and line.
When a price shows a range, such as $21–37, the listing holds several versions at different prices. The lowest number is usually the simplest version. Exchange rates also move, so a price converted to USD last month may be slightly different today.
The category column
Categories help you filter. They are not a quality ranking. "Designer shoes" and "sneakers" might be the same type of product filed differently by different list makers. Use categories to narrow your search, then judge each item on its own page.
Some spreadsheets also have sub-categories, for example "Hoodies › Zip" or "Shoes › Boots". These are handy when a main category has hundreds of rows.
The link column
The link opens the product page. Always do three things there:
- Confirm the photos match the spreadsheet row.
- Select the exact option you want and check its price.
- Read the size chart before adding to cart.
If a link opens a different item or an empty page, the listing may have been removed. Skip it and choose another row rather than buying a substitute you have not researched.
Notes, ratings and "batch" columns
Some spreadsheets add extra columns: a star rating, a short note such as "runs small", or a supplier name. These are opinions from the list maker or the community. They are valuable hints, especially for sizing, but they are not guarantees. A note that was true for one stock batch may not be true for the next.
A "popularity" or "sales" column is useful in a different way: it shows what many people have ordered. Popular items are not automatically better, but they tend to have more buyer feedback, which makes sizing easier to predict.
A quick reading routine
| Look at | Ask yourself |
|---|---|
| Photo | Do I like the style? Is this one of many options? |
| Name | Is the product type and colour clear? |
| Price | Is this a range? What will shipping add? |
| Notes | Any sizing or quality warnings? |
| Link | Does the page match, and which option do I need? |
Five questions, about thirty seconds per row. Once it becomes a habit, you will spot a weak listing before you even click.
Example: reading three rows
Row A shows a single white sneaker, the name "White low-top leather sneaker", a fixed price and a note "true to size". This is a simple listing: one style, one price, a clear sizing hint. Open it, choose your size and you are done.
Row B shows a collage of twelve hoodies, the name "Graphic hoodie (multi)", a price range of $16–46 and no notes. This is a multi-product listing. You need to find your exact design among the options, check its own price and size chart, and expect to spend more time on the product page.
Row C shows a jacket, the name "Puffer jacket", a price and a broken link. Skip it. Search the spreadsheet for a similar jacket instead of guessing which listing it used to be.
Putting it together
Reading a spreadsheet well is mostly about knowing what each column cannot tell you. The photo cannot show the real item, the name cannot guarantee the material, the price cannot include shipping and the category cannot rank quality. The product page, your size measurements and the QC photos fill those gaps. For the full ordering routine, see how to use an Oopbuy spreadsheet in 5 steps.