GL or RL? What they mean, and when to return an item
Two letters you'll see under every QC post. Here's what they mean and how to make the call yourself.
Check QC photos nowGL and RL in one line
| Term | Means | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| GL | Green light | The item looks good - keep it and add it to your next parcel. |
| RL | Red light | Something's wrong - ask the agent to exchange it or return it to the seller. |
When to RL
- Wrong item, colour or size. Always RL. The seller made the mistake and normally pays for the exchange.
- Real defects: holes, stains, broken zips, glue everywhere, peeling prints.
- Flaws other orders don't have. Compare your photos with earlier QCs of the same product in the QC checker. If yours is worse than the usual, it's worth an exchange.
- Measurements far off the size chart - more than 2-3 cm on a tee, or a shoe that measures a size off.
When to GL
When it matches the earlier QCs and nothing above applies. Every item has tiny imperfections - so do retail ones. Returns cost time and sometimes money, and the replacement can come back with a different flaw. If you'd be happy wearing it, GL it.
Return or exchange?
An exchange gets you another piece of the same item - best for defects and wrong sizes. A return refunds you - best when every album of that listing shows the same problem, so another piece won't be better. Then look for the item from a different seller and check their QCs before buying.
Other words you'll see next to QC photos
- W2C - where to cop: someone asking for the link.
- Batch - a factory's version of an item. Different batches of the same shoe can look very different.
- Retail - the original item from the brand, used as the reference.
- In-hand - photos taken after the item arrived at home, not at the warehouse.
- QC - quality check; the warehouse photos themselves.
Quick answers
What does GL mean?
GL means green light: the QC photos look good, so you keep the item and ship it.
What does RL mean?
RL means red light: something is wrong in the QC photos, so you ask the agent to exchange or return the item.