What a spreadsheet partner is
A spreadsheet partner is an agent service with a catalogue in front of it. The catalogue lists items sourced from Chinese marketplaces — Taobao, Weidian, 1688 — with the seller's own photos and a CNY price. You pick, the agent buys on your behalf, the item arrives at a warehouse in China, and you approve it before it ships internationally.
The catalogue is not a shop. It does not hold stock, it does not set the price, and it cannot guarantee what a seller will send. What it does is give you one basket, one warehouse and one shipping bill for items from five different sellers — which is the actual value.
The four-step flow
- Pick and pay. The CNY price is charged at this point. Nothing else is charged yet.
- The seller ships to the warehouse. Two to five days, domestic. If a seller is out of stock, this is where you find out.
- QC photos. The warehouse photographs your item. This is your only chance to reject a wrong size, a wrong colour or a damaged piece.
- International shipping. You choose a line and pay by weight. Then the parcel leaves and the clock starts.
A worked cost example
Take a jersey listed at CNY 137.28 — one of the pieces on our listing page.
| Line | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Item, listed | CNY 137.28 (≈ $19) | What the catalogue shows |
| Agent fee | ≈ 5% | Varies by platform and order size |
| Domestic shipping | CNY 8–15 | Per seller, not per item |
| International shipping | CNY 90–140 per kg | A jersey is about 0.3 kg; a coat is 1.2 kg |
| Delivered, roughly | $37–47 | For one light item on a mid-speed line |
The point of the table is not the exact number — it is that the delivered total is roughly 1.5× the listed price for a light item, and closer to 1.3× for a heavy one, because shipping is charged by weight rather than value.
The fees nobody lists
| Fee | What it is | When it lands |
|---|---|---|
| Item price | The CNY number on the listing | Always shown; this is what you see on our pages |
| Agent service fee | Usually a small percentage or a flat fee per order | Charged when you pay for the item |
| Domestic shipping in China | A few CNY per seller | Charged even if the item is cheap |
| QC photos | Free at most agents | Ask for extra angles on anything branded |
| International shipping | Charged by actual or volumetric weight | The biggest variable — see the timeline below |
| Currency conversion | A spread on the mid-market rate | Small per order, noticeable on large ones |
Timeline, week by week
| Stage | Working days | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Order to warehouse | 2–5 | Nothing; watch for an out-of-stock notice |
| QC and approval | 1–2 | Check photos within 24 hours |
| International (budget line) | 10–20 | Track the number; do not re-order |
| International (fast line) | 5–9 | Pay more, arrive sooner |
For a 31 October deadline, the last safe order date on a budget line is around 8 October. On a fast line, around 18 October. After that, buy locally and accept the price.
What can go wrong
- Wrong size. Asian sizing runs 1–2 steps smaller. Measure a garment you own, not your body.
- Not what the photo showed. Branded listings are seller-supplied and we cannot verify authenticity. Treat the photo as indicative.
- No returns after shipping. Once the parcel leaves the warehouse, returns are effectively over. That is what QC photos are for.
- Slow line. Cheap shipping can take twice as long. If you need it before 31 October, pay for a faster line or order earlier.
We are not affiliated with any seller or agent. Branded products sold through these platforms may not be authentic, and we cannot verify them. Treat every listing as seller-supplied information.
Before you pay: a short checklist
- Size chart checked against a garment you own — not against your body.
- At least two photos reviewed, including one of the back or a detail shot.
- Delivery date worked backwards from 31 October, with a week of slack.
- Budget includes shipping: roughly 1.3–1.5× the listed price for light items.
- Return policy understood before, not after.
Open the catalogue with listed prices →
Frequently asked questions
Is buying Halloween costumes from China actually cheaper?
For unbranded or multi-style pieces, usually yes — often 40–60% below a seasonal store. For branded goods the saving is smaller once shipping and fees are added, and the authenticity risk is real.
How long does shipping take?
Budget lines run 10–20 days to the US or EU; faster lines 5–9. Add 3–5 days for the seller to reach the warehouse and 1–2 for QC. Order by mid-October for a 31 October deadline.
Do I need an account?
Yes, on the partner platform — an email address is enough. Our site never asks you to register.
Can I return something?
Before international shipping, yes: reject the QC photos and the agent returns it. After it ships, no. Check the size chart twice.
Still deciding? Browse current listings on the spreadsheet →
Last updated: · Independent & unofficial