I recently bought two BAPE shark hoodies on Litbuy—one cheap and one expensive. The cheap one was around $10, and the expensive one was around $40. Let’s start with the cheap one. After seeing the quality control (QC) photos, I decided to return it immediately. Just looking at the QC shots, you can tell the fabric is terrible—probably what people often call “plastic clothing,” commonly known as polyester. Just look at the photos, and you’ll get the picture. With my sensitive skin, I felt like my skin would protest if I wore it. So I returned it immediately. However, after communicating with customer service, I ended up covering the return shipping costs myself, resulting in a loss of just under $1. I spent $5 on this shirt, and my desire to save money ended up costing me $1.

Later, when I talked to my friends on Discord, they told me that this kind of clothing is very cheap in China. The sellers aren’t overcharging you; just selling you low-quality goods is already showing good faith. So if you really love buying these replicas from China, you have to learn to look at the QC photos—otherwise, you’re bound to get ripped off later, because you won’t always get the best batch of merchandise.

This experience also taught me the truth behind the saying: “You get what you pay for.”

Now, about the more expensive one—it arrived at the warehouse at almost the same time. After I received the quality control photo, I noticed that this image didn’t have that reflective sheen; the fabric looked like decent quality, so I decided to keep it. I proceeded to place the order, paid $20 for shipping, and it arrived at my doorstep in 7 days. Below is the actual quality control photo I received.

The packaging is pretty nice. The bag isn’t one of those flimsy, cheap plastic ones—it’s actually quite sturdy—and all the tags are intact. When I opened the package and held it in my hand, it felt heavy; I’d guess it weighs around 400 grams. The inside has that looped terry texture, and the color is spot-on. There are a few loose threads at the cuffs, and the label at the collar has been cut off, so I can’t comment on that. The fabric feels slightly stiff, probably because it’s brand new and hasn’t been washed yet. Overall, I’m quite satisfied. It’s a replica, but I paid $40 for this one—ten times the price of the cheaper version.

It’s definitely expensive, but it’s definitely good. You get what you pay for—this saying is interpreted very clearly when shopping in China, so don’t choose items that are so cheap you can’t believe it just because you’re looking for a bargain. Because that’s definitely something you’re sacrificing quality for.

Now that I’ve been wearing it out, my friends keep asking where I bought it. When I tell them Litbuy, they don’t believe me. It’s only when I pull out my phone to show them the order that they finally realize it.

That’s how Litbuy is—there are good and bad options, and you need to be discerning. Don’t just look at the price; check the origin, the materials, and the craftsmanship. That piece from Shangrao, Jiangxi, was a lesson learned. This one from Guangzhou is the real find.

There’s a wide selection of Bape hoodies on Litbuy, but the quality varies. My advice is: it’s better to spend a little more and get the Guangzhou-made ones.