Mulebuy spreadsheet checklist
Use this before you save a product, share it, or move it into a buying plan. Some rows look good for ten seconds and fall apart once you open the listing.
Row checks
The row should answer these questions
- What exactly is the item?
- Does the product link still open?
- Are the image, title, price, and options consistent?
- Is there a reason to trust this row over a similar one?
- Does the row include sizing, material, or version notes when those details matter?
If a row cannot answer the basics, treat it as a lead, not a recommendation. You can still investigate it, but do not give it the same weight as a row with clear photos, a working link, and notes that actually help.
Quality signals worth checking
A spreadsheet row becomes more useful when it gives you proof, not just excitement. Look for details that help you decide what to inspect next.
| Signal | Good row | Weak row |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | Multiple angles, close-ups, and options that match the title. | One thumbnail, repeated seller images, or missing details. |
| Notes | Mentions sizing, material, batch, weight, or a seller-specific warning. | Only says "best," "must buy," "cheap," or "safe." |
| Freshness | Current listing still matches the saved row. | Changed product page, missing variants, or old price. |
| Category fit | Grouped with items you can compare fairly. | Mixed into a broad list where the row looks better than it is. |
Category checks
Category sorting matters more than it seems. Clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, and electronics should not sit in one endless list unless the filters are strong. You compare better when the items are actually similar.
| Category | Check first | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Fit, measurements, fabric, season, and product photos. | Clothing |
| Shoes | Shape, sole, sizing comments, and recent images. | Shoes |
| Bags | Dimensions, hardware, compartments, and strap details. | Bags |
| Accessories | Material, close-ups, sizing, and whether the item is easy to verify. | Accessories |
| Electronics | Specs, plug type, compatibility, and included parts. | Electronics |
Risk checks
The most common problem is a stale row: the product changed, the seller swapped options, or the price moved. Slow down when a listing has vague photos, missing sizes, strange variants, or a product title that no longer matches the sheet.
A simple scoring method
Give each promising row one point for clear photos, a working link, sizing or spec notes, fair price, and category fit. A five-point row is worth comparing. A two-point row might still be interesting, but it needs more checking before it belongs on a shortlist.
Use the score to slow yourself down, not to make the decision automatic. A product can score well and still be wrong for your size, shipping budget, or use case.
Open FindsIndex when you need current products instead of another copied spreadsheet tab.
