← All guides

Getting Started

What to do when spreadsheet links fail

Action playbook only. Ordering basics stay in How to use the spreadsheet. If you need the “why links age / how to diagnose destination pages” answer, open the Blog diagnostic — this Guide is the recovery steps.

Read this when:When a spreadsheet URL 404s, shows the wrong item, or only opens a shop root.

Browse product links →All guides

Preview more live listings, then paste the marketplace URL into MyCNBox when you are ready to order.

Quick reference

Triage

SignalDo this
404 / removedKeyword search in the same category
Shop opens, item goneDo not swap SKUs casually
Truncated URLRe-copy the full product link
Shop homepage onlySkip — need a specific item URL
Price jumped after recoverRe-budget Stage 1 before paying

Step-by-step

  1. Confirm it is really dead

    Retry in a private window. Truncated paste, redirects, and translation overlays can look like removals.

    If the shop loads but the item ID is gone, retire the row. Do not substitute a “similar” SKU from the same shop casually.

  2. Capture keywords before you bounce

    Note silhouette cues, colourway words, and any distinctive title fragments from the card.

    Vague memory searches create wrong replacements and repeat the same failure.

  3. Recover inside the same category lane

    Search this site / catalog in the same lane, then open fresh live marketplace pages.

    Match photos and size charts — not titles alone.

  4. Re-qualify before Stage 1

    Prefer the clearer gallery and readable chart when two candidates look close.

    Re-check stock, price, and variant on the day you order. A “found it again” row can still be the wrong batch.

  5. Abandon broken research early

    A dead link is cheaper than a bad Stage 1 buy that fails QC later.

    Skip shop homepages, image shares, and social short links with no recoverable item ID.

Before you continue

  1. Confirmed not just a bad paste
  2. Keywords captured
  3. Recovery search stayed in-lane
  4. Live variant/price re-checked
  5. No shop-homepage orders

FAQ

Why do spreadsheet links die so often?

Sellers edit, restock, or remove pages. Research lists age; MyCNBox still needs a live item URL.

Can MyCNBox buy from a shop homepage?

Usually no. You need a specific product URL that identifies the item.

Is a similar photo good enough?

Only if the live listing matches the variant you want. Photos get reused across batches.

I already paid Stage 1 on a bad URL — now what?

Manage it inside MyCNBox. Watch purchase/QC outcomes and use official after-sales paths; do not ignore warehouse photos.

Related guides

Next decisions in the haul flow.

Getting StartedHow to use the spreadsheetShortlist here, then paste the live product URL into MyCNBox and follow Stage 1 → QC → ship.Read guide →Getting StartedFirst haul checklistKeep the first haul small, category-focused, and reviewed twice — at shortlist and at QC.Read guide →After-salesWarehouse QC & storageWarehouse photos are your last easy reject window — use storage to gather keepers, not to ignore bad QC.Read guide →

Related blog Q&A

Shorter answers to one search question — not a second copy of this guide.

Soft timing and fee claims above come from public help summaries. Re-verify inside the live MyCNBox dashboard / help center before you pay.

Browse spreadsheet product links

Then paste the marketplace URL into MyCNBox and review warehouse QC before shipping.

Buyer shares →Blog →Back to help center