How to Use the ZentBuy Spreadsheet
The ZentBuy spreadsheet (people also search for it as "zent buy spreadsheet", "zentbuy sheet" or "zentbuy finds") is a searchable database of Taobao, 1688 and Weidian listings, each one linked straight through to ZentBuy. This tutorial covers how to get what you want out of it in a couple of minutes rather than an afternoon.
It pairs with the complete ZentBuy shopping guide, which covers the ordering, QC and shipping side.
What is in a listing
Every row in the spreadsheet carries:
| Field | What it tells you | How to use it | |---|---|---| | Product name | English title, brand and model | Your main search handle | | Images | Seller photos, often several | First filter for quality | | Price | Last recorded price, converted from CNY | Compare across similar listings | | Category | Sneakers, clothing, bags, watches, accessories, electronics | Narrow the field fast | | Source platform | Taobao, 1688 or Weidian | Sets expectations on price and MOQ | | Buy button | Opens the item inside ZentBuy | One click, no link pasting |
Prices come from the source listing at the time it was indexed. The figure inside ZentBuy at checkout is the one that counts.
Step 1: Search
The search box matches product names. Effective queries look like:
- A brand and a model: "jordan 1 chicago"
- A product type: "cargo pants"
- A material or detail: "leather crossbody"
Keep queries short. Two words beats five, because listings are titled inconsistently and long queries match nothing.
If you get no results, drop a word. "black nike tech fleece hoodie" is four chances to miss; "tech fleece" is one.
Step 2: Filter and sort
Use the category filters to cut the database down before you start scanning:
- Sneakers — the largest category, most of the haul traffic
- Clothing — hoodies, tees, jackets, denim, trousers
- Bags — backpacks, crossbody, tote, luggage
- Watches — analog, digital, smart
- Accessories — jewellery, sunglasses, hats, belts, wallets
- Electronics — audio, cables, cases, gadgets
Then sort. Price ascending is the right default when you are price-hunting; the standard ordering puts popular listings first, which is the better default when you are browsing.
Step 3: Use category pages for browsing
If you do not have a specific item in mind, go through the category pages rather than the search box: sneakers, t-shirts and tops, bags, watches, accessories and electronics. They are built for scrolling and show the full range in one place. The brand hub does the same thing grouped by brand.
Step 4: Judge a listing before you click buy
The database is checked for working links, but quality judgement is still yours. Quick checks:
Photos. Several clear images from different angles is a good sign. One blurry stock photo is not.
Price sanity. Something priced at a third of every comparable listing is usually a different, lesser version of the item.
Detail. Sellers who bother to photograph tags, soles and labels tend to be the ones who ship what they photographed.
Cross-check. Search the same item on the site and compare two or three listings before committing.
Step 5: Buy
The buy button opens the exact product inside ZentBuy. From there:
- Pick size and colour
- Check the item total — ZentBuy advertises 0% markup on the item price
- Add to cart and pay from your balance
- Wait for the warehouse
- Review the free QC photos
- Consolidate and ship
Full detail on that half of the process is in the complete shopping guide.
Building a shortlist
The database is large enough that you will lose track of things. Two habits help:
Open in tabs. Middle-click candidates as you scan, then compare side by side.
Order in one session. Because storage is free for the first 90 days and shipping is charged per parcel, the goal is a single consolidated shipment. Decide the whole haul first, order it all, then ship once.
On mobile
The spreadsheet is built to work on a phone — the same filters, the same buy buttons, images sized for a small screen. Most people browse on mobile and order on desktop, which works fine because your ZentBuy cart is tied to your account, not your device — and ZentBuy has iOS and Android apps, so the buy button can land in the app as well as the website.
Frequently asked
How often is it updated?
It is a curated index, not a live mirror. Listings are added and dead ones removed in batches rather than on a fixed schedule, and the price on each row is the seller's last recorded price — confirm the current price inside ZentBuy before you order.
Do I need an account to browse?
No. The spreadsheet is free and open. You only need a ZentBuy account when you want to buy something.
What if a link is dead?
Sellers delist items constantly. Search the site for the same model — there are usually several listings for anything popular.
Are the buy links affiliate links?
Yes. They may carry a referral code, which costs you nothing and funds the work of maintaining the database.
Why are prices in USD when the seller is Chinese?
Listings are priced in CNY at source and converted for display. The amount you actually pay is set at ZentBuy checkout, so small movements are normal.
Troubleshooting
Page loads slowly. Large category pages load many images. Filter down before scrolling.
Search finds nothing. Shorten the query and drop colour words.
Price looks different in ZentBuy. Exchange rate movement, or the seller changed the price. The ZentBuy figure is the one that counts.
Ready to use it? Open the ZentBuy spreadsheet, or create an account first so your buy buttons land in a live cart.
Ready to start shopping?
Browse the full ZentBuy spreadsheet — a curated index of Taobao, 1688 and Weidian listings with a direct buy link on every row. If you know what you are after, jump straight to t-shirt and top listings or accessory listings. New here? Create a ZentBuy account first — that is an affiliate link, which costs you nothing and funds the index.