Direct answer
Read a wholesale phone list row by row. Record exact model code, storage, agreed grade, ordered quantity, included accessories and failure handling before committing to the lot.
Key takeaways
- A lot title is not a specification. Ask for the row-level list.
- Grade words only help when the seller defines them on the same page.
- Record missing accessories; suspected battery damage needs a safety hold, not just an invoice note.
A lot headline can hide unresolved acceptance terms. Compare each row against the agreed fields before paying or booking freight. When bidding on auction manifests, compare raw retail return lots against salvage streams using the cell phone liquidation pallets yield and bidding guide.
Compare that printed model code with the manufacturer’s published bands for one destination using the regional model-code and band guide.
Copy a row-level lot record
Copy the blank row for each distinct model, storage and agreed grade. The examples below use assumed inputs and fictional model codes; they are not stock offers or inspection results.
| Model code | Storage, GB | Agreed grade / rubric | Ordered units | Included accessories | Failure handling | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | Responsible party / remedy / notification terms: ___ | ___ |
| Example-X | 128 | B / written cosmetic limits; function checked | 10 | Cable only, as agreed | Seller assesses recorded failures under agreed return terms | Accept if verified against these terms |
| Example-Y | Unknown | “Good,” undefined | 10 | Unknown | Not agreed | Reject this row until clarified |
For the grade field, use the separate cosmetic, functional and battery records. Agree how power-on failures and IMEI discrepancies will be handled, using the intake diagnostic checks.
What a usable seller list looks like
A usable list states each field for every line. Write “unknown” where a field is unconfirmed; it does not mean the row passes acceptance.
A missing charger is an accessory discrepancy. For a swollen or otherwise suspect battery, stop routine processing and follow the safe handling reminder. PHMSA identifies damaged batteries as more susceptible to short circuit, heat release and fire; do not treat them as ordinary missing pieces.
Before you book a crate
Export lots also need packing photos, a weight estimate, and a document set. Those are a separate checklist from grade language. Do not treat a pretty lot photo as a packing plan.
When the stock arrives, use the pallet unboxing and tally procedure to connect each carton count, weight check and retained exception to the agreed list.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay against a photo of a pile of phones?
No. Pay against a counted list with models, storage sizes, and grades. Photos are context, not a count.
What if mixed storage sizes are in one line?
Split the line before you book freight. Mixed storage changes both price and what a shop can sell.
Sources
- Transporting Lithium Batteries — PHMSA Accessed October 9, 2026.