Direct answer
Supplier verification is a method, not a feeling. Match the legal name to the invoice and the account you will pay, test stock evidence with a sample, and write inspection rights before any large transfer. If those pieces do not line up, you do not have a verified supplier.
Key takeaways
- Verify identity before you negotiate price.
- The account you pay must match the invoice name.
- A sample that differs from the lot is not a sample.
- Marketplace badges are not a substitute for documents you can check.
- PhoneBulk does not certify suppliers and does not run a vendor list.
Verification happens before the RFQ becomes money. Use the shorter supplier checklist in the meeting. Use this page when you need the reason.
The four matches
- Legal name on registration documents.
- Invoice name on the proforma.
- Account name you will pay.
- Person who can bind the company on inspection and DOA.
If one of the four differs, stop and Clarify. If two differ, treat that as Reject until it is fixed in writing.
Evidence that can be checked
| Evidence | What it can show | What it cannot show |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration | A name exists | That this chat is that company |
| Bank account letter | Where money will go | That stock exists |
| Packing list | What they claim they will ship | That the carton matches |
| Sample you choose | That one unit matches | That the next 199 match |
| Site visit | Premises exist that day | Tomorrow’s stock |
Sample rules
- You pick IMEIs or carton numbers when possible.
- The sample uses the same version and grade as the lot.
- The sample uses the QC checklist.
- Failure of the sample pauses the balance.
Payment
Write triggers:
- Deposit after identity pack and signed proforma.
- Balance after inspection report, packing list, and agreed photos.
- No full prepayment on a first order without inspection rights.
Incoterms allocate transport risk. They do not prove the person on WhatsApp is the company on the invoice.
Claims that should stop a first order
- “We are the brand authorized distributor” with no checkable appointment.
- “All iCloud clean” as a substitute for powering the phones on.
- “Government locked stock” or similar phrases used to justify a discount you cannot lawfully resell.
- Refusal to name a legal entity.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I skip verification for a small trial order?
You can reduce the amount, not the method. A small order with a mismatched bank account is still a bad payment.
Is a video call from a warehouse enough?
It is useful and still fakeable. Combine it with identity documents, a sample you choose, and payment to a matching account.
Sources and methodology
- Know Your Incoterms — U.S. International Trade Administration Accessed August 22, 2026.
- Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content — Google Search Central Accessed August 22, 2026.
Update history
- — First published. Official sources on this page were accessed on this date unless a later note says otherwise.
Factual corrections after publication are listed on the corrections page. There is no separate reviewer identity on this desk. See the editorial policy.