Direct answer
The scorecard rates five buying risks from 1 to 5. Identity, payment triggers, and inspection rights matter as much as the stock story. A total of 20 to 25 can support a small trial. Below 15 is a stop on a first transfer. The score is not a certificate.
Key takeaways
- Score the evidence you have, not the price.
- Two identity mismatches beat a high inventory score.
- Copy the result into the order file.
- PhoneBulk does not certify suppliers.
The tool
Use the scorecard above after you read verification and red flags.
How to score
| Row | 1 | 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory | Price and a photo | SKU, version, state, counts |
| Identity | Chat handle only | Legal name = invoice = account |
| Payment | Full prepay today | Triggers and a matching payee |
| QC | Sealed boxes only | Sample you choose, written grade |
| After-sales | “We will see” | DOA window and lithium return |
Unlock or IMEI-change promises are not a 5 on after-sales. They are a red flag.
Example
A seller sends a complete RFQ, matching bank papers, and allows two sample IMEIs you pick, but has no DOA freight clause. Inventory, identity, and QC can sit at 4. After-sales stays at 2 until that clause exists.
Risk note
A high score is not a warehouse visit. It is a reminder of which rows you have not earned yet.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does a 25 mean I should pay in full?
No. A perfect score still needs triggers and a sample. It only says the paperwork looks complete.
Can I score a marketplace storefront?
Yes. Treat the storefront as one evidence type. You still need a matching payee and a sample.
Sources and methodology
- Know Your Incoterms — U.S. International Trade Administration Accessed August 22, 2026.
- Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad — Apple Support 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.