A lot is a bet, and the only way to make it a sensible one is to be clear about what is being sold.
The question
"How much of this have you been through?"
Checked and listed, partly checked, or not opened at all. Those are three different purchases, and the answer should change your number more than the contents do.
Then ask for
- The lot laid out, not the closed box
- A count, even an approximate one
- The weight, which decides your delivery cost
- What is explicitly not guaranteed — electricals untested, chips unchecked, nothing identified
Bid on what you can see
The discipline that makes this category enjoyable: decide what the visible contents are worth to you, and bid that. Treat anything underneath as a bonus rather than a reason.
People who bid on what might be in a lot lose money on average. People who bid on what is visibly in it do not.
What protection covers, and does not
A lot that is materially not what was shown — a different box, far fewer items than stated, damage that was described as absent — is not as described, and buyer protection covers it for seven days from delivery.
A lot that was honestly sold as unsorted and turned out to be disappointing is not. That is the bet you made.
If something restricted turns up
Wildlife products, antiquities, medicines and weapons are not sellable here. If a lot arrives containing something that should not have been listed, report it rather than reselling it.
Questions people ask
Why would a seller not check?
Time, volume, or because the lot is worth more unsorted to the right buyer. All legitimate when said.
Should I ask for a specific item to be shown?
Yes, and sellers expect it. If they refuse without a reason, bid lower.
Is collection usually required?
For heavy lots, often, and it is agreed before bidding. How pickup works.
More: how bidding works, describing a lot.