Ok, so before we get to choices that are related to the topic lets say you bought a 5-pack of LEDs, CFLs, or Incandescent lamps and they were organized in the way many hardware stores place their lighting on the shelves. But obviously you look at the price and brand first

Here are the choices:
Pick the first pack you see
Pick any pack after the first box (if possible)
Pick the very last box (if possible)
Read the specs
(For Incandescent) Rattle the box to see if the filament is still intact
Open the box to make sure nothing is broken or there is a missing bulb (I've gotten that many times)
Pick up the box and read an look at every side of the box to find any mistakes
Look at how the bulbs themselves are packaged
Pick up the box, examine it, then put it down

You may add more and explain
As usual: if this thread get to out of hand I will lock it or delete it (If I can). But if I can't the site admins will. 

Try gently shaking the box to see if lamps are broken.Like with eggs at the store-least you can open the box to see if they are OK.

Fluorescents in cardboard sleeves : I check to see if the lamp is the one stated on the sleeve and not the other guy's EOL lamp that was "returned" or that someone mixed them up.

Same for both of you that replied
I always do that

I don't go for 5 packs in general, as then you only have spares of all the same colour and lumen output!, I get them in single packs, usually choosing colour and brightness to suit each room