Lilies do not go dormant like other bulbous plants. To feed and support stalks Lilies have to grow lots of fleshy roots first. Lilies that are not planted yet do not have these roots or have just few of them, so there are no enough resources to maintain healthy stalks. Sprouted lilies often grow shorter stalks. Also, they often abort the buds.
They will catch up if the conditions are right of course, but they are weaker than normal bulbs during their first year in the ground.

Also, it is very easy to define whether lily bulbs are alive. A healthy bulb is plump, not dehydrated. Bulbs I receive from reputable sellers also have nice roots.