Most bareroot and live stake material will still be dormant when you collect your order. Because they are dormant, plants can be mistaken as appearing like "dead sticks".
This appearance is completely normal for dormant plants, so don't be discouraged. Often times,
bareroots can take 4-6 weeks after planting to "wake up" and show signs of new growth.
Some species are much more sensitive to transplanting and sometimes that transplant shock will cause the top growth to die off/back, because energy is being diverted to the root system first, as a triage effect. When that happens, new growth may come from the roots instead. If you give the stem/twigs a slight bend and they still have some flex in them, you may still get existing buds to break dormancy. If not, that growth will likely have to come from the root system (which can occur months after planting).
While not an endorsement, some of our staff have had great results using products such as Bonide Root and Grow, which can help reduce transplant shock by encouraging root growth only. These types of products should always be used according to the label and are commonly available online or in local garden centers.
No matter your approach, the most important thing is to properly plant your plants as soon as possible, water regularly (and as needed), and be patient.