LOOKUP only working w/ 8 Characters? Data from Data Table

I have a Table1 of Raw data with a Customer # so 8 characters long.
As I created the Table for the use of creating a unique drop-down with no duplicates - then to create a LOOKUP to get a Carrier Name.

DB.JPG

From that Table I create a Formula in another sheet to pull the Customer# to create a list w/out duplicates

You see the 8 character 33* type. Keep that in mind.

When I use a LOOKUP - my goal is to get the Carrier Name.

In the Table1 - i'm going to change a Number to 33700005

Add_Num_toDB.JPG

Then go to my Table with the LOOKUP

Add_Num - DB View.JPG

As you see it works -

Now I remove the 5

Lookup_DB.JPG

???????

What is going on?
Even if I type 12345678 it doesn't work - so it's not exactly an 8 digit issue.

1. I have refreshed the table each time
2. I tried many numbers (32345678)

UGH! So while Typing this out - I just tested something and here is what's going on and maybe you can help me:

1. The Table1 & the Lookup are conflicting with SORT ASCENDING

So while the above was not working - I realized that the # in the first Cell was the lowest. So ANY number I used above that would work.

When I Sort-Ascend - It all showed up perfectly~

WHY?
Why Do I have to have the sort to work?

THANK YOU! Didn't know that.
Thanks for the quick reply too