Bad beans do exist! That's why I always buy at least 5 when ordering
I also like to lightly scuff seeds in a matchbox lined with sandpaper, but it isn't necessary.
The seed squeeze/crush test sucks as you can sometimes accidentally crush potentially epic seed!
I like soaking seed in RO water containing a drop of Environoc and Kelpak, and put it on a heatpad/in an area which runs between 22 and 25°C. Paper towel method works great too, but in both cases I like checking on them after 24 hours, in case the tip of taproot starts poking out. Once it does, transplant immediately. It's really delicate and can stunt a plant if the taproot gets too long and damaged by handling.
Also use solid paper towels that aren't cotton wool or toilet paper, so that the layers are easily separable, and the taproot doesn't start to grow into the paper, which won't happen with proper paper towels
Seeds germinate lovely in Eazy plugs or jiffies, but I've realized it's a waste, as the taproot runs so quickly through it to the bottom that you'll have to plant it a few days later to a bigger container with growing medium.
Once again, some bought seeds can be duds... Or the quite opposite. The other day I soaked some Chemdog X Gorilla Glue seeds, and after 26 hours I checked on them to see a taproot of about 1cm already sticking out of the seed, and after putting them in Eazy Plugs they broke the surface in 2 days!