[btober]

I'm selling my PowerBook G4 on eBay (look for my post in the Marketplace) and a prospective buyer/bidder wants my machine's serial number to run through Apple - Support in order to verify that I have AppleCare remaining through next August. Should I do this? Is there anything that an unscrupulous individual could do with a serial number? If it's suggested that I don't give out this information, what should I do to "prove" the existence of the warranty?

Thanks!

[Big Mac]

I don't see any harm in providing the serial number.

[KidRed]

Not that he would report it stolen and offer the police the serial number as proof or anything

[btober]

Well that's what I was thinking, but the machine is registered to me with Apple and I do have the receipt from when I purchased it, so I don't think it'll be a problem.

Thanks!

[volcano]

Just take a screenshot of the Apple Support page after you input your serial number. Blur a few of the letters out and send it to him/her. If he/she still wants it, say they're being a bit too paranoid -- especially if you have 95% to 100% positive feedback. If you're a trusted seller they shouldn't worry or bug you about it.

[rjt1000]

Hi,

Put yourself in the buyers position. He will be forking over significant $$$ to someone he never met on a computer he has never seen in person. So it is not unreasonable for him to want to check you and your computer out a bit. Giving him the serial number so he can verify applecare coverage seems reasonable. You have more than adequate proof that the computer is yours.

Likewise, you will be shipping off your valuable computer to someone you never met. It is entirely reasonable for you to check out the successful buyer. Be sure he has entirely positive feedback and that you feel comfortable doing business with him.

Personally, for selling big ticket items, I would NOT allow credit card payment via Paypal. After receiving the computer, unscrupulous buyers can call their credit card issuer and say the computer was not as advertised and (believe it or not) THEY WILL UNILATERALLY REVERSE THE CHARGE AND LITERALLY TAKE THE $$$ OUT OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. Your only recourse then would be to go to court (in the buyers jurisdiction) to prove your case.

Safest for the seller is to only accept U.S. Post office money orders for big ticket items. Then when you cash the money order (across the counter at the Post Office) and the money is irreversibly in your pocket, you can safely ship it off. Of course, the more you limit the payment options, the fewer potential customers will bid and the less $$$ you may get. Thats the price for the extra safety.

Most people are honest, but there are a significant few who are not. And the hype of Apple products tends to attract the crooks.

rjt1000

[Atheist]

Originally Posted by rjt1000 

Safest for the seller is to only accept U.S. Post office money orders for big ticket items. Then when you cash the money order (across the counter at the Post Office) and the money is irreversibly in your pocket, you can safely ship it off. Of course, the more you limit the payment options, the fewer potential customers will bid and the less $$$ you may get. Thats the price for the extra safety.

Safest for the seller, but idiotic for the buyer.

[rjt1000]

Originally Posted by Atheist 

Safest for the seller, but idiotic for the buyer.

There are risks both ways. But if you buy from a reputable seller (meaning someone who sells regularly and therefore cares about his feedback rating) the buyer has much more protection than the seller does. eBay literally coddles buyers and vigorously investigates fraudulent sellers. eBay (and Paypal) do nothing to protect sellers from unscrupulous buyers who chargeback against their credit cards without cause.

For selling big ticket items, if you do accept Paypal, it is best to only accept payment from the buyers checking account and not from a credit card. Personal checks and other types of money orders are reasonably safe (if you wait for them to clear)--because there has to be due process to try to reverse a payment that has been made. But credit card issuers only care about their customers--the buyer--and they can (and do) charge back simply on the word of the buyer.

[Atheist]

Originally Posted by rjt1000 

There are risks both ways. But if you buy from a reputable seller (meaning someone who sells regularly and therefore cares about his feedback rating) the buyer has much more protection than the seller does. eBay literally coddles buyers and vigorously investigates fraudulent sellers. eBay (and Paypal) do nothing to protect sellers from unscrupulous buyers who chargeback against their credit cards without cause.

For selling big ticket items, if you do accept Paypal, it is best to only accept payment from the buyers checking account and not from a credit card. Personal checks and other types of money orders are reasonably safe (if you wait for them to clear)--because there has to be due process to try to reverse a payment that has been made. But credit card issuers only care about their customers--the buyer--and they can (and do) charge back simply on the word of the buyer.

Aren't there trusted middlemen companies that take shipment of the item and collect the money as well. They confirm the item is legit and then forward the cash to the seller and the item to the buyer?

[romeosc]

I'd give it out, It allows them to check with Apple to see if its stolen!

[vinster]

Originally Posted by volcano 

Just take a screenshot of the Apple Support page after you input your serial number. Blur a few of the letters out and send it to him/her. If he/she still wants it, say they're being a bit too paranoid -- especially if you have 95% to 100% positive feedback. If you're a trusted seller they shouldn't worry or bug you about it.

I'd do this - no reason for you to give him the whole serial number. He'll have it should he decide to buy the computer.