giving out serial numbers

[chef0069]

If I am posting a guitar online, and someone is interested and asks for the serial numbers, is there a reason I should not give them out? I always see them blacked out in ebay adds. Thanks for all help!

[Joe M]

I always wondered why some people black them out. If you have the original sales receipt for the guitar in question, that includes the serial number, I can't see how you'd have a problem. If you are selling a used guitar without any proof that it's yours, I guess there could be a problem if some loser wanted to claim that the guitar was his and you had stolen it.

[Cat MacKinnon]

i don't see a problem with giving out serial numbers. it's not like it's your SSN or anything. i think most potential buyers just want to verify the number with the guitar manufacturer so they can be sure the ad or auction is being honest with regards to the item description.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy SII

[TeleTim911]

This can work several ways from what I'm thinking. 1) The potential buyer just wants to verify and see when and where the guitar was made. 2) The buyer is a fraud, and wants to steal that serial number to put on a fake. 3) Might try to make a claim it's a stolen guitar. 4) Refusing to give out the serial number tells the "buyer beware" as it could be stolen.

As for 3, unless he has documented proof (police reports, etc) that the guitar was reported stolen he doesn't stand a chance.

[TC6969]

My buddy's bass got stolen and he found out where it was.

He had the police meet him at the gig where it was, and just on the strength of him having the serial number written down in his wallet, the Cop walked up on stage and took the bass right off the guy who had it and handed it to my buddy.

[dented]

I always thought it was the crooks who steal those numbers, put them on fake guitars and try to sell them as the real thing. After all, you can look up those serial numbers correct?

[SamClemons]

Anyone that wants to get serial numbers for fakes can get thousands of them off ebay or just make them up. It is a long, long, chance someone I guess could claim they have the number and the item is stolen (some kind of ripoff), but I have never heard of that happening. When buying, I often want the serial number to verify year and location of manufacture.

[adamkavanagh]

Originally Posted by TC6969

My buddy's bass got stolen and he found out where it was.

He had the police meet him at the gig where it was, and just on the strength of him having the serial number written down in his wallet, the Cop walked up on stage and took the bass right off the guy who had it and handed it to my buddy.

Holy, that sounds like a fairytale... in my experience cops cant really be bothered to help anyone out. glad to hear it work out so nicely.

[PrincessSlayer]

Originally Posted by TC6969

My buddy's bass got stolen and he found out where it was.

He had the police meet him at the gig where it was, and just on the strength of him having the serial number written down in his wallet, the Cop walked up on stage and took the bass right off the guy who had it and handed it to my buddy.

GOOD! Bloody thieves!