Dumb question about guitar serial #'s/selling....

[welcometoashley]

Why is it that some sellers are hesitant to show or share a guitar's serial number when they're sellling it on Ebay? I've seen it done occasionally in the Emporium, but much more often on Ebay.

For example, they'll share a Fender serial number as "DZ3xxxx4" or they'll obscure/blur it out in the picture...

Just curious...

[Trandy]

Most likely the fear that someone will steal the photos and post a fradulent auction for the same instrument. If they don't know the serial number, this would be more difficult for them to do.

A simple but effective security method.

[welcometoashley]

Originally Posted by TimBascom

Most likely the fear that someone will steal the photos and post a fradulent auction for the same instrument. If they don't know the serial number, this would be more difficult for them to do.

A simple but effective security method.

a-ha.... that makes a lot of sense... thanks!

[geetarman]

Found this post in a search because I'm interested in bidding on a particular guitar and the owner doesn't know the age of the guitar. So I requested the first few digits of serial # which would signify the year built but he doesn't want to tell me. Does this sound fishy to anyone else?

[kruts]

Originally Posted by geetarman

Found this post in a search because I'm interested in bidding on a particular guitar and the owner doesn't know the age of the guitar. So I requested the first few digits of serial # which would signify the year built but he doesn't want to tell me. Does this sound fishy to anyone else?

Well you have a picture and a serial number of an item, you could go to the police and say that the item is stolen, and provide the police with the picture and serial number. Police advise people to take pictures and have serial numbers for possessions so that is probably why sellers are hesistant to post complete information, for security reasons.

[geetarman]

Originally Posted by kruts

Well you have a picture and a serial number of an item, you could go to the police and say that the item is stolen, and provide the police with the picture and serial number. Police advise people to take pictures and have serial numbers for possessions so that is probably why sellers are hesistant to post complete information, for security reasons.

True but I asked for the first few digits that only tell the year built I'm not asking for the entire 7 digit serial #.

[strat6866]

That doesnt make sense.

[Smakutus]

Originally Posted by kruts

Well you have a picture and a serial number of an item, you could go to the police and say that the item is stolen, and provide the police with the picture and serial number. Police advise people to take pictures and have serial numbers for possessions so that is probably why sellers are hesistant to post complete information, for security reasons.

That's exactly why I don't list the whole serial number in any auction of mine.. I only give enough to date the guitar.

If I list a guitar on ebay and you think it's one that was stolen from you, you have to tell me the serial number. If you don't have the correct serial number there's nothing I can do for you. If you do have the correct one then I'll deal with you on it..

There are people out there that just have to know the serial number. Drives them crazy and they'll argue with you when you won't tell them. "What... Is the guitar hot?" "Did you steal it?"

If I did steal it would I admit it?

Jeff