How can I check if equipment is stolen?

[Paul The Irishman]

Generally if it’s not from a surveying company or a dealer it’s a good idea to check. I would ring the local dealer of whatever brand you are looking at and explain what you are buying and could they check the serial – after all if you buy it they’ll become your local service agent – and there is no readon theyt shouldn’t do it. If they do refuse I’d find another brand…..

[MJP-PLS]

Years ago I was looking at some GPS that was selling on EBay that seems to be going fairly cheap and the same seller kept posting more so I thought it was a scam. I emailed the seller and asked for serial numbers and then ask a rep from the company to check out the numbers for me, well lo and behold sure enough it was stolen. Turns out this was an inside ring that was stealing the units. The units were sent back for repair and the units were being hijacked by a ring inside the shipping company who said that the items were shipped when in reality they weren’t ad the company was picking up the tab for lost delivery packages. Turns out the feds got involved because it was across state lines and this was a really big ring of thief’s. The bottom line to the story was that the GPS manufacturer allowed the folks who unwittingly bought these hot units to keeps them and I didn’t even get so much as a thank you. I highly suggest that you get the serial number and run it through the a local sales rep or better yet the manufacturer as the local guy may not know if it is outside of his area.

[wilba]

In the UK i have was planning on using http://www.checkmend.com/uk I see they have a US register also.
In the past buying on eBay. If the seller does not give up the serial number they i don’t pay and report it to eBay.

[totalsurv]

wilba, post: 350528, member: 9024 wrote: In the UK i have was planning on using http://www.checkmend.com/uk I see they have a US register also.
In the past buying on eBay. If the seller does not give up the serial number they i don’t pay and report it to eBay.

If I was to sell something on ebay I would not hand over the serial number until an auction had completed. If I provided the serial number to anyone who enquired through ebay it could equally be used for fraudulent purposes.

[wilba]

Yes i would not expect the serial number to be given before the auction ended.
On 2 occasions i have successfully bid but refused to pay because they would not give me the serial number.

[BajaOR]

I seems like you’d want a photo of the serial number on the unit?

[wilba]

I would insist on a photo of the serial number.

Also i did think from eBay’s point of view they could have a serial number option on the sellers page that could be crosschecked with checkmend etc.

It would give more buyer confidence!

Merry Christmas All