Is it safe to give out the Dell Service Tag number upon request?

I am currently trying to sell my M17x on eBay and have been asked what the Dell service tag number is so that the prospective buyer can check out the specs. Is there any reason not to do this? Thanks!

 

I guess its safe unless you don't give the express service code and owner's name.
Also don't forward the receipt.
You can simply take a screenshot of the specs with your service tag and blur it out.

 

this is the safer method. I don't see what a person can do if they had your service tag, but why give out more than you have to

 

With the service tag, your name and your address they can transfer ownership of the computer to them selves with dells system. This will lock you out of any warranty claims you may wish to do.

 

Assuming for the moment that this is true, and that it is that easy to transfer ownership for Dell record purposes, then (a) what would prevent you from immediately transferring it back to yourself and (b) what possible benefit could the recipient of your service tag information derive from any alleged transfer separate from the computer to which it applies? Perhaps I lack the imagination of the criminal mind.

 

they can make your life miserable because they can?

it doesn't have to be about financial gain

its probably best to not give away too much info. There are some real nuts out there

 

A) Unless you know their name and address that they used to transfer it, you can not change it back
B) Some people are just mean.

And yes it is that simple to change ownership of the computer. I did it not too long ago on a computer I got. I used the address the person shipped from along with the service tag and it was instantly set to me.

 

I just copied the Original System Configuration to the response and sent that to him. Funny thing is I have sold other computers and still have the tag under the "Managing my Products" section on my Dell account, lol.

 

Yeah, not alot of people transfer ownership, I always like to so I have it listed in my account.

 

A question related to this. I dont have any dell account yet. What are the benefits from creating one, and typing there the SN DELL TAG ? thank you.

 

It lets you know how much time you have left on your warranty, gives you a build list of your computer and also links you to drivers for your computer.

 

Seriously guys, rather than concentrating on the obscure possibility that someone somehow gets hold of your name and your address, and is also a psycho, maybe we should focus on reality.

Fact is a lot of people on Ebay post their service tag with their listing, or provide it on request. If you don't then the pool of potential buyers for you system is going to be greatly diminished.

I spent a long time looking for a good deal for a R3 on Ebay. From my interaction with sellers about 95% don't have a problem with giving you the service tag. I would never buy from someone who refused to provided a service tag for a system that cost over £1000, and simply rely on their word that they have it or that config. Even posted pics don't mean anything.

I would say if you are paranoid about this then don't give out the service tag, but you've just lost a lot of serious buyers. But if you're that frightened by that prospect, imagine the possibility that some crazy can get hold of your name and address who has no interest in computers.

I also suspect the fact that a Transfer of Ownership takes 10-15 days to complete, then possibly Dell contacts the previous owner, maybe someone who has done this can tell us. Either way it isn't a big deal.

 

ejohnson thx.

just to be sure, its this account ? or this AW account ?

 

You will want to use the dell version.

I think the alienware one is for legacy systems (pre dell buy out)

 

ok, thank you.

 

I sold quite a few Dell systems on ebay and I don't give out my tag. If they ask for the information, I simply copy and paste what they need and explain to them why I don't give out the service tag.

9 out of 10 times they bid anyway. Also, I have 100+ positive feedback so maybe that helps

 

If you have the actual laptop for the service code, you can always transfer warranty to yourself through Dell's website using this one program that scans for your service tag and h/w info.

But I would still just copy-paste-blur...