Service tag question.

I have a quick question. I put my m17x r3 for sale on ebay. There's a potential buyer that asked me for service tag and original shipping address. He says he was scammed before so he want to make sure laptop is legit.

My question is, is it ok to send someone the laptop service tag? I just get paranoid that someone that i don't know has the service tag for my laptop. Can they do anything with it other than looking up laptop info? Is there a way someone can use that information along with my address to look up any of my personal information on dell's website? Thanks.

 

I think he could file a transfer ownership once he knows your tag. As far as I know, Dell's policy is based on service tag's information instead of physical possession like Apple. If he can meet you locally, then you probably can show it to him face to face. Otherwise, better play it safe.

 

He could use your service tag for fraud i.e. requesting parts for your computer or even a system exchange with some excuse. I wouldn't provide my service tag unless the sale is done.. Just my point of view though

 

No offense but I've sold all my systems locally. I also give each buyer a week to change their mind once they have it in their hands as they may find something they don't like although usually I go out of my way to try and ensure all of the bugs are worked out before offering it up.

 

I just don't have the time to do locally. Selling local is good for people that have more time than I do. Plus I hate having people that I don't know come over to house or meeting someone out in public. I've heard many horror stories about that. And I don't want to sell this laptop to someone at work. The last thing I want is someone commenting about laptop a few years down the road. Like "remember that laptop you sold me, it took a dump." Just want to sell it and not have to hear about later. I also have a bmw x3 that i'm trying to sell. There's no way i'm selling to coworker. Imagine if it breaks down after a week!

Actually, i give them 14 days. Not worry about that. I'm worry about giving out service tag to someone that may not buy it.

By the quick replies here, sounds scary to give out service tag. I'm not going to do it. Thanks all.

 

That's true. I just sell to those I work with, relatives, or friends. My timing is usually such that one of them buys it eventually. It makes returning easier for them too.

 

You can print out/email them the warranty page off the Dell website, blocking out the service tag if you so desire. It's kind of a double-edged sword. Yes, you want to protect your service tag no. If some one gets a hold of it and your personal info, they can transfer the warranty from your name to theirs and then report the laptop as stolen to get it taken from you...virtual identity theft. Speaking from personal experience, it will not hold up very long, but it does cause trouble for you.

One the other hand, you have the honest people out there who want assurance that the used system they are buying comes with whatever warranty you're claiming is still left on it. So again, its treacherous waters to navigate there.

 

What i did and recommend doing instead of giving away your service tag is taking a picture of your ST sticker on your laptop with your ebay username next to it and censure two or three characters in a photo editor (MS Paint will do).
Then go on Dell website and get your warranty info, make a screenshot of that page and edit the same characters you blocked in the photo of the sticker with your ebay id.

Now send them to your potential buyer. If you guys won't seal the deal this way, better let it go. They are either trying to fraud or they're too cautious.

 

I would agree with the most people here not to give the service tag. A legit buyer might need your service tag for two reasons: check your warranty info and original system configuration if you are not putting that in description. So as mentioned by others you can make a screenshot from Dell website with warranty + system configuration to the buyer and both know which parts are covered. For instance, you still have 2 years warranty on the system, but upgraded RAM to 16GB (adding say 8GB Corsair RAM), so the person will know system is covered to two years + lifetime for those 2 Corsair RAM sticks, but he would get in touch with manufacturer rather than Dell if they go faulty. Some other components come with limited 1 year warranty, thus they would not be covered for repair/replacement while your system is still under warranty.

 

Thats why you have paypal.

 

no.... he can transfer ownership by himself!!! and claim the laptop is missing

 

Lol, Paypal will side with the buyer usually.

 

You lost me somewhere. Not following the logic.

 

In which case, I would think that Dell could do with tightening up on transfer protocols. For example, to transfer, the new owner would require more information about the previous owner. This could be an order number, address, telephone, email....you name it, the list could go on. It's actually quite scary to think that in this modern day and age, someone could do the above with nothing more than a few characters. Imagine if the same principal applied to cars.......we'd all be screwed. Oh, here's my plate number....doesn't bear thinking about.

Something for Dell to consider maybe.....

 

Couldn't agree more. I'm currently fighting for my warranty due to a co-worker stealing the Service Tag and sending himself a 7970M and then a 680M...I got Luis Porras (thanks a bunch bro!) to cancel all the service calls while I transfer my warranty back...

It's been a long process but it'll work out in the end. Best advice, protect your Service Tag like it's your house keys, car keys, cash etc etc. It's just that easy to steal.

And if anyone is curious, the guy who stole my info/Tag is suspended indefinitely pending review by a board LOL. Crime don't pay bro!

 

Suspended from the forums or from the place of your employment?

 

Lol from work since it was all caught on camera. I don't think he's even part of the forum.

 

I know how this all feels. But I can't imagine how its so difficult for you to transfer your warranty back into your name. When the service tag/warranty for my old Inspiron was taken from me many years ago, it only took a week to get things straightened out with Dell. Provided though, the San Diego PD has some common sense when it comes to ownership issues. The "other party"s claim that it was their laptop didn't fly with the SDPD because: a)the notebook was in my possession; b) I had the receipt from Dell for the notebook with my name on it and the Inspiron's service tag no.; c) the "other party" could not provide any documentation that they had paid for the notebook, whether it be to me or to Dell. About that point, the Law & Order 'dong, dong' sound was going off in my head. I knew that the other person was pretty screwed at this point. I don't know if they ever was charged/convicted of identity theft or whatever crime stealing a service tag falls under.

 

I didn't say it was difficult, I just said it was a long process. I'm still waiting for confirmation my ownership was transferred, it's been almost a week now so we'll see.

 

So do you guys think Dell should follow Apple's policy which means physical possession = rightful owner? It sure makes a whole lot easier to buy and sell but once you lost the laptop, it's really gone unless you still have the receipt. But chances of losing a laptop is pretty slim. Just need to be careful in the public.

 

I think that Dell should just add more security layers to confirm that the person wanting to transfer the ownership actually can confirm more details about it other than a Service Tag. Maybe it would be a good idea to perhaps only process transfer of ownership requests from the original/current owner. Dell could verify this by many means instead of taking someones word for it that they now own the product simply on provision of a code. That really is a bit of a joke in terms of data security/customer records.