Is it reasonable for buyer to ask for a serial number?

When selling a laptop (I have a Macbook Air currently on eBay), is it normal for a prospective buyer to ask for a serial number (he claims to check on the warranty)?

 

No, it is not reasonable in the sense that I've had scammers ask for my serial # to then use Apple warranty look up and try to post the info on their own ebay scam ad to make it somewhat believable.

It was funny when I had a Macbook Pro 17" listed a few months back. I took the time to look up the warranty info, and make a jpg of it to include in my auction, but with the serial # crossed out.

A prospective, "buyer," asked for the serial # to look up the warranty info and I told him it was already posted. I then did a search on his eBay name and he had listed a scam ad and had copied my original warranty look up image, along with the (C) Electrosoft plastered all over it. Realizing that wasn't going to work, he then had the chutzpah to ask me directly for my serial #.

 

It is also far to easy for someone to transfer "NAME" ownership via serial number online with Apple.
Keep the serial number to yourself and only provide it to the buyer after payment has been made if they ask for it.

 

Thanks-

10chars.

 

i asked about 5 sellers for the serial and about 4 provideing when i was buying mine.
I cant understanding how giving a serial away could in any way get you scammed but i asked for it as i wanted to make sure the buyer is selling a legit prooduct and that what he says about the warranty is true.
but i guess if you can get a copy of the warranty info(black out serial) then there is no need and he may be a scammer.

 

I guess I could take a screenshot (sans SN) of the registration validation.

And no, I will not (have not) give SN away to a buyer. The risk is just not worth it.

Anyway, he offered a ridiculous low ball offer and so that endeth the conversation.

Thanks-

 

they cant do jack with your serial number or claim warranty. To claim warranty repair they will need the physical computer that contains the hard coded serial.

When you take your computer to apple authorised repair store they will check the product is legit or not so you shouldn't worry about giving out your serial.

Never buy on ebay when the seller disguised his serial or crossed it off or black it out. They are either a scammer or a legit thief selling stolen property.

 

And you registered today just to voice this opinion..
btw:
There is a simple yet very exclusive Apple application floating around to tattoo a new hard coded serial number onto your mac, a legit/illegitimate mac laptop CAN have the printed tag removed and Apple will still cover it in such cases where the end user replaced the keyboard on a Macbook, this is the location that print tag would have been on the underside within the battery compartment.

The need for legitimate serial numbers can be used in illegitimate ways by thieves.

Nonetheless, with the serial number alone, NAME ownership can be easily changed online with Apple, something to think about.