Is it safe to tell people the serial number of my Thinkpad?

[pianowizard]

Someone interested in buying my X40 wants me to give him the serial number. Is it safe to do that?

[rkawakami]

I normally ask for that on any eBay auction. Besides being a test of the associated description, it's good to have a record of it in case there's problems down the road (not getting the right one, if it happens to be stolen, etc.). As far as being safe, I don't see any problem. If somebody knows your serial number what are they going to do with it? I use it to check on IBM's site for warranty coverage and/or to call IBM to ask if it's been reported stolen. Only a few people have said they wouldn't give it out, or would only provide it at the close of the auction.

[tfflivemb2]

I think that the OP might be concerned that they buyer might try to register the serial number, and claim that it was stolen from them.

It is s tough call as to whether or not to give that out. For a buyer here, yes, but on eBay, probably not.

[pianowizard]

Thanks for the responses. I had no idea how the serial number can be used, besides looking up warranty info, so your comments are very helpful. This is a local buyer and I have quite a bit of information about him (his real name, phone number, where he works, etc.), so I think it's okay to give that number to him. If I don't give it to him, he might suspect that I had stolen the laptop and decide not to buy it from me.

[tfflivemb2]

Then in this case, you are probably fine.

[rkawakami]

Some, but not all of the systems I obtain from eBay are registered with IBM with me as the owner of record. When I receive the serial number I call IBM's support number and provide my name and contact information then I ask about the serial number being reported stolen. So far, so good. I haven't gotten a "hit".