Guitar serial numbers in adverts

phil_b

When selling a guitar is it a good idea to disclose the serial number. I see a lot of adverts where the serial is blocked out. Is there a good resion to do this 

rlw

No.

thermionic

rlw said:

No.

Why?

phil_b

rlw said:

No.

No? It is not a good idea to share the number

Or

No there is no good reason not to? 

thermionic

Ha, I misread the question as well! I can’t think of a logical reason not to. It could help reduce the scams where people steal photos from other listings. I have blurred them out in the past but don’t now.

Whitecat

I think in the past people used to think that a SN was TMI and could be used to fraudulently lay claim to an item claiming it was stolen/lost or whatever... I think in a day when things are way more documented than ever that would be really hard to do though now.

rlw

No reason not to show it.  If someone decides to try and sell your guitar based on your advert, as a scam, that has no effect on you.   And the serial number is a good way for people to check authenticity, providing the seller is straight and not a scammer.

phil_b said:

rlw said:

No.

No? It is not a good idea to share the number

Or

No there is no good reason not to? 

Yes.  Sharing the number isn't an issue to me and no, I can't see a reason not to.

Sassafras

The police took a dim view of me blacking out my car's number plates.

prowla

I can't see a downside of showing the s/n, unless you stole it.

Alterlifeson

I read the title as guitar serial numbers in TV adverts! Like a quick shot of the back of a headstock of a guitar propped up against a sofa.

DrJazzTap

Depends on the guitar I'd presume? For a limited edition thing then I would be tempted to block the number out.

GuyR

Blocking the serial numbe from an ad listing has always mystified me. I am genuinely interested to know what unwelcome consequence advertisers are concerned might result from displaying it?

Handsome_Chris

GuyR said:

Blocking the serial numbe from an ad listing has always mystified me. I am genuinely interested to know what unwelcome consequence advertisers are concerned might result from displaying it?

Someone putting it on a counterfeit version of the advertised guitar? 

thermionic

Counterfeiters don’t usually go to that much trouble. Most of the Chibsons seem to have a serial number that could have appeared on a Gibson, but I don’t think they ever match up to the correct model. 

GuyR

Handsome_Chris said:

GuyR said:

Blocking the serial numbe from an ad listing has always mystified me. I am genuinely interested to know what unwelcome consequence advertisers are concerned might result from displaying it?

Someone putting it on a counterfeit version of the advertised guitar? 

I considered that, but wouldn't it be riskier for the counterfeiters to imitate a guitar currently advertised for sale than put on a random age appropriate number? There is nothing to gain by duplicating a number.

ICBM

GuyR said:

I considered that, but wouldn't it be riskier for the counterfeiters to imitate a guitar currently advertised for sale than put on a random age appropriate number? There is nothing to gain by duplicating a number.

There is if they duplicate one which matches a correct model description - it means a check with the original manufacturer on the fake serial will indicate it’s genuine.

It doesn’t even have to be counterfeiters either - just a simple scammer can make a note of it, *not* necessarily include it in the stolen pics, then give it to a prospective buyer if they ask for it to check the authenticity, which then seems to confirm it.

If you can’t think of scenarios where knowing a genuine serial number can’t be of use to someone dishonest, you aren’t thinking hard enough.

Funkfingers

Sassafras said:

The police took a dim view of me blacking out my car's number plates.

Wrong approach.

A former work colleague of mine had new plates made when he bought a pre-owned car but "accidentally" left the protective film on them. This was highly reflective - to the point that the flash used with GATSO camera's would flare, rendering his index number unreadable.

GuyR

ICBM said:

GuyR said:

I considered that, but wouldn't it be riskier for the counterfeiters to imitate a guitar currently advertised for sale than put on a random age appropriate number? There is nothing to gain by duplicating a number.

There is if they duplicate one which matches a correct model description - it means a check with the original manufacturer on the fake serial will indicate it’s genuine.

It doesn’t even have to be counterfeiters either - just a simple scammer can make a note of it, *not* necessarily include it in the stolen pics, then give it to a prospective buyer if they ask for it to check the authenticity, which then seems to confirm it.

If you can’t think of scenarios where knowing a genuine serial number can’t be of use to someone dishonest, you aren’t thinking hard enough.

Fair points, I guess I am not suspicious enough by nature, although neither of the examples would disadvantage me if I were selling, for example, a vintage Fender and a professional counterfeiter would probably choose to avoid unnecessary risk by cloning a serial number not currently for sale.