"LAPTOP & HARD DRIVE IS SERIALIZED AGAINST FRAUD."....Dude What?

[wargasm009]

I'm interested in buying a used MacBook Pro, but the seller adds, "PLEASE NOTE: LAPTOP & HARD DRIVE IS SERIALIZED AGAINST FRAUD."
I have no idea what it means, since I'm new to Apple laptops and want to experience the operating system...
Could someone please explain what this serialized against fraud thing is?
Thanks

 

[LoMonkey]

Did you try asking the seller?

 

[eneisch]

It's not an Apple specific term or thing...my guess is that the seller is letting you know that all serial numbers are intact and the item is not stolen. I Googled the term and a lot of eBay listings use this terminology. My guess is its just a BS term that sellers use to make prospective buyers feel good.

 

[triplelucky]

The seller is most likely letting you know that they have the serial numbers of the parts and if you buy it and return parts with different serial numbers they will know.

 

[old-wiz]

The seller is most likely letting you know that they have the serial numbers of the parts and if you buy it and return parts with different serial numbers they will know.

That would make sense - to prevent cretins from buying the device and switching out the HDD or the whole laptop and returning claiming it doesn't work, which would be criminal fraud.

 

[MacModMachine]

It's not an Apple specific term or thing...my guess is that the seller is letting you know that all serial numbers are intact and the item is not stolen. I Googled the term and a lot of eBay listings use this terminology. My guess is its just a BS term that sellers use to make prospective buyers feel good.

no it means the seller is recording serial numbers for people who try to return items with different serials.

pretty common.

 

[paukivbashne]

lots of scammers lately buys laptops just to switch the the working parts
so this is sort of a precaution

 

[triplelucky]

Actually its pretty meaningless though. There is no way for the seller to be able to prove that whatever serial number they say they recorded was the item with the serial number they eventually mailed.

 

[Jaben3421]

Actually its pretty meaningless though. There is no way for the seller to be able to prove that whatever serial number they say they recorded was the item with the serial number they eventually mailed.

Take pictures, or register them with the company's website.

 

[eneisch]

no it means the seller is recording serial numbers for people who try to return items with different serials.

pretty common.

Thanks MacModMachine...I learn something new everyday!

 

[wargasm009]

Thanks a lot guys, seller replied to my email saying exactly that