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iPod touch Should I engrave it?
- Thread starter Irockgod
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I engrave my name and phone number, just in case I lose it or it gets stolen. I never have any intention of selling it in the future, and if something is wrong with it it's still covered under warranty. The closest Apple store for me is 5 hours away so I'd just send it in to have it fixed anyway.
Obviously, it's personal preference. Personally, I'm the type that will keep an iPod touch until I either can't run the latest version of iOS or can afford to buy a larger capacity model when my pre-existing one is full. And usually by that time, there's little point to resale because value has depreciated that substantially. Given that, I engrave my name and cell number on the back of mine so that if it gets lost, people know who it belongs to and how to reach them. Similarly, it gives me the perceived freedom to name my iPod whatever the hell I want in iTunes/Settings App/iCloud. But to each his or her own.
If ever you have a technical problem down the road, you can do what I did with my previous 4th Gen iPod touch that I had engraved; you can take it to the Apple Store where they'll swap it out for a non-engraved model and you can then sell it, should you so desire; or you can mail in your iPod where Apple will transfer the engraving to the replacement model.
No. If it bricks you can take it to Apple, and if you do the repair in-store, they'll replace it with a non-engraved model. Or, if it bricks, you can mail it into Apple where they'll replace it with a unit that has the same engraving on the back. You are never without options unless you are without AppleCare.
If I was going to engrave, I'd put something generic that anyone can use - should you decide to give it away or something.
I wanted to have engraved my iPad but I was in a rush so ordered it without engraving. However, I never really see it and think "oh, it's missing an engraving" so it doesn't really matter either way.
I wanted to have engraved my iPad but I was in a rush so ordered it without engraving. However, I never really see it and think "oh, it's missing an engraving" so it doesn't really matter either way.
I gave an engraved iPod classic as a gift. It had a specific engraving for an individual.
It was stolen by a friend of her sons at school.
The school was contacted. We had an idea of who had stolen it. A locker search turned it up, and though the kid claimed it was his and he bought it from a friend, the engraving was impossible to deny...
iPod returned...
It was stolen by a friend of her sons at school.
The school was contacted. We had an idea of who had stolen it. A locker search turned it up, and though the kid claimed it was his and he bought it from a friend, the engraving was impossible to deny...
iPod returned...
Nice!
This is why Game Stop and Best Buy don't buy engraved iPods, I assume. They have no way to prove its actually yours.
I ordered one for my daughter, and engraving her name was an obvious decision. Lost or stolen $300 iPod will now have a slightly better chance of being returned.
I would not personally engrave my devices, though. Something like this would likely be resold in the future.
I would not personally engrave my devices, though. Something like this would likely be resold in the future.
Mine simply says "Mine", won't hurt resale value too much, just keep it vague and short.
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And if you plan on keeping it for the long haul, engrave your name and phone number. Not only will this help it get back to you if you lose it, it will discourage thieves.
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And if you plan on keeping it for the long haul, engrave your name and phone number. Not only will this help it get back to you if you lose it, it will discourage thieves.
I had my first iPod (1Gen Nano) engraved with my name. I kept it for 6 years and only then I though about how difficult it would have been to sell the device. Fortunately, 6 years later I wouldn't be able to sell it anyway (and mainly because of the highly scratchable shiny back). Fortunately(er) there was that iPod Nano recall and I got a new 5gen Nano, which I sold for about $200 (in Brazil) and now I'm going to buy the new Touch 
Bottomline: Don't.
Bottomline: Don't.
Would you tattoo your GF's name on your arm?
To be fair, most people would be unwilling to get their name and phone number tattooed on their arms, but they're fine with having them on the backs of their iPods.
I have had two iPod touches that we're engraved. It makes it awkward to sell it on but you can still do so.
Personally, I think it's a novelty and especially with the new coloured backs, it ruins the look.
Personally, I think it's a novelty and especially with the new coloured backs, it ruins the look.
