Serial numbers and used goods

Quad in St. Cross College, Oxford

One of the great things about the internet is the ability to deal with information that is far too diffuse and voluminous to be processed in other ways. Indeed, that is the principal way in which modern computing qualitatively changes that we are able to do, as opposed to altering the rate at which we can complete a particular task.

Given those characteristics, it surprises me that nobody has come up with a site that catalogs serial numbers for all the kinds of products that include them: from bicycles to cameras to mobile phones. Such a site would allow users to enter that information when they purchased a product. It would then be on hand for warranty claims and in the event of loss or theft. People purchasing such items online, or in used good shops, could check the database to ensure that the products they are buying are not listed as stolen. Like eBay, it is much more efficient to have all these numbers sorted in a single place than to have numerous separate databases. The chances of a person trawling through many sites are low, but one well organized one could get masses of traffic. (See: network effect)

You could even imagine a system where online retailers like eBay are integrated with such a site. The listing for a camera would thus include a serial number linked to an entry in the database. If you bought the item, then received one with a different serial number from the one listed, you would be entitled to lodge a complaint and the seller would get flagged as a potential fraudster. I have personally avoided buying photographic equipment from eBay because I fear that a lot of it may be stolen. Having some simple protections like these in place would make me feel a lot better about it.

PS. For an example of an existing but limited serial number listing, see the stolen equipment registry over at Photo.net. It is unlikely that someone buying a cheap digital camera online will look at that (I knew it existed and it took me some searching around to find the URL), but perhaps someone buying an expensive tilt-shift lens for a medium format camera system will.

Author: Milan

In the spring of 2005, I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in International Relations and a general focus in the area of environmental politics. In the fall of 2005, I began reading for an M.Phil in IR at Wadham College, Oxford. Outside school, I am very interested in photography, writing, and the outdoors. I am writing this blog to keep in touch with friends and family around the world, provide a more personal view of graduate student life in Oxford, and pass on some lessons I've learned here.

10 thoughts on “Serial numbers and used goods”

  1. If you ever find yourself being offered one of the following by anybody other than me, please let me know:

    Apple stuff

    14″ G4 iBook – SN: 4H50911AS88
    20GB ClickWheel iPod – SN: 2Z6153RGPS9
    1GB iPod Shuffle – SN: 4H609YHVRSA

    Camera bodies

    Canon A510 Digital Camera – SN: 0452108972
    Canon EOS Elan 7N Film SLR – SN: (21)89002529
    Canon EOS Rebel G Film SLR – SN: (21)61000506

    Lenses

    Canon 50mm f/1.8 EF Lens – SN: 6401519F
    Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM II Lens – SN: 71051782

    Other

    Nokia 3510i phone – SN: 354347/00/431006/3

  2. I don’t have the time, database skills, or access to capital this would require.

    If it was anywhere near as successful as it could be, there would be millions of users. That would require management by people with considerable expertise in designing database systems and complex websites.

    Still, I think it’s a good idea.

  3. This is an entirely viable business plan. Set it up and sell advertising. Other big categories could be musical instruments, vehicles and vehicle parts, luxury goods and collectables, jewelry and watches, etc.

    You just need a catchy name. SerialKiller.com?

  4. That does sound like a pretty good idea.

    Are there any privacy implications involved in linking names with serial numbers?

  5. Are there any privacy implications involved in linking names with serial numbers?

    Possibly. That said, participation in the site would be voluntary (on the part of people who might list their property). Also, serial numbers only actually need to be revealed publicly if items are stolen.

  6. Juststolen.net “was created by police officers to provide the best possible asset tracking and property recovery services in the world. JustStolen.net is an innovative tool designed to easily register assets in order to facilitate their recovery if they are lost or stolen. JustStolen.net joins forces with online auctions to help identify stolen property.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *