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  1. #1
    Newcomer
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    Nov 2010
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    2

    Angry STi Serial Number ???????

    I sent my dead STi to Beltronics for repair, they told me it would be 60 bucks to fix it and I gave them my credit card number. The just called me and said now it would be 100 because they did not have the serial number. What is up with that? I have all the original boxes and manuals and I cannot find a serial number anywhere. Why the heck can't they find it on the unit? This sure sounds like a rip off to me....

  2. #2
    Yoda of Radar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    NY
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    11,015

    Default Re: STi Serial Number ???????

    They should have all the information needed on the bottom of the unit (if you're telling the truth and it was new and not stolen etc).

    I'd call them back and see what the deal is IF you're telling the truth. (Not trying to say I doubt you... but I don't know you from a hole in the wall... so if you are telling the truth it sounds very sketchy by Belscort... to quote one price and charge another later: And the 2nd time I have heard of those numbskulls doing it in as many weeks).

  3. #3
    Lead Foot
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    Mar 2006
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    At the SPA, New York
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    477

    Default Re: STi Serial Number ???????

    The Serial number is on the bottom of the unit - it has a very bad habit of rubbing off easily.

    If you purchased it directly from Bel then they never ask for the number. Mine was purchased direct and they just put a new serial number sticker on it when it became unreadable. Same happened to my STI-R.

    If you can find the invoice from an authorized dealer, I am sure they would put a new Serial number on and only charge you the $60. I do not think it has anything to do with theft prevention as they will still fix it, just for more cash. If Belscort would just stop selling their detectors on the gray market and eliminate the unauthorized dealers they could save themselves some headaches and you some cash. This never made any sense to me. If the unit did not pass inspection, then fix it instead of dumping it on the gray market for unsuspecting buyers and charging them extra to fix it when it does not have a proper serial number.

    EDIT :
    http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...al-number.html

    You can see how the sticker wears in this thread.
    Last edited by samq45; 11-01-2010 at 09:14 AM.

  4. #4
    Good Citizen
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    Mar 2008
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    PA to KY to NW Chicago Burbs but on temp assignment in MS
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    83

    Default Re: STi Serial Number ???????

    If you have the s/n documented on any of your paperwork, send it to them. Otherwise, is it possible you bought it on ebay or from a non-approved supplier? I bought mine on ebay and it has no serial #. Fortunately, it's not plagued with some of the problems requiring a software upgrade or service. But it IS normal practice for BEL to charge to serialize a unit that has no s/n.

  5. #5
    Newcomer
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    Nov 2010
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    2

    Default Re: STi Serial Number ???????

    Thanks everyone for the info. I didn't know that non serial # units existed but I sure have one and now I know better. I do agree that they should not sell these units to people then charge them to put a serial number on it. Anyway, lesson learned.

  6. #6
    Newcomer
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    Default Re: STi Serial Number ???????

    No they don't sell STI's without serial numbers.

    That's odd. Cause I have my STI Box and all.
    The Serial # is on the Box and on the back of the STI.

    Hope u got a very good price for it. Cause IMO $100.00 for a updated and re-tuned units is well worth it.

  7. #7
    Lead Foot
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    Mar 2006
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    At the SPA, New York
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    477

    Default Re: STi Serial Number ???????

    [QUOTE=Jimmybob;789654]No they don't sell STI's without serial numbers. [QUOTE]

    We don't really know this. It is possible that they sold some detectors that were intended to be sold outside the USA (Gray Market) and did not include any serial numbers as the warranty for those detectors could be different (Target Automotive may honor the warranty for exampe). Then those detectors made is back to the USA for unknowing people to purchase.

    Here is what most likely happened if the detector never had a serial number when the op purchased it. In this situation I would think that Bel and their authorizied distributer would share some of the blame. My question is how come Bel never sued the authorized distributer for violating their distribution agreement (perhaps they did). If the authorized distributer removed the serial numbers before they sold them to Midwest, then it seems the party being harmed the most is the unsuspecting consumer.

    http://www.collardroe.com/newsletters/yearend09.pdf

    http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-10th-circuit/1354384.html

  8. #8
    Manufacturer
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    Jun 2009
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    Cincinnati, OH
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    998

    Default Re: STi Serial Number ???????

    We certainly do not sell any detector without a serial number. The serial number contains the FCCID which is mandated to be on these devices by the FCC. We would get in a load of trouble if we shipped units without this. To ensure this never happens our shipping system requires a unique serial number be scanned before the system releases the unit for shipment.

    Our distributors are also aware of this and would not risk the liability of shipping our products without a serial number.

    What probably happened, and has happened before, is that the reseller got a hold of a few of these and is avoiding being tracked through the serial number. See if the reseller you purchased it from is listed on our unauthorized lists (Beltronics, Escort). Chances are that they are already listed.


    Escort Radar customer service is available from 8am-6pm Eastern Time Mon-Fri at 1-800-543-1608

  9. #9
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    Default Re: STi Serial Number ???????

    Quote Originally Posted by EscortRadar View Post
    What probably happened, and has happened before, is that the reseller got a hold of a few of these and is avoiding being tracked through the serial number.
    Just a thought, but why not put another unique identifier inside the case or another location where it is difficult to remove that would help track down which re-sellers are "dumping" your product to unauthorized sellers.

    I know this is not an easy proposition or perhaps even a viable cost effective one to put a serial number inside the case, but try to remove all the VIN numbers from a car or remove the self identifing chip code from an Intel chipset, not all that simple and the product can be easily traced from mfg to end user.

    I know a few people at work who have purchased these detectors from the bay and they honestly thought they were getting a full warrantied version backed by Bel. When the units broke they were quite suprised to have to pay extra to get it fixed, which in their mind was a problem with Bel and not the end consumer;s issue. Right or Wrong on their part, In today's world this is a negative image for the company in the mind of those consumers (one here bought a RX-65 and due to his experience said all Bel's and the company are junk). Bel should do everything they can to ensure that no serial numbers can be easily removed and not able to be tracked or just charge enough to all the re-seller to fix any detector that comes back for repair, makes the company look better from a service standpoint.

  10. #10
    Manufacturer
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    Default Re: STi Serial Number ???????

    I see where you are coming from, and you are correct that we end up bearing some resentment with this policy, but people need to realize that auction sites are merely a place to buy and sell items. They are just like a flea market, Craigslist, or a yard sale. Any warranties or return policies on these sales are through the seller, not the manufacturer. For warranty purposes, many manufacturers will not regard auction site sales as the original sale unless you purchased it directly from them, such as our refurbished detector sales. For example, I wouldn't expect Sony to cover a malfunctioning Sony TV that I purchased "new" at the local flea market from John Q Public's stand, even if the TV came in the original "sealed" box. The flea market proof of purchase will not be regarded as the original point of sale.

    We have ways other than serial number labels to track our products and most of these unauthorized resellers have been identified, or soon will be, and are terminated by us and our distributors. We cannot take away their inventory from them though.

    The FCCID/serial number is still required on these RF producing products according to FCC regulations, that is a separate issue. If this is a eBay sale, check eBay's policies as I think it may violate them.


    Escort Radar customer service is available from 8am-6pm Eastern Time Mon-Fri at 1-800-543-1608

 

 

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