needs to know serial number just to order a power wire

**boomerman** · 07-08-2005, 10:41 AM

I can not beleive this $$$$ I orderd a direct power wire off Valentine's web site on Monday and since I am the next state over I should have got it by Wednesday so I sent an email to sales and ask about this order.

I get the following email back: We need to verify the
ownership of the Valentine One Radar Locator. Please call Valentine
Research, Inc. at 1-800-331-3030.

I see no reason to need a serial# for just a direct power wire kit!!

Why would they need that? It is just a wire kit.
What if this was for a gift for someone how would I get the serial# without spoiling the suprise?

I can not believe this!

**boomerman** · 07-08-2005, 11:01 AM

Follow up email from Valentine:
Dear Mr. Russell-
Unfortunately, we do not sell parts to any customer we can not
identify as the original owner. The serial number is required so we may
first, send the correct parts and second, change the status of ownership of the Valentine One Radar Locator.
This is by no means an attempt to
acquire personal information. All we are looking for is the serial number
so we may properly handle your order. This process is an attempt to
protect our customer's in any fraudulent mishaps that may have occurred
to them. We aren't accusing you of any fraudulent activity, but this is
a customary procedure for anyone not listed as an originial owner. The
order can not be processed without the serial number or record of the
person in which you are buying for. Please call Valentine Research,
Inc. at 1-800-331-3030 so that we may expedite this order promptly.

Thank-you,
Joe Brondhaver,
sales assoc.
1-800-331-3030

I can understand his reasoning if I was asking for warranty work but all I want is a wire kit, or if I was asking for a specific part.

What kind of fraudulent activity could I be doing by asking for a wire kit.

What if I had just ordered a fuse from them? I do not think they need the unit serial# for a fuse.

This is just crazy!!!

**synmoo** · 07-08-2005, 11:16 AM

The kind of fraudulent activity they are talking about is if you're buying a part for a stolen detector. If someone steals a detector that is direct wired.. they.. or the person they sell it to is going to have to order a wire for it to use it.

**jbird** · 07-08-2005, 11:25 AM

If you do not want to waste time or money then just use a regular four wire telephone cord and hardwire it yourself. Several forum members have already posted which color wire is ground and which is positive so just do a search.

**boomerman** · 07-08-2005, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by synmoo

The kind of fraudulent activity they are talking about is if you're buying a part for a stolen detector. If someone steals a detector that is direct wired.. they.. or the person they sell it to is going to have to order a wire for it to use it.

How many people call them to tell them thier unit was stolen?
I would bet less than 1%.

How many people out there who has something ripped off on or in your car have called the manufacture to let them know this item has been stolen?
I am sure there are few who do but once again I bet that is less than 1%.

Like I said ,what if this cable was for a gift for someone? This would take the surprise out of the gift if I had to call that person and ask for the serial#.
I can see it now hey I need to have the serial# off of your unit, first question the other person is going to say is WHY?... well gee I need it so I can buy you a wire kit for your birthday or what ever but the manufacture will no sell it to me until I have the serial# so I have to call you and get this info and ruin the suprise at the same time...sorry about that!!

Give me a break there IS NO LEGIT reason for a serial number needed for the wire kit.
What if I would have just asked for a replacement fuse would they need the serial number for that?? hahahahahahhahaaaa

**boomerman** · 07-08-2005, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by jbird

If you do not want to waste time or money then just use a regular four wire telephone cord and hardwire it yourself. Several forum members have already posted which color wire is ground and which is positive so just do a search.

You are absoulely correct and this is what I will end up doing, I just thought I would try to do the correct thing and buy the kit from the manufacture instead of rigging something on my own.
Silly me!!! hahahahahahhahahahahaaa

**synmoo** · 07-08-2005, 12:15 PM

It's a perfectly legit reason. No one says you have to agree with it.

I think you are seriously over-reacting. Do what was said. Just use a phone cord and chill out.

**compu44** · 07-08-2005, 12:33 PM

Be careful with using a phone wire to direct wire the V1, as the Valentine has it's power filtering in the direct wire adapter, so if you have any noise in your electrical system you may run into problems.

**kpatz** · 07-08-2005, 12:52 PM

I had a house fire in January, and lost all my V1 accessories. All I still have is the V1, hardwire kit, and remote display.

So I'll have to provide my serial # to order a new windshield mount, coiled cord, and lighter plug?

**The Walt** · 07-08-2005, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by synmoo

It's a perfectly legit reason. No one says you have to agree with it.

I think you are seriously over-reacting. Do what was said. Just use a phone cord and chill out.

I'd have to agree. It's their product, and I'm sure that this is one of the ways to see if it was stolen or gray market items. Much like registering MS Office in order to continue using it.

I guess they figure if someone doesn't want to give them the serial number, then most likely it's because the number is rubbed off, missing and the person wanting to buy the accessory knows this and won't give it to them. It won't stop the gray market from selling them, but V1 can be assured that they are not contributing to the problem, and in fact are deterring it in some small bit.

I'm sure there are also some people who are paranoid of privacy rights issues and feel that giving out the serial number of a product they have is an invasion of privacy. If you registered your product, then you have already given them your serial. I know I register anything that I feel is an investment as well as buy an extended warranty if available. Everyone that I know who say that registering their Office online is an ivasion of privacy really boils down to the fact that they have copies of the software, not legitimately purchased - I know that for a fact. They offered it to me and think I'm crazy that I pay for it. I think that's why they protest that procedure.

I think the point you give is a valid point (being a gift and all) but does not apply to you in this case.

I for one applaud V for taking this extra step of precaution. I interpret it as looking out for their customers. I only wish Bel would do that for their customers.

Edited to add:
I imagine this helps in determining where unauthorized selling of the V1 is happening. You furnish them your number, and if it was obained by an unathorized method (be it stolen, gray market, etc), totally unkown to the buyer, they can find out information about where it was purchased, etc., and then take action on it from there, by tracking the selling chain.