roman_sub Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 hi guys I would like some advice / collective wisdom. I recently bought a 2nd hand GK MB500 Fusion online from ebay. The amp arrived today and it works great... but I noticed that the serial number sticker isn't there. And, then from checking the return address, I realise the return address is a pawnshop in Worthing.... Clearly the biggest concern is whether the amp may have been stolen from someone, and then had the serial number removed. There may be another, innocent explanation, but I feel like I need to make sure.... My next steps will be: 1) I emailed GK to ask if there is another place the serial code may be noted, so I could use to check it / identify it. 2) call the pawnshop tomorrow morning, and ask them who sold them amp (their site claims to request ID from sellers). The ebay listing did not mention this, though looking more carefully at the listing, the serial sticker was indeed missing in their photo - https://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=1654516&image=947309445&images=947309383,947309394,947309405,947309418,947309431,947309445&formats=0,0,0,0,0,0&format=0 3) post around forums to establish if anyone had this amp go missing recently, and see if there can be any link made between the pawnshop's location, the person who brought it in, and so on... 4) alert police if outcome of 2) is unsatisfactory... Am I missing any steps? What should I say to the pawnshop when I speak to them? i am debating whether or not to return it - has anyone had experience of dealing with similar cases of unwittingly purchasing gear without serials? Hypothetically speaking, would you feel comfortable buying this amp from me in the future, if I could prove that I did all due diligence and do not have any evidence of it being stolen? I suppose that, if I could establish what the serial number is (e.g. if it is also stamped on the chassis), can confirm with pawnshop and their seller that it 100% wasn't stolen, I may be happy to keep it.. but I just don't know! Quite frustrating, as I was really excited about the amp - and do love how it sounds - but now feel like I need to deal with this issue... I suppose it is still possible that there are genuine, innocent explanations (e.g. dodgy sticker falling off...?) cheers Roman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 For gear of this sort, from a retail outlet, there should be a paper invoice, which one would expect to mention a serial number. If such is missing, there should be an explanation as to why, failing which I'd smell a rat. Was there a box..? Sometimes there's a SN there, too. Hope it works out in your favour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneyg42 Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Might be worth checking if a postcode has been put somewhere in or on the amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sub Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 Well, I did check with GK - who said there is no other way to trace the serial number, without the sticker. Absolutely no other distinguishing features. There is some soft glue residue, but does not appear to be any scratching or other signs of forced removal. Spoke to the pawnshop, who seemed broadly sensible and confirmed they did reasonableness checks at time of purchase, and do keep ID records of everyone they buy from. So I guess I will keep my posts asking around for any stolen MBF500's..... if nothing shows up, think I'll keep it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No. 8 Wire Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 [quote name='roman_sub' timestamp='1495706188' post='3305967'] Well, I did check with GK - who said there is no other way to trace the serial number, without the sticker. Absolutely no other distinguishing features. There is some soft glue residue, but does not appear to be any scratching or other signs of forced removal. Spoke to the pawnshop, who seemed broadly sensible and confirmed they did reasonableness checks at time of purchase, and do keep ID records of everyone they buy from. So I guess I will keep my posts asking around for any stolen MBF500's..... if nothing shows up, think I'll keep it. [/quote] I guess the problem is even if someone had one stolen, how would they prove it was theirs without any distinguishing marks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 A sticker so exposed to rubbing against anything and right next to the hot air exaust... i wouldn't be surprised if it came off by itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Looking at the one on my MB200, GK serial number stickers are not the most substantial things. I could imagine someone removing one if it had already started peeling. I guess you may never know, but that scenario doesn't seem impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sub Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 (edited) Yes - and this amp does definitely seem to run hot! And indeed, if it was stolen, best I could do would be to try to link it to the area of the pawnshop.. Edited May 25, 2017 by roman_sub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 From what you've said you've pretty much covered all reasonable bases, if it is stolen I can't see how the original owner could prove it's actually theirs unless they've marked it with smart water or something. As a side note, very decent of you to go to the lengths you have in case it might be stolen. Plenty of people wouldn't give it a second thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 [quote name='AdamWoodBass' timestamp='1495714309' post='3306074'] From what you've said you've pretty much covered all reasonable bases, if it is stolen I can't see how the original owner could prove it's actually theirs unless they've marked it with smart water or something. As a side note, very decent of you to go to the lengths you have in case it might be stolen. Plenty of people wouldn't give it a second thought. [/quote] I was thinking the very same thing. You have done very much more than is reasonable to check its history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sub Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 OK cheers guys, think I've calmed down now. Now off to actually play it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 One thing to consider is at some point you may wish to sell it on, would the lack of serial number cause you problems when trying to sell it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sub Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 Fair question, and also identification of the amp for insurance reasons may be an issue. Checking with GK if there may be any sensible workaround. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorturedSaints Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Hi Roman, I looked at that very same amp on eBay. I sent the sellers a message about the lack of serial number and they replied: [color=#231F20][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]All items are fully tested by our engineers prior to listing. Regarding any serial no. or its absence, that's how this stock item came in to us.[/font][/color] [font="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"][color="#231f20"]I decided not to buy because their reply suggested that they might be turning a blind eye, but I think you've done all you can.[/color][/font] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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