Looking at MBA on CL - how to be sure it's not stolen?

[olnacl]

There are a number of MBAs for sale on CL in S FL. I have an iPad 1 that I am going to sell and replace with the MBA, but - is there any quick (as in when I'm looking at the computer with the seller) way to check that he/she is the legit owner? (This IS south Florida - buyer beware!)

[threeprong]

Serial Number?

[pinkoos]

Best thing would be to ask if he still has the receipt.

I guess you could possibly get him to call Apple while you're there and see if the CSR will confirm that it is registered under the seller's name.

The warranty status checker based on the serial number will only tell you whether it's still under warranty or not - won't give you any other information.

[freeradical]

I'm not sure, but doesn't Apple keep records of serial numbers and customers? They'd have to for AppleCare purposes. Maybe there's some way they can tell you if a machine is hot.

[deckeda]

There are some databases for this but I can't imagine they're necessarily cross-referenced.

Here's two:
http://www.mark-up.com/stolen/

http://www.powermax.com/stolen

[hal]

You can't be sure

the only way you CAN be sure is to check the serial number against the real receipt and the credit card number against the sellers actual card.