New th55 $183 Paper Weight. . .??

[salesrep]

Okay, here's my dilemma--

Just bought open box th55 from Circuit City yesterday 4/26 for $183 including tax and 2yr extended warranty. The handheld only comes with the ac charging adapter and whatever that block is called that goes on the bottom.

I have only now had the chance to look at the device really well, and I have discovered that there is NO SERIAL LABEL on the reverse of the th55. It's completely gone!!

Since the item is considered BRAND NEW for warranty purposes from Circuit City, does anyone have an idea of what I really have here? I'm thinking that without the serial # I won't even be able to register the unit with Sony, so how does that affect the warranty? Thus the $183 paper weight comment.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[Kosmonoko]

THat sucks ask sony if thats a problem. IF it is i guess return it... BTW did you even get a CD?

gosh my th55 the serial got scratched cause of the metal case and part of the silo fell off the stylus moved or i hit my th55. :(

I guess you get you 2year waranty which is good too.

[Karim]

Hurry back to Circuit City and see if they somehow have the serial on record still. If not, I'd get my money back for the extended warranty and take my chances (for such a super low price!).

[salesrep]

No CD. All that came with it was the handheld and ac-10 charger. That is the benefit of buying retail--I can return it with my receipt.

Sort of a shame, though, because it is fully functional, battery seems to last FOREVER (especially compared to my ux50.)

Screen has very light scratches and casing shows signs of wear, but nothing horrible.

I want to get Bluetooth MS (pega-msb1) if it's cost effective and I can get the remote camera program from the ux50 to use with my video camera. I have seen some posts relating to the UK version that has Bluetooth built-in, but doesn't sound that they're around (although it would be perfect for me.)

BTW--Warefare Inc. is GREAT on this monster screen. I think I've developed sight problems playing it on my ux50!!

[salesrep]

Receipt has a line description that says

"PEGTH55, Tag Number xxx xxx xxxx. . ."

Could be serial #? Guess I'll call Sony tomorrow (well, later today) and find out what they know about the situation.

Pretty good idea refunding the 2yr Protection Plan. It was VERY cheap without paying for that.

[Karim]

In retrospect, even if there is record of the serial, without the serial actually being ON the unit your problem basically remains. Your choices are probably between returning the Protection Plan and returning everything.

Keep us posted on what happens!

[jklfafa]

the serial number can be accseesed thru z launcher? and shows device id? could tgat be it?

[jklfafa]

it should be in the rom, somewhere? not just in the sticker

[tonyreynolds]

the serial number can be accseesed thru z launcher? and shows device id? could tgat be it?

I just checked; Both the Palm/File/Info and ZLauncher/Info give the device ID, but NOT the Sony serial number...

Take it back. Sorry, but unless they can give you the serial, you got a bad deal and should get your money back.

For about $50-75 more, you should be able to get a mint condition, used unit from a private owner.

Tony

[billegal]

The PEGA bluetooth adaptor has been reported as not working with the TH55. Hagiwara was making something, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[iboar]

Almost all electronic devices have an internal identification number that is unique to that unit. I'm sure there is a way to find this serial number. Afterall, how do you think companies verify the unit actually belongs to the piece of paper glued to the back?

Why some of these guys are telling you to return it is beyond me. Geez, you are talking about $183. Even if it only lasts a year (and it will probably last for several years) you've got a good deal with or without a warranty. Plus you bought it from a reputable retail store, Circuit City, instead of an internet only store that may or may not be reputable.

[tonyreynolds]

Almost all electronic devices have an internal identification number that is unique to that unit. I'm sure there is a way to find this serial number. Afterall, how do you think companies verify the unit actually belongs to the piece of paper glued to the back?

Why some of these guys are telling you to return it is beyond me. Geez, you are talking about $183. Even if it only lasts a year (and it will probably last for several years) you've got a good deal with or without a warranty. Plus you bought it from a reputable retail store, Circuit City, instead of an internet only store that may or may not be reputable.

The unique device ID is NOT the Sony factory serial number.

You're right, there's no need to worry, as long as the purchaser doesn't want to REGISTER his device.

Most everything that is missing from this open-box unit is available on the after-market from third-party suppliers or esellers.

Tony

[billegal]

Plus, if it only lasts a year, you've got a two year warranty.

The serial number is needed to get docs to go. If you can't get it, then go back to the store and insist upon a further discount.

[TJ37]

It's a display model most likely or a really poor return model. You don't need to register for the original 90 day warranty that accompanies "New/Refurbished" items, though if you want DTG6 (assuming someone didn't already register it) and an extended 1 year warranty, then you'll need the serial. I'm assuming you've registered your UX before, so you know what they ask in there. That's up to you if it's important or not.

If you insist on getting a serial, I'd get back to Circuit City and explain everything to see what they can do about it. If that goes nowhere then I'd contact Sony to see if a missing serial number means anything. If it doesn't and it's still under warranty, claim that something isn't working properly and ship it in. Hopefully, the technician at Sony will be lazy and hand you a better device.

That's a pretty good deal for a TH55.

[tonyreynolds]

It's a display model most likely or a really poor return model. You don't need to register for the original 90 day warranty that accompanies "New/Refurbished" items, though if you want DTG6 (assuming someone didn't already register it) and an extended 1 year warranty, then you'll need the serial. I'm assuming you've registered your UX before, so you know what they ask in there. That's up to you if it's important or not.

If you insist on getting a serial, I'd get back to Circuit City and explain everything to see what they can do about it. If that goes nowhere then I'd contact Sony to see if a missing serial number means anything. If it doesn't and it's still under warranty, claim that something isn't working properly and ship it in. Hopefully, the technician at Sony will be lazy and hand you a better device.

That's a pretty good deal for a TH55.

This won't work. CC uses a third-party repair facility, NOT Sony, at least for extended warranty repair. My NZ90 has been sitting at the repair depot in Florida for over two weeks waiting for a new screen for repair. I'd hoped that they'd give me a different unit, or store credit, but the CC policy is to try to repair the original unit three times. They give credit after the fourth time.


:(

[Ion Control]

Easy answer: Call Sony. Won't hurt to see what they say. Just explain the situation honestly.

Worst case: Circuit City has to repair it. After all, you bought it from them WITH the warranty. They're responsible for fixing it. I'd take it in today and get the ball rolling. The TH-55 is a glorious machine. I tried to replace mine last week and couldn't, no matter how hard I tried. Nothing came close (it was refreshing to know that, for once, I got the best thing on the first try). You got yours for a true steal. If it winds up being fixed, you're golden. As for cables, CD's, etc just eBay. Any cable that works with the ?SJ22? or TJ-series will work on the 55. I got a USB sync/charge cable on eBay intended for the SJ22. Used it on my TJ-25 for 6 months and have had it on my 55 for 8 months now. Cost $8 after S&H and even had an "in cable" hot sync button. Some of us might even have extra manuals, etc laying around we could send to you...

You are sitting pretty my dear sir/ma'am, but you are gonna have to work some for that awesome deal. And since you have the 2 year warranty, the worst thing that happens is you get your money back. But if you get it fixed, it will be worth any hassle you put up with.

Best of luck. Call Sony today.

[TJ37]

That's the problem here... salesrep's TH55 is functional and there is nothing really wrong with it. He's missing the sticker on the back with the serial number and was wondering if that will affect the warranty (which it does - no extended 1 year warranty and no DTG6 Pro). I think the sticker was purposely removed by either CC or the previous owner.

[jjesusfreak01]

That's the problem here... salesrep's TH55 is functional and there is nothing really wrong with it. He's missing the sticker on the back with the serial number and was wondering if that will affect the warranty (which it does - no extended 1 year warranty and no DTG6 Pro). I think the sticker was purposely removed by either CC or the previous owner.
Due to the fact that it went out of production a while ago, and the fact that DTG is now at version 7, it is possible that at the time you bought it that you couldnt get Docs To Go anyway. I heard they discontinued the downloads for DTG shortly after the TH went off the market. If you have a warranty through CC, then you will get service without the sticker.

[Ion Control]

Ooops. Sorry. Guess I missed that. :(

JJF01 is right that CC will have to honor the warranty whether Sony does or not. It might be wise to take the receipt back and have them note that the serial was not on the 55 when purchased. Might help with any ehadaches later. OTOH, if it's in good shape right now, I think you'll be fine and, unless you doing something dumb (which we all do), you'll likely never need the warranty :)

[salesrep]

Thanks for the insight here.

I spoke with Sony CLIE Support today, and verified that I do have 1 year factory warranty with the device-even without the serial #. The Sony guy told me that all I needed to do was hold onto the original receipt that shows the date of purchase and I can do one of two things:

1. Fax it to them for registration for future warranty service

2. Fax it to them when I need warranty service

That was really it--provided I had the sales receipt. Of course, I still have the Circuit City 2 year plan that will be valuable to someone for peace of mind down the road.

So, again, thanks for your help and this will go on eBay tomorrow night! (I am interested in buying the TH55/E with Bluetooth. . . :D )

[Ion Control]

So, again, thanks for your help and this will go on eBay tomorrow night!

Ooops, careful. eBay will void SOny's warranty and it may do the same for Circuit City. Not sure if it's transferrable. Be VERY clear in the listing that the Sony warranty is null & void as soon as someone buys it from you...