Recording Serial numbers. Best way to go about it?

Tobes

Tobes

Tobes

Soldato
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Devon
So I have been meaning to do this for a while but never got around to it.

I want to record the serial numbers of all my equipment in the house in case we get robbed or something.

Just wanted to know if there are any free services out there or if I should just create a word document and type the product and the serial number.
 
Just take a load of pictures of all valuable items, and store them in dropbox or similar.

Serial numbers are fine but take a lot of time and you'll likely sell/change/dump stuff and not update the serials.
 
As others have already said, you could just take pictures and jot all the serial numbers down and throw them into a secure dropbox account.

I also remember hearing about an app for the iPhone/iPad that can do this also - I'm afraid I can't remember the name of the app, I'll have a little look and see if I can find it...
 
I'm on Android so don't look too hard unless it would help others.

OK so take pictures as well. Easy enough :)
 
This is probably a good idea. I think I only have my bike serial written down somewhere.

You could keep a spreadsheet on google docs? Provides you with the back-up you require and is easily modified. Could print out hard copies every time you change it, so it's always on hand for police etc.
 
Use a note taking app like Evernote add pics and descriptions chuck them all in the same notebook.

Makes it easier when you need to find one as you can just use Evernotes built in search function.

Also gives easy access to all the info across all your devices, including your phone etc. :)
 
Last edited:
m4rk84 said:
Use a note taking app like Evernote add pics and descriptions chuck them all in the same notebook.

Makes it easier when you need to find one as you can just use Evernotes built in search function.
Click to expand...


I was just thinking evernote sounds perfect for something like this.
Available on android for free as well ;)
 
A general picture of the item plus a close up of the serial number might be a good approach. Then as suggested, hard copy, soft copy, cloud copy if you want to be really sure :)
 
I suspect that something like an excel document could work quite well for this.

You could arrange it to have the item description, model number, serial and date/place of purchase in an easy to search format.
If you've got a barcode scanner (they are reasonable cheap and very handy for cataloguing DVD's and games etc), you can even use that a lot of the time to read serial numbers accurately.
Combine that with some pictures and you'd be reasonably well set, especially as you could keep a copy on your PC and on a memory stick or whatever.

Recording the place/date of purchase also makes it easy to work out if it's in warranty in the event of a problem.
 
Just checking out Android apps. There are loads of barcode scanners but sadly I can't find a app that can read text. For instance my Macbook pro has a serial number on it but no barcode.

I think I might create a spreadsheet in google docs and do it that way.
I like the date idea as well as my music gear has 4 years warranty :D Also hdds from OcUK haha.
 
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