Do you really know the correct model and serial numbers?
The product model and serial numbers are a critical element of the warranty claim process. The purpose of this article is to provide you with important information to ensure your field technicians collect the correct numbers for warranty claims.
When looking at a GE product tag, the model and serial numbers are very clear, as shown below. The model is GTW525ACP0WB and the serial number is MS989777G.
Let's take a look at other examples that tend to be confusing.
Below is an Alliance Laundry Systems product tag for a Speed Queen product. Notice the full model number is required — not DV2000WE, which is the Product Code.
Just the opposite is Bertazzoni: after receiving the tag and calling their customer service line, we were informed NOT to use the model number. Even though the field name says MODEL, they want the CODE number under the model number when filing a warranty claim.
Bosch serial numbers and the FD number
Another difficult tag to read and interpret is the Bosch Home Appliance family of products. On some tags all the information is provided, and on other tags you need to determine which of the characters/numbers are to be included in the 9-digit numeric serial number that is needed to file the warranty claim.
If you clearly see the FD: and the Z-Nr., adding the number after those characters will equal the 9-digit serial number: 021100367, 930700153 and 0206100314 are the correct serials shown below.
If the product tag only has the 18-digit serial number and NO FD NUMBER, you will need to use the following logic to find the 9 digits that are truly the serial number.
Ignore the first 2 digits ('48'), which are the factory code. Start with the 3rd digit and use the next 3, which are the manufacture date — in the case above it's 0907, or July 2019. The next 7 digits represent the manufacturer code; ignore them. The next 5 digits are to be added to the 3-digit date for the serial number (90700430). Ignore the last digit.
Beko and Blomberg serial formats
Below are three formats you may see for the serial number based on products manufactured by Beko and Blomberg.
This number identifies the product, like the model number. It is a 10-character number as well, and always begins with the number 7. This identifies to the factory which country the unit was manufactured in. Even if this number is identified on the model/serial tag as the serial number, IT IS NOT. The model number is outlined in red, the serial number in yellow, and the product code in green.
Dashes, spaces and slashes matter
We find that some service companies enter model numbers without the dashes, spaces and slashes. Please note that this is incorrect: MDD30CMBTH. It must be written as shown: MDD30CM/B/TH. Another example for Beko is the model number MWOTR 30100 SS, where the spaces are included. Simply entering MWOTR30100SS in a claim is incorrect — you must use the spaces in your claims.
When it comes to Sub-Zero/Wolf you must also use the slashes in the model number, as follows: 695/S.
These are just a few examples of the differences in the product tag by brand. If you'd rather never think about a product tag again, Auggie™, the AI engine behind ClaimWorks, validates model and serial formats automatically before a claim is filed — or our claims team can handle the filing for you.
Questions about a specific tag? Contact us or call 877-535-WORK. We are happy to help.