IMEI and traceability: why log the IMEI on every repair

Dozens of similar devices come in and out of a repair shop every day: the same model, the same colour, sometimes even the same case. Knowing for sure which is which isn't a luxury, it's what prevents the classic "that's not my phone". The most reliable way to identify a handset is its IMEI, and recording it on every repair and sale should be as automatic as writing down the customer's name.

1. What the IMEI actually is

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit number unique to each phone. It doesn't depend on the SIM card or the phone number: it identifies the device itself. Even if you switch carrier or SIM, the IMEI stays the same for the whole life of the device.

Getting it is easy and you always have several options:

• By dialling *#06# on the phone's keypad: it appears on screen instantly.
• In the device settings, under "Information" or "About phone".
• On the box or the inner sticker (under the battery, or on the SIM tray on some models).

2. Why log it on every repair

Recording the IMEI takes ten seconds and solves problems that, without it, become the customer's word against yours. Here are the solid reasons:

Avoid device mix-ups

If three black iPhones come in the same day, the IMEI is the only thing that guarantees you hand each customer their exact phone. A label with brand and colour isn't enough when they all look alike.

Warranty applied correctly

When a customer returns saying "the screen you fitted is failing", the IMEI instantly confirms whether that device really passed through your shop, what you did and when. Without that detail, defending or honouring a warranty is a debate with no proof.

Protection against fraud and complaints

The IMEI records exactly which device you received and in what condition. If someone tries to swap one handset for a different one, or claim on a device you never touched, your record dismantles it. It also lets you check whether a phone is listed as stolen or blocked before accepting a purchase or repair.

Insurance, assessments and traceability

For insurance-covered repairs or assessments, you'll almost always be asked for the IMEI of the device worked on. Having it on every job sheet makes answering those requests a matter of seconds, not digging through paperwork.

3. How TekPair stores it

In TekPair the IMEI isn't a lost field: it travels with the device from check-in to handover. When you create a repair or a device sale, you record the IMEI on its sheet and it stays linked to that job permanently.

• On the repair sheet: the IMEI sits next to the model, the customer and the fault details, forming the device history.
• On device sales: you store the IMEI of the sold handset for future warranties or claims.
• On the invoice and receipt: the IMEI is printed, so the customer takes away in writing exactly which device was repaired or bought.

4. Best practices at the counter

Turning IMEI logging into a routine is what makes the difference. A few simple habits:

• Record the IMEI on check-in, not at the end of the day.
• Confirm it matches by dialling *#06# in front of the customer when in doubt.
• If the phone won't turn on, find the IMEI on the SIM tray or the box.
• For dual-SIM phones, store at least the first IMEI.
• Verify second-hand devices before accepting them for repair or purchase.

With this discipline, every device that passes through your shop is perfectly identified and backed up. It's not bureaucracy: it's the proof that backs you up when needed and the confidence the customer notices.