Mine is not behind the batteries? Am I missing something?

There should be a little white sticker with the serial number on it attached inside the battery compartment. Since URC has made this number important for obtaining software if it is a new remote and there is no serial number sticker I would consult the seller and probably return or exchange the remote for another.

If the remote is old you are now a victim of URC's new policy and can try contacting URC, good luck.

New or old if you bought a remote without a serial number, the seller was definately out to screw you, but make sure he didn't get screwed himself so he removed the serial number.

If the remote is old, the sticker may have come off sometime, somehow after the purchase and possibly fallen out when changing batteries.

Also with an old remote there is no hope of returning or exchanging it.

It is always worth contacting URC and trying to resolve this issue. If at first you don't get the right person on the line, phone again and get someone else, or ask for the supervisor.

URC is willing to take care of anyone who has a legitimately purchased remote. Yes, they did spring this policy on us not the best way, and yes, it may be a bit of work to get things sorted out right now, but it is worth it in the long run.

Greg

I doubt that a seller would have removed a serial number, they have no reason to, however an authorized distributor who was distributing them in a way against URC policies may have to prevent them from being traced back to them. Very possibly the seller had no idea the serial number was removed and was as much a victim in receiving the remote from their supplier.

Doesn't seem likely. I like Rob and Greg's ideas better.

If a serial number was removed from someone, an unauthorized seller would not be traced by a serial number. The person removing the serial number had legitimate connections to URC and was afraid of being traced.

So possibly a URC distributor selling in high quantities and selling for below the price he was supposed to sell at but more than making up for his profits because of the quantity he sells by selling to unauthorized sellers. An unauthorized seller gets his remotes to sell somewhere down the line from an authorized distributor, this would be the person wanting to not be traced.

One way or the other, there is no serial number.

Call URC and let me know if you have success.

Email me (address in profile) if you have any problems.

Greg

Contacting URC was what I recommended at the start of this post.

Oh, you noticed! ;-)

Isn't it amazing that we both advised the same thing! :-)

What would happen if I bought my MX-850 from a friend who no longer has his serial number? What am I to do now?

There's a sticky for this.