I had a v1 and it has a unique identifier. A serial number. I saw it myself. I had to give it to peak design for a warranty

https://peakdesign.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004982006-Finding-Your-Serial-Number-or-QC-Number#EDBV1SN

Also, when I bought my newer one from REI they didn’t get my information at all. Maybe it’s different for the travel line I don’t now. But I’ve never had to give my information during purchase unless it’s online

It’s so people can’t commit fraud mostly. There’s an epidemic of people buying something from a place like Amazon and then 2 years later buying it again and returning it but sending the old one back instead.

This allows tracking of that. Otherwise the company loses money and has no recourse. I get it from that perspective. Even some phone cases have the same thing. Apple cases. Pikata cases. Many things and it is for this reason mostly.

Not so they can track theft or hopefully track you.

Because you don’t have to register it. Plenty of retail stores sell it and you can pay cash.

Many products say “register your product for your warranty”

Just to get your data. It’s not required.

People are so misinformed here. I bought a v1 long time ago in like 2018 from a local store. Paid cash no one asked my name and it has a unique serial number.

I know this because it has some discoloration that I recently found out was a known issue with the color I bought. I hit them up and told them I bought it in 2018 from a local store and don’t have the receipt.

They just asked for pictures and my information like name and address to send the replacement.

Instead I asked for credit since the V2 isn’t the exact same. They said ok and gave me the credit for the full price of a new one. Super easy.

I never say it like that. But I’ll tell people I found it by searching it. People really need to learn how to search first.