Cartridge without serial?

@big_greg thanks for the info on international sellers. I haven't ever purchased from an international seller so the lack of warranty was originally worrisome, even though their transparency off the bat was very cool. I'd be curious how often a warranty is used for cartridges? I'm sure I'm personally just used to the piece of mind when hearing the phrasing.  

@chakster I just purchased a Hana ML. There is a shortage here in the states right now, but should be over hopefully in the next month from what I've heard from a distributor.  Dealers are taking pre-orders and basically selling out before they can receive shipment. 

Does anyone, besides me, wonder how the two vendors in rdk777's post above are able to acquire and sell cartridges with no serial number, and yet seemingly no one else can?

@chakster - the cartridge that I got retipped from VAS for ~$500 was well worth more than the ~$6k that I would have to pay for a new cartridge from their trade-in/exchange program.  I can pick up two top end used cartridges with the savings. I also knew that I could no longer go back to the mfr and ask for a trade-in as the cart, in their mind has been tainted - another arbitrary rule, since they don't retip anyways and give you a new cartridge. In some instances, for reasonably priced cartridges, trade-in/exchange program may fare better - but that depends on the buyer. As for me,  I haven't totally fallen in love with a cartridge, where I must have the original. There are many offerings out there and life is short.

@daveyf - the cartridge mafia runs a tight ship. ; )