Engraving - Can I tell without opening?

There's no such thing as a serial number that is tied to multiple iPods. Check the serial number on the outside of the box, and give it to 1-800-APL-CARE. Just explain the situation, and tell them that all you want to know is whether or not there is a personalized engraving on the back of the iPod. You might want to make sure you read it phonetically... like saying "M as in mouse" and that sort of thing. They do tend to get serial numbers wrong often enough...

I know there's a spot to check your warranty status on the support page, but I don't think it will tell you whether or not the iPod is personalized.

You might want to try setting up a repair for it at
http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod
It won't cost you anything, and you don't actually have to send the iPod or anything... but if your iPod has a personalization, it will ask you whether or not you want your replacement iPod to have that personalization or not.

That's really the only way I can think of to tell... without asking the person who purchased it for you if they personalized it or not.

Congrats on your graduation

CG

That's a really good question. Your best bet is probably to bring it in to an Apple store, and have them punch the serial number into their systems (I believe the serial number is on the box). Maybe their records will indicate whether or not the iPod was engraved. If that can't be done, ask this "third party." Think up some stupid, but believable excuse, and some how get them to tell you whether or not it was engraved.

Hmm... sounds like you might have actually completed the request, so if you weren't prompted, your iPod shouldn't be engraved.

CG