posted on February 17, 2005 06:44:16 AM
I want to purchase some software on Ebay. The prices are much lower than retail. But I have a question. What does it mean retail media product key? It also says: box and manual are not included. Why wouldn't the box and manual be included with the purchase? Are these copies?
posted on February 17, 2005 06:52:39 AM
Could be they are corporate copies. A company buys a license for 1000 copies. But they will not receive boxes or manuals, they receive master copies that they can use to install the software on x amount of machines. For instance, they buy the right to install the software on 1000 machines.
Some un-ethical people will take corporate software and copy it, then sell it on Ebay.
It is basically pirated software. Least that could happen is you won't have manufacture's support if you run into any problems. The worst that could happen is jail time for possessing pirated software.
It's kind of like stealing cable. Some people think it's no big deal until you get caught.
posted on February 17, 2005 11:42:50 AM
I have purchased software on eBay with no problems. I only buy from dealers who have a high feedback & only software the is "new in original sealed box".
posted on February 17, 2005 03:39:10 PM
I've purchased some computer games for my daughter and they have all come in the original packaging. I really would like to purchase Front Page 2003. But I'm a little leery with it not coming with the original packaging.
posted on February 17, 2005 03:47:59 PM
I purchased Office 97 a while back on ebay, and still use it. Best $25 I spent, came with original packaging too. Deals are there, but just be careful not to get software that is licensed to a specific computer, because as someone said there is no difference between that and a pirated copy.
posted on February 17, 2005 03:50:03 PM
The product key is the serial number you use to unlock the program after installation. Without it the program won't run.
Software advertised on eBay as no box/no manuals is 99.999% likely to be OEM or unlicensed software. Microsoft refers to this as pirated or counterfeit software, although all that's missing is the license.
If you're buying software on eBay, you want to purchase only fully licensed RETAIL software in the box. Otherwise, it's probably a Chinese bootleg.
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