My eBay Rant

I've been Pro eBay for several years now. That's all about to change...

I bought Windows 7 Ultimate from a seller on eBay back in September 2012. I installed it as soon as I got it. I updated it and kept it updated regularly. Then on February 20th, 2013 (Well past the eBay 45 day complaint period) I boot up my computer and it tells me that Windows is not genuine.

I go to eBay and PayPal to try and file complaints with both. This is when I find out about that 45 day grace period. I can't file a complaint at either site.

So I contact the seller about the issue. I wasn't expecting a return email so I decided to call Microsoft and find out what the deal was. I gave them the Product ID that came with my Windows 7 Ultimate package and they told me that the software was activated 3 times! Once in April 2012, Once in September 2012 (probably by me) and again in November 2012. They told me it was red flagged for piracy.

I decided to go back and look through the sellers feedback and find other people who have bought similar items around the dates that Microsoft gave me and try to contact them. There was a slew of people who purchased Windows 7 Ultimate (the same package as me). I contacted 3 random buyers and they all contacted me back. Only one of them had my Product ID code. The other two had different Product ID codes.

The seller made things right with them. As for me, The seller is willing to give me back half the purchase price so I will have paid around $75 for pirated software.

I've filed a complaint with ic3.gov and doubt I'll hear anything from them. I think I should take the $75 and leave it up to the authorities to get the rest back for me. If that ever happens.

I think I might switch back to Linux and use Gimp for my photo editing. I didn't have these problems with the free software...

I know one thing. I will NEVER buy licensed software (or anything that requires a serial number or Product ID code) on eBay EVER again!!!

Anyway, I just felt I'd rant here a bit. Thanks for reading.

I got a story from the other side of the spectrum. In August of 2012 I've sold three 12 month subscriptions to Photoshop (Adobe Creative Cloud) via EBay. Two out of the three buyers contacted me back pretty much openly accusing me of defrauding them and threatening to report me to EBay. The licenses which I shipped to them were purchased through Staples and I had receipts for all three of them. One of those complains were resolved fairly easily, the guy couldn't differentiate between "0" / "O" and "2" / "Z". Second person, who claimed to be an attorney, just couldn't figure out how to use the code properly and I had to spend over two hours walking him through the process. Conclusion I arrived to was the same as CameraMan's, I'll not buy or sell anything that involves serial numbers via EBay ever again (unless buying from a known store that has an ebay presence).

Yes, Adorama or Newegg would be fine to purchase from on eBay but users with 100% positive feedback could turn bad at any moment. Watch yourselves! Stay away from the licensed software. Be safe.

I've been buying and selling there since 1998. I've given up, its become a scammers paradise. My last two purchases were a ripoff.

DiMAn0684 wrote in post #15695630
Conclusion I arrived to was the same as CameraMan's, I'll not buy or sell anything that involves serial numbers via EBay ever again (unless buying from a known store that has an ebay presence).

DiMAn0684, your bad experience as a seller is caused by dumb buyers. There's not much you can do about that regardless where you sell your stuff.

It's either dumb buyers or people playing dumb so they can get their software for free.

morph2_7 wrote in post #15696427
DiMAn0684, your bad experience as a seller is caused by dumb buyers. There's not much you can do about that regardless where you sell your stuff.

Absolutely, but it's somewhat easier to ignore dumb buyers from CL, there will be no EBay / PayPal dispute against you.

CameraMan wrote in post #15697824
It's either dumb buyers or people playing dumb so they can get their software for free.

Definitely felt like one of those guys was trying to scam me, but I had no proof I could furnish in case of a dispute.

I've never used eBay precisely because of the potential for scams.

That sucks man. I too use to love eBay, but I haven't purchased anything off that site in a couple of years. It's become so easy to pirate electronics/software that I'd rather pay the full price from an established retailers direct site, knowing I have the peace of mind it's legit. I hope you can get all of your money back.

Haven't heard from the guy in a couple of days... He said he'd give me half but he hasn't even done that yet. Maybe I can get this guy banned from ebay...