Community Expert

Question

Thinking of buying from eBay?

Forum|Forum|18 years ago
February 15, 2008
221 replies
324377 views

Edited October 23, 2008

The original article that this post referred to has expired but there's still quite a bit of good information in this thread.

The point is that eBay software is a risky purchase with much of it illegally pirated.

Bob

This topic has been closed for replies.

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A

Anonymous

I think this should be a sticky or at least in the FAQ.

I just looked for it there – what a mess! Time for a cleanup "moderators"!

Zeno Bokor

Inspiring

It is a sticky, it's right here: Adobe Photoshop. AFAIK, normal users can't post in the FAQ subforums so that's why i haven't moved this thread there.

techWALLGuru

Participant

Unfortunately I am one of those people who gave money to the Adobe software, bought by eBay, and i regret!

D

dunamisconcepts

Participating Frequently

Back in the day, I got Photoshop CS2 off ebay for 30 bucks. I knew it was a not a real copy but I wanted to learn how to do it and didn't want to drop hundreds to learn if I didnt even liking it! Since then, I have got a real copy of CS4. I think to attack people who want to see if they like it before they spend hundreds of dollars is immature. I mean come on, it takes months to learn PS and Adobe only gives 30 days. I think most people with illegal copies use them to see if they like it before spending the hundreds!!!!!!

My view on is anyways.

A

Anonymous

I might have missed where there was an attack of people that want to test software... this is a lengthy thread.

Do you realize that if you are set on violating the license and want a pirate version, you don't have to waste $30? Pirates get it for free. Suckers pay other pirates.

You may have had most success by enrolling in a class at a community college to obtain guided instruction with new software and an insanely cheap price for your own legitimate educational license.

D

dunamisconcepts

Participating Frequently

Torrents are too dangerous for my computer to mess with!

Ozzwoman9

Inspiring

bump

P

pixel_a_ted

Inspiring

I would be quite satisfied with an earlier version of PS as it will more than meet my needs. I currently use my company's license at home (non-commercial use as per the license agreement) but will probably be retiring soon and would like to continue using PS.

I understand the piracy issue with current versions of PS and would view an offer to sell CS4 for a greatly reduced price with much skepticism, but how about buying older versions? There is a seller on eBay (I won't mention the name as it seems to get removed from here anyhow) that claims to be an authorized Adobe reseller who gives you valid serial numbers and guarantees that they will work. He has a large number of feedbacks, 100% positive. Should someone with such a feedback history also be viewed skeptically?

Thanks.

A

Anonymous

This thread is well over 200 messages long but you will see, if you read back a bit, that every version from pre-CS to CS4 has been faked and offered at a bargain price.

This is not to say there are no genuine offers as well but the majority turn out to be fakes.

Some of them are very well done: shrink-wrapped with proper installation disks and documentation and they install and seem to work!

Then something goes wrong.

Adobe will confirm if the serial number is genuine but the catch is that to find it you have to buy it and break the sealed packaging.

BrokeBrain

Known Participant

I did not see this thread.

Can you tell me if this is fake software?

Nice Price.

[deleted by forum host]

Seller says 100% Legit.

A

Anonymous

$100.00 for a full version of a $999.00 software? That is very suspect. Your choice though but don't say you were not warned.

BrokeBrain

Known Participant

I did not get one before he sold out.

If it is real that was one hell of a deal.

J

johnwcater

Participating Frequently

Re: Thinking of buying from Adobe?

If you purchase a software package from Adobe and accidentally order the wrong version, expect to go through HELL to get it straightened out. I upgraded and accidentally ordered CS4 Extended instead of CS4. Holy cow, what a mess!!! I recognized my mistake in about 2 minutes of placing the order and submitted a support ticket explaining the error and asked if they could fix the problem. Well, of course, they have no toll-free number to call - unbelievable!!! They shipped the package same day but responded to my concern 2 days later. I guess now I will have to pay to ship it back and then pay to get the correct version - a lot of unnecessary expense. This is the worst customer service I've experienced in at least 20 years. Adobe, if this problem is not resolved in a true customer friendly fashion, I will make it my goal in life to post this message on every photoshop forum I can find plus any twitter/facebook and other avenues. Your customer service SUCKS. As Clark Howard would say "no-customer-service." I think I'll call him too - His radio show reaches about 2 million people a day, as I understand. Maybe Adobe will reconsider the cost of the bad publicity in light of paying a nominal fee for a toll-free number and a person or two to man it

BobLevine

Author

Community Expert

Recap: You ordered the wrong item.

The item shipped and you received it and now you're blaming Adobe? Go ahead and shout that from the moutaintops, because I know of no company that's going to pay for return shipping when you're the one who made the mistake.

BTW, just exactly what does this have to do with Ebay?

Bob

J

johnwcater

Participating Frequently

Yes, I made the mistake and I admitted it.? I would not have to pay for the return shipping if you had a customer service phone number that I could have called to correct the mistake before you shipped.

Regarding shouting from the rooftop?? I'll post this on every forum I can find today.?? Adobe will lose far more than the return shipping I'll have to pay because you can't provide a customer service phone number . . . not even a pay number.?

Shoot your mouth off again and I'll find the president or CEO?for Adobe and see what he thinks of your comments.? I sure do not mind sharing my remarks b/c they are totally legit.

John Cater

C

CRoberts

Participant

I purchased a copy of Adobe CS3 Master Collection back in early 2008 from a US seller on EBay. I received the software and immediately installed the software and successfully activated it so I thought all was fine. Once I went to register it I found out that the serial number was already used and I could not register my copy of CS3. The seller had sold several copies using the same serial number.

I had to go through my credit card issuer to get a refund since the seller, EBay, nor would Pay Pal refund the money since the software could be used, albeit illegally

I was able to find a seller on EBay, here in the US that I purchased CS3 MC from that was both legit and legal.

M

mark_stallon

Participant

many people think for buying from ebay i would not recommend it though i have read it on three websites here

[links deleted by forum host]

I

Interpersonal

Participant

Why buy online? Why not buy online at a reputable store?

A

Anonymous

Can we draw a line under this thread,I only answered a query and I seemed to have resurrected it.I don't want to purchase any software from ebay.My CS4 will be purchased from Adobe UK.

Thanks John

Why buy online? Why not buy online at a reputable store?

>

scambot

Participating Frequently

I just ordered the Photoshop CS4 & Lightroom combo from Adorama online. They're currently out of stock but will ship as soon as it comes in.

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