Participant

Question

Is Software Tech a legitmate retailor of Photoshop CS6? (Nope, pirate site)

Forum|Forum|12 years ago
July 2, 2013
14 replies
28521 views

I recently purchased Photoshop CS6 from an online store called Software Tech Store. I was surprised when I recieved a package in the mail containing an a small cardboard box (opened) with the photoshop disk, but no invoice, no manuel, no information, nothing but an obviously used disk.

When I contacted them about the serial number missing, and other concerns, I was told that they had emailed it. (They had not). So they quickly emailed a false serial number, which left me with a useless disk.

When I emailed about the issue, they tried to tell me it was a problem with my internet connection. Clearly not the case. They insisted that the serial was valid, when obviously it was not.

I tried calling numerous times, and their phone sytem just loops back to the original message after selecting the right prompt, then I reached someone via their online chat forum, who basically informed me that Adobe does not use the original packaging anymore, as an attempt for people to purchase cloud. I have copied and pasted the chat below, please see the lines in bold print. I am just wondering if there is any truth to this at all. They sent me a fake refund reciept, and still have not, infact refunded my account, nor do I believe they have any intention of doing so.

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! '

You are now chatting with 'SoftwareTech'

SoftwareTech: Hello. How may I assist you?

Kateri: I just purchased Adobe photoshop CS6, and the package was open, the disk appears to be used, and I was not provided with a valid serial number. I feel that I have been scammed.

SoftwareTech: it was sent to your email

SoftwareTech: the serial number

SoftwareTech: can i have your order number please

Kateri: The serial number is not valid.

Kateri: Order # 100008807

SoftwareTech: can i have your order number please

SoftwareTech: i will check that hold on please

Kateri: Unless I am provided with a valid working serial number, I need to refunded immediately.

SoftwareTech: you sent us an email

SoftwareTech: correct

SoftwareTech: for the refund

Kateri: yes

SoftwareTech: no problem we will refund you the amount you paid

SoftwareTech: no problem

Kateri: Immediately.

SoftwareTech: yes

SoftwareTech: you will have it in less than 15 min

SoftwareTech: we will send the receipt to your email

Kateri: Why on earth would I be sent a useless, opened disk?

Kateri: Is this company a complete scam?

SoftwareTech: it's not opened

SoftwareTech: Adobe cancelled the box

SoftwareTech: and now they are sending the serial number via email

SoftwareTech: and they ship the DVD

Kateri: It was opened.

SoftwareTech: either that way or cloud

SoftwareTech: it's not opened this is how they send it

SoftwareTech: i know it's not good way

SoftwareTech: but adobe is doing that

SoftwareTech: to force people to buy cloud

Kateri: I'm ready to file charges.

SoftwareTech: it's the new thing

SoftwareTech: i am doing the refund right now

SoftwareTech: hold on please

SoftwareTech: i just sent you the receipt to your email

SoftwareTech: and your order has been refunded

Kateri: It has not been refunded.

SoftwareTech: we refunded your credit card the amount you paid and we sent the receipt to your email

SoftwareTech: did you get it

SoftwareTech: ?

Kateri: No. I received what is problably a fake receipt, but my account has not been credited. I want to be refunded IMMEDIATELY.

SoftwareTech: it's not fake

SoftwareTech: ok

SoftwareTech: you are not scam

SoftwareTech: please

SoftwareTech: your credit card has been refunded

SoftwareTech: and we sent you the receipt

SoftwareTech: it's not fake

SoftwareTech: and we are not fake

Kateri: My account has not been refunded.

SoftwareTech: yes it will shows in 2 to 3 business days

SoftwareTech: believe me there is nothing to be worry

SoftwareTech: we are not scam

SoftwareTech: we used to sell full retail boxes

SoftwareTech: but Adobe cancelled that

SoftwareTech: and we are having problem because of the new way

SoftwareTech: we are sorry

This topic has been closed for replies.

S

skilled_Jubilee0101

Participant

Same story, different graphic designer. I purchased an upgrade from Indesign CS 5.5 to Indesign CS 6 in May of 2013 from The Software Tech Store who Adobe had listed as an authentic reseller. Downloaded it from Adobe, used the SN given to me by Software Tech. No problems for five years, then start getting the pop ups from Adobe. Eventually talked to someone in India who essentially said too bad, so sad, Adobe doesn't care. I've been a freelance graphic designer for 25 years, bought all my software from Adobe. No more. Sad to see what's happened to them, taking no responsibility for their mistakes. Another company who's lost its moral compass.

Kurt Lang

Known Participant

And exactly how is this Adobe's fault? Ever heard of crooks or scammers? Nowhere does Adobe say they authorize The Software Tech Store as a reseller. I put their name in here, and there is no match of any kind:

Adobe Partner Connection Portal

This a known, and long running scam. Two more topics about them right on these forums:

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1669685

https://forums.adobe.com/message/9659674#9659674

You bought an illegal copy of CS6 from scam operation. Adobe has no control over them. At them moment, you can't even find a web site to this so-called company. What information you can find on them is, unsurprisingly, not good.

Try putting the blame where it belongs.

S

skilled_Jubilee0101

Participant

It was removed from their list, but was listed in May of 2013. Adobe has sued The Software Tech Store. ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED v. SOFTWARE TECH | Case No. 5:14-cv-02140-RMW. | By RONALD M. WHYTE | Leagle.com

J

joelnorth

Participant

How interesting that I discovered this thread just now while searching for info about Canada Software Outlet.

I bought Audition CS6 from them in 2013 and have had no trouble until now, trying to reinstall on my computer and being told the number was revoked, which support says is due to piracy.. I didn't believe them at first, but now upon reading this thread I'm quite shocked..

I don't want to upgrade to CC. I want to buy a perpetual license, which I cannot, so I was fine with CS6. Now I can't do anything as their only offer is a discount on CC single app subscription.

Shame. I'd buy a new software but I will not be forced into Adobe's subscription model.

Quite surprising though that I supposedly had a non-genuine Serial all this time? It worked for many years, I had no idea.

Terri Stevens

Legend

Sorry this has happened to you Joel. It's no consolation, but it's much harder for these companies to get away with pirating Creative Cloud as it doesn't use product keys.

T

Triskelion

Participant

Just to be clear, when you are talking about warning bells going off, Adobe had to be aware the authorized resellers they were listing on their site were purchasing licenses which were not to be resold. Resellers, for example Walmart, buy in bulk at a reduced price, and usually sell at a competitive price to ensure they have a market. There is NO warning bell to be heard when a slight discount is offered by a seller who is verified by Adobe as an authorized Adobe reseller. Stop trying to pass the responsibility on to the victims, who are trying to be loyal to your software. Adobe is recovering their loss from the thieves, and treating the victims as criminals as well. Our actions were based in a good faith trust in what we were told by Adobe.

My Photoshop CS6 was legitimate. I logged on to adobe.com and downloaded it. The serial number I was given was not counterfeit. It worked to activate the software, which I installed on two machines. When I realized I had made a mistake, the installation on one of the machines had to be de-activated before I could complete the installation on the correct second machine. Everything under Adobe's control worked as designed, including software updates. If there was an issue with the incorrect resale of the serial number, that is between Adobe and the vendor. The number was legitimate, and unique to my installation(s).

I am a Creative Cloud subscriber. Had to become one when I changed my desktop to a Mac. Adobe informed me at the time that I could not transfer my Windows licence to a Mac. (Can with Lightroom, but not Photoshop!) The subscription was necessary so the work I did on my laptop remained compatible with the desktop. Now I am trying to upgrade the laptop, and I have run into this problem. I still have a valid (obtained from Adobe) license for lightroom. If I have to change my stand-alone editor because Adobe is throwing me under the bus, Afinity is available for both Windows and Mac, and can be integrated with my copy of Lightroom.

Give me a reasonable solution to let me install CS6, or you will lose my Creative Cloud account.

M

Mijbil

Participating Frequently

I have bought alot of software from this company and have not had problems. The material purchased has included both downloads and boxed versions (they were always immaculate, by the way). With the downloads the serial numbers provided were not always ready to use right away because the firm had to get them from Adobe to send to us. As a small firm we used this company because they were the cheapest, and if you have to buy a whole bunch of licenses at once (old licenses are not transferable to replacement machines), this is cost effective. That being said, their customer service is patchy, and sometimes difficult to get a hold of. If there is a pirate site intercepting their traffic I am not aware of it. I am in Canada so this may make a difference.

M

Mijbil

Participating Frequently

Just to follow up, because I had not used them in a few months I am dismayed to see their site is no longer active. I guess it makes sense given the problems experienced by others here.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

One thing to consider, if a company goes out of business it would be easy for a fake to set itself up to take advantage of the former good reputation of a company, and rely on people Googling for the company to put themselves forward. In extreme cases this could happen even while the first company was still trading. I have no view on whether you experienced this.

S

sfmittels

Participant

This is an interesting thread. I just went through a similar situation with Lightroom 5. I purchased the software on 4/21/14 from Software Tech Store. I was sent an email with download, installation and registration instructions, plus a registration number. I followed the instructions, and everything installed and registered just fine. However, I began receiving emails from Adobe telling me my evaluation copy of Lightroom 5 was approaching its expiration. I called Software Tech Store (1-855-429-1985) and was told not to worry. I called Adobe Customer Service and explained the situation. At first, the rep told me my registration number was associated with a different email address than my own. She then said she would speak with her supervisor. She came back on the line and told me this is a "Volume License" and that everything is fine with my installation. Confusing, and it will be interesting to see if Adobe pulls the plug soon, but so far, the software boots up and functions just fine with no warnings about imminent expiration or about being an evaluation copy.

gener7

Community Expert

The point behind a volume license is for a large company to purchase licenses in bulk, not for stores to resell them as individual licenses. I'm surprised to hear that Adobe goes along with this. There must be more to this story,but that you had to make a few phone calls tells me Software Tech did not explain up front this was a volume license which again is strange.

S

Sedary

Participating Frequently

I don't understand the in's and out's of it all but when I did contact Adobe's Reseller Dept, and was told it was a Volume License (which, when I tried the registration in the beginning from my tablet during the panic - just to see what it did there - it stated it was a Volume License), I specifically asked the guy* I spoke with, "I didn't know it possible for an individual to buy a Volume License product!" and he said, "Yes."

In my very original comment, I linked the Adobe web page where their Authorized Resellers are listed but the link is gone from my posting now. However, you can look it up through Adobe's main site. You must plug in the name of the city where the company is located in order for any list to be displayed. AT THE TIME OF MY ORDER, Plattsburg, NY as well as Dorval, Quebec, CA were available and Software Tech Store as well as their parent company across the border were both located in their respective city's list. As an artist, I am VERY aware of piracy and copyright infringement issues and I wanted no part of it - thus my extreme care. [*guy = whoever the switchboard operator put me through to in the Reseller Dept.]

S

Sedary

Participating Frequently

Interesting that "Nope. Pirate site." has been added.

When buying CS6 I actually went to Adobe's page listing officially approved resellers and found this company AND it's Canadian sister company BOTH listed on Adobe's listing as legitimate resellers - so I purchased. Then I found this page, read it, and freaked out. At that point, I actually called Adobe at 408-5xx-xxxx and spoke to a guy in the Reseller Department [The receptionist determined that's who I needed to speak with.] and told him a pirate company had listed themselves within the legitimate resellers and they needed to look into it. He asked me questions. Seemed satisfied that I had legitimate material, asked for the serial number, told me I had a Volume License. "Volume License?! I didn't think individuals could have volume licenses!" I exclaimed. "Yes," he assured me -- and then told me they were rather hard to get registered. Oh, and the hologram sticker was there when he asked. Numbers on it were OK'd. I tried installing again, THIS time when I was actually online --- and the registration went right through. The first time I installed, I was offline and tried registering later. I have run MBAM and KIS and no malware has been discovered on my laptop. So (once again) at the time I bought, this company WAS INDEED listed on Adobe's own Adobe Partner's listing as a LEGIT reseller of their products. It's VERY interesting if they never were, isn't it.... What does that tell you about Adobe's own site. Plus their actual employee passed on my CS6 product as real. That is all I have to go on.

Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

Sedary, that's a useful addition to this thread, and information that, frankly, surprises me. I guess it is true what they say about the trouble with 'Assume' is. Thanks for the feedback.

J

jlnalee11

Participant

I bought Adobe photoshop Cs6 from them, and it works perfectly fine. However, they sold me a serial number that is registered to another user. So i cannot register it on my adobe account. I've been talking with the adobe customer service rep, and it seems that there is nothing they can do. Now I'm going to talk to software tech to see what they say... I'll update soon.

Kurt Lang

Known Participant

Unfortunately, you are goosed. That's why places like this should be shut down. They knowingly sell stolen serial numbers. They work for some people because the legitimate owner has only activated the software once. The number you got has two activations already in use. That's all that's allowed per number, so you (and anyone else) are blocked.

K

katieny1974

Participant

Many years ago when I first started using Adobe software, I had a similar experience though through a different retailer. Now I only purchase my software directly through Adobe. Three words: Peace.of.mind . . .

O

Ohya

Participant

similar experience of good or bad?

my experience with the software tech store is very good so far.

K

katieny1974

Participant

No, a similar (unpleasant) situation with a different retailer. Ever since then I've only purchase my Adobe software from Adobe. I know what I'm getting is legit.

O

Ohya

Participant

Just bought a CS6 Master Collection from thesoftwaretehstore.com on 12/09/2013

without any issue. As a matter of fact, the purchase experience was one of the best

we ever had for the last 30 years of online shopping. They packed the little original

Adobe CD/DVD cardboard boxes in a padded envelop, shipped in from Canada

and the package arrived at East Long Island of NY on 12/11/2013. Installed on a

Windows machine with the serial number they provided and everything went flawlessly.

They sent the serial number in email and questions were answered in email almost

instantenously. Cannot be happier with their service! Of course we will update if we

experience any issue down the road.

F

FireSpiritDesigns

Participant

I purchased CS6 from this company in 2013 & like Ohya, had no problems with them whatever! I also had no problem with entering the serial number given. And I've used CS6 ever since! What I liked about it most was the fact that I have my own copy of CS6 & do not have to pay to use it every month, which I think is just another way Adobe has of making a fortune on their software (sorry, guys, but it's true!). They should have it for sale like they used to in the beginning. I'm sure use of the "Cloud" is going to keep rising in price just like the cable & phone co. ......

However, with that said, I went back to their (Software Tech Store) site today (in 2016) to look for some other software & found (to my dismay) that evidently their store is closed or they have a new name because the only thing that came up was a blank page saying the domain name was for sale!

johng58572988

Participant

ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED v. SOFTWARE TECH | Case No. 5:14-cv-02140-RMW. | By RONALD M. WHYTE | Leagle.com

Kurt Lang

Known Participant

Worse, they have your credit card number, which is what a lot of these types of places are really after. Call the credit card company and dispute the charge. And, cancel that card immediately and have them issue you a new card.

K

kayphoto2Author

Participant

Thanks everyone. Cancaled the card. Never had this happen before, hopefully learned my lesson!

S

Sedary

Participating Frequently

This is all rather odd because from at least June through August 2013, they (softwaretechstore) were listed through http://partners.adobe.com/resellerfinder/na/findreseller.jsp as being a Certified Reseller in Plattsburg - athough based in Dorval, Quebec just like the Certified Reseller, Canada Software Outlet is now! They're duplicate sites, just about. Why are they listed through Adobe as being legitimate? At least, the Plattsburg location was through August. If you can't trust Adobe's own listings for resellers, who can you trust?

I've since spoken with Adobe and their Reseller Dept didn't seem to have a problem with the listing, seeming to ignore that a pirate could possibly list there with them. They did say it was a volumn license and sometimes those have a hard time going through correctly. My problem, and what caused a flag to go up, is that my Firefox browser told me "This Connection is Untrusted" when I tried to connect to register the product. I found, on the forum, where this had happened before but was corrected (Not for me.) and also I found this page.

I was put through to Customer Service, unable to do the call-back, I waited until someone came on the phone to help me but his connection was bad and we had to agree for me to call back. Because of work here, I haven't had the time to re-do the call.

Oh, and the only charge ever on my credit card was from the reseller at their office in Canada.

Mylenium

Legend

What the others said - you have been had. Reclaim your payment with your credit card company.

Mylenium

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