Have I been scammed?

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214 posts

Master Geek

#2162041 16-Jan-2019 15:11

@nathan being a Microsoft employee, would you report that site to the proper channel(s)?

Or would it be rather hard to take action against them without an investigation?

ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2162452 17-Jan-2019 10:35

Just a final word if I may. I guess we all have point points of view but I do think MS could be more considerate to people who have bought their product in good faith. Allowing a newly-bought key to activate a product, then pulling the pin later on is corporate bullying. If it didn't work from go, sales would diminish and people would have a better chance of a refund.
May I retract anything I've said against Digital Planet Software. When I asked for a refund or retail key they supplied a good key so I have no complaints.
And to the guy who seemed to be suggesting that using a 9 year old product was some kind of bad thing, well some of us may want to. Ownership, familiarity, cost.

So was I scammed? Yes, but only by Microsoft.

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2162469 17-Jan-2019 11:02

ADKM:

Just a final word if I may. I guess we all have point points of view but I do think MS could be more considerate to people who have bought their product in good faith. Allowing a newly-bought key to activate a product, then pulling the pin later on is corporate bullying. If it didn't work from go, sales would diminish and people would have a better chance of a refund.
May I retract anything I've said against Digital Planet Software. When I asked for a refund or retail key they supplied a good key so I have no complaints.
And to the guy who seemed to be suggesting that using a 9 year old product was some kind of bad thing, well some of us may want to. Ownership, familiarity, cost.

So was I scammed? Yes, but only by Microsoft.

My God
Heres the issue , look in the mirror .

You buy dodgy goods online, then blame the manufacturer for not supporting what are in effect , more or less stolen(sort of) licenses .
Also, buying a 9 year old product then expecting better support from MS.....

btw, that 2nd good key may be just as bad. You may find it eventually gets de-activated . Ive known that to happen .

Oblivian

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#2162475 17-Jan-2019 11:16

ADKM:

Just a final word if I may. I guess we all have point points of view but I do think MS could be more considerate to people who have bought their product in good faith. Allowing a newly-bought key to activate a product, then pulling the pin later on is corporate bullying.

Actually, although you are now bugging out - you may need to rethink there. And I think the answer to the thread - yes

I was beaten to it while composing, but was also about to point out if you use reputable sources. Believe you will find as part of their licencing agreement they can no longer sell keys for discontinued products.

As it has reached shelf EOL (3 revisions released since), and support follows in 2020. It no longer even installs on some OS platforms

There is no requirement for good faith here. The activation servers still allow existing licence holders of the product to change hardware/reinstall at present until (possibly at least but with no security updates or support) 2020. It is not expected that anyone would buy a fresh licence for it. And advisories were out for some time (prior to W10) to look at upgrades as the date looms.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/office-2010-end-support-roadmap

Like most things, there is a 'lifetime' expectancy. But that is of the product, not our lifetime. With MS software that is around 10yrs it would seem. Sometimes less. But they will also cross over with updated revision options.

ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2162482 17-Jan-2019 11:22

You're wrong on all counts. To quote the MS chat person "the key is Good"
more or less stolen - that's part of the problem. Nothing is black or white.
I don't expect any support fom MS, you miss my point entirely (prob on purpose)
I have verified the 2nd key beyond all doubt..

I'm not replying to anything else here. More would just be repeating or a pointless debate.

xpd

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#2162493 17-Jan-2019 11:34

ADKM:

Just a final word if I may. I guess we all have point points of view but I do think MS could be more considerate to people who have bought their product in good faith. Allowing a newly-bought key to activate a product, then pulling the pin later on is corporate bullying. If it didn't work from go, sales would diminish and people would have a better chance of a refund.
May I retract anything I've said against Digital Planet Software. When I asked for a refund or retail key they supplied a good key so I have no complaints.
And to the guy who seemed to be suggesting that using a 9 year old product was some kind of bad thing, well some of us may want to. Ownership, familiarity, cost.

So was I scammed? Yes, but only by Microsoft.

Look at it this way. The key was effectively stolen. Then sold to you.

You've been told its "stolen" yet proceed to continue with it and complain when the manufacturer refuses to assist.

If I purchased a stolen item, and found out it was stolen afterwards, there is no way I'd be complaining to the manufacturer or placing any blame on them for anything that went wrong.

As for the 9 year old product comment, its fair enough, especially in your case - you want free support for a stolen product thats so old now even the manufacturer has said "upgrade".

DPS knowingly sell dodgy products, and have your money, thats all they care about. Giving you another key has cost them nothing, just ripped off MS some more.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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xpd

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#2162494 17-Jan-2019 11:35

ADKM:

You're wrong on all counts. To quote the MS chat person "the key is Good"

Yes it is good IF you were a MSDN subscriber, but you're not.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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plas

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Ultimate Geek

#2162504 17-Jan-2019 11:49

Going to have to a agree on what everyone else is saying.

Most likely those will be stolen keys from another companies Enterprise Agreement. They will work fine because that company has paid a lot of $ for the EA and changing licensing over just doesn't magically happen.

Its like buying a stolen car from behind the local pub then claiming Toyota scammed you when you took it in for a service and they called the police, who seized the car.

nathan

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#2162512 17-Jan-2019 12:01

ADKM:

You're wrong on all counts. To quote the MS chat person "the key is Good"
more or less stolen - that's part of the problem. Nothing is black or white.
I don't expect any support fom MS, you miss my point entirely (prob on purpose)
I have verified the 2nd key beyond all doubt..

I'm not replying to anything else here. More would just be repeating or a pointless debate.

I guess you'll never see this, but I really struggle to understand why your beef is with the manufacturer of a product, when a second hand fleamarket dealer, sold you goods that are not fit-for-purpose.

Batman

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#2162516 17-Jan-2019 12:09

plas:

Going to have to a agree on what everyone else is saying.

Most likely those will be stolen keys from another companies Enterprise Agreement. They will work fine because that company has paid a lot of $ for the EA and changing licensing over just doesn't magically happen.

Its like buying a stolen car from behind the local pub then claiming Toyota scammed you when you took it in for a service and they called the police, who seized the car.

Except that Toyota sells so many cars to Dunedin City Council who doesn't know how many cars are missing and the police have other BMW thiefs to catch there's no point seizing it, just tell them to drive off but buy another Toyota next year, but from the dealer instead of privately.

evilonenz

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#2162518 17-Jan-2019 12:11

nathan:

ADKM:

You're wrong on all counts. To quote the MS chat person "the key is Good"
more or less stolen - that's part of the problem. Nothing is black or white.
I don't expect any support fom MS, you miss my point entirely (prob on purpose)
I have verified the 2nd key beyond all doubt..

I'm not replying to anything else here. More would just be repeating or a pointless debate.

I guess you'll never see this, but I really struggle to understand why your beef is with the manufacturer of a product, when a second hand fleamarket dealer, sold you goods that are not fit-for-purpose.

This.

I fail to understand how people get so defensive, and argumentative when they've come to a place to ask for advise, and in turn have been informed of their wrong-doings, but then turn on the manufacturer of a product, that they legally do not own, nor should have a key for (read: MSDN is not for typical consumer use, thus against licensing terms).

OP, I suggest stepping back, reading through the thread, PROPERLY, and possibly taking a look over both MSDN and VL licensing terms to understand the full picture here, without trying to belittle MS, who have already told you the key is not correct for you.

End goal, learn your lesson, and avoid places like DSP! They will only ever sell misappropriated keys!

Smokeping

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clinty

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#2162915 18-Jan-2019 09:05

ADKM:

You're wrong on all counts. To quote the MS chat person "the key is Good"
more or less stolen - that's part of the problem. Nothing is black or white.
I don't expect any support fom MS, you miss my point entirely (prob on purpose)
I have verified the 2nd key beyond all doubt..

I'm not replying to anything else here. More would just be repeating or a pointless debate.

The trouble with Microsoft "products" ( Windows, Office 10 etc ) is that you do not actually purchase the "product" ( like you would a car, tv etc ). You actually purchase a license to use the "product". Microsoft have different licenses for the the same "product" ( which are sold at different prices ). These have diffrerent restrictions or qualifications on the use of the "product", depending on the license purchased

This is a point most people are not aware of, and it makes a lot of money for these dodgy sites by allowing them to re-sell cheaper licenses key as more expensive ones

In the case of your Office you have been sold a license key, that according to Microsoft licensing terms, is not for use by a standard home or business user. So Microsoft reserves the right ( under thier Licensing terms ) to disable the key you have used ( this is what would have happened to the first key ).

As others have pointed out the blame lies with the seller, as they have knowingly sold you a license they know you are not qualified for, and that Microsoft can legitimately cancel and re-issue, according to their licensing terms

Its a bit similar to Viagogo - unfortunatley there is no way to know if the ticket you have bought is actually legit until the supplier cancels it, so its best to buy from Microsoft directly, or a trusted IT or retail company.

As pointed out - you cannot purchase legitimate Office 2010 licenses digitally at all now - Microsoft have not sold them for a while. You can purchase second hand ones - but they should come with with a disc and a yellow sticker with the license key printed on it to be sure the are actually legit

Clint

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2162997 18-Jan-2019 10:16

evilonenz:

I fail to understand how people get so defensive, and argumentative when they've come to a place to ask for advise, and in turn have been informed of their wrong-doings, but then turn on the manufacturer of a product, that they legally do not own, nor should have a key for (read: MSDN is not for typical consumer use, thus against licensing terms).

I see it plenty of times.

Client tells me to install using their dodgy keys , or legit key on several PC's .
When I try & tell them why I cant, they get defensive\angry and justify with "I paid good money for this blah blah ' .
It then turns into an arguement .
Sometimes , the client had bought from untrained retail staff who had no idea what they were selling: ie telling customer they can install Office Retail (2010,2013 etc) on multiple PC's

So, I no longer try & argue about licences & keys with clients. I just install with whatever key the client gives me .
It an argument you just cant win

clinty

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#2163008 18-Jan-2019 10:32

MS haven't helped by allowing Office 365 Home to be installed on up to 6 pcs, where as Business is only 5 and slightly more expensive.

The only difference ( with the software ) is in the licensed use - home vs commercial - so client goes " Oh well, i will just use the home version then ",

Small clients aren't concerned about the other benefits of Office 365 Business, they just want the software

Clint

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#2163048 18-Jan-2019 11:38

1101:
evilonenz:

I fail to understand how people get so defensive, and argumentative when they've come to a place to ask for advise, and in turn have been informed of their wrong-doings, but then turn on the manufacturer of a product, that they legally do not own, nor should have a key for (read: MSDN is not for typical consumer use, thus against licensing terms).

I see it plenty of times.

Client tells me to install using their dodgy keys , or legit key on several PC's .
When I try & tell them why I cant, they get defensive\angry and justify with "I paid good money for this blah blah ' .
It then turns into an arguement .
Sometimes , the client had bought from untrained retail staff who had no idea what they were selling: ie telling customer they can install Office Retail (2010,2013 etc) on multiple PC's

So, I no longer try & argue about licences & keys with clients. I just install with whatever key the client gives me .
It an argument you just cant win

In 2018, the customer is still always right.

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