Re: Buying MS Office on Ebay


"Edward W. Thompson" <thomeduk1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:e8B%23tKOvFHA.3252@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> "BP" <replytoall@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:tc-dnfEmiso-y7DeRVn-2w@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> "Edward W. Thompson" <thomeduk1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:uiXClNBvFHA.2212@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>
>>> "Chris Schatte" <caschatte@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>> news:308C2019-7CE9-49A9-BAFE-A6DCDAF6F9D8@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>> BP,
>>>> Why not just purchase a retail copy that you know is new and not
>>>> activated
>>>> by someone else previously? Retail copies of Office 2003 allow for 2
>>>> installs, one desktop and one mobile and is fully upgradable. OEM
>>>> copies are
>>>> bound to the system you install on only, non-transferrable to any other
>>>> machine.
>>>> Buying software previously owned is never a good idea. You could do a
>>>> search
>>>> on this group for the multitudes of problems people run into by
>>>> purchasing
>>>> software in this way...
>>>>
>>>> Chris Schatte
>>>> --
>>>> use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
>>>> In Office System 2003 applications:
>>>> Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "BP" wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I need to upgrade from my Office 97 suite. I am looking on Ebay at
>>>>> Office
>>>>> Pro 2003. There are many "new" full retail and OEM versions but there
>>>>> are
>>>>> also some "used" (previously installed) versions available at a much
>>>>> lower
>>>>> price. I know Office 2003 has an activation procedure. What are the
>>>>> EULA and
>>>>> practical restrictions/problems with buying someone else's software in
>>>>> this
>>>>> way.
>>>>> TIA
>>>>>
>>> "Why not just purchase a retail copy"? To answer your question it is a
>>> simple matter of cost . Not everyone can afford the inflated price MS
>>> charges for their software, yet the widespread adoption of the MS
>>> software virtually obliges its use. The word monopoly comes to mind.
>>> Yes, I do know about Open Office.
>> I'm new to this group and I suddenly feel like I just walk in to a new
>> car dealership to ask about buying a used car from the newspaper.
>> Can you suggest a newsgroup where I might find a little more unbiased
>> info on this matter?
> Unfortunately, this is about as good as it gets. Why some post
> unjustified remarks about buying software from Ebay, I can't say. Yes,
> you can get burned by buying from ebay but if the item is not accurately
> described or not delivered and you pay by Paypal you can recover your
> money. I always buy from Ebay and although have had one problem, I have
> never lost my money and do not conclude from one problem that all Ebay
> transactions are fraught with risk. Most people are honest, at least that
> is my experience.
>
> The comments concerning OEM software is very relevant. Some, but not all,
> OEM software is linked to a particular machine and cannot be easily
> transfered to another. Just ask the vendor if the software can be
> installed onto your machine. If it will not install you can claim your
> money back on the basis of mis-representation.
Thanks for the info. I have bought lots of used software on Ebay, mostly
games, and have never had a problem either. You just learn to read carefully
and skip the listings with sparse or squishy descriptions. The OEM issue is
good to know. But what really concerns me now is the possibility that if I
buy new, retail Office software that somehow I am restricted by the EULA
from selling it some years down the road should I upgrade to a more current
application. If my used software will only install on my machine (legally)
then I don't really own a tangible product, do I? And if I build a new
computer (something I do every couple of years) or upgrade hardware (often)
the software I bought can't be (legally) installed? That's just retarded, in
every sense of the word.


.

Relevant Pages

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