How safe is buying is Antivirus key/serial from Ebay?

[rainbow1112]

Seen some very cheap antivirus serial/key from ebay seller. feedback is good. up to 50% cheaper than retailer.

but problem is they only provide serial key and no physical disc..

What if they get their key from illegal source and get block/bann after company detect it..

Share your experience

[zapjb]

Not safe. Especially if it's a Kaspersky key. Many have got burned.

[Diablosblizz]

I've bought two years worth of Kaspersky keys (both 1-year each) and both have been good and useable. You might get a few flukes, but just go with a reputable seller.

[Amit]

Originally Posted by Diablosblizz

I've bought two years worth of Kaspersky keys (both 1-year each) and both have been good and useable. You might get a few flukes, but just go with a reputable seller.

I agree

[Cudni]

In general and on average, unsafe and unwise.

[gery]

it might be a little cheaper but it is less safer. Buy a boxed one and it is still cheaper but is a lot more safer. i always bought boxed and never had a problem.

[chriswiles]

There's NO way a reseller is allowed to sell downloadable keys on eBay. That goes against the reseller agreement and I know AVG and others are always trying to get these sellers stopped (via eBay).

Three problems we've found with eBay sellers:

1) They have no authority to sell codes, meaning you might struggle to get support. Without naming names, one eBay reseller was selling cheap TuneUp Utilities codes recently (they were legit, but were supposed to be used for bundles) and the company is seriously thinking of blocking the codes. It might not happen, but there's a chance.

2) They are often not based in the UK. Buy a download code from eBay and often the seller is located elsewhere. We have one guy in China who tries to buy codes from us and resell as a German user on the German eBay! Our e-commerce provider is always blocking his purchase attempts. Basically he goes around the world looking for the cheapest offers, then sells the codes on his eBay shop.

3) Some (and it's an ever-decreasing number) are produced by key generators. You'll find that these codes work for a long while and then may, all of a sudden, be blocked many months later. Also, of course, you can't get support when you've used a key gen code to activate. This is different from using cracked software (as you are activating the original version), but it's still unsupported software.


Buying sealed boxed software is generally fine and you get some good bargains on eBay. Buying downloadable software from eBay is bad for the above reasons and, frankly, you're only encouraging these eBay sellers by buying from them.

You need to ask yourself though, is it worth buying these products to save a few dollars or pounds? I know we all want to save money we can, but is it worth taking the risk?

[xxJackxx]

Amazon sells keys for some products. If you want to save a few bucks I would go that way. I just bought a 3 user 1 year Norton key on there a few days ago for $27. I wouldn't go near Ebay. As others have stated, especially for Kaspersky keys. I wouldn't buy a key only for them from anyone. It will likely be banned and you will just be out the money. Also, if the object here is just to save money, you can often find Norton, Kaspersky, and others free after rebate (or really cheap) if you catch them on sale.

[SweX]

I always buy from the vendor itself, or exclusive distributors.
That's the only way that I feel sure about what I buy.

[tgell]

If I was going to buy an antivirus or security suite, I would go to somewhere like this. They have been in business a very long time. So, I would assume that they are legit. You can get Kaspersky 2012 IS for 1 year for $17.95 for one user or $21.95 for 3 users. They also have deals on Symantec,Bitdefender, Trend Micro, and Webroot.

http://www.buycheapsoftware.com

[JerryM]

I have purchased boxed copies on ebay for years without any problem. I have Norton, Avira, and Kaspersky. All have been fine. Buy from a seller who has over a 99% satisfaction record, and I believe you will be OK.
I normally do not buy just the code. However, sometimes to save postage only the disk will be sent. That is fine.

Jerry

[Frank the Perv]

I buy mine on Craigslist **

Look at the value!

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...973572276.html

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/syd/2915284298.html


**Not really.

Sometimes it's best to go reputable rather than save a few bucks.

[monsunami]

Another trustworthy site to buy security software and others:

http://store.downloadcrew.com/index.php

[chriswiles]

Originally Posted by xxJackxx

Amazon sells keys for some products.

Amazon.com are authorised to do so. The .co.uk doesn't, although some MarketPlace people do (and are then stopped by the relevant software developer) as that's against their reseller agreement.

[chriswiles]

Originally Posted by JerryMHowever

sometimes to save postage only the disk will be sent. That is fine.

Yes, but be careful you're not buying OEM. OEM products are supposed to be bundled with new PCs and the reseller isn't supposed to sell them as retail. The codes are the same - Bitdefender OEM and retail codes are no different, but it's against their reseller agreement to pass off OEM as retail.

OEM products are generally CD+key only. You don't get a box.

Also, usually OEM versions are 1-PC only.

[Nevis]

Its quite safe as long as they give you sealed Box. They are much much cheaper than buying online.
However, I see there are people selling pirated stuff like AVG key till 2015 and some kaspersky keys. These always gets blacklisted after few months.

[gery]

boxed software from reputable sellers are always welcomed

[Amit]

Originally Posted by monsunami

Another trustworthy site to buy security software and others:

http://store.downloadcrew.com/index.php

+1

[JerryM]

The only AV that I have had problems with on ebay is Avast. The sellers are soon take off. I would not buy Avast on ebay.
Jerry

[zfactor]

if you check the major geeks store, cleverbridge and a few others you can buy LEGIT downloadable keys

http://store.majorgeeks.com/

i have also bought many from purplus without issues but some say they had a issue with them so not sure there

[ComputerSaysNo]

Ebay is fine as long as it's boxed. If it's a key/registry hack then I wouldn't.

[gery]

i got burned with Eset key but it was not a big deal. I learned since then. But still i have bought sealed KIS 2011 which is fine till now McAfee IS which is still good .

[JerryM]

Boxed AVs have always been fine. I recently purchased two KIS 2012 boxed copies. One was $11.15 and the other $16.75 incl shipping. I have also purchased Norton for equal savings without any problems.
If you use it within 45 days and use PayPal you can get a refund if not legit.

Some sellers get a rebate and then sell the item and make the profit there.

Regards,
Jerry

[zfactor]

paypal is changing their tos for software on ebay and this info came directly from a paypal rep since we have 3 large business accounts with paypal. they will soon no longer be covering software purchased through ebay either just a key (which they do not cover technically even right now but if you get the right rep you may get a refund) and soon software in general, a lot of others things will be changing as well we are told with other product types like some supplements being sold which technically now have been deemed illegal like superdrol. so be careful buying on ebay period. i used to be a huge ebayer and now i hardly ever use it unless its something i just cant find elsewhere like a car part or a discontinued item. even most of the computer and laptop parts they sell while they may work many are junk knock off stuff.

[JerryM]

That is a disappointment, but I can see the reason. I suspect that there are a fair number who install or copy, and then want to return it.
I am not sure if PayPal will change policy on unsatisfactory purchased items?

Thanks for the info.
Jerry