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I came across an old copy of Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 full version. There are a few listings on ebay. It has the disc in perfect condition as well as the product key. Is there a way to determine if the product key has been used? Or can you install and use these multiple times? I would hate to ship it and get a return because the key was already used. Any advice?
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Conflicting info out there. Some people say you can reuse the key 3 times, 10 times, 100 times, etc. Also depends on whether it’s an academic/student version which could have difference license conditions.
IMO, if you don’t know, don’t bother. Just due to the complex nature of software copy protection, a return for a legitimately invalid key is entirely indistinguishably from one where the person used the key and just wants their money back – you can’t prove they used it and can’t “test” the key without potentially using it up. Easiest scam on the site. eBay will only back you up if it was listed as New, and even then it’d be a bit of a battle.
I’ve only successfully sold copies of old Macromedia (pre-Adobe) software which had “master keys” released for anyone to use since it was so out of date. Also old games with hardcoded serials, but those have a different market. Everything else has been returned for wacky reasons.
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I’ve sold a lot of old software, and have never had an issue. Like Retro says, just hide the key number or it will be all over the internet…
Being from 2007, I don’t think any buyer will have an issue with re-using the license key. Some newer software (post 2010 or newer) will be an issue, but you can sell those “as is” and keys can be purchased separately.
Older software is more of a collector thing anyways – for the price of shipping, an individual can get the latest Publisher version online from MS for what they need.
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Well this is a timely post and replies. I had asked a couple months ago about 4 zip lock nags of old software I had laying around. All of it was mine, has been used and I have most of the manuals for it.
I got several replies here on SL that covered several concerns. So not really knowing I have just let them lay.
Each bag has about 6 to 10 programs in it. Each bag is a separate category of programs, i.e. one is all photo editing apps, one is all utilities, one is drawing, cad or art-publishing and the last one is all old version of MS Windows and office. We photographed each bag-lot separately and were going to make 4 separate listings by category type.
Many of the discs and manuals have the old used master-key written in magic marker on them. They were photographed with a bunch of keys showing.
My questions were, should we even list these, if recommended that we do what would be the correct verbiage or description to call them other than used, as is so we don’t get into trouble with the buyer thinking these may all be working, seeing the keys were used already. Many go back to before the year 2000.
So any thoughts on listing these, just skipping because of potential pitfalls and bounce back issues? We specialize mostly in home decor and art prints and objects so this is out of our wheel house. If there were potential issues, I would rather just dump them rather than get a neg. ding. I wouldn’t donate because the key is written all over the place. One of my old habits so I didn’t forget them or misplace them.
What the thoughts here?
thanks,
Mike at MDC Galleries and Fine Art -
I have never tried to sell used software but my greatest concern is eBay’s VeRO program that prohibits selling “opened software subject to licensing agreements”. Commercial and home use software that is sold is usually sold with a license, meaning the purchaser only rents it and has no right to transfer it. The buyer agrees to be bound to the license by opening the package (read the fine print on the sticker that you have to tear to get to the disk) and once that occurs, the software cannot be further transferred. Jay recently reported that he and Ryanne had several software listings that were taken down under the eBay VeRO program.
It appears that high volume sellers can usually withstand a couple of those without being shut down but since eBay will never say how many is too many (and some types of violations they appear to be more worried about than others) to get you suspended or worse, I’m not willing to take the chance.
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Thanks Temudgin: That surfices for me. Not worth it at all. We have too much vintage stuff to sell than trying to make a few extra bucks from cleaning out my admin. office supply cabinet.
It was seeing Ryanne list some of her software that got me thinking. But why even chance it, and we are way too busy to have to stop and deal with any issues. We need to focus with any spare time we have making the switch on our listing software and starting to build 4 spec houses than to have to deal with a VERO, copyright, non-authorized re-seller and everything else you mention.
Into the trash those 4 bags will go.
Thanks
Mike at MDC Galleries and Fine Art
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