Photo software on eBay

[Vincent Sleep]

With PhotoShop and other high-end programs costing hundreds of dollars, it's tempting when you see the same programs selling on eBay for $50 or so. Should I go for these programs? Are they scams?

Why is it that folks can sell software that's new on eBay for much less than you can find it in the stores?

[cyclohexane]

My take is that if it's too good to be true, it is. I wouldn't touch most eBay auctions.

[scoundrel1728]

Chances are that if they are selling a $500 program for $50, it is a pirated copy or at best has a restricted license or is a down-rev version or missing some parts.

I got my copy of Corel Photo-Paint 12 that way, first being careful to check out the vendor's reputation and the product description to see that I was getting a legitimate copy, not a pirated, OEM, or academic copy with restricted license. In fact, I received a copy on original CD-ROMs that was still in its shrink wrap with the original disks. I got neither the original box nor a manual but I wasn't expecting to get these items either. And it cost about half as much as a full package did.

[HalfPress]

Originally Posted by scoundrel1728

OEM, or academic copy with restricted license

Is there anything wrong with this type of software?

[cyclohexane]

You technically can't use an academic copy for commercial purposes. Well, at least, on the licenses I've seen.

[HalfPress]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

You technically can't use an academic copy for commercial purposes.* Well, at least, on the licenses I've seen.

I'm not a commercial.

[scoundrel1728]

Moral and ethical issues aside, using pirated software or software contrary to the EULA can expose you to a lot of legal hassle, damage to your business reputation, and hundreds if not thousands of dollars in fines and penalties. It is not something a reputable professional would want to risk.

[jfrancho]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

You technically can't use an academic copy for commercial purposes. Well, at least, on the licenses I've seen.

Adobe encourages students to continue using their acedemic licensed software beyond school and well into their professional career. They even offer inexpensive upgrades.

[cyclohexane]

I know about Adobe. My "academic" price software is the full professional version with no license limitations. I had an old copy of Macromedia Flash 5 which I seem to recall stipulating "noncommercial use" only, but that was before Adobe bought them.

[jfrancho]

FYI...there are no limitations to acedemic versions of Adobe software.

[Blinky]

On another forum a guy told a story about buying an eBay copy of PS. It was a gold CD-R with 'Photoshop 7' and an activation code written on it with a black sharpie; no manual. When he later tried to upgrade it to CS, Adobe informed him that the license was in someone else's name.

[Padre]

I had a good experience. I bought a copy of Photoshop 6 and the CS2 packaged together. When I received them I loaded them, registered them and they are excellent, all for $250. I suppose I was lucky! Good luck in getting your software. B

[jfrancho]

I went to a release event for MS's new SQL Server, and we got two free copies each of SQL Server and Visual Studio. I can't remember how many user lc. there were for the database, but I wonder if some of the ebay items are promotional copies.

[sean_buerger]

Camels,

I find software sold over e-bay a bit fishy! I suspect some people will just make a copy of the disk and install it on their own machine. Then they'd sell the original disk with activation code to you.

One should not forget, that freeware can be very useful for the home user. It is not always necessary to buy a very expensive 'professional' product. With a little bit of patience and will to compromise, one can often achieve good results with freeware.

If you're not able to afford photo shop, you could give GIMP a try. It's a multi platform software that runs on Linux, Windows and other operation systems. Surely the user interface will need some getting used to, but I personally use it at work for documetation, since my company is not able to sponsor CS2 for all our computers at work.

check it out: www.gimp.org

Cheers. Sean.

[Skuzzlebutt]

Originally Posted by HalfPress

Is there anything wrong with this type of software?

My experience with ecucational software (AutoCad) was that everything printed would say "for Educational Purpses Only, Not for Commercial Use" along one edge of the print.

[scoundrel1728]

Originally Posted by sean_buerger

One should not forget, that freeware can be very useful for the home user. It is not always necessary to buy a very expensive 'professional' product. With a little bit of patience and will to compromise, one can often achieve good results with freeware.

If you're not able to afford photo shop, you could give GIMP a try. It's a multi platform software that runs on Linux, Windows and other operation systems. Surely the user interface will need some getting used to, but I personally use it at work for documetation, since my company is not able to sponsor CS2 for all our computers at work.

I have GIMP on my own machine but haven't been able to figure out how to use it effectively. I use Paint Shop Pro most of the time instead, occasionally using Corel Photo-Paint 12. My PP-12 copy is perfectly legitimate despite having bought it on eBay, though I read the description carefully to be sure I wasn't buying something like the software Chip's BBS acquaintance got. The Paint Shop Pro came straight from JASC. Even at full price, both PP12 and PSP can be had for considerably less than a single copy of Adobe Photoshop.

On the other hand, I also have several freeware packages I use a lot, such as Irfanview.

[Mithras]

What it comes down to is reading the fine print and discovering just what exactly is being sold. My experience with academic software has been good. Typically academic software does not allow upgrades though. Some software that is not a retail boxed version may have limited or no tech support.

Check out these sites for cheap software. In the FAQ's there is usually an explanation as to how they can sell for less and there is usually an explanation of the various types of packaging.

http://www.edirectsoftware.com/

http://www.softwareoutlet.com/

http://www.newsoftwaresales.com/

http://www.academicsuperstore.com/

http://www.gradware.com/

I would probably buy software from one of these sites before Joe Schmo on Ebay.