Windows 7: Would you buy a W7 key from Ebay?

donnyb · 28 Oct 2009

I see several ways to buy Windows 7 on Ebay. Some are selling an unopened box and some are selling just the activation key. I assume you get an email with the key in the email. Are any of these safe to buy from?

gregrocker · 28 Oct 2009

No.

pparks1 · 28 Oct 2009

I wouldn't...but that is mostly due to the fact that I don't trust people and I generally don't trust Ebay. Considering that a copy of Windows 7 in retails chains for the upgrade is around $100....I'd just get one there.

poin2 · 28 Oct 2009

No. The descriptions look like people are likely misusing MSDNAA or MSDN keys, or perhaps things they got via the student upgrades.

High odds they'll get blacklisted when the people selling them get shut down by Microsoft.

I'd only consider buying Windows 7 on eBay if it comes in a sealed box. Those things where they only sell the key for an OS are very very sketchy.

DocBrown · 28 Oct 2009

Check out this thread from 3 days ago about somebody selling on eBay

hmm why so cheap ?

Qdos · 28 Oct 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by donnyb

Some are selling just the activation key. Are any of these safe to buy from?

Without a certificate of authenticity and the associated PID code?

In short, you'd be better spending the money on a few beers... at least you'll have earned the headache to follow...

LoosyGoosy · 28 Oct 2009

No, many times people sell cracked codes and even if they say they would include a certificate of authenticity many times it could be fake, counterfeiters are becoming better although not perfect but perfect enough to be difficult to tell off a pic online.

Although there are deals to be had for software on eBay and some are legit I feel the vast majority are frauds and it's just not worth the trouble.

PS: Seller rating means squat.

aem · 28 Oct 2009

Sure it's safe....so long as you're the seller and you bought the key yourself.

seekermeister · 28 Oct 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Qdos

Without a certificate of authenticity and the associated PID code?

In short, you'd be better spending the money on a few beers... at least you'll have earned the headache to follow...

Perhaps so, but I bought Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store, in both the downloaded type, along with the backup DVDs, and though I received a license key, I never received a COA.

Tork64 · 28 Oct 2009

Hey guys a little update on this, I did more researching on the whole ebay deal, went to the official technet forums and windows genuine forums, basically all of them said the same thing, its not legit and more than likely these keys will end up being blacklisted sometime down the road, it could be tomorrow, 1 month or 1 year but eventually theyll catch on, so if you want to spend money on something that will eventually stop working then go for it, I wouldnt though.

Windows 7: Would you buy a W7 key from Ebay?

Would you buy a W7 key from Ebay? problems?