MS Product ID vs CD key

I just received a 7 CD set of Microsoft Works Suite 2000, which I bought off of eBay. It is supposed to be complete with CDs, COA abd CD key, but I need to verify my fact before contacting the seller, because I found nothing that appears to be a CD key. Curiously, the are two COAs, one pasted to the first CD sleeve, plus another which is on a card of it's own. The would be fine, except both have different product ID numbers.

When I tried to install Works, it asked for the 2nd CD, which required the CD key, and it didn't like the product ID numbers, so I had to abort installation. When I attempted to install another program, that also required the 2nd CD, it popped a dialog that it could read a required installation file. I pulled the CD and found two deep circular scars of the disk...the rest of the programs installed okay.

Before contacting the seller, I want to be sure that I'm right, and that the product ID numbers on the COAs are not = to a CD key?

Product IDs are like part numbers in a catalog and may have only numbers, not letters.

Product keys are what you need to install.

Thanks, apparently there is no product key, so that is another factor, along with the CD damage that I have to discuss with the seller.

There is no case, the CDs came in a Gateway folder with no numbers on it or the CDs that resemble a product key. I have already sent the seller an email regarding this, and awaiting a reply. I have no interest in contacting anyone to purchase an activation key, since it was supposed to be included in the order.

I don't know how much aggravation and frustration mean to you, but welcome to Ebay's wonderful world.

There is a slight chance the seller made an error and can help you. There is a larger chance he does not have a key to give you.

You might want to consider cutting your losses and aggravation and moving on. You can try to file a complaint with Ebay (tedious) or contact your credit card company or Paypal and throwing yourself on their mercy. Maybe pop a few blood pressure pills.

ignatzatsonic said:

I don't know how much aggravation and frustration mean to you, but welcome to Ebay's wonderful world.

There is a slight chance the seller made an error and can help you. There is a larger chance he does not have a key to give you.

You might want to consider cutting your losses and aggravation and moving on. You can try to file a complaint with Ebay (tedious) or contact your credit card company or Paypal and throwing yourself on their mercy. Maybe pop a few blood pressure pills.

I fully understand where you are coming from, but so far, I've had fairly good luck eBaying. Generally, when there was a problem with some transaction, All that I did was to file a dispute with PayPal, and when the buyer realized that I wasn't going to close the dispute without a resolution, they caved in and resolved it. It is my understanding that eBay/PalPal won't permit new listing with an open unresolved dispute, though that policy may vary with the seller involved.

Actually, I've ended up with a full refund on several items without having to return them (knock on wood).

I generally agree with you--I have bought probably 200 items from Ebay over the last 10 years, with only 1 very minor issue--nothing worth pursuing a refund.

In fact, my understanding is that under current rules, buyers have the upper hand when push comes to shove, if they have paid by credit card at least.

In fact, as a prospective seller (haven't sold since 1998), I am more nervous than I would be as a buyer. Dishonorable buyers can make it very difficult for legitimate sellers.

The only time so far that I have really gotten burned with an online purchase was when I didn't use eBay, because then you are left at the mercy of the seller, without alot of the hassles that you mentioned previously. There are only a couple of venders that I will buy from without going through eBay (TigerDirect & ZZF). I won't go through Amazon again, because when there were problems with a couple of purchases, they stepped back and left me to seek a resolution with their venders, which were not willing to resolve the issues.