Checking if a key is legit retail or MSDN?

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by boxr, Feb 10, 2013.

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  1. boxr

    boxr MDL Junior Member

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    #1 boxr, Feb 10, 2013
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2013
    There is an online site that claims to be a Microsoft reseller selling Windows 8 Pro plus key as a digital download for $42.99

    Is there any way for those that have purchased one to test if it is a legitimate retail key or if it's a scam site selling MSDN keys?

    I've not linked to the site in case this is against the rules.

    Thanks
     
  2. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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    There several Product Key Checkers available. On MDL you could find one from JoshCell.

    To know a Key is legit, you could also use MS own tool VAMT but it will only tell if the key is what kind of key. For to know the key is still available for activation, the MS tool gives you the counting of MAK Product Keys and maybe Volume Keys only.

    So to buy from "3. Party" is all times a risk!
     
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  3. boxr

    boxr MDL Junior Member

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    Thanks Pisthai

    is it against the rules or do i need a Mods permission to post a link to the site so you guys can look at it to see what you think?

    I have nothing to do with the site and this isn't an attempt to spam.
     
  4. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

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    I would just post the link, with comment for sure!
     
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  5. boxr

    boxr MDL Junior Member

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    #5 boxr, Feb 10, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 10, 2013
    (OP)
    Ok here goes :)

    *****.com

    *note*

    Mods please remove if this is against any rules as i am not trying to spam i just looking for opinions to see if this is a SCAM site and anybody else that visits the site do so at your own risk.
     
  6. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

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    #6 pisthai, Feb 10, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 10, 2013
    Domain is registered with GoDaddy since July 11. 2011, 365 Professional Group, 200 East 66th Street #4004 New York, New York 10065, phone: 1.8555057638

    IP resolve to ThePlanet Internet services (TPCM) in Houston Texas/USA

    Could be a normal and legit Company.
     
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  7. CaptainKirk1966

    CaptainKirk1966 Former MDL Guru
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    Anything that seems to good to be true probably is. I wouldn't give them my credit card number.
     
  8. boxr

    boxr MDL Junior Member

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    #8 boxr, Feb 10, 2013
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2013
    (OP)
    Thanks Pisthai

    I still have that feeling that it seems too cheap considering that microsoft have put the prices up and i can't see how the reselles could still do it so cheap. :confused:

    Yeah i agree , thay have a PayPal logo but i'm not sure if PayPal covers for this sort of thing.
     
  9. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

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    Normally that's true!

    In this case it seems to be an normal legit company. Digging a bit and all info's I was get were OK. I the Buyer is located in the US, just give them a call to that phone number or check registration with Gov! Also they claiming to be Microsoft certified, and if that's the case, that's easy to find out!

    Not everybody is cheating!
     
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  10. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

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    I could still buy the boxed version of Windows 8 Pro Upgrade for THB 1,920.00 (US$ 60.00) which were the official price till January 31. 2013 from MS!
     
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  11. CaptainKirk1966

    CaptainKirk1966 Former MDL Guru
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    I put the cheap Windows 8 in my shopping cart, went through the checkout procedure, registering as new user with bogus info, got to a point where they asked for credit card info but did not see PayPal as option but maybe missed it. Bailed out at that point, of course.
     
  12. Daz

    Daz MDL Developer / Admin

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    Subscriptions and check order status result in a HTTPS failure and contact information results in a 404 error.

    On a scam adviser website one guy says:
    answers.microsoft.com also says the prices are too low and if anything they're giving out not for resale MSDN keys, which will get blocked. So avoid it.
     
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  13. CaptainKirk1966

    CaptainKirk1966 Former MDL Guru
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    #13 CaptainKirk1966, Feb 10, 2013
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2013
    They use an unregistered ssl certificate, but I was able to get passed it by ignoring the warnings.

    Put ***professionals in google search box is fun, some happy customers, some not so happy. Some reports that they are reselling unused MSDN keys.

    Stay away is good advice.


    Edit : I see that the certificate expired just one day ago. Looks like a shady operation nonetheless.
     
  14. Daz

    Daz MDL Developer / Admin

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    I never approve unregistered certificates, especially on things where you need to buy something.

    Most of the results on google seem to come from shifty websites, and most reviews I can see mention how it's a scam. A little weird that Microsoft hasn't shut them down yet though.
     
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  15. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

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    It's common practise in Thailand, that software, which were discounted for some period of time, is still available after those discount period is over. Some dealers buying a huge stock of Software for the time after the "normal" period is over for to satisfy customers etc. For the buyer not bad at all.

    MS on the other hand didn't do anything against such practise, they just accepting and legalizing the freshly installed App's/OS's, no problem at all with activations.

    Don't know how that would be handled in the US or other countries.
     
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  16. Josh Cell

    Josh Cell MDL Developer

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    MSDN subscriptions is not for resale purposes, so you can not buy a subscription for just sale the keys.

    There is the reason for many accounts blocked due leaking or reselling. In the most of cases, the keys sent by the Technet are Retail.

    If you purchase it, the key is no longer supported if it is blocked due activation abuse.
     
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  17. boxr

    boxr MDL Junior Member

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    I thought it was to good to be true , thanks all for your help.

    I was just reading about a user on another forum that bought 3 keys but was sent a single key that they could activate 3 times on 3 different computers so i'm not sure what this site is sending out or how they are doing it.:confused:
     
  18. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

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    That seems to be an MAK Key and could be legal! I bought some MAK Key's in the past for even just 2 installations and saved about 30% of the total cost for 2 single Key's. MS Certified Resellers did have the deals on hand. That's why I posted the address and Phone No. above in one of my post's. You could also contact MS Service/support on toll free hotline and ask for legal status of those seller.
     
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  19. CaptainKirk1966

    CaptainKirk1966 Former MDL Guru
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    I read a story on another site where somebody claimed that a key they purchased from said organization would not activate, when they complained they were sent a second key that was also blocked, then a third ...

    Buying from them is a gamble at best, at worst it is a site that is fishing for credit card info.

    imho, mod should lock this thread.