Is it "dangerous" to buy a used copy of Office?

I was just curious as to your opinion. When I say dangerous I dont' mean is the seller legit or is it safe to buy stuff online. What I mean is how do you know that the seller is not using the same software they are selling and Office is not activated on their machine?

For example I was looking at a few people/seller's ads on Amazon that are selling Office 2007. Some packages that certain people were selling were sealed and other people were selling packages that were open. In both instances the seller say that none of the license(s) are used/activated. Do you just take them at their word?

I am just worried I would buy Office from someone and they say that it is not activated but the seller is in fact using some if not all of my licenses.

 

Buying from an Amazon Marketplace member is probably safe. I'd stay away from used copies of any software offered on eBay, craigslist, etc.

 

I've bought legit open software from ebay. I remember buying Peachtree accounting software from ebay as the new edition had just released. It said this software has been opened but not activated. Sure enough I received it and it worked and even activated. The only thing peculiar was that the UPC code was missing as well as the mail in rebate. I remember buying that newly released version of Peachtree for like $40 with shipping. The retail value was like $199.

I think some ebayers get there hands on certain software and make money via the mail in rebates.

 

Thats the thing. How do you know if the person selling it isn't using your keys? You can't even say buy unopened packages since the Activation code is on the outside of the package, right?

 

Thats why I am asking the question since the price difference is so huge. if it was a couple of bucks then I would just buy from Microsoft.

 

Don't usually activation code is insde the packaging. Other wise, I could walk into a store and write them down.

I think it's ok to buy unopened software but I'd be careful with opened ones. Make sure seller has good rep.

 

No, it isn't the same thing. If you buy through Amazon, you are protected - it's very easy to contact Amazon and report the problem.

Activation codes on the outside of the package? When has that ever been done?

 

I guess I am mistaken then. I read a review where someone said that the activation code was on the outside of the package and they ripped it accidentally when opening the box. So that is good then.

 

When I say buying from Amazon, I mean not from Amazon directly but from one of the other people selling it on their site.

 

Same protection via Amazon.

cheers ...

 

Thanks for the responses everybody. I think if I buy a copy from a private individual rather than a store I will look for something sealed. Otherwise if the package is open, you are trusting their word that 1/all of the keys aren't being used. That can be easy to figure out if I try to use all the keys at once, but if I decided to use say 2 out of the 3 keys today and then a year from now try to install on the 3rd machine and find one of the keys is being used, then there are problems.

Also can someone point me to the Amazon protection that you have mentioned? What does this protection actually entail?