Comments on: How many people buy software from sites like this? http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html Tech writing blog Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:04:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: John Dowdell http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html/comment-page-1#comment-151349 John Dowdell Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:50:54 +0000 http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html#comment-151349 Hi Tim, thanks for highlighting the issue. Adobe's info on various academic subsidies is here: http://www.adobe.com/education/ I've done spotchecks in the past and Bing seems to list fewer scam sites. (Gary, I'm sorry to hear your situation, but Adobe can't give you the money you gave to a pirate. We do have staff who shut down such migrating scamsites, though.) Tim's #4 tip seems to be the bedrock advice. jd/adobe Hi Tim, thanks for highlighting the issue.

Adobe’s info on various academic subsidies is here:
http://www.adobe.com/education/

I’ve done spotchecks in the past and Bing seems to list fewer scam sites.

(Gary, I’m sorry to hear your situation, but Adobe can’t give you the money you gave to a pirate. We do have staff who shut down such migrating scamsites, though.)

Tim’s #4 tip seems to be the bedrock advice.

jd/adobe

]]> By: Mark http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html/comment-page-1#comment-151219 Mark Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:57:18 +0000 http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html#comment-151219 Here is the crux of the problem: Software publishers used to be able to stop these players from advertising by asking the search engines to protect their various trademarks. The search engines subsequently changed their advertising policy. An interesting article and point of view on the subject is here. Its a little old, but I think still holds true. http://www.out-law.com/page-9017 Here is the crux of the problem: Software publishers used to be able to stop these players from advertising by asking the search engines to protect their various trademarks. The search engines subsequently changed their advertising policy. An interesting article and point of view on the subject is here. Its a little old, but I think still holds true. http://www.out-law.com/page-9017

]]> By: tim http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html/comment-page-1#comment-151205 tim Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:22:55 +0000 http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html#comment-151205 @Gary I presume you attempted to claim a refund through Amazon's buyer protection? I'd be quite persistent in your position! Tim @Gary

I presume you attempted to claim a refund through Amazon’s buyer protection? I’d be quite persistent in your position!

Tim

]]> By: Grant http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html/comment-page-1#comment-151203 Grant Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:15:16 +0000 http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html#comment-151203 It's getting so you have to be really saavy to avoid being scammed. Or like you said Tim.. just buy from well-known, reputable vendors (and not from many unknown, possibly-scrupulous vendors froma well-known vendor like Amazon). I was burned buying what I thought was a legit copy of Windows XP from Amazon at about half the cost. Turns out it was an educational copy and couldn't be updated via Windows Update. The software works, but I have to jump through hoops to get my updates.. live and learn. Had as much luck as Gary. It’s getting so you have to be really saavy to avoid being scammed. Or like you said Tim.. just buy from well-known, reputable vendors (and not from many unknown, possibly-scrupulous vendors froma well-known vendor like Amazon).

I was burned buying what I thought was a legit copy of Windows XP from Amazon at about half the cost. Turns out it was an educational copy and couldn’t be updated via Windows Update. The software works, but I have to jump through hoops to get my updates.. live and learn. Had as much luck as Gary.

]]> By: Gary http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html/comment-page-1#comment-151178 Gary Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:04:04 +0000 http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html#comment-151178 The problem is Tim it isnt confined to just these sorts of sites. I bought some Adobe software from an Amazon marketplace seller. The software turned out to be pirated so I tried to get my money back. Amazon's policy is you have to contact the software vendor (makes sense I guess) but several months and continued emails to both Amazon and Adobe and guess what? No-one is interested! Pretty shocking really. The problem is Tim it isnt confined to just these sorts of sites. I bought some Adobe software from an Amazon marketplace seller. The software turned out to be pirated so I tried to get my money back. Amazon’s policy is you have to contact the software vendor (makes sense I guess) but several months and continued emails to both Amazon and Adobe and guess what? No-one is interested! Pretty shocking really.

]]> By: tim http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html/comment-page-1#comment-151112 tim Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:36:07 +0000 http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html#comment-151112 I doubt the problem is confined to Google; but as the market leader it has the most influence. Tim I doubt the problem is confined to Google; but as the market leader it has the most influence.

Tim

]]> By: Blake Handler http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html/comment-page-1#comment-151098 Blake Handler Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:18:46 +0000 http://www.itwriting.com/blog/1986-how-many-people-buy-software-from-sites-like-this.html#comment-151098 I know that Google isn't responsible for the website sites they link to, but is this problem confined to Google? Or do other search engines do a better job at "filter" these types of bogus website? I know that Google isn’t responsible for the website sites they link to, but is this problem confined to Google? Or do other search engines do a better job at “filter” these types of bogus website?

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