FrontPage on eBay

[Jim]

What's with the current (June 2005) set of listings for FrontPage 2003 on
eBay with 'Buy It Now' prices in the $70 range? This is for a 'full
install' retail version with a CD key, not OEM or academic. The auctions
claim their legitimacy (no surprise there) but all the auction includes is
the CD and the key, no box. One auction has 25 copies available.

I've been thinking of upgrading my FP 2002 and did some research, the best
'legitimate' price I can find for an upgrade is close to $90. I was really
surprised to find such low prices for a full install on eBay, can't figure
out what I'm missing.

I'm familiar with the bogus Web sites selling top-brand software at 70-80%
off retail price. If you take the time to read all their Terms & Conditions
you eventually find out they're 'really' selling you just a backup copy for
software you must already own and have a license for. There are a LOT of
these scam sites on the Internet now. The eBay auctions have no such
wording.

So, what am I missing?

Jim

 

[Steve Easton]

Key Words: CD with a Key but no box.

Isn't $20 worth the peace of mind you'll have from knowing your upgrade disk is "Genuine"
Also, if you buy it at a local store, you can always return it for an immediate exchange for a new
one in the slim chance it's defective.



--
Steve Easton
Microsoft MVP FrontPage
95isalive
This site is best viewed............
........................with a computer

 

[Jim Buyens]

First off, I really have no idea what the people on eBay are selling . Only
the sellers know that.

That said, I'd be suspicious of any software that didn't come in a box that
was shrink-wrapped at a Microsoft factory. If it seems too good to be true,
it probably is.

Jim Buyens
Microsoft MVP
http://www.interlacken.com
Author of:
*-----------------------------­-----------------------
|\----------------------------­-----------------------
|| Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services Inside Out
|| Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003 Inside Out
||----------------------------­-----------------------
|| Web Database Development Step by Step .NET Edition
|| Microsoft FrontPage Version 2002 Inside Out
|| Faster Smarter Beginning Programming
|| (All from Microsoft Press)
|/----------------------------­-----------------------
*-----------------------------­-----------------------

 

[Jim]

Key Words: CD with a Key but no box.

Isn't $20 worth the peace of mind you'll have from knowing your upgrade disk is "Genuine"
Also, if you buy it at a local store, you can always return it for an immediate exchange for a new
one in the slim chance it's defective.



--
Steve Easton
Microsoft MVP FrontPage
95isalive
This site is best viewed............
.......................with a computer

Yes Steve, I always (to the best of my knowledge) buy legitimate software,
most of it mail-order. I use eBay regularly and know that Microsoft and
eBay scrutinize what's sold in auctions.

These folks are selling FULL RETAIL versions (not upgrades) of FP 2003 for
less than a 'normal' UPGRADE price and apparently have passed muster with MS
and eBay, they must be doing something that's OK.

One of the auctioneers has 25 copies. I can't figure out 'exactly' what it
is they're selling (their source, salvage perhaps?) - thus, my query.

Jim

 

[Steve Easton]

Hard to say what they're selling Jim.

I'm the worlds worst skeptic though. Hence the nature of my reply.
The full install version comes in a fairly sturdy "package" along with a "get started" booklet
written by the other gentleman who answered your post.


--
Steve Easton
Microsoft MVP FrontPage
95isalive
This site is best viewed............
........................with a computer

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

Just check to see if the seller is liquidator, which could account for the low cost, and they may
have purchase copies from a business going under, etc.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WebMaster Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================
If you feel your current issue is a results of installing
a Service Pack or security update, please contact
Microsoft Product Support Services:
http://support.microsoft.com
If the problem can be shown to have been caused by a
security update, then there is usually no charge for the call.
==============================================

 

[Chris Leeds, MVP-FrontPage]

I'm skeptical too. I'd guess at the very least "grey market" and at the
worst "knock-off".

--
Chris Leeds,
Microsoft MVP-FrontPage

ContentSeed: great tool for web masters,
a fantastic convenience for site owners.
http://contentseed.com/
--

 

[Dean Collins]

exactly. retail is for loosers.

Just check to see if the seller is liquidator, which could account for the
low cost, and they may have purchase copies from a business going under,
etc.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WebMaster Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================
If you feel your current issue is a results of installing
a Service Pack or security update, please contact
Microsoft Product Support Services:
http://support.microsoft.com
If the problem can be shown to have been caused by a
security update, then there is usually no charge for the call.
==============================================

 

[Geoffw]

probably nothing to miss.

I have bought norton software in similar circumstance, check
the feedback, if it is good and the price is right go for
it.

The CDs I received were good quality and looked like the
legit item, the key and CD are all that is needed, the
cardboard box adds to the postage and other costs. From the
norton perspective the software was registrable and able to
download updates and so on.

Both ebay and paypal have fraud protection (don't know how
easy to claim this but it is there) so long as you follow
their recommendations.

good luck

Geoff

 

[Cheryl D Wise]

Another way legitimate software ends up at discounted prices is when it is
OEM and they include some sort of "qualifying" purchase. Some web hosts have
offered discouted or even free copies with hosting that includes FPSEs on
Windows servers. 1and1.com did that when they launched their windows
hosting. (The offer has long since expired.)

--
Cheryl D. Wise
MS FrontPage MVP
http://mvp.wiser ways.com
http://starttoweb.com
Online instructor led web design training - Next Session June 26th

 

[Rob Giordano \(Crash Gordon®\)]

Maybe Korean surplus.

Hard to say what they're selling Jim.

I'm the worlds worst skeptic though. Hence the nature of my reply.
The full install version comes in a fairly sturdy "package" along with a "get started" booklet
written by the other gentleman who answered your post.


--
Steve Easton
Microsoft MVP FrontPage
95isalive
This site is best viewed............
.......................with a computer