Office 2003-ebay

[BrianT]

I won an eBay auction for a supposedly new copy of Office 2003 Professional.
the auction said,

"You're bidding on a Microsoft Office 2003 Professional. This is brand new
and has never been used, nor activated. Includes a valid unused Activation
CD-Key."

Today the cd arrived it is a copy without the activation key.
I sent the seller an email and he replies with,

"I thought I had emailed you about this. It is brand new and never used.
However, I always make a backup copy for my customers, and they usually
appreciate, but in this case it saved my tail. When I went to mail your
software, the CD fell out and the mail lady stepped on it. Secondly, you do
not need a activation key. You are able to register with Microsoft for
product updates and everything. It is a totally legitimate copy, and if you
ever have any problems with Microsoft you can refer them to me, but I assure
you that you will not. I thought I had emailed you, but since I hadnt, I
might be able to offer you a $50 rebate. I sincerely apologize, I thought
that you and I had this cleared up, but I must have spaced it. Please let me
know what I can do to make this situation right for you"

How far should I go with this? just get my money back or contact eBay,
paypal and Microsoft?

TIA
Brian

 

[Mike Williams [MVP]]

How far should I go with this? just get my money back or contact eBay,
paypal and Microsoft?

Contact Microsoft in the first instance via (e-mail address removed)

eBay won't do anything about pirated goods unless the manufacturer of those
goods complains. (I've had that in writing from the eBay Safe Harbour
bureaucrats.)

PayPal won't do anything unless you signed up for protection insurance.

If your PayPal payment came from a credit card, you *might* be able to
recover your money that way.

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

First off, demand a refund. Then contact Microsoft through VeRO - the
address I have for Microsoft is (e-mail address removed).