Ok,
Wanting to upgrade from my Elements, figured I look for a used copy of PS on Ebay. Found several offers, including one seller that looked promising: Local to my area, decent reviews, responsive. Even took care of a s/n "problem" with Adobe for a buyer of CS6. Won the auction, paid via PayPal (thankfully). Received software in the mail today, as described. Installed, everything going smoothly until it was time to activate with the Adobe site. The s/n that so easily let me install, and get program working was listed as invalid. Hmmm...Okay, sent the seller a note regarding the problem, stuff happens, I get it. Reply says he has the same trouble, but by "signing in" I had registered it. I reply this is not the case, I can't install the camera .RAW plug-in, and I can't check the server for updates, as it won't list itself in the Adobe update manager. I also tell him I'll open a help ticket in the morning at Adobe, probably something I'm just missing. Yeah, I'm not missing anything, this is pirated software. I open up the directory on the install DVD, and there are late 2014 dates on some of the files. This is a copy of CS5 extended. Latest dates are 12-18-2014. I'll be opening a claim to recover my funds, and I'll probably open a claim to get his seller account tossed.
Point of the story: Be very wary of "open box" or "no retail packaging" copies of PS on Ebay right now. I should have seen the signs, I've been doing this long enough. I wanted it, and my desire overrode my common sense. Please learn from my mistake.
(If this is in the wrong area, please accept my apologies, and please move it to the appropriate area.)
Wanting to upgrade from my Elements, figured I look for a used copy of PS on Ebay. Found several offers, including one seller that looked promising: Local to my area, decent reviews, responsive. Even took care of a s/n "problem" with Adobe for a buyer of CS6. Won the auction, paid via PayPal (thankfully). Received software in the mail today, as described. Installed, everything going smoothly until it was time to activate with the Adobe site. The s/n that so easily let me install, and get program working was listed as invalid. Hmmm...Okay, sent the seller a note regarding the problem, stuff happens, I get it. Reply says he has the same trouble, but by "signing in" I had registered it. I reply this is not the case, I can't install the camera .RAW plug-in, and I can't check the server for updates, as it won't list itself in the Adobe update manager. I also tell him I'll open a help ticket in the morning at Adobe, probably something I'm just missing. Yeah, I'm not missing anything, this is pirated software. I open up the directory on the install DVD, and there are late 2014 dates on some of the files. This is a copy of CS5 extended. Latest dates are 12-18-2014. I'll be opening a claim to recover my funds, and I'll probably open a claim to get his seller account tossed.
Point of the story: Be very wary of "open box" or "no retail packaging" copies of PS on Ebay right now. I should have seen the signs, I've been doing this long enough. I wanted it, and my desire overrode my common sense. Please learn from my mistake.
(If this is in the wrong area, please accept my apologies, and please move it to the appropriate area.)
