Does buying used software=bad idea?

Colonel Panic

Colonel Panic

Well-known member
I've seen FCS *used* on ebay and Amazon. Iv'e often wondered how software mfgs like Apple and Adobe handle registration of 2nd hand software. Will the attempted registration come back saying something like "...This serial number has already been registered...you lose..you get nothing...good day sir"?

Assuming, of course, nothing from the box is missing/scratched.

Any horror stories out there of a deal gone sour?
 
i bought a package once from someone on ebay. they said it was the "full retail" version. turns out it was BUT it was a promo copy they won in a trade show drawing. so it was not eligible for upgrades.

i know that apple and adobe are both pretty cool about doing license transfers. i think you just need to ask the right questions. there are a LOT of scammers/pirate types out there. so you might try your local craigslist so you can actually go handle the product before you buy it.
do ask them specifically whether they are releasing the license because some dumb people will upgrade their software and think that enables them to sell their old versions...
 
If you join me in only purchasing software that does not use Product Activation, then this issue becomes moot. Although it is often difficult to determine if software requires Activation, as few people mention it in their ads, and if the software is discontinued, the manufacturer may not make note of it on their website. Be sure to find out for sure before buying, though, or you may get burned...
 
A brand new Final Cut Studio is only $819 on B&H.

Wouldn't you rather have the peace of mind that you own the software and can get upgrades and support whenever you need it?

I say stay away from Used software unless you personally know the person selling it to you. Don't ebay it.
 
I bought FC Studio 2 on ebay. All the disks arrived with paper labels and documentation. I notified ebay anf sent them back.
 
Yes, I would rather buy the latest version but I would like to save some cash and stay with Tiger.

FCS 3 would require that I upgrade to Leopard for another $170.

But it looks like I might have to bite the bullet.
 
I agree that activation is a pain. Or a licensing scheme that sends something out the internet like HD Log does.

While Adobe is pretty good about correcting activation issues, I still keep a list on which apps must be deactivated or deauthorized before reinstalling.

don't like it.

But I also have two hardware dongles still for two apps.
 
Colonel Panic said:
Yes, I would rather buy the latest version but I would like to save some cash and stay with Tiger.

FCS 3 would require that I upgrade to Leopard for another $170.

But it looks like I might have to bite the bullet.
Click to expand...

I think I bought the last copy of FCS2 that B&H had in stock the day after Apple released FCS3. It appears, if you check here :
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Final-Cut-Studio-Version/dp/B000PGVK5S
you might still be able to get FCS2. If so, you can still update it through Apple to FCP6.06, etc.
Good luck
 
The used one on Amazon from the seller with a 94% rating is the reason I started this thread. All the new ones at a price I would consider are "academic versions". For the price of a new non academic I might as well switch to Leopard and go with FCS3.
 
I pieced together one of my Avid Adrenalines off of eBay, bought the software used, payed for the license transfer, bought a used HP workstation and HD Adrenaline BO box, got all the cables free. My cost at the time was about 1/5th of what Avid was charging for a new one, the software alone at the time was $5k new. It paid for itself in 4 months of me renting it out, I have owned it free and clear for a year and a half. Used software can be a really cheap way to go as long as it's legal and you can verify you get a license that can be transfered to your name. I know some million dollar post houses that buy most their software used for pennies on the dollar this allows them to cut thier software budget and spend the savings on marketing or hardware. I'm all for it, just check into it to make sure you can get a legit license in your name.
 
wgzn said:
you might try your local craigslist so you can actually go handle the product before you buy it.
Click to expand...

The key here is "handle the product before you buy it" - not to further any paranoia out there but I recently had a friend who bought a 'never opened' software package via craigslist only to find it was a pirated copy. The box was (upon initial inspection) identical to the real thing and it was shrink wrapped. Got home, opened up the box and found the telltale DVD-R with paper label. It's possible the seller didn't even know, but doubtful.

Point is - you can't be too careful when trying to buy software used.
 
Rant mode on:

If you think you have it bad, take a look at the music software industry where the $40 "iLok" USB dongle is the norm. After you're forced to buy it, software licenses are stored on it and added or deleted through iLok's website. It's a pretty darn big PITA, and loss of the iLok is tantamount to losing the software itself, which means you're completely SOL. I have probably $8K or so of licenses on one of mine, and while it functions fine for existing licenses, its ability to add new ones, or even to be recognized by the iLok site, has crapped out. I'm going to have to send it in for replacement, and meanwhile get temporary licenses from all software vendors, which will later have to be replaced with new permanent licenses on the replacement iLok. This process will take me many, many hours to complete, along with days of turnaround time in mail and email correspondence. And it exists entirely for one reason - protection of the vendors - not the users.

Rant mode off...
 
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chapelgrovefilms said:
I believe it serves to protect the copyright. As media producers ourselves, how can we object to companies protecting their own material when we also want to protect ours?
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I'm all in favor of copy protection as long as it doesn't get too onerous or risky for innocent users. The iLok system is being both for me right now.

Balance in all things, no?
 
dont take this the wrong way. but the way i see it is that youve spent several days and several pages of discussion just to avoid spending a couple or three hundred bucks.

from where i stand youve eaten up your savings in time and effort. and you still dont have current software.
 
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I find the ILOK to be a great solution for quite a few reasons.

I can take the ILOK with me from studio to studio and use the software I own on any system - not just my own computer.
If the ILOK happens to go bad you can get your authorizations back because there's a record of what you own in your ILOK account.
You can also buy the ILOK protection insurance so you'll have fast replacement.

It's always a trade-off but all in all the ILOK is a much more professional solution for managing authorizations.

IMHO
 
wgzn said:
...youve eaten up your savings in time and effort...
Click to expand...

I appreciate your candor, but I disagree. I don't do this for a living so I can afford to explore all my options and try and save some cash.

I know a couple hundred bucks is a small percentage of even a semi-pro rig, but who doesn't want to save $ when they can "afford" to?
 
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