question for Microsoft software activation experts

self | 11/25/17 | NewJerseyJoe

[NewJerseyJoe]

Howdy FReepers. I found a vendor (a legitimate one) in the UK that sells the license for MS Office 2016. The way it works is that they send you the download link at the MS web site and download the installation sofware (I've seen the download page before, so I know it's real). Then, when you purchase, they send you the product key.

My question: is there any reason why a UK-generated product key would *not* work on software installed on a US computer?

[freedumb2003]

I do it all the time through Bonanza.com (not pimping — just saying). Buy Office 2013 for $10. Keys are legit and MS recognizes them.

Same for Windows (10 ad Server) btw.

[freedumb2003]

OK vs. USA - no reason to believe the key would not work. If it is on your credit card you can rescind the transaction if the software speaks the Queen’s English and adds them “u”s where they are not needed.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

My employer has a Microsoft Home Use Program, so I can buy the latest office suite for $10-$20. I can use it any way I want on my home computer, the keys work, and I own it.

[Reno89519]

Traditionally these are scams. They’re using a company is bulk license, and reselling it individually. I think these violate the agreement terms, which is why you’re finding them locked out.

[NewJerseyJoe]

Thanks. I wanted to try HUP. As an experiment, I put in my old college email address (which lasts forever) to see if it was accepted. It was. I was 99% of the way through the purchase process and was about to click "place order" when I decided to read through the fine print of the license agreement. It said that HUP will notify the employer that the purchaser made use of the HUP program. Since I'm not employed by the college, I figured this was a very easy way to get myself into trouble, and so I stopped the purchase.

The reason I'm trying to get the newer version at a cheap price is because I've been out of work for several months. I got funding through my state unemployment office to take the tests for certified MS Office Specialist (which I hope is a resume-booster) -- but the only certification classes available are for 2016 and 365. The latest version I have is 2007, so I'm trying to get 2016 legally and affordably.

[fireman15]

I found a vendor (a legitimate one) in the UK that sells the license for MS Office 2016.

You should check this company out in every possible way before giving them your credit card information. Whenever something seems a little too good to be true... it almost always is. And this is especially true when buying something that does not exist in a physical form.

[NewJerseyJoe]

No credit card — it’s through eBay. (Payment is by PayPal)

[fireman15]

Thanks for the tip... I had never heard of them before... very interesting web site...

[DoubleNickle]

Just looked up the Bonanza site for Office 2013 Pro and it’s being sold through the UK as well. They take Paypal so you’re not directly giving them your cc info and for $15 it seems like a risk that I would take as I’m trudging along with the 2007 version. Key thing that I saw as a foot note is that you have 72 hours to activate the product so it will be incumbent on you to not dally and miss out on the deadline. Cheers and good luck!

[fireman15]

No credit card — it’s through eBay. (Payment is by PayPal)

I am not sure if that makes me feel any better about them. There have been many scams on eBay over the years.

[DoubleNickle]

Thanks for the info/tip on the Bonanza site!

[NewJerseyJoe]

True. But this seller has been on ebay for more than 10 years and has a couple thousand positive reviews as well as 100% positive feedback rating. I doubt a scammer would be able to fake so much positive feedback for such a long period of time.

[NewJerseyJoe]

>> Thanks for the info/tip on the Bonanza site!

Ditto for me. I'm finding that the sellers there (for what I'm looking for) are mostly UK also. I don't know if there are any kind of international export restrictions for them, which is what prompted my initial inquiry.

Granted, $10 isn't much to lose to take a chance, but I always like to check to make sure.

[oh8eleven]

I do it all the time through Bonanza.com
Are you buying the SW outright or do you end up having to subscribe annually?

[dhs12345]

Agreed. Use at your own risk.

However, I did something similar with an XP and Vista to windows 7 upgrade recently and it worked out very well. Activation went smoothly.

It only cost me $40 per license and I had the option of contesting it with my credit card company. Silly to pay $200 for a soon to be obsolete operating system. Plus, the hardware in my systems are not supported on newer OSs so it is a one time only upgrade.

I was holding my breath and waiting for problems that never came. I am now running a fully supported OS with updates.

[crusadersoldier]

I have bought several MS applications from those UK sellers including Office 2016, MS Project and Visio and have never had an issue.

[NewJerseyJoe]

That was the answer I was waiting to hear. Thanks, crusadersoldier

[HLPhat]

Or you could use...

http://www.openoffice.org/why/index.html

[fulltlt]

pfl