It was removed from deals page we need some where to dicuss.
mods removed it, does this mean it seem really bodgy, I'll be checking mine over properly
as I know the hologram on the disc should be inbeteen the plastic layers.
Windows 7 Professional Full Retail $149 Delivered from OfferMe
AMLagonda on 10/09/2010 - 12:21
Comments
I thought it got removed because of a referral link? Which is against the rules..
This is the deal here, http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/31020
It was closed so we can investigate if the product is legitimate or not:
This was the mod's note, whom everyone subscribed to the thread would have got in their email:
There was an unpublished OfferMe deal previously for a 79% Off Microsoft Office 2010 package from the same company BS&SJ Trading. This was due to two things:
1) A member who made the following comment:
Bought Windows 7 from this seller, Microsoft feedback the product key was a MSDN key and blocked. First emailed the seller on 11/08, again on 13/8, filed dispute on 16/8 and never got any reply whatsoever. Note the one neutral feedback given on 07/8 by another buyer “Arrived promptly but WGA says it is not genuine?? Was it OEM? (not marked as)”
2) And another who pointed this out:
Selling TechNet keys will only hurt unaware buyers. And how would you know - they don’t tell you and market it as genuine software. MS would rather you illegally (freely) download the software instead - at least the money isn’t going into the wrong hands.
And what a surprise - also selling CS4 for $250 and counterfeit CK underwear. They’re not the only ones who do it, but it definitely should not be supported.
LOL - it gets better. Their company profile says:
BS&SJ Trading is an international trading company situated in Sydney, Australia and with sales offices located in USA, Korea, UK and Japan.
Rudi was established with the aim of assisting Australian resources companies to realise their true potential in the international market.
We are committed to deliver quality and value to our business partners.Wait - what? Who’s Rudi? Do BS&SJ go by another name?
No, they don’t. Similar to their counterfeit software, they also steal other companies profiles:
Rudi Pty Ltd is an international trading company situated in Melbourne, Australia and with sales offices created in Mumbai, India and Nanjing, China.
Rudi was established with the aim of assisting Australian resources companies to realise their true potential in the international market.(Rudi are a primary industry import/export company with no apparent relation to BS&SJ).
Will report this to be removed but want people to know about their little counterfeit operation before I do..
At the risk of exposing our members to possibly purchasing counterfeit products, I will temporarily unpublish this post pending further investigation and discussion with other mods.
Just wanted to thank the mods for always being on the ball!
I cant cancel the sale :( oh well, my own stupid fault.
I emailed OfferMe, and they said that I should start with the seller, however counterfeit products were strictly forbidden on OfferMe and if we found it was counterfeit we should let them know immediately and they would take up our case.
OfferMe also gave me the email address of the seller (just a gmail address).
I said I was happy with my purchase assuming its genuine, but I was going to check it closely and if any problem would be reporting them to OfferMe, Microsoft, and the police. I said they could back out now and refund my money if they wanted to, and I would leave it there. Given I was clearly going to make trouble for them, this was an easy way out that many would opt for even if they came up with a lame excuse… ie. "it's genuine, but I can see you are concerned so I will refund your money anyway".
I also posted in the OfferMe group buy discussion section with a link to the Microsoft "How to Tell" page, and while the mods didn't publish it they did forward it to the seller.
I got a reply from the seller to both my email and that post, and here they are:
===========
HiThanks for your enquiry.
All of my software product is genuine.
Some of previous buyers request me a refund.
But those buyers already installed and registered. They just wanted product key only.
So i told them if they show me any evidence, I would give them refund. But no reply after that…..
I sold 50 Microsoft product 2 weeks ago. But no complains and no problem with registration.
In case of counterfeit software, it can;t pass WGA test from Microsoft.
Also can't be registered and update.
If you can't register and it can't pass WGA test, just tell me.
I'll give you a full refund and you just threw it to the basket case.
Thanks
==========================
AND
============================
Hi
First of all, Thanks for your purchase.
Of course, it's Genuine.
COA label is Genuine and also COA is Genuine as well.
Couterfeit copy can't pass WGA test and can't be registered or update.
If you can't register and update Windows 7, I'll offer you a full refund.
Thanks
================================
So who knows. We'll find out soon enough, I guess.
Some people say they can pass WGA for a while, but maybe we can call Microsoft and tell them we suspect its fake and give them the serial number to check.
As I said in the first post, if we work with Microsoft I believe they work had to get us a free/cheap genuine copy for trying to help. I'm happy to do that.
Unfortunately the seller doesn't know how little I care about $150, how much I DO care about people acting with/without morals, and best of all, how much time I have on my hands to take this as far as it needs to go! :-)
Sorry to anyone that took a punt based on my initial post. I really thought I was doing the right thing here. I will do what I can to keep everyone informed so that if we do have to take action, everyone will get the benefit of my work!
Don't hate me!
My friend use a downloaded crack for vista for over 6 months before it stopped passing the WGA. It updated and registered as any retail one would.
Don't worry he's using a genuine windows 7 now :p
Darn it! Guess we should check with Microsoft after we get it?
If we do get counterfeit products, is it likely we'll all get the same serial number? Or would they have a long list of numbers that they individually put on each one? Is it worth us posting the first and last few digits of our serial numbers to see if they are all the same?
Im sure they would all be the same…
I got a email from the seller stating its all legit…
I was the one who unpublished the post pending further investigation.
For now, I think it's best that we avoid making any accusations/assumptions that the product is fake. They may as well be genuine copies, but it's always better to be safer than sorry. The post was unpublished just as a precautionary measure in light of the concerns by several members.
tiger33, thank you for taking the time and effort to investigate this further. It's good to get a reassuring response from the seller, so hopefully this will turn out well for those who have already made a purchase.
OMG I think I just got an email from the seller (to advertise the Office 2010 deal) in which he also cc'ed the other buyers on this deal. And it wasn't blind cc so I can see everyone's email address… terrible breach of privacy me thinks!
We have been communicating with Offerme on this. I have asked them to do their won credibility check and respond to the concerns in this thread - we'll see if that helps clear all this up.
Okay, it's fake. Just got mine a few minutes ago.
I have emailed the seller and Offerme, and have told them to arrange a refund immediately or Microsoft and the police will be contacted.
It is a good copy, but still a copy.
Here are some of the checks it fails against the http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/windows site:
The proof of license label is just a plain sticker, with none of the protection mentioned in : http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/Popup.aspx?displaylang=en…
The hologram on the disk is very poor quality, it far from vibrant and 3D like my genuine disk, and is a sticker instead of embedded in the disk as in the description at: http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/Popup.aspx?displaylang=en…
The Certificate of Authenticity has none of the security measures as described at: http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/popup.aspx?displaylang=en…
Bugger.
Further to this, while OfferMe (via online chat) were not overly helpful, the seller has provided me with a refund via paypal, although he was careful to say he still thought it was genuine because that's what his supplier told him. :-)
Report it anyway don't let some other poor sap be ripped off
It sounds like I won't have been the only one contacting OfferMe about this seller, including the mods from OzBargain. I'll certainly be doing my bit to help the process along.
@tiger33: Darn! I was looking forward to a Win7 deal and jumped on as soon as the RSS feed came through. I just got my copy yesterday. What to do? I tried installing it and it seemed to have worked so far, but I suspect it's a copy as the hole in the COA seems to be clearly cut and punched… Should we take group action for everyone who bought a copy?
now there is a surprise as soon as they show picture of box with ingram micro its fake
also I bet you the sticker on the box says made in USA with serial number etcno software is made in USA made in singapore and US software is made in mexico
My retail Win7 from HN was made in Singapore though.
thats right sorry my post up top wasn't clear
should have said no software is made in USA it is made in Singapore(genuine)Microsoft software sold in Australia IS made in Singapore
Just clearing it up
anyone who has recieved counterfeit software from any source should report to microsoft via anonymous service
link is http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/reports/report.aspxI thought from the Certificate of Authenticity that it was original.
Mine looked a lot like the one on Microsoft's website.
http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/popup.aspx?displaylang=en…However when I looked the description of the product at the back of the box I saw the following
"Rectover your data easily with an automatic backup to your home or business network"
^^^^^^fail
Counterfeit I'm afraid, have asked for a refund… :(
where does it say yours is made?
Win Pro 7 English ROW DVD
MADE IN USAHas the Ingram Micro sticker too…
Gee if they pass WGA… but I'm sure the only way to make sure is to actually ring Microsoft and confirm the product keys are genuine, is that right?
Just Recieved My copy, MADE IN USA, so I guess Its a fake with out even opening it up and the our pass sticker on top has holes in it instead of a strip.
Should I open it up?
And with out being funny, the box is slightly bigger than a real copy I have here… about 2mm.
Well, I did, and its running on my computer, but in hindsight, and if I were you, I wouldn't. Unopened box make it easier to return / get a refund.
Bit of a dilemma here then, if I don't open it can't determine the Product Keys, if I do it makes it harder to ask for a refund…
But I think that the spelling mistake points to it being a fake…
lol yer they really should fix that spelling mistake :\
Rectover is that kind of like bend over were going to screw you :0
Well they have agreed to a refund (but I have to pay return postage).
Might just drop in to their shop since Chatswood isn't too far away.
A case of no harm no foul…?
Hey, do you have their shop's address? I haven't emailed them yet, will do so tomorrow. How did they offer to refund the money? Maybe I'll just turn up at the shop and get a cash refund. I think I paid by credit card. I don't think there was an option to pay by Paypal?
Have sent him an email and asked for the shop address. No response as yet, might just mail it (registered) to him and be done with it.
There was an address on the envelope but it's for a flat in Chatswood…
I paid by credit too (didn't see the paypal option…)
Bring some friends along.. and a baseball bat just in case..
@cwongtech: He said to meet his employee at Chatswood Station, but neglected to mention name of said employee or his phone number or his business address.
Tried to call HIS mobile number (listed on the envelope) but no answer.
Gave up trying to save $12 and sent it by registered mail instead. Fingers crossed I get a refund or I will be making a complaint to the credit card company.
So, I emailed both OfferMe and the seller. Both have said they will offer a refund upon returning the goods. OfferMe required a tracking number.
Well, I have just posted the package back using registered post, and emailed them both. Both have acknowledged it, but the seller now says refund will be issued after receiving items and checking whether I have used the product key or not. I emailed back saying I have installed it before I noticed that its not genuine. I have since reformatted my HDD. Still awaiting a response.
Will keep you guys updated.
Okay. Status as of now.
After sending the item back, I had a long email exchange with the seller. The next day, the item was receive and picked up. The seller then opened a dispute on OfferMe.
Reason given was "We have both agreed not to complete the transaction."
Additional detail was:
"
HiI agree with refund.
Sorry for inconvenience.Thanks
"I then closed the dispute, with final comments being:
"Thanks. I look forward to my refund."I have yet to receive any refund into my CC account. I guess this means I will now deal with OfferMe direct until I get a refund. I think I'll wait a couple of days to see if it gets processed.
funny thing is these fake products are still on Offerme… WTF
Blah Blah, I'm opening up a thread to continue this discussion regarding negative votes/moderation and as we are going off-topic from Windows 7 deal from OfferMe.
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/31555NO More off-topic comments about moderation, use this thread only for Win7/Offerme and the other for moderation/negative votes.
Damn it. every one my box seems to be genuine apart from the Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/popup.aspx?displaylang=en…Its made in USA, and I can activate ok.
DAMN! I've already thrown away the cheap looking cover box, still got the plastic cd box though.. not sure if they will give me the refund or not.
Rang Microsoft and indeed the key was MSDN version. The dude agreed to give me a refund, thankfully!!
Have bought new retail package from office works. The quality of the holograms is just completely different to the fake version.
Anyone gotten a refund yet?
Instead of just getting a refund, why aren't you all reporting him to M$ (once you get your refund that is)? Of course he will refund you all, it keeps you happy and therefore quiet. For the guys and gals who notice he is selling fakes, there will be many multiple times more people who don't know better.
Hi,
I too have recently bought 2 copies of Win 7 Pro and 2 copies of Office 2010 Pro (one for desktop and one for laptop) from OfferMe and I have subsequently confirmed with Microsoft that both products are MSDN keys rather than full license keys as advertised. I have requested for both purchases to refunded as:
1. They are not the products as advertised
2. It is illegal to sell MSDN keys.DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THE ISSUE WHEN IT COMES WITH THE OFFICE 2010 PRO??
Offer me are investigating this item as they said that haven't had any other complaints for this item so if you do have bought this product, it might also be an idea to check it out.
I received a response from OfferMe advising that they'll provide a full refund for my Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Full Retail (32/64 bit) 2 x DVDs.
~ An extract from their email ~
OfferMe will only be forwarding purchase amount to you. Please return item to the seller at your own expense. You can also contact your seller regarding this as sellers should be responsible for resolving such issues. OfferMe will not be refunding any expense incurred on returning the item to the seller. When sending items back make sure to get insurance, tracking and signature required so you can monitor the status of your package and also make sure the seller agrees in writing about the conditions prior to shipping an item back. Please note that we'll only refund the transaction once you provide us the valid tracking code for the item. Please contact you seller at [email protected] for complete shipping address.
~ End of message ~
What a pain! This is a waste of time and money and time is money so I'm losing double time money!! <sigh>
I hope that this gets resolved. Otherwise, I recommend that we all make our case and take it to OfferMe via the feedback, Microsoft to inform them of the situation and the police due to the illegal nature of these transactions.
Let's not keep silent as the more voices that is heard, hopefully, rather than words of "you will be refunded", actual physical refund will take place.
My 2c (or maybe a bit more)…
report them to microsoft also i am no lawyer but ??a report to AFP as it actually is fraud - they are obtaining your money by deception and selling illegal product
You should be entitled to full refund including postage + return postage
Well, in any case, I'vw posted the item back at my own expense.. Got the refund back this week as a credit to my CC.
Posted the darn thing back at own expenses too. $12 down the drain.
OfferMe said they were crediting my cc but it's yet to appear, fingers crossed…
Just a note from the moderation team — it appears that one previous commenter "Juliana" is in fact one of sellers at OfferMe, and has been posting favourable comments about the Microsoft product purchases. This deems her/his comments sockpuppeting thus unpublished, and user banned.
Im not going to bother sending it back.
The seller broke his promise that it was genuine in the email
he directly sent to me, I wont be back to offerme again.i like the freebies on the webiste that they have once in a while.
Otherwise, i never buy from the website!
Like I said in previous post seller should be banned
[quote]Dear Customer,
We are writing in regards to your purchase of Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Full Retail (32/64 bit) 2 x DVDs. We recently came to know that some of our customers are experiencing problems with this item. If you are also dealing with any problem regarding your purchase, please let us know by replying to this email.
Please inform us before end of business day 5th Oct 2010 (Tuesday). If you inform us about the problem after this day (5th Oct 2010), your inquiry will be forwarded to the seller and you will be encouraged to resolve the problem directly with the seller.
Looking forward to your response.
Best Regards,
The OfferMe Team. [/quote]Ahh bugger, I didnt see this email ffs.
Oh well
Well I got my money back from OfferMe (minus the money I spent on postage)…
Contact Microsoft and report the software piracy here: http://www.microsoft.com/australia/genuine/reseller/report.a….
For those who qualify, Microsoft has created three genuine software offers to help customers who have unknowingly purchased a counterfeit version of Office or Windows software, I have only listed the fist option here:
- Complimentary offer: Microsoft will make a complimentary copy of Office, Windows Vista or Windows XP, available to customers who have been sold counterfeit copies. Customers will be required to submit a proof of purchase, the counterfeit CD and a counterfeit report with details of their purchase. Only high-quality counterfeit will qualify for the complimentary offer.
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This is important - make sure you visit a NSW Police station or contact the NSW Police (ph: 02 4352 0444) as soon as possible.
If you have purchased counterfeit software, you have been the victim of fraud and they will take the matter very seriously. Be sure to have the Seller’s contact information below and your copy of the software and payment information.
The seller has illegally sold over 180 software licenses an in my conservative estimate, netted over $25,000. If everyone contacts the Police, the AFP will likely be involved due to the extent of the crime. The AFP recently made significant busts relating to counterfeit software so they are very interested in this matter - http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/news/afp/2010/september/a….
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Get the seller's contact details through OfferMe, then use the "Business Name" to search the ABN register: http://www.abr.business.gov.au.
Search the WhitePages using the ABN's "Entity Name" in the same suburb as given by OfferMe and you should have personal contact details.
This information should be provided to the Police when you contat them.- Complimentary offer: Microsoft will make a complimentary copy of Office, Windows Vista or Windows XP, available to customers who have been sold counterfeit copies. Customers will be required to submit a proof of purchase, the counterfeit CD and a counterfeit report with details of their purchase. Only high-quality counterfeit will qualify for the complimentary offer.
I wouldn't recommend this "offerme" site to anyone so this is not a recommendation…