I sold an expensive business software package on ebay, it was leftover stock from a business It never came in a box but photos online of this software show a mocked up box and all the other listings on ebay are the same. A buyer is very upset that he received just the disc, licence key and usb key to use the software. It mentions on the listing that it does not include any box, and the image is clearly a mocked up virtual box, like with most software, including on the official site. Its also available for digital download via the site with the relevant key.
I am not a software retailer, just sold this one item but I have not seen software in stores for a long time like they used to. I remember they used to have these big boxed versions that often contained multiple CDS and that was how people bought software before downloading was possible. I was not aware they still did sell boxed versions.
My question is, when you buy software and see a mocked up box, from the manufacturer do you assume it will be in a box or does it not make any difference?
The cost is for the licence key, and disc, and it seems the buyer feels very upset he did not receive the advertised packaging! The licence key can be verified with the manufacturer website.
This was not a game, which I could understand more because I know people like to collect games.
No difference to me. It's called software for a reason. Especially if the listing says no box etc. You just ran into a stupid buyer.