Should I go for it?

noRulez · #1 01-20-2003, 08:13 PM

Does this seem like a good deal?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6&category=182

I asked this question in the VB forum Random thoughts, but it got closed out...so, I'm asking again here

Also, why does it say professional comes with J# on one page, and it says that it only comes with vb .NET, c++.NET, and c#.NET on the other?

http://shop.microsoft.com/Referral/P...11128&typeID=2

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/howtobuy/choosing.asp

**Robby** · #2 01-20-2003, 10:35 PM

It looks like you won the bid, I think?
I never bought anything on ebay, and I'm not sure I would trust this particular item. Maybe it is for real, I don't know.

noRulez · #3 01-20-2003, 11:27 PM

Well, I bought it

I will let you all know what happens.

I am going to be very mad if it turns out to be one of those deals where they open it, and then re-shrink wrap it.

**Robby** · #4 01-20-2003, 11:35 PM

That's exactly what I was thinking, but that wouldn't bother me as much as not getting what they advertised.

If they registered it with MS, you make quite a stink about it on Ebay and with MS.

Good-luck.

***Nerseus*** · #5 01-21-2003, 01:23 AM

As Robby said, you already won it

I bought VC++ 4.0 about 6 years ago (give or take). It was brand new, never registered. I think it was $199 - a great deal at the time. I registered it with MS no problem. Not quite sure where the guy got it, but it was a dutch auction with 6 items available so it wasn't like he bought it but didn't want it - just had an overstock I guess.

Good luck and welcome to .NET!

-Nerseus

**divil** · #6 01-21-2003, 03:41 AM

Excellent, another one has come to the dark side...

noRulez, I am your father...

noRulez · #7 01-21-2003, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by divil
Excellent, another one has come to the dark side...

noRulez, I am your father...

Dad, I need some money.

Thinker · #8 01-21-2003, 12:05 PM

J# didn't come originally with it, but once you register, you should
be able to download or order a CD with it.

***Bob Schwarz Sr*** · #9 01-21-2003, 12:36 PM

J# came with mine. It was an extra CD all by itself and I didn't see it until I emptyed the contents of the box.

Thinker · #10 01-22-2003, 08:47 AM

Since it has been released, they are sticking it in the box, but all
VS.Net boxes before didn't have it. This one from Ebay is from
before J# was released (which is a good sign as far as
authenticity goes).

noRulez · #11 01-22-2003, 05:20 PM

Out of curiosity: How does that tell you that it is more likely to be authentic?

That does make me feel better though...I am a bit worried.

Thinker · #12 01-22-2003, 05:41 PM

Because it isn't the latest box - someone probably got it early on,
then decided they didn't want it, or someone over ordered when
it first came out and now wants to get rid of the early boxes.

noRulez · #13 01-23-2003, 11:30 AM

Well, the box came and was not shrink-wrapped. It looks as if though it has been opened because the seals were wrinkled and a little messed up. Also, a Visual J# cd was in there...so, if they didn't ship originally then it's obvious that the box was opened and that was put in there. The box was also in pretty horrid condition, but that's ok. Hopefully it's not registered. I don't have time to install it until later tonight. I guess I'll be happy as long as it isn't registered.

**Robby** · #14 01-23-2003, 12:07 PM

At least you received the package, and the fact that it wasn't empty is a bonus.

noRulez · #15 01-23-2003, 12:23 PM

Well, I took the rest of the day off of work to install this thing. The product Key is not working(how is that possible?) and I don't believe I got a certificate of authenticity with the product, or at least I can't find one. That is also supposed to have the product key. This is not looking good folks.

Edit: I'm an idiot...the product key is working. Apparently I can't tell the difference between a B and an 8. ugh

noRulez · #16 01-23-2003, 01:15 PM

So, here are 2 questions I have:

1) What does the certificate of authenticity look like and wasn't I supposed to get one?

2) I got a cd labeled Visual J# .net Standard as well as a form to fill out to get Visual J# when it comes out...hmmm
Did you all get the standard edition or is there a professional version? I have Visual Studio .NET Professional so I don't know why I have a Standard J# edition.

I'm confused. I emailed the guy and he assures me that it has never been opened. Somehow I think he is full of it.

**divil** · #17 01-23-2003, 02:07 PM

I would tend to agree, I think he's full of it too.

I would suggest calling MS, isn't there a number like 1-800-RULEGIT or something you can call if you're in America? They will help you determine whether your product key is legitimate, and also tell you what you should have received with the product.

**Robby** · #18 01-23-2003, 02:36 PM

And maybe get the vendor in trouble.

Well he obviously made a copy for himself.

***Bob Schwarz Sr*** · #19 01-23-2003, 02:51 PM

Since this is a done deal there isn't much you can do. I do know that Ebay has a rule when selling software that it has to original un-opened box or if it is an open box it can only be sold as part of a bundle with a peice of hardware.

You have a legit complaint since the item arrived open. His ad says unopened original. Since it was open you can and should ask for a refund. If he gives you any problems then dispute the charges at Paypal and file a complaint with Ebay.

If you were able to activate it, and it looks like you did, and are happy with it then let Ebay know that this guys auction was not truthful. You might want to include in the feedback you give this seller that the item was opened and didn't fit the description that he had.

noRulez · #20 01-23-2003, 04:21 PM

Well, it registered, so I'm assuming it wouldn't allow two people to register the same product. I wasn't sure what # to put in for the PID so I used the number after the product description on the Help(About Microsoft Development Environment) window. I'm still not sure what step to take next. I will definitely contact microsoft to ask about whether that j# cd should have been in there or not. If it shouldn't have, then I will take the appropriate actions. Thank you all for your help. And everything seems to be working, so I'm ready to dive in!

Edit: well, for the sake of completeness I decided to see what would happen if I tried to register the product again. I got the same exact screen that says:

Registration Complete
Thank you for registering your copy of Visual Studio .NET! Your registration is now complete.

so, I'm not even sure now if it had been registered already