Buying used PC games on ebay, amazon, etc.

[Special K]

Forgive the n00b question, but I have never purchased used PC games before and have 1 concern - what is to prevent the seller from saving the legit CD key of the game he is selling and using it again later or giving it to his friends? I have found some decent deals on used PC games but it's not worth it to me if there's a chance I can't play because the game will say "key already in use" or something.

Note I am only referring to online only games that always perform authentication on your CD key.

Is this simply one of the risks you take when buying used PC games?

 

[jhayx7]

MAILTO:Special K

SUBJECT: unsubscribe

 

[MrBond]

Yep, it's the risk you take buying used, I even had it happen here in FS/T. I contacted EA and they said to email them a photograph of the CD case with the serial number on it. They told me it appeared someone else was using my key, so they issued me a new one. The whole thing was pretty painless and took about a day.

I usually check out GoGamer for older games that I want to play online now.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'd trust someone in FS/FT with decent Heatware.

I've had good results with Amazon used sellers but have only bought "offline" games so far. You could always look for sealed copies, a lot of the used seller games are brand new closeouts.

eBay seems the most risky since the 1-feedback person can threaten to retaliate with feedback and has nothing to lose. The powersellers might or might not care about a negative now and then, but are probably safe if you find one with sealed copies.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I'd trust someone in FS/FT with decent Heatware.

The person I bought from in FS/T had perfect Heatware. I don't really believe there was malicious intent, because it worked fine for several months before I suddenly started getting "Key in use" errors. It wasn't a trojan or anything on my end - I just assumed it was a friend/brother/whatever of the seller who had it installed and started playing it again after a long hiatus, not realizing the game was sold to someone else.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: MrBond

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I'd trust someone in FS/FT with decent Heatware.

The person I bought from in FS/T had perfect Heatware. I don't really believe there was malicious intent, because it worked fine for several months before I suddenly started getting "Key in use" errors. It wasn't a trojan or anything on my end - I just assumed it was a friend/brother/whatever of the seller who had it installed and started playing it again after a long hiatus, not realizing the game was sold to someone else.

If the game company hadn't taken care of you in that situation, then the FS/FT seller probably would have. Odds are they'd have a good idea of which friend or family member had borrowed the game and could make them stop or pay up. Extra work for you, but nothing to make you start paying retail for all the games you buy

 

[eplebnista]

I always buy new when it comes to software.