This even legal? Someone on Craigslist selling Windows 7 OEM copies for $40?

Crow550

Platinum Member
Oct 4, 2005
2,381
5
81
$40 for install and $50 for personal copy, eh?

He claims this is legal. I shot him some e-mails. He said he paid thousands of dollars for Windows 7 and this is legit.

LOL......I know two people looking for Windows 7. This however smells fishy....More like the smell of a turd.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/sys/1500669488.html

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Here's the e-mails as follows:

Me: These copies of Windows 7 legit? Like will activate? Where did you get them? Is this legal?

Just wondering.....

Him: 100% genuine.

Me: How did you get a bunch of legal copies of Windows 7 to sell cheaply?

Him: The copy that I have costs thousands. I legally own this Product id.
I figured that because of the economy being in the gutter, that it would pay itself off if I offered it at a cost efficient price. But instead I get pieces of shit like you harassing me over the details with an attitude.

And then he popped me another e-mail:

so basically do not get in contact with me again Unless you would like me to charge you full price.

I popped him this last e-mail:

Good grief, don't call me names. I have two people that want to upgrade to Windows 7. I was just asking you if you were selling Windows 7 product keys or what? You said you paid thousands which doesn't make any sense? I asked some normal questions. So don't hound me for asking. To get Windows 7, you need a legit key that will activate online to Microsoft otherwise Windows 7 will shut it self down every hour. So I have a very good reason to ask you those questions as I don't want my two friends paying you $50 bucks for copies of Windows 7 that won't activate online and thus there PC starts shutting down and so forth and Windows update won't work and such: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091108190756AAmDvoJ


So instead of getting all snotty and calling me a piece of shit. Just answer my question if these are legit or not. I was not throwing you attitude or anything. I was just asking some basic questions. I'm glad your wanting to help people out in this economy. People can also try Ubuntu out if they can't afford Windows 7. http://www.ubuntu.com

Anyways if you can kindly answer my questions as you weren't very clear on what you paid thousands for. All i'm asking if your selling Windows 7 keys? and charging $10 more a copy of the OS?

That's all I was asking.

Thanks.

And then sent another e-mail:

You have to understand it's normal for people to be wary on Craiglist as there are scammers everywhere.

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So yeah...... I feel a disturbance in the force. ;)

Unless he bought a bunch of bulk OEM keys. Even then, this just seems wrong.
 
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bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
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It looks like he bought a Volume License for a certain number of activations.
And he is selling Windows 7 Ultimate, OEM version (like for system builders)
Only issue you might have is reactivating if hardware changes, like with any OEM
version of Windows. The extra $10 would be for the actual DVD (copy / ship)
 

Crow550

Platinum Member
Oct 4, 2005
2,381
5
81
I got a response back:

well im sorry for being an ass earlyer and I do understand your position.
Because this is a Corporate copy. it is an offline activation. so by the time it is done installing on your computer it is aready activated. The copy I have is for Manufacture installs, such as dell, gateway, sony, and ect. Also win 7 ultimate can be installed on a mac, with no problems. cal me if still interested I can install it on a pc for a cheaper price so that you know it is legit.

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So would this be fine for my two friends to get to upgrade to Windows 7?

Or is this still fishy?

CHUN...CHUN...CHUUUUUUUUUN!

By using the almighty powers of Google.....Typing in Windows 7 corporate copy, this just doesn't flow right.
 
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postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
40
91
if you heard of pirated corporate xp, same thing: it is pirated volume license key that will be blacklisted soon, or guy will get fired in his organization
 
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Crow550

Platinum Member
Oct 4, 2005
2,381
5
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Yeah I just did the research on it.

Yup......When it sounds to good to be true. It is. ;)
 

Scotteq

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2008
5,276
5
0
Hmm.. If I were to receive a response from the guy like that one, I'd be inclined to forward a copy of the Craigslist ad and his eMails to Microsoft.

But I'm known to be an unreasonable a$$hole from time to time.
 

MStele

Senior member
Sep 14, 2009
410
0
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I got a response back:

well im sorry for being an ass earlyer and I do understand your position.
Because this is a Corporate copy. it is an offline activation. so by the time it is done installing on your computer it is aready activated. The copy I have is for Manufacture installs, such as dell, gateway, sony, and ect. Also win 7 ultimate can be installed on a mac, with no problems. cal me if still interested I can install it on a pc for a cheaper price so that you know it is legit.

LMAO. So how does "installing it on a pc for a cheaper price" somehow prove its legit?

Volume licenses can't be sold like this. To me it sounds like he scored a volume key that a company (possibly his employer?) uses for installation and he's selling it.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
11,586
0
0
The Craig's listing has been deleted by its author.

He/she's throwing out so many conflicting statements, it's impossible to know for sure what was being "sold".
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,540
419
126
LOL, the only clear thing on that offer was $40/$50 that should be sent.

Anybody that considers a deal like this for more than the 10 sec. that it takes to read it should have good health insurance. :sneaky:
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,540
419
126
The nice thing about the Internet is that every thing someone put into a page is always True.

If someone types a lie, a buzz of electricity comes out of the Keyboard, and gives strong electrical shock.

^_^ - :\ - :eek: - :eek:
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
18,873
519
126
Well I guess he posted again, stating this was all a test:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/sys/1505367552.html
Ah yes...I love the "I'm committing piracy/theft to help the economy and/or to help other people who can't afford to be price-gouged by evil greedy corporations" justification. a.k.a. the Robin Hood justification

I wonder if Robin Hood kept a big chunk of the profits for himself, too? Such concern for others! Brings a little tear to my eye...
 

wwswimming

Banned
Jan 21, 2006
3,695
1
0
You have to understand it's normal for people to be wary on Craiglist as there are scammers everywhere.

Unless he bought a bunch of bulk OEM keys. Even then, this just seems wrong.

there's a lot of desperate people on Craigslist, selling things.

like their bodies.

USENET in the early '90's was so much more relaxed and honest. and profitable.
 

Tristicus

Diamond Member
Feb 2, 2008
8,107
5
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www.wallpapereuphoria.com
Could be the pirated version. The OEM version that is on many websites "illegally" activates when you install and allows for as many activations as you want. I can't imagine what kind of idiot would be dumb enough to sell them...but at least he isn't posting this on eBay.
 

Garinhaskins

Junior Member
Dec 17, 2009
1
0
0
I fell for this scam.

He started by asking to trade a copy of Win7 for a 15" lcd monitor of mine.
I told him I couldn't because the monitor was not mine to make that decision.
"How much do you want for just the cd?"
"$25."
"Can I pay by paypal or snail mail?"
"Whatever's quickest."
"Probably snail mail because I don't have the money in my paypal account and it'd take a few days to get from my bank account."

He told me his address (which I have; if you want it, ask me) and I sent him $25 cash. About a week later after not receiving anything I called to ask "Why have I not received the cd yet?"
"I sent it a few days ago. Would you like me to send another?"
"Yes, of course."

Still no cd a few weeks later.
 

Crow550

Platinum Member
Oct 4, 2005
2,381
5
81
Yeah I e-mailed him this thread.

Sucks ya got hosed. What he's doing is illegal. You should report him as that copy of Windows 7 you have will go sour and be no good.

Unless he bought a bunch of keys to sell, then that would be different as each Windows key needs to be different and approved by Microsoft. He is just giving out the same key for some business or corporate edition. Which works differently for businesses because they have a special server for windows updates. Am I right?
 
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Crow550

Platinum Member
Oct 4, 2005
2,381
5
81
Have you tried filing a police report?

Also have you tried e-mailing Microsofts piracy division?