I've seen many Magix products downloads on Ebay very cheap. Why would anybody pay so much money for Magix products when one can purchase them on Ebay with "Lifetime Full License" for pennies on the dollar?! Is Magix aware of this? Is it legal? Does Magix have agreements with these Ebay sellers?
Welcome to the Magix forums.
Without actually seeing any of these Ebay listings I will guess the following to be true: either, the versions offered are "old"; and/or, they are pirated, illegitimate copies. In either case, I am quite confident in saying that Magix are most likely "aware" of this practice, though they may not be aware of each specific listing and no, they do not have "agreements" with these sellers.
UPDATE: I did a quick search for "Magix" on Ebay UK. The few listings I looked at confirmed my guesses above were correct. Most of the "boxed" products are older versions; listings offering "downloads" are clearly of highly dubious origin (consider the fact that many sellers do not appear to be able to write in "good" English!)
Jeff
Forum Moderator
how is it that Ebay and Paypal let this happen?! but then again if Magix doesn't care why would they...
Hi
Declaration: this comment refers to software selling in general and is not specific to Magix products and does not represent any comment from Magix on this subject.
It is perfectly legal to sell old or used software and bulk boxed software that has been purchased in for example a closing down sale or fire sale.
The selling in bulk of a relatively new version of a program, by download only, at a very low price raises the question of how have these been obtained and is it legitimate,
A typical method used by an unscrupulous seller is to buy a multi user licence version of the software eg an educational licence with a multi user seat licence and then sell these off piecemeal to make a profit.
John EB
Forum Moderator
Thanks! Now let me put it like this... You purchase a famous expensive software like Vegas as an example... for $20 they send you a download link.... but they tell you "does not take upgrades" and not to register.. you download the software, it works... but 3 weeks later Magix tells you it's a trial and you can't open the software because you don't have a license! so you tell Ebay and they say.. "well... since it it a digital download we can't help you. Ebay's money back support does not apply on digital downloads" so you get screwed and that's that? This is ok... and legal? lol I'm sorry but my upbringing taught me it's wrong!! or maybe I live in a different planet... :)
Hi
It is unfortunately a 'buyer beware' situation - if it is too cheap then it is most likely dodgy.
Trying to get EBay to do anything about it is very difficult, even for large companies.
You can report the seller for false representation and demand your money back - if you are in the UK then the Distance Selling Regulations also come into force and can be used for issues with the software.
Whether anything results from that is anyone's guess.
I had an issue a few years ago with a seller on EBay with Sony batteries and charger - they were stated to be genuine however close examination revealed they were counterfeits and the seller very quickly refunded the money and pleaded with me not to report them - I did to EBay and to Sony.
A legitimate source of software, mainly games, however they do have mainstream software bundles regularly, is Humble Bumble, many companies and developers support various charities through them. Magix have had bundles with them previously.
HTH
John EB
Your most recent post makes a number of rather sweeping assertions and statements that are clearly your opinion but may actually not reflect the truth.
I know Magix is aware of the piracy that goes on with some sellers on Ebay. I also know that "persuading" Ebay to actually do something about removing/closing those seller accounts is far from easy! So, please do NOT make the assumption that Magix does not care about their existence and the fact that your
neighbor is using the same software for almost nothing on Ebay!
The company DOES care, a lot, but Ebay may NOT care quite so much!
As to your rant about support, licences, registration and Magix policies with regards to what you term as "older" software; if you would like to take the time to read the whole of this page it contains details of the facets of their support policy. The question of that "older" software not being supported is, essentially, that yes, Magix does want you to buy "the latest", but product development can often mean that "problems" seen when using the older versions may have actually been corrected in later versions but such corrections cannot be "retro-fitted" to those versions manufactured and released earlier. To say nothing of changes that M$ may have made to their OS!
As to the question of email and phone numbers: many manufacturers now do not offer any type of "technical" support via telephone, only by email or web form. Magix is no different in that respect. As moderators, you will often find us pointing posters to the "Contact" button in the footer of every forum page which leads to a web page where issues/questions can be raised with Technical Support or Customer Service/Sales. Speaking entirely personally, I have never found that questions/problems raised on current software with the Support channels are not responded to promptly and efficiently. Sometimes there will need to be a series of emails between the support personnel and me, in order to fully resolve the original question, but resolved it will be if a resolution is possible.
Jeff
Forum Moderator
To Jeff,
"problems" seen when using the older versions may have actually been corrected in later versions but such corrections cannot be "retro-fitted" to those versions manufactured and released earlier.
That's what Updates are for.
"Technical Support or Customer Service/Sales"
I had a dream Jeff... After I purchased software for Windows and Mac thru the years...
I saw fake software on Ebay for $20... so as a nice customer of Magix the first thought that came to mind was I'll let these guys know about this..
I call to "Magix phone #" or "I emailed Magix" don't remember how I got in touch with them (?!?!) and I told them about this piracy going on in Ebay so they called me (?!) or email me ( ?!) and guess what!
it wasn't to spend more money in their software.... nahh... they email me saying something like: "Hi Charley, thank you so much for the info.. We've been dealing with this problem for some time now.. and even though it's hard for us to be on top of all these deals on Ebay we do appreciate your time and effort to let us know about it. We appreciate having honest customers like you who care about doing the right thing. Remember to pass by our web page and check out our new deals and thanks again. We'll look into it."
Was a nice dream Jeff... I didn't want to wake up!
"NO GREAT ARTIST SEES THINGS AS THEY REALLY ARE.
IF HE DID, HE WOULD CEASE TO BE AN ARTIST." Oscar Wilde
"uff... these sensitive and idealistic artists we have to deal with..
we would be better off making nuts and bolts"
:)