Question What can I do?

[alfredo74]

Here is my situation, I'm in Texas and I try to buy some adobe software from a guy selling it on Craigslist, we go back and forth with our communication (text messages) and this deal was one of those deals that sound to nice to be true, initially he wants me to meet him half way somewhere, well since I didn't trust him I tell him if can meet him the next day at his office, cause I have last minute urgent thing to do. well I meet the guy at some office and sell me what it appears to be a genuine key code for the software, with the download instructions and everything, I walk out his office and went home try to install this thing download everything and guess what?, yes the key didn't work, I text and call the guy never answer, and I put on my last text this word "Hey you hadn't answer me. the key codes you sold me didn't work, So this is how you do business? you will see..... "

and that was it, then the guy make a big deal out of this message saying that i threat him and he his going to press charges on me, so I tell him don't you think I'm the one that need to press charges on you for selling fake software key codes. now from this point I don't know what to do, can you please tell me what can be done?, if those words really are a threat, I mean I don't really mean to threat the guy I was just trying to get him to answer, Honestly that was it. and maybe the guy is just trying to keep my money and playing the victim game on me,. I don't know

[icu650]

Is it legal for you to obtain these "adobe software key codes" from an individual rather than the manufacturer? The answer will have a lot to do with you legal standing.

[alfredo74]

really I don't know?

[alfredo74]

I know you can buy this online, at any electronic store like, best buy even from ebay, honestly I don't know, God, I just hope I don't do anything wrong.

[ET109]

When something seems too good to be true...

Anyway, the fact that it isn't a legitimate code makes me think you're not supposed to do that... if you could, someone could install the software, validate it, and sell the code ad infinitim. If you have a receipt you might want to pursue the matter in small claims court.

[txinvestigator1]

You got ripped off, while trying to rip off Adobe. Cut your losses and consider it a lesson learned.

[icu650]

Come on now we are not idiots. Instead of going to an electronic store or Best Buy you decided to purchase this "key code" from some hustler on Craig List. Do you really want us to believe that instead of legally registering each adobe product by using the number supplied on the individual package you can go to Best Buy and get the key code for all products?
Just answer honestly and maybe we can help you out.

Computer software publishers use product key codes to protect games and other software from illegal copying. When you install a game on your computer, you will not be able to play it unless the software detects a valid product key code. The only legal way to get a product key code for a game is by purchasing the game. It is in your own best interest to purchase games rather than using illegally obtained product keys. By purchasing a legal copy of each game you want to play, you can get documentation, support and updates from the software developer.

This goes for any computer product.

The above was taken from EHOW.com

By any chance are you the same Alfredo74 that sells essays and term papers to college kids?

[Gutwrench]

You got ripped off, while trying to rip off Adobe. Cut your losses and consider it a lesson learned.

Great answer.

Sidebar: Have you been MIA? If I remember you correctly, you and the detsgt are two of the best cops, not that aren't others...balls on realistic and reasonable. Welcome back.

[icu650]

I don't know about the best but we are among the oldest.

[alfredo74]

Come on now we are not idiots. Instead of going to an electronic store or Best Buy you decided to purchase this "key code" from some hustler on Craig List. Do you really want us to believe that instead of legally registering each adobe product by using the number supplied on the individual package you can go to Best Buy and get the key code for all products?
Just answer honestly and maybe we can help you out.

Computer software publishers use product key codes to protect games and other software from illegal copying. When you install a game on your computer, you will not be able to play it unless the software detects a valid product key code. The only legal way to get a product key code for a game is by purchasing the game. It is in your own best interest to purchase games rather than using illegally obtained product keys. By purchasing a legal copy of each game you want to play, you can get documentation, support and updates from the software developer.

This goes for any computer product.

The above was taken from EHOW.com

By any chance are you the same Alfredo74 that sells essays and term papers to college kids?

If you own the software and not using it anymore, since you pay for, you can sell it, that is my understanding, now you may have a different interpretation of my situation, I don't make the question to make you look like idiots or stupid myself just trying to do the right thing from this point. and about the other person who sales essays I don't know what you talking about.
thanks for you help/.

[alfredo74]

thank you.

[alfredo74]

Yea I think so, thanks for your help, I just hope this guy don't rip more people, He's got Craigslist ads locally.

[mcsap]

You hope ?

Of course he will because you want to get something for cheap ( not that there is anything wrong with
that) but you took a HUGE risk buy paying for something that he can sell again and again. There are plenty of people out there who will be had , you aren't the first and you aren't the last.

If you want software , buy it from a friend that you can trust or buy it from the store.

[cntryboy0531]

If you own the software and not using it anymore, since you pay for, you can sell it, that is my understanding, now you may have a different interpretation of my situation, I don't make the question to make you look like idiots or stupid myself just trying to do the right thing from this point. and about the other person who sales essays I don't know what you talking about.
thanks for you help/.

Incorrect. It's illegal to resell computer spftware if im not mistaken as you are not buying the software, but the license to use it on one particular computer. Which is why you are required to buy new software when you want to put it on a new computer. Read that "end user license agreement" you click "agree to" before you install the product.

It may not be criminally illegal, but you can get the pants sued off of you.

[Samuel]

If he's got a lot of similar ads, might be worthwhile to drop a dime to local LE - quite a few POSes use various forms of piracy to fund all sorts of criminal enterprises...