Can I trust this website selling cheap software?
May 28, 2010 5:24 AM   Subscribe

Is this software sales site safe?

They're asking $190 for Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Standard. Should I keep my credit card details far far away from them, or is there a way that this can be full legal versions of the software? I have no problem at all with download-only software, I'd just rather not be ripped off. The prices seem too good to be true, but I'd really like them to be true. Any advice or experience?
posted by bakerybob to Computers & Internet (17 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
My initial reaction is "nooooooo way would I give them my credit card".

Couldn't find any reviews on that domain after a quick search. And considering the name is "Quality Software", I doubt you'll find any on a name search. Testimonials look way fake (two guys named Lance, Jo Flowers and Tom Turner).

Even if you actually get software after giving them money, chances of it being legit are probably pretty slim.
posted by csimpkins at 5:37 AM on May 28, 2010


CS5 just came out, so it may be legit. Trying to get rid of old CS4 stock...
posted by nineRED at 5:37 AM on May 28, 2010


Absolutely not legit.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 5:40 AM on May 28, 2010


They're unranked on Alexa, which means they get no traffic. If you use firefox the plug in Search Status is a great way to tell if a site is legit or not, since almost all "legit" sites get a lot of traffic (Unless you're looking at the secure version, in which case the URLs aren't reported)

You'd be better off with a version from the pirate bay.
posted by delmoi at 5:43 AM on May 28, 2010


Best answer: Read this.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 5:44 AM on May 28, 2010




Btw, if you think about how this scam could work: You basically setup the site, send out some spams or buy Google ads and hope to get 10-20 sales in a few days/weeks and then shut it down before getting caught.
posted by delmoi at 5:46 AM on May 28, 2010


The domain was registered on May 25th, which is in line with delmoi's theory. It is also registered to someone in Michigan, although the website lists their address (and features a picture of an office building) in Texas.

Detective work is really not necessary though, all discounted software sales sites are scams.
posted by ChrisHartley at 5:59 AM on May 28, 2010


Never buy things from a website featuring a generic smiling person wearing a headseat.
posted by fire&wings at 6:10 AM on May 28, 2010 [5 favorites]


Given the fact that the address on their About page drops you on the back side of the Post Office in Abilene with no similar building nearby, I would be skeptical. Unless they are part of Bible Hardware.

Also, according to the WHOIS information, the domain (and several similar, like soft-discounter.com) are registered to someone in Michigan with a Montana phone number.

I'd stay away.
posted by speeb at 6:14 AM on May 28, 2010


Response by poster: Well, that was fairly unanimous. Thanks everybody! I'll go back to looking longingly at the Design Suite box in stores.
posted by bakerybob at 6:19 AM on May 28, 2010


Best case, your credit card will be charged and you'll get an illegally pirated version of the software you wanted. (which, as long as you want an illegal copy, you can get for free)

Worst case, you'll get nothing and your credit card information will be used or sold by the scammers.

I really see no other options with the site you linked. It's hosted in Moldova for a reason (I'm not kidding, see here).
posted by reptile at 8:08 AM on May 28, 2010


I'm going to be the lone dissenting voice here and...

Only kidding. Obvious scam. Avoid.
posted by idiomatika at 9:08 AM on May 28, 2010


hey ... this is my job ... kicking these guys in the arse, that is.

Counterfeit/pirate. 100%. Shame they don't sell my customers stuff otherwise I would be sending them a nasty letter.
posted by jannw at 10:58 AM on May 28, 2010


Safe? Maybe (probably not).
Legal? Definitely not.
posted by blue_beetle at 11:18 AM on May 28, 2010


That building picture is definitely not from N 3rd St or anywhere else in Abilene, Texas.
posted by neuron at 9:23 AM on May 29, 2010


Worst case, you'll get nothing and your credit card information will be used or sold by the scammers.

No the worst case is your CC will be charged, the info stored by scammers and your PC will get trojaned.
posted by delmoi at 4:43 AM on June 2, 2010


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