Educational Box Scam for TSP or Maschine?

Okay, I just bought a brand new box of Traktor Scratch Pro full retail version because I also have bought the education version prior. My concern is this, I bought the full retail version from an online retailer and when I received the box, I noticed there are some scuffs where the sticker "education version" could have been removed. When I run my fingers through it, it does feel like the sticker used to be there, Is there anyway I can check the validity of this product being retail or educational? I mean if they sold me an educational copy at a retail price that is a total scam and very illegal. Is there a way I can check this? Please help. I also bought maschine from the same retailer and now I'm worried. The key thing is that I plan to use these items for commercial use and do not want to be in a situation where I bought educational versions.

 

Call registration sopport and tell this strory. They will know if the serial is educational or not.

 

Cool Thank you, I will do that. Was hoping someone might have an answer prior to the weekend ending.

 

Once the product is install and activated you can look on the Support Website (login required) and view your Personal Download Manager. That should tell you exactly what the version is ie: Full, Upgrade, Educational.

If you do not want to install then Registration SUpport is the only way of checking the serial number.

Registration Support will advise on this quite quickly if you need further confirmation.

If you do install and find that it is EDU you should uninstall and demand your money back.
Software is usually non-refundable once installed but selling EDU items as FULL items breaks the law so i guess you would have the law on your side.


You know, ive had a gut full of people selling EDU items as FULL. Maybe its just cus im a Moderator but im seeing more and more of this activity.

Im sure yours will be cool mate.

Let us know how you get on.

 

Thanks for the response Karlos. One other problem which might force me to open up the package and install it is that the serial on the box is really worn out. Also there appears to be a second serial sticker missing, usually there is a barcode that's the ISBN and has numbers with the double line split in the middle. This sticker I believe usually would state if the item is education or retail and was removed from the box. This is definitely looking more suspicious and I will call Registration Support on Monday. I did contact the seller and they said that their "supplier" indicates it is the full version but is willing to accept return. If you ask me I don't think there is a "supplier" but just someone trying to pull a fast one. I should of known better. Selling full retail version for $525 sounds to good to be true. The insane part is they even advertise it so you don't think twice.

I would put a link to the ebay listing but I don't know if that is allowed here. Anyhow, Karlos I totally agree with you on the possibility that some people maybe pulling a fast one by selling education version as retail to maximize profits.

 

Post the ebay link. Ill have a look.

If someone is trying to scam you i want to know who it is.

Of course with eBay you should always take the diplomatic route first. This could be totally legit or even if not it may be a listing error or mistake and if they have already said they will co-operate then best practice is to be courteous.

The actual software serial number will be inside the box but the ISBN or bar-code maybe enough for Support. Regardless, opening the box to retrieve the Serial number wont make any difference to your claim. Support will be able to tell if its EDU from the Serial i imagine.

Post up a ticket when you get one so i can speed up the process.

Karlos

 

Okay here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310229754018&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I actually have 2 ticket numbers as I wasn't sure which department to contact so ended up contacting both via email to the Educational Deparment and to Registration support. This was sent on this past friday after normal business hours when I received my packages for Traktor Scratch Pro and Maschine. Attempted to call but they were closed. Is Native Instruments on PST or EST for their office hours?

Here are the ticket numbers:

Ticket#2010071010000903
Ticket#2010071010000896

 

Thats pretty straight.

I think you might be ok but its worth looking at.

Keep us posted mate.

Karlos

 

My worst fear has come true. I spoke with Registration Support agent Rocky at Native Instruments earlier today and he has confirmed that both Serial numbers for Traktor Scratch Pro and Maschine are indeed Academic versions. This seller totally used false advertising to sell these products. I am furious at the moment because of the amount of money that I spent. This is unbelievable, I'm hoping we can put this as a sticky somewhere on this forum for buyers of these products to use a little bit of caution. It might be better to go to Guitar Center or your local music store to ensure you get the retail version. This totally sucks but is a lesson learned, if the price is too good to be true need to be cautious.

Here is the email I sent to the seller:

"How well do you know your supplier? Per native instruments I was required to open the package, and take a look at the internal serial number. According to Native Instruments agent Rocky in Los Angeles, CA you sold me the Academic Version of Native Instruments Traktor Scratch Pro and Maschine as a retail version! This is not only false advertisement but is illegal! You posted clearly "Not Academic" yet the information is false. Whether you know about this or does your supplier, the fact is this is not right. I will be returning all equipment, you will refund the total amount of $1,065 for purchases I made on Traktor Scratch Pro and Maschine. There will be no restocking fees or any of that, you falsified information on your product. All items are still intact, only checked the internal serial number to verify if they are academic or retail version. You will process this and provide the return authorization numbers as soon as possible or I will be forced to take legal action."

 

Gutted. I am really p*ssed off man.
Like i mentioned in a previous post i am seeing more and more of this.

The Seller could be getting stung here as well but that is of no concern of yours.
Under the distance selling laws (UK and Europe) you are entitled to a full refund including all shipping cost incurred by yourself so make sure to quote the "Distance Selling Law".

Let us know how you get on mate.

Im gonna request that NI look at this Seller. He is selling a lot of NI products, if hes buying them all at EDU price and selling as FULL hes making a killing.

Karlos

 

if you used paypal for the check out, you may be protected though. Don't send it back without opening an incident.

 

Yes, I did open up an incident with Paypal regarding both transactions. Thanks for the reminder chachakoala. The seller has agreed to give a full refund once the items are returned. It's crazy though, if you check out the seller's ebay store, they're still selling the same items and listing it as the full version. I am really upset and I'm sure anybody else in my position would be too. Luckily I have purchased an Academic Version before and know exactly what was on the package and certain things on these "so-called full versions" didn't really add up. I mentioned it felt like the "Academic Version" sticker was removed because I know exactly where it normally goes. Plus the ISBN sticker was missing too.

My message to all those who buy Native Instrument products online or from non-retailer stores who might not know. Like I mentioned before, if the price seems too good, check with NI registration support if you have retail licenses. This is important because a retail license you are entitled to commercial use and is transferable which to some can be really important for this industry.

Karlos thanks for the follow up, it would be great if we can have NI look into this Seller. If they learned their lesson and stopped selling these items this way it would be fine. At the moment however I do still see them being listed on ebay from this Seller.

I will keep everyone updated on the situation. Based on the tracking from UPS, all items should arrive at the Seller's location by tomorrow.

 

Yeah these items are re-listed. Not good.

I have asked NI to look into the matter and see if we can get this guy served.
I dont know if NI will want to put any resources into this kind of thing but i hope they will. Its pretty bad that people are buying from this guy and may be unwittingly receiving EDU items.

Karlos

 

I received my refund today via PayPal. A lesson learned and will defitinely be more cautious next time. Luckily I am one of those people who always put up a fight when I believe an injustice has been done. This seller will be getting negative feedback from me. Hopefully some will take the time to read those feedbacks. Thanks everyone for your support.

-Cliff

 

Great news Cliff and well done getting the money back. eBay is not always a great place when a transaction goes wrong. The odds can be stacked against you but in your case your were 100% in the right.


I look forward to reading your Negative Feedback.
If i hear any further from NI i will get back to you.

Karlos

 

Well if that Feedback doesnt put people off nothing will. Props.

 

LOL, indeed. I still want to pick up Traktor and Maschine. Just looking for some discounts. Definitely not interested in the Academic version :-(