Complaint Review: US Softs Online

I had purchased MS Offfice Professional 2007 online from this seller (US Softs Online), but was sent counterfeit software. The seller at frist responded prompty to my email about the software not passing the Genuine Advantage Validation check on the Microsoft website. Once confronted with evidence that the software was counterfiet, I never heard from the seller again.

Even though it says US in the name of the site, the produt ended up shipping from China. What arrived looked very convincing, with shiny hologram disks and a nice legitimate-looking plastic box that apeared to have all of the security feautures. I later discovered the disks to have a layer of clear plastic over the labels, however, that when peeled, resulted in some of the hologram label also getting pulled off.

I paid using PayPal, who would not do anything to help because I had recieved a package from the seller, even if the product recieved was not as described- i.e. suspected counterfeit.

When the software failed the Microsoft validation check, I wrote to the seller. The seller sent me additional product keys each time I complained, but none of those was accepted by the Microsoft validation tool. Also, when I ran the validation diagnostic tool, it said the software is Office Professional Plus ("Plus" is the volume license version, not the retail version I should have recieved), and indicates 108 Invalid VLK (volume license key). A 108 invalid VLK can indicate that the key code was made using an illegal key generator.

If you suspect you have been sent counterfeit Microsoft software, try the Genuine Advantage Validation tool on the Microsoft website (http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/) to check the software. If it fails validation, there will be additional instructions on what you can do, including Microsoft's program where those who are found eligible will be sent a legitimate copy of the software if you send them the counterfiet version, etc.