Fake subscriptions?

Hi, I was just on eBay and some people are selling the full MSDN
Universal Subscription (534-02125) for half the price of Microsoft!
Even the resellers MS lists have their price much lower than
msdn.microsoft.com.  What's the deal?  Are these legit subscriptions?

This issue comes up from time to time, but in general beware of any offer
that's too good to be true.  The subscription FAQ has some information on
how to tell whether a reseller is any good, to which I'd add that the key
question to ask is whether you get a box and activation card.  If the
reseller says, "we'll save you time by activating the subscription for you",
then they're likely selling either a non-legal license (OEM or Academic).


Some resellers have very low prices for MSDN Subscriptions - are these
offers legitimate?
The sheer volume and ever changing number of offers and resellers precludes
Microsoft from validating every offer in the market. As is the basis for any
general purchasing decision you may make, it is in your best interest to
thoroughly investigate the seller. However, the following are some warning
signs to look out for:



a.. A price that is "too good to be true."
b.. Suspicious methods of delivery and/or payment requirements. When you
order an individual MSDN Subscription, you should receive an MSDN box with
an activation card inside. You can use the information on the card to
activate your subscription online, via phone, fax or mail.
c.. Software marked with a phrase, such as "For distribution with a new PC
only" or "Special CD - for licensed customers only," that does not
accurately describe the transaction.
"Gary Nastrasio" <noemail@please.com> wrote in message
news:uWJ$PZ3wEHA.3260@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Hi, I was just on eBay and some people are selling the full MSDN Universal
> Subscription (534-02125) for half the price of Microsoft! Even the
> resellers MS lists have their price much lower than msdn.microsoft.com.
> What's the deal?  Are these legit subscriptions?