Buying CD Keys from third party websites and eBay

[2ndhand_Hero]

http://www.ozgameshop.com/pc-games/dying-light-cd-key-download-for-steam?utm_source=shopping.com&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=shopping.com+shopping+data+feed+(17/03/2015)

How authentic/legal are these? Being cheaper then Steam Store I have my suspicions and I am mainly curious. Does Steam Care? Should sites like this be reported???

[Tev]

The website is legit.

Whenever you buy from 3rd party websites, make sure the website is an authorized reseller and you're not buying used (or region restricted) keys.

[MADONNA]

MHE noxyi

[muckymucks]

Unless they're a legit third-party retailer like Greenman Gaming, Amazon, Bundle Stars, Humble Store, etc. you risk buying a key that was used with stolen credit cards. You'll get your game but it'll be revoked eventually and you most likely will not get a refund.

[Kargor]

Originally posted by Teutep:

make sure the website is an authorized reseller

Which is impossible to do.

I don't know that particular shop and it's probably not listed on isthereanydeal, but that doesn't mean anything. He could try mailing the publisher of the game that he wants to buy to ask them whether said shop is legitimate, but they might just ignore him. In addition, if the shop is operated by some other company, the publisher might not even know THAT particular shop even though they might be dealing with the parent company.

On the positive side, Steam doesn't currently wordfilter it -- but again, that doesn't prove anything.

One can look at the store and take a guess -- for example, if a shop also sells things like WoW-gold or levelling services they are almost certainly not "legitimate" in any way. Selling gifts, or selling games that need to be used through VPN are sure red-flag indicators as well.
But that only works one way -- if they don't do anything obviously bad then you still don't know anything.

That's the whole point of a good con, after all -- the victim isn't supposed to see it until it's too late.

[Tev]

Originally posted by Kargor:

Originally posted by Teutep:

make sure the website is an authorized reseller

Which is impossible to do.

I don't know that particular shop and it's probably not listed on isthereanydeal, but that doesn't mean anything. He could try mailing the publisher of the game that he wants to buy to ask them whether said shop is legitimate, but they might just ignore him. In addition, if the shop is operated by some other company, the publisher might not even know THAT particular shop even though they might be dealing with the parent company.

On the positive side, Steam doesn't currently wordfilter it -- but again, that doesn't prove anything.

One can look at the store and take a guess -- for example, if a shop also sells things like WoW-gold or levelling services they are almost certainly not "legitimate" in any way. Selling gifts, or selling games that need to be used through VPN are sure red-flag indicators as well.
But that only works one way -- if they don't do anything obviously bad then you still don't know anything.

That's the whole point of a good con, after all -- the victim isn't supposed to see it until it's too late.

While I agree it's hard to put a 100% estimate, like you said - warning signs are usually visible. Searching about the website can go a long way too.

[Forcen]

Ask the devs in their forum or on twitter for different places to buy them, then you can be sure that the devs are getting the money they deserve.

[Tev]

As far as the company itself goes;

Name & Registered Office:
XBITE LIMITED
X-HQ RAVENSHORN WAY
RENISHAW
SHEFFIELD
DERBYSHIRE
S21 3WY
Company No. 06520821
	
Status: Active
Date of Incorporation: 03/03/2008

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Company Type: Private Limited Company
Nature of Business (SIC):
47990 - Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets
Accounting Reference Date: 30/06
Last Accounts Made Up To: 30/06/2013  (GROUP)
Next Accounts Due: 31/03/2015
Last Return Made Up To: 03/03/2014
Next Return Due: 31/03/2015
Mortgage: Number of charges: 3 ( 2 outstanding / 1 satisfied / 0 part satisfied )
Last Members List: 03/03/2014

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

Based on my own experiences, the following places appear to be legit sources of keys:
* GamersGate (this Swedish digital retailer offers some games in Steam key form, and some games in Steam key + DRM-free form, though in the latter case they don't necessarily state the Steam key part)
* Green Light Bundle (I have only bought two of these so my experience is quite limited)
* Groupees (including Bundle-in-a-Box, which is now operated by Groupees)
* Humble Bundles and Humble Store
* Indie Gala and Gala Store
* Indie Royale and Daily Royale
* Playism-Games.com, but only for the games they themselves have localized, and only when they don't say there won't be a Steam key
* developers' own websites will usually state this clearly, and developers can generate keys themselves, as far as I know.

I have not tried any others.

[2ndhand_Hero]

I have done some Googling and the only negative thing said it the waiting time for postage due to it being UK based.

[2ndhand_Hero]

Thanks for all the replies, good read as I have only bought cross counter and through the Steam Checkout.