Thoughts on reselling retail copy keys?

[TheMystic]

I mentioned this idea earlier but figured I'd give it a thread to get some thoughts. I really only buy boxed copies of games unless they're digital exclusives, and will always go for the special/limited/collector's editions when they're available. With the whole Steam Babylon situation, I think that there's a good opportunity to get the benefits of a boxed copy while also getting access Babylon at the same time without too much of an increase in cost.

My idea is this:

- Person 1 buys both a boxed copy whether it be standard or special, and also a digital deluxe edition. The boxed copy key is saved so that it can be sold, and as far as we know right now the boxed special edition key offers no additional benefits like extra Civs or early access DLC. Both keys should function the same.

- Person 2 buys the boxed copy key from person 1 at a discount of $5 or $10 below retail depending on the agreement. The key is either delivered direct through email, or gifted to a designated steam account.​

This will essentially allow someone who really wants access to Babylon to get the civ while also retaining the boxed copy materials. On the other side the purchaser of the key itself will go through the exact same download process on Steam as they would if they ordered a digital copy, while enjoying a discount. The main issues are just finding a place for people to link up, and keeping the process free of scammers.

Thoughts?

 

[Shurdus]

With your idea the digital download version will cost an extra $10 + given discount. That is a downside, plus I would not trust anywone except some one I know in sending me a key. I do not trust the, to not-use the key.

 

[TheMystic]

With your idea the digital download version will cost an extra $10 + given discount. That is a downside, plus I would not trust anywone except some one I know in sending me a key. I do not trust the, to not-use the key.

Yes, but it's still less than buying two copies and sitting on the extra one. It's really the only way for boxed copy purchasers to get Babylon.

I'm not suggesting that people do this with guys who just registered a day ago. I just think that those that have been around for awhile could maybe work together with these sorts of agreements to make Babylon more accessible. Of course there's always Ebay as well, but then you never really know who or what you're dealing with.

 

[timtofly]

You really do not have to link up people, you just have to offer it for sale. If you never sell it, is there anything wrong with having 2 keys? Most households with two or more players will need more than one any way.

 

[Schuesseled]

Can they download the game off steam without buying the actual game, product keys are used for activation of a cd no?

 

[Rebel44]

Can they download the game off steam without buying the actual game, product keys are used for activation of a cd no?

Game can be added to Steam account by just adding its CD key (unless that CD key is already registered).

 

[timtofly]

You could also ship them the hard copy along with the key. You could not keep the hard copy, since it is tied to the key.

 

[TheMystic]

You could also ship them the hard copy along with the key. You could not keep the hard copy, since it is tied to the key.

Steam keys are one time use, so once you give it away to someone it's pretty much gone forever. I don't see what would be wrong with keeping the back page of your manual (or the slip card). A scan would probably be sufficient, but it would never have to be entered again hence no real need to retain the key code.

 

[PieceOfMind]

As long as Steam or 2K don't do something weird like make keys from the Special Edition have to be installed from the official disks. It looks like a good idea, TheMystic.

I've seen people selling CD keys on ebay for nearly the same price as the boxed game, for other games of course.

 

[AlpsStranger]

A cheap Civ5 Key w/o Babylon could be very tempting. While I fully intend to buy the Steam edition I might be interested in doing this for a friend or two. Interesting thought indeed.

 

[12agnar0k]

@Timtofly, the hard copy is not needed by the buyer of your spare key. The Disk is not tied to the key. The first guy can still use the disk to install the main files of the Deluxe edition atleast I would assume so, without the need for the key, the key is just so steam adds the game to your account.

However as for the proposal, this is fine, but I would caution anyone from buying key's off anyone to use on a Steam account, firstly, you could pay for the key, just to not get it at all, or get it and find its already been used on another account, i.e you got scammed, or indeed you could end up using a key that works but has not been paid for "pirated Steam key", when Steam finds out you are using a pirated key they will ban your account. And if you pay for a used or fake key then you won't get to play your game.

Caution should be used when doing this, but I don't think its against Steam rules, only buying "gifts" is against the rules, not buying CD key's from retail brought Steamworks games.

 

[Tylerryan79]

I would only do this if I was the guy selling the key, I'd even ship them the box and DVD, minus the manual. I wouldn't, however, buy a key from someone. Too paranoid.

 

[12agnar0k]

I would only do this if I was the guy selling the key, I'd even ship them the box and DVD, minus the manual. I wouldn't, however, buy a key from someone. Too paranoid.

Well the point of the post is this is for people who want the digital deluxe edition bablyon bonus features and a DVD copy of the game.
If you wish to no longer have the game/dvd then when selling the game you would obviously give everything, but with Steamworks, the only thing needed to be sold is a valid and un-used CD key. The DVD is junk after thats gone, at best its a back up of the game files, but you can create a DVD with this on via Steams back up system. So the need for the DVD at this point is pointless. However some people for some reason want it.

 

[The_J]

I've seen people selling CD keys on ebay for nearly the same price as the boxed game, for other games of course.

You might want to look into ebays terms of use.
Selling completly digital things is not allowed there.

 

[Mercade]

If you know a friend who wants to buy the regular version, simply:

1. buy the boxed collectors editon, but don't use the key enclosed therein.
2. buy the digital deluxe edition from Steam and use this key to activate your game with babylon.
3. sell the key from the boxed edition to your friend at regular retail price.

Your friend can install the game from DVD or do a digital download (he'll need an account to activate, so he can download too) and you've got the boxed goodies as well as Babylon. Your price will be the price of the boxed collectors edition plus the delta between the regular and deluxe editions on Steam download. Both you and your friend have properly priced and legal copies of the game at fair value.

 

[PieceOfMind]

You might want to look into ebays terms of use.
Selling completly digital things is not allowed there.

Really? If that's the case then the problem would be pretty widespread. For example there are lots of ebooks being sold on ebay.

It was my understanding that so long as the fact it is explicitly stated in the item description that it was not a physical copy it was completely legit to sell on ebay.

The only possible problem I can see is this:

The seller must own the intellectual property rights to the product, or have the authority to sell it.

source: http://www.e-junkie.com/ej/ebay_digital_delivery.html

So long as it is legal to sell the product key (as opposed to the actual license which we know already is not allowed) then I think it fits the ebay requirements.

The seller has a few more restrictions like having to use Paypal as the only payment option and having to use the Buy-It-Now format.

 

[The_J]

It seems, that the laws are different. Under the section digitally delievered goods on the german ebay (here) it's mentioned:

Es ist verboten, Artikel anzubieten, die über das Internet bereitgestellt oder versandt werden.

"It is not allowed to offer goods, which are provided or send via the internet."

The section on ebay.com (here) is a bit different, on .com it seems to be possible, but with some restrictions, but i guess the key would be counted into the last paragraph of the "not allowed" section.

 

[PieceOfMind]

I reckon it falls under "Allowed":

Software that you’re authorized to sell online by the owner, the owner’s authorized agent, or the law

I've seen plenty of buy-it-now auctions for games that are steam-downloads - especially ones that require the buyer to accept a gift from the seller using Steam's software.

Under "Not Allowed", the two closest appear to be:

> Video games you copied from the original CDs

> Online gaming accounts or artifacts such as characters, currency, or other items

Neither of those describe the situation either.

Anyway, the worst that can happen is that ebay pulls down your auction and you are forced to resort to selling the key to a person more directly e.g. to a friend. If you attempt to sell a key on ebay and make it very clear what you are selling, you can't really get burned. Worst worst case is that ebay doesn't let you sell and you fail to find an alternative selling method and are stuck with 2 copies of the game.