When buying software licensing goes wrong, Panda Internet Security 2012 Groupon sale

Today will be a different post, as this is a story worth sharing for anyone who buys software (let’s face it, we all do), looks for good deals online, and then may find themselves unwillingly duped. We all know that you get what you pay for, but what happens when you think you are getting a full license, it is presented as a full license, and you get a cut down one?

Take exhibit A, the groupon deal that I purchased.

Yes, I saw a fantastic deal for a 3 year, full, internet security license for Panda Internet Security… for an amazing saving, up to the value of $165. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Well, I certainly thought so.

So, being in need of a new internet security suite, I went ahead and bought a 3-user license. Note, as you will see on Groupon’s website, that this is for a full license. Payment went through fine, and the deal was “on”, and I then received a license from Panda, which consisted of the following email:

Dear Groupon Customer,

Thank you for purchasing your new Panda Internet Security 2012 software.

1.Please download and install your Panda software via the following link:

Download: Panda Internet Security 2012

2.During the installation you will be prompted to enter an Activation Code, as follows:

XXXXXX-XXXXXXX

Please note: If you have ordered protection for 1, 3 or 5 computers, we have provided individual Activation Codes for each computer. You may use these codes yourself, or you are very welcome to share them with friends and family. Each Activation Code can only be used once.

If you require technical support, please visit http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/support/

Regards,

Panda Security Australia

PANDA SECURITY. The Cloud Security Company.

Try Panda Cloud Office Protection

Now, that all sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? I went ahead, installed my software, had issues with annoying bugs in it (that they did resolve with patches for me to download), and I was relatively happy with the knowledge that I had a full 3 year license, and although the 2012 software wasn’t so great, I looked forward to upgrading to the new 2013 version, as for those of us who use internet security suites know… a license generally means free upgrades, and new versions mean better features and usually, a lot of improvements.

So, lo and behold… the brand spanking new and shiny Panda Internet Security 2013 was released, and I went ahead to download… go through the painful process of multiple reinstalls, to then find out that I couldn’t activate it. I took it up with Panda’s forums, to be redirected to their sales team. I was thinking, what? I bought a full license, why on earth am I being made to purchase a new license again?

A few posts later, I found out why, and here it is, posted by Panda themselves:

Our database reveals that your activation code belongs to an OEM version, as the topic mentioned above states ”*NOTE: This information applies only to commercial versions of Panda’s products (boxed or online version).”

As all of the techies out there would know, it is actually not legal to sell OEM software without a hardware or system purchase, but this is also a blatant case of false advertising. I checked with a fine tooth comb, and neither Groupon or the Panda communications i received when i bought the license mention anything about OEM licensing, and the sale clearly states that you receive a full license.

Naturally, I am here to share this information with everyone for many reasons… but there were a huge amount of these licenses sold, and you may have been caught the exact same way and be completely unaware until you go to upgrade. To add insult to injury, I could not find the download for 2012, only 2013 on their website, and Panda keep telling me to go to their sales team.

My take? Advise Groupon of the sale being not as described and request my money back, but because we live in a world of Social Media, I am able to share this story with you all… so that you don’t end up making the same mistake, or if you already have… you can do something about it.

Is it the fault of Groupon? Panda? Or both? This remains to be seen. So, I now use Microsoft Security Essentials until I can sort this out, and have asked for a refund. I will post a comment with an update of what happens as a result of this… but I am sure that all of you can learn a lot out of this. I have had a lot of great purchases from group buying websites, but this goes down as one of the worst. Let’s see if this is resolved with class.

What can we learn from this as writers? Be careful of where we buy tools and software, after all… most of us write on computers, and internet security is always important.

Have you had a similar experience? If so, share it! And if you know of great internet security software and good pricing on the licenses, please comment!