I too got taken in by Bidsofts.com on Adobe software. I have two copies of Adobe PhotoShop CS4 Extended Edition received from Bidsofts that install and run (well actually, I've only tried one of them), until the software connects with the Adobe activation/authorization server over the Internet, when they fail to recognize/decode the serial number and refuse to run, other than as a 30-day trial.
Everything about my copies of PhotoShop looks like authentic Adobe. They were shrink wrapped, and all packaging, labeling, and DVD looks to be authentic. The software installs fine and decodes the serial number printed on the DVD package. It is fully functional when run from the initial install, because the software doesn't appear to check with the Adobe activation server on the initial execution.
That initial running, and looking 100% legitimate, is what trapped me into ordering a second copy. I was obviously wary of the low price, and lack of company information on the website, further exacerbated when I found the software was shipping from mainland China (from the tracking information). But when the software arrived, installed, worked, and appeared to register with Adobe, I ordered the second copy (in a bundle with Microsoft Office 2007 Professional). (I had searched the web for information on Bidsofts before the initial order in mid-October, and found nothing, but I didn't think to do so after receiving what appeared to be fully functional software, despite the "unconventional" shipping materials.)
I (unfortuanely) didn't try to run the software again until after the second copy was already in transit. On that subsequent running, I received a popup saying my license had been revoked. The Adobe website wasn't very cooperative, but I eventually was able to open a ticket with them, and they told me my serial number wouldn't decode, and ultimately that Bidsofts was not an authorized Adobe online reseller.
I carried on a long (but time delayed) debugging exchange with "Corn" from Bidsofts about my problem with the serial number, and he was responsive and seemingly helpful. He provided a second serial number in an E-mail, which allowed program installation, but didn't decode when connecting with Adobe's activation/authorization process (the program only ran for a minute or two when installed with the second serial number). (When I tried installing the software on a different computer, it duplicated the behavior of running the first time, but failing to validate online during the second running.) I last received a (friendly) E-mail from Corn on December 24 , saying he would work on a solution to my problem. I was about to compose a follow on message when I decided to check whether the website was still active, found it was not, and then found this site (and one other problem report).
I believe that the software Bidsofts was selling must have been stolen outside of normal distribution channels, rather than pirated/duplicated. Aside from the apparent authenticity/functionality of my copies of PhotoShop, the copy of Microsoft Office I received has activated and run without incident.
I had hoped that Paypal would provide a safety net for problems, but based on the other report posted on this site, it doesn't look worthwhile to contact them, although I still might give it a shot. I'm also more than 60 days out now, because of the slow debug cycle I went through, thinking my problem could either be solved or dealt with (if not with a refund, with substitution of other software). At this point, it looks like I have a $400 copy of Microsoft Office 2007 Professional.
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