How to Buy Cheap Photoshop Software

Adobe Photoshop is well known to be the industry leader in graphic design software. No other application compares to the power of Photoshop and no other application is more widely used by professional graphic designers. That being said, the only limitation to Photoshop comes in the way of price; at $600 average per application, Photoshop is by far the most expensive application on the market today.

Is there such a thing as cheap Photoshop? The words “cheap Photoshop” are definitely a contraction. Most budding online entrepreneurs not interested in outsourcing graphic design need an application like Photoshop. Anyone interested in purchasing it will seek the lowest cost solution.

Googling “cheap Photoshop” will bring up 13.9 Million results. Many of those will be offering so called OEM software. OEM refers to Original Equipment Manufacturer, and OEM software refers to software that is sold to computer assemblers and hardware manufacturers in large quantities, for the purpose of bundling with as a complete computer system. OEM software may also be a fully-functional version that can be bought at a discounted price with a new computer because the system assembler sells in large quantities and passes that savings on to the buyer.

Is it legal to purchase OEM software? It’s actually difficult to say as it is a grey area. You definitely need to do some research. There are many limitations and conditions but there are exceptions that allow a supplier to sell OEM software (business liquidation auctions for example).

Here are 12 warning flags to watch out for when purchasing cheap software online:

• The price is way out of line from the prices offered by authorized resellers.


• The supplier has a FAQ on their website trying to justify how they are legal.


• The suppliers “terms of sale” has a statement that you give up the right to initiate a refund through your credit card company.


• If you are required to use a special number (not the serial number) for activating the software before you can use it.


• You received by unsolicited email (spam) trying to sell to you.


• The software is advertised as an OEM, NFR (not for resale), or academic version.


• The software is advertised a “full version” but states that you will receive only CD’s.


• The software is advertised as a “backup copy” with serial number.


• The supplier states that the software can’t be registered.


• The suppliers website does not use a proper domain name, but a series of numbers instead.


• The supplier does not provide a full business name, street address, or phone number.


• There is no warranty or refund policy available to you.

Be cautious when purchasing cheap Photoshop software (or any other application for that matter) and read up on the limitations and legalities of the threat of pirated software and what it means to you. There are legitimate online businesses selling OEM software but they can be difficult to spot in an ocean full of pirates.