Are CD Key shops legit?

[gluconolactone]

I've been wondering about those CD Key shops which sell game keys for far lower than their retail price.

Are those legit by any means? And how do they come to offer these very low prices?

[Rorgash]

they are usually stolen keys if they are very low

[gluconolactone]

they are usually stolen keys if they are very low

 

That struck my mind as the only possibility but it seemed farfetched.

[Rorgash]

That struck my mind as the only possibility but it seemed farfetched.

nah, thats how its done, people who work in shipping or in the stores or other places that sees the games or key codes can steal, or someone manages to hack some database, different ways then sells them to these kinds of sites 

[Benjio]

nah, thats how its done, people who work in shipping or in the stores or other places that sees the games or key codes can steal, or someone manages to hack some database, different ways then sells them to these kinds of sites 

Do you have any proof of that or are you just assuming? (not trying to be rude, just curious)

[Rorgash]

Do you have any proof of that or are you just assuming? (not trying to be rude, just curious)

dont have any links on stock right now but from what i hear/read its the "common" knowledge, but im sure google can give you a LOT more than i can

[Rorgash]

Do you have any proof of that or are you just assuming? (not trying to be rude, just curious)

oh also, not long ago a game dev shut down MANY people games since they bought it off a site like that and they were all stolen

[Benjio]

oh also, not long ago a game dev shut down MANY people games since they bought it off a site like that and they were all stolen

Hmm, okay, good to know, thanks.

[Grrizz]

My understanding is they were generally either bought in bulk (sometimes as a hand off from a big retailer) or parallel imported i.e. bought cheap in India, etc. which is technically against most TOS but not really enforced.

[ThyFeared]

Do you have any proof of that or are you just assuming? (not trying to be rude, just curious)

Look at sniper elite 3 most of those were stolen

[Synthetic-Pulse]

I have purchased a a good amount of games from https://www.gamekeysnow.com and never had a problem with them, they also have pictures and videos of there stock and of them scanning the keys.

 

They buy in bulk so they can sell cheap, not a hard concept.

[Synthetic-Pulse]

oh also, not long ago a game dev shut down MANY people games since they bought it off a site like that and they were all stolen

 That is NOT proof, that is just more hear say unless you can show real evidence.

[Yasri]

There are a couple place that are legit that sell steam keys. Few ways they they get them to my knowledge.

Developers generate the keys give them to the seller, dev and 3rd party seller get a cut and steam does not. Steam looks the other way because more people on steam. Means more market share
Reseller buys keys in other territories were the games are sold cheaper to try and stop piracy and resells them in more developed markets. Technically against the rules but valve lets some get away with it, as long as they aren't dicks about it.

Then there are tons of illegal ways they get keys but that is a hole nother thread.

Here are some I know to be legal.
GreenManGaming

GamersGate
GetGamesGo
Humble Bundle
Impluse
Amazon
Shopto
Gamefly Downloads
Beamdog

I use http://isthereanydeal.com/ to keep track of game sale for steam and gog games.