Expert: LizaL - 4/9/2006

Question
I'm getting ready to buy Photoshop, and I'm hoping you have a recommendation for where to go for the best price. (I'm afraid to buy used versions -- what if I get ripped off!) Any suggestions?

---Mark

Answer
Hi Mark,

I'm with you, about buying used versions! When you're making a purchase for an important piece of software like Photoshop, there's no substitution for the real thing, and the real thing licensed to *you*. Don't settle for anything less, and don't buy a bootleg.

You didn't say whether you're buying the Mac or PC version, but that really doesn't matter too much, since wherever you buy one, you'll normally find the other.

Also, you'll find the price won't vary too much from place to place, since there are restrictions from Adobe so that resellers can't lower the price too much.

But here are some places I've bought from, and their prices for Photoshop. If the search strings don't work, just go to the search engines on the sites and type in Photoshop and you should see basically the same results that I found.

1. Small Dog Electronics -- they're an authorized Mac reseller. They sell new, refurbished and used hardware and software, so look for the codes beside the products (n = new, u = used, etc.). They offer Photoshop CS2, new, for $585 (full version).
http://www.smalldog.com/product/34348#d_review


2. MacMall -- they offer Photoshop CS2 for $599.
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail~dpno~528479.asp

If you're going to get the PC version, they also have a PC Mall, and the price is the same.
http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/detail~dpno~528476.asp


3. New Egg -- they offer Mac and PC products. As far as I know, the software is new. I've never ordered software from them, but a friend of mine has and hasn't been disappointed and/or ripped off. They offer Photoshop CS2 for $578.99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832105262&ATT=32-105-262&CM...


4. Tiger Direct offers Photoshop CS2 for... $619! I've ordered stuff from them before but they seem a little pricey. Maybe that's why I haven't ordered from them in a while!
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=14171...


5. CDW -- I've only bought hardware from these guys, but they were on time, offered a complete and generous return policy, and were very nice to deal with on the phone. They offer Photoshop CS for $589.
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=768337


6. You can always go straight to the source and buy from Adobe, for $649. Aside from knowing you'll get good tech support, I honestly can't see any distinct advantage to ordering from them, but it's up to you.
http://store.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml;storesessionid=NRUDOONLGJ5GBQ...


Oh, one other thing -- if you're a student, and you can produce a student ID or have your department head write you a letter saying you have student status, you'll get a discount nearly everywhere. The same goes if you're a teacher. If you're faculty yet your school doesn't require photo IDs (mine didn't), just get a letter from your department head on your school letterhead as proof.

A lot of online places will give you an academic discount; if you qualify, check the site's policies and FAQs and see. Also, you might visit the college and university bookstores in your area in person, if you qualify for a discount, and save yourself shipping charges.

One last bit of advice: I wouldn't go to eBay for software. You'll get good prices, naturally, but you run the risk of getting used software, bootlegs, and no tech support. So think of it as an investment, and buy your own licensed copies of all your programs. It's worth it in the long run!

Lisa