The last 4 were copies of Windows XP. You simply can't buy XP retail anymore and I have clients with old PCs that must be reinstalled. Perhaps software purchases is a corner case. Each time, I chose a different seller, each with a "top seller" reputation. I only purchase items listed as unused original XP SP3. The variations from as advertised were: never as pictured in the ad, no SP3, SP3 on a separate CD (a CD clearly not produced by MS or any other reputable vendor), a product key that had been used, a Dell install disk with key attached from something else.
The first item was for a vintage cocktail shaker. It was listed in mint condition. I bought it for a friend's birthday. I received the shaker: it had no lid to the pour spout. The email exchange went something like this: "I received the shaker, the cap to the pour spout is missing...did you forget to pack it?"..."Cap? It didn't have a cap, I sent everything."..."How can you use this as a shaker if it has no cap?"..."Oh sorry, I know nothing about cocktail shakers, I didn't think to put in my listing that the cap was missing."..."You claim to have been selling antiques for 20 years, how could you not know this? ok, I'd like to return it"..."hmmm...its been past 7 days now, I don't accept returns past 7 days"... This was also a top rated seller with "super duper best seller" comments.