Gamers are always looking out for the best offer. It can be costly to buy new games or consoles. This makes many people turn to various sites that sell game codes at much cheaper prices. Many such sites are available on the internet, and one of them is CDKeys. If you, too, want to buy from the platform, it is important to answer the question, “Is CDKeys legit?”
To understand how CDKeys works, let’s explore more into it further in this article. Let us explain what it is, the working principle, and user feedback. By the end of this article, you should have more information about whether you can trust CDKeys for your games.
What is CDKeys and Is It Safe?
CDKeys is an online retailer that provides access to codes for video games, software, and gift cards. These codes are available at a price that is usually cheaper compared to official marketplaces such as Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Marketplace, among others.
It is simply paid for, often through the Internet, and they email it to you in the form of a digital key. You then activate this key with the said game or software’s respective platform to be able to use it. CDKeys has been in the market for several years, and has a loyal customer base because of the lower price offers.
In terms of safety, it should be noted that, like any other online service, standard internet safety measures are observed by the platform. To ensure your safety, it is important to use the official CDKeys website. Also, it is advised to have a strong and unique password for your account.
Like any other online buying process, there is always a level of risk when it comes to such purchases. However, there are ways to avoid such risks, and one of them is to pay attention to security options while completing payments.
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Where Does CDKeys Get Its Keys From & Why Are They So Cheap?
It is an important question, as it determines if CDKeys is legit or not. CDKeys acquires its game codes from numerous global locations, which is probably why it can offer nearly every game in the market. These regions have often displayed differences in terms of the prices that publishers put in place. That is how CDKeys can sell the keys on the international market for less money since they buy them in those countries where the computer games cost less.
They might obtain these keys in a few ways:
- Bulk Purchases: They could directly purchase game keys in bulk from the distributors or retailers at a cheaper price.
- Regional Price Differences: As said, there may be differences in the prices of games in different countries. CDKeys can build on these dissimilarities.
- Promotional Offers: Some people get them during the company’s promotional offers, which could be offered together with other products.
However, it is crucial to point out that this practice is legal but can be conducted in a rather controversial manner. Some game developers and publishers refuse to allow keys for their products to be sold in regions other than the intended ones. This is why you might come across the notice about regional limitations when it is possible to use a key.
Benefits of Choosing CDKeys
While there are concerns about its security and sourcing, here are some of the advantages that CDKeys have for a large number of gamers:
- Lower Prices: This is presumably the most important benefit. The games are relatively cheaper since they are bought from sources that are not officially affiliated with the game manufacturers and developers.
- Wide Selection: CDKeys has a diverse selection of games on the PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms, among others. They also offer computer software and gift cards.
- Instant Delivery: If you put your order through for a software license, you typically get the associated digital key almost immediately in your email inbox. This means that you can start with a new game right away and never miss a second of it.
- 24/7 Availability: You can buy game keys at any time, whether it is daytime or nighttime.
- Multiple Payment Options: CDKeys also provides customers with different payment options, such as credit and debit cards and PayPal.
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Important Things to Know Before You Buy
However, before you consider buying anything at CDKeys, there are several factors you should consider, despite the low prices:
- Regional Restrictions: Be very specific with the region that is allowed for the game key. The keys could only be used in some countries and not all over the world. If this is not done, you can end up with a non-functional key.
- Platform Compatibility: You need to make sure that you are buying the key for the right platform (Steam, PlayStation Network, or Xbox Live).
- Potential for Revoked Keys: It is important to know that there is a possibility for a key to be revoked if the original source of the key was unauthorized. However, CDKeys usually has measures in place for such situations.
- No Physical Product: Please be aware that this is a code you are buying and not a physical product. There is no real disc and box in which you stick it to play the game, like those in the physical console games.
- Customer Support: Although some users have mentioned that the benefits of the products are good, some complain about bad experiences with customer service if there is a problem.
Do CDKeys Offer Refunds?
In most cases, CDKeys does allow refunds, but only under certain conditions. From its official website, they have a condition of offering back the money if the key fails to open or has been opened once. If you have a problem with a key, like its validity or working, you need to contact their customer support services. This might require the buyer to show proof of the issue to get a refund. Based on the responses received, some users were able to get refunds with little to no issues, while some encountered some problems. When buying from their store, it is always recommended to go through their refund policy more closely.
User Experiences and Reviews
We’ve gathered a wide range of user reviews and stories regarding CDKey’s legitimacy and reliability. The experience with CDKeys is mixed among consumers. Some users say everything’s worked smoothly and they’ve seen big savings; others have had trouble with invalid keys or slow customer service.
On Trustpilot, CDKeys holds a 4.7-star rating, with users praising its affordability, instant key delivery, and ease of use. For example, one user stated that buying on CDKeys was far cheaper than buying on Steam! He bought the game much sooner than he anticipated because he couldn’t pass up the deal.
A user on NeoGAF shared that he’s been buying from CDKeys for years and never had a key revoked. It’s his go-to for cheap PSN cards and Steam games. Another customer on Trustindex.io said that CDkeys saved him so much. The delivery was instantaneous, and the code worked flawlessly.
However, negative experiences also exist. On PissedConsumer, CDKeys has a 1.7-star rating, with complaints focusing on non-working keys and poor refund resolution.
A Reviews.io reviewer complained that they sold him a fake QuickBooks key. The company verified it was assigned to someone else, yet CDKeys refused a full refund. Others criticized payment issues.
So, according to the reviews, CDKeys is a legitimate, widely used platform for discounting game keys and subscriptions, but its reliability isn’t perfect. Many users have had smooth and cost-effective purchases, but there are still risks of invalid keys or very stiff customer service. To avoid problems, buyers should activate keys quickly, check the seller’s trust scores, and use PayPal for buyer protection.
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Conclusion
So, is CDKeys legit? Taking into account the common recommendations and the work of the service, there is every reason to believe that CDKeys is not a scam but a legal site that sells legal codes for games. Their main explanation for their low prices is the fact that they source their keys from different parts of the world where prices differ.
Of course, you have to remember some cons, such as regional restrictions or occasional problems with the key’s validity or customer support. Many people have had positive experiences, mainly caused by money loss, which they reduce by using the products.
All in all, its general use depends more on the person’s tolerance to risks as well as his/her priorities. If your interest lies solely in cutting costs slightly at the expense of that tiny risk that comes with buying CDKeys, then you should do so. So, make sure to pay attention to the potential geolocations, investigate the policies regarding the return or exchange of the product, and read the terms and conditions carefully.
FAQs
1. Is it legal to purchase from CDKeys?
Generally, yes. CDKeys is considered to be a legitimate key seller and often resells game launch keys. However, it is sometimes against the rules of service or policy of specific beginning from the keys of different regions.
2. Are the game keys on CDKeys genuine and functional?
According to the users, the high percentage of keys offered on CDKeys are said to be genuine. However, like most Internet trading sites, there could be times when the keys you purchased are invalid or have been used.
3. Is my payment information secure with CDKeys?
Usually, the payments are made through secure payment gateways and are accepted at CDKeys. They suggest that the use of a good strong password and being connected to a good network while making an online order is advisable.
4. When will the buyer receive the game key after the payment is made?
Typically, you get your digital key directly to your email as soon as the payment is processed and verified.
5. What should I do if the code of CDKeys doesn’t work?
In situations where you experience a problem with the key, you should report this issue to CDKeys support service and attach the screenshots of the issue.