My clients will not create 1 Microsoft account per redemption key and manually reinstall Office on pre-installed imaged desktops to activate.
When we redeem a retail office license, we MUST have access to the installation key.
The only ridiculous alternative solution, for now, is to call the activation phone line and reactivate the same license key over and over again.
Since we have proof of purchase from a legitimate reseller, lying to the automated system about the number of devices should not be actionable.
Another frustrating situation is my legitimate Office 2019 reseller ($215 per license) is now receiving installation keys from Microsoft.
I explained to them that I can only accept redemption keys, which get assigned to a Microsoft account and is basically a "proof of purchase" with a date.
In case of a BSA audit, having a Microsoft office account with all purchases or redeemed office licenses is very helpful.
I also don't know why Microsoft allows Google to sell ads to illegal Microsoft Office vendors.
https://www.google.com/search?q=office+2019&tbm=shop
It is clear that Microsoft does not want small businesses to purchase retail licenses
If Microsoft cared about small businesses, they would improve their portal (https://account.microsoft.com/services) and allow labels to identify which machine the license is assigned to.
Exporting to CSV for internal compliance auditing would also be really helpful.