The previous owner won't respond, I bought a Maschine MK3. Is there a way to access the software by having customer service give me the transfer ID?
NI won't supply a transfer ID but they can register your second hand Maschine (and needed software licence) in your account. You'll have to contact NI support for that. You will need a proof of purchase and a picture of the serial number on your hardware in this process:
Log in with your account on Native Instruments site → Support → Purchase & Account → Account Support → (scroll down) Contact Support → Contact NI Support
1 Do you need help with the activation or installation of a product? This question is required.* → No
activation
installation
2 Is your question about License Transfers / 2nd hand purchases?This question is required.* → Yes
License Transfers
2nd hand purchases
3 We have collected all info around 2nd hand purchases in this overview. Please click below to find out more: This question is required.* → That doesn't help.
all info around 2nd hand purchases
4 OK. Are you a buyer or seller?This question is required.* → Buyer
buyer
seller
5 Have you received a License Transfer Token?This question is required.* → No
License Transfer Token
6 Have you bought it from a shop (Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Thomann, etc.) or from a private person (Ebay, Facebook, etc.)?This question is required.* → Choose whatever is true… The next steps should be more or less self-explanatory
shop
private person
Because of holiday sales and holiday season (and therefore employees on vacation) you'll have to expect longer response times. You'll maybe won't get a response before the new year starts.
https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/210288845-Buying-or-Selling-a-Native-Instruments-Product-Second-Hand
Another option would be to buy Maschine software but that costs 69€: https://www.native-instruments.com/de/products/maschine/maschine-accessories/maschine-3/