Ways To Tell If A DVD Is A Bootleg?

[kornboy]

Recieved a DVD in the mail today.

Anchorman WS Unrated


Seller said it was new/sealed..

it was sealed when i opened the bubble mailer, but there was no white factory seal sticker on top of the dvd, also on the back the plastic said made in mexico, ive never seen a sealed dvd say that. Also when i opened it there was NOTHING in the insert sleeve, not even an ad.

Ive owned this dvd before and the case was different. there were 2 snappers on the outside of the dvd, like the american pie movies. this one didnt have that.

Did I buy my first bootleg ?

the seller had 100% positive, 77 fb.. guess thats not enough, think i can get a refund?

[DavidH]

DON'T BUY DVDS FROM E-BAY. Pure and simple.

[ams]

The "Made in Mexico" stamp, as well as the lack of insert/advertisement, is normal. I cannot help you with the rest.

[matome]

If there's no white studio security sticker on top with the disc title & info, then it's most likely a boot or a used and re-shrinked disc.

[masetodd]

Try comparing the front and back cover to a DVD in a store. That should answer your question. Also, it is unfortunately becoming standard that the studios leave out the Insert. I'm sure the few cents they save by not printing the thing is making them hundreds of dollars a year.

[digitalfreaknyc]

Anything that says DVD-9 or DVD-5 on it.

And I sell a ton of my DVD's on ebay. Nothing wrong with it but make sure they don't come from Malaysia or China. Also, the more pictures of the exact DVD or the more they show in the picture helps. I always photograph the insert (if it has one), the front and back of the case and the disc.

[Roper]

Sounds legit to me. That's how every recent Universal release I've purchased from Columbia House has been packaged (no sticker, no insert, "Made in Mexico" on shrink). That's probably where the seller got his copy, and it would be a wiser starting point for rebuilding a collection than eBay.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by matome

If there's no white studio security sticker on top with the disc title & info, then it's most likely a boot or a used and re-shrinked disc.

Or, even more likely, a brand-new disc from Columbia House. CH ships Universal/Dreamworks titles sealed, but with no white security sticker.

From what you've described, it sounds fine.

[matome]

Ah, I didn't know Columbia House does things like that.

[kornboy]

ok, thanks guys, its pry just used, and in a different case than the original

[D-Ball]

It's quite common for the same title to come in different style cases.

[kar10]

It seems like an original dvd.

why don't you post some pictures?

[ShelleyLevene]

if it says DTS Surround Sound on the top on the front cover artwork, it looks suspicious to me.


I bought a copy of Friday Night Lights from Ebay and I filed a complaint because I never received it.

the guy gave me a refund but when it did arrive in the mail 38 days later, I found out it was a bootleg.

[kornboy]

Originally Posted by kar10

It seems like an original dvd.

why don't you post some pictures?

ill take a pic now, one sec..

[kornboy]

[kornboy]

Originally Posted by Roper

Sounds legit to me. That's how every recent Universal release I've purchased from Columbia House has been packaged (no sticker, no insert, "Made in Mexico" on shrink). That's probably where the seller got his copy, and it would be a wiser starting point for rebuilding a collection than eBay.

exactly right, i found out he got it from there, my bad, lol..

I just never got a new/sealed dvd like that before..


How is CH?

I heard sometimes it can be a pain (they charge you too much, or they send you the wrong items).

[dsa_shea]

So I guess this thread is now uncalled for. How much did you pay for the disc?

[kornboy]

$13.01 Shipped

[marty888]

Originally Posted by DavidH

DON'T BUY DVDS FROM E-BAY. Pure and simple.

"Pure and simple" ?

Can you get screwed on eBay? Of course you can, but most wise and cautious shoppers will generally not get burned. Many, many DVD Talkers have made satisfactory purchases, and many many DVD Talkers are honest sellers.

[JeffTheAlpaca]

I bought the "And Justice For All" Special Edition DVD from Ebay.

The artwork matched the Amazon artwork and there was a white sticker on top of the case.

The funny thing there was a white sticker covering the UPC bar code on the shrinkwrap on the back of the DVD.

Is this something shady?

[g]

"And Justice For all" was 3 dollars at Big Lots with white sticker on UPC bar.

[Silverscreenvid]

Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc

Anything that says DVD-9 or DVD-5 on it.

And I sell a ton of my DVD's on ebay. Nothing wrong with it but make sure they don't come from Malaysia or China. Also, the more pictures of the exact DVD or the more they show in the picture helps. I always photograph the insert (if it has one), the front and back of the case and the disc.

One of the problems with people who sell their used, personal DVDs on Ebay is that if they inadvertently bought a bootleg on Ebay(and I'm not saying you personally did), they may well turn around and sell it along with their legitimate ones without realizing what they're doing.

The best way to buy on Ebay is to be smart. Don't buy from people with limited feedback. Don't buy from people with complaints against them (about bootlegs, non-shipments, or damaged/nonworking merchandise). There's still plenty of others out there to buy from.

[adrenaline78]

Originally Posted by JeffTheAlpaca

I bought the "And Justice For All" Special Edition DVD from Ebay.

The artwork matched the Amazon artwork and there was a white sticker on top of the case.

The funny thing there was a white sticker covering the UPC bar code on the shrinkwrap on the back of the DVD.

Is this something shady?

Chances are it was part of a 2 pack at one point. They will put a plain sticker over the upc's to avoid the checkouts from scanning the incorrect barcode.

Stock then probably got returned to vendors.. separated then dumped into big lots and other stores.

[GoldenWheels]

Originally Posted by JeffTheAlpaca

I bought the "And Justice For All" Special Edition DVD from Ebay.

The artwork matched the Amazon artwork and there was a white sticker on top of the case.

The funny thing there was a white sticker covering the UPC bar code on the shrinkwrap on the back of the DVD.

Is this something shady?

In addition to the example adrenaline gave you, this is also often the mark of an overstock. Some studios actually gouge the upc with a knife or burn it with a soldering iron, others just put that sticker over the UPC. Therefore these can no longer be returned to the store (at the scannable price) or the studio for credit.

Same concept as a remainder mark on books.

[jjcool]

Originally Posted by GoldenWheels

In addition to the example adrenaline gave you, this is also often the mark of an overstock. Some studios actually gouge the upc with a knife or burn it with a soldering iron, others just put that sticker over the UPC. Therefore these can no longer be returned to the store (at the scannable price) or the studio for credit.

Same concept as a remainder mark on books.

Seen plenty of those around. Could also be a promotional copy.

Additionally, Ive been seeing more and more discs with white barcode stickers over the exisitng barcodes. But these new stickers have different barcodes on them. So they switch one barcode for another. Anyone know why?