Pirate/copied DVDs on Ebay

mirakl

Folks,

I was hoping someone here would be able to give me some information.

My Dad tried to buy the latest series of some american show he watches on Ebay. When he received it they were copies.

He also tried buying series 1 of another show and received the series 3 copied from American Television.

Is there some cunning phrasing he missed that he ended up with copies he has absolutely no interest in? I accept there's a market out there for them but for people who don't want to buy pirated goods, is there anything to look out for on the listing?

angelcake

have you go the item number so we can look for you?

Have you tried emailng the seller?

mirakl

I don't have the item numbers because my Dad bought them. He's pretty new to ebay and is afraid of causing trouble

nomoneytoday

I would check that the particular series is actually released on DVD in the uk. Also if something appears to be too good to be true, it usually is..

marty1888

mirakl wrote:

Folks,

I was hoping someone here would be able to give me some information.

My Dad tried to buy the latest series of some american show he watches on Ebay. When he received it they were copies.

He also tried buying series 1 of another show and received the series 3 copied from American Television.

Is there some cunning phrasing he missed that he ended up with copies he has absolutely no interest in? I accept there's a market out there for them but for people who don't want to buy pirated goods, is there anything to look out for on the listing?

I think the phrase "Common sense" is best applied to things like this.
If the series isnt available on DVD here, then it may just have come out in the US. Alternatively, it may just be showing on US TV (Lost Season 3 for example) and clearly isnt available anywhere on DVD.
I wouldnt grumble too much if i was really looking forward to watching a series that wouldnt be shown here for a year or so and picked it up on ebay.

Ivrytwr3

They usually say that the dvd does not come in a dvd case but in a plastic sleeve. Or check for the region code ie if it is not a specific region but region free then it is more than likely a copy or a cheap asian import.

But like the other poster said, as long as you didn't pay a ridiculous price and got to watch the series way before it is shown on UK tv i don't see a problem!

(I've already seen 5 episodes of Season 3 Battlestar Galactica and 4 episodes of Lost Season 3!)

bugly_2

I sell 100% genuine dvd's on ebay and find it disgusting that fakes and copies are allowed on the site, but ebay is like that. Be quite clear it is illegal to sell them and you can report them to FACT as advertised on most dvds. So please do this, anyone who buys copies encourages criminals including organised crime DO NOT DO IT.
Ask the seller if the item has a hologram mark and bar code. I will happily supply these details to my buyers.
Check the price if it is too good to be a bargin then it is fake.
Check the feed back and read a few, some people make comments if sent fakes
Above all if you get a fake report it both to Ebay and FACT and leave neg feedback stating it was fake. Demand your money back.
Check the photo in the listing some fakes can be spotted this way but if a stock photo used this is no help.
Only buy from sellers who have extremely good feedback and a good score.
you will never be 100% safe but can reduce the odds. Please do not stand for doggy goods, these people cheat many folks and make good cash from doing so, you buy it you encourage them.

mirakl

My father refuses to knowingly buy anything that is not 100% legitimate. He feels very strongly about piracy being stealing. I must admit I do too, if I like the series then I'll buy the legitimate DVD and I can certainly wait until it comes out legally instead of buying a dodgy copy.

Thanks for all that advice guys, I'll pass it on to him and hopefully he won't make another mistake. He's just too nice to actucally complain - which drives me mad!

frivolous_fay

Pirated media funds terrorism as well as organised crime.

These scumbags don't deserve our understanding or tolerance.

Googlies_2

frivolous_fay wrote:

Pirated media funds terrorism as well as organised crime.

These scumbags don't deserve our understanding or tolerance.

Legitimate media funds George Bush and nuclear weapons.

frivolous_fay

Googlies wrote:

Legitimate media funds George Bush and nuclear weapons.

Ok, you've got me. How?