I've been selling on ebaY for over six years, specializing in hard to find (HTF) and out of print (OOP) movies (DVD & VHS). I list hundreds of items every month and have a stock of over 2,000 items on hand at any given time. I buy all over the midwest and have been increasingly frustrated by the proliferation of phony, knock off and import DVD's. Besides hurting my business, I have watched these illegal and often poor quality movies depress the value of legal copies of these movies. If you want to buy cheap, support the economy of China and other Asian Pirates and the dupes who sell them read no farther. While the quality of Asian copies has improved greatly over the past few years and they have gotten harder to spot, they still hurt the US economy and that means your standard of living too.

If you want to avoid buying these knock offs for whatever reason here are a few of the myths and realities of spotting an import. It used to be easy to identify them. They had "Asian writing on the cover", subtitles included a smorgasborg of Asian languages (Thai, 14 chinese dialects, etc.), fequently stated that they had covers "that may be different from the one pictured", and fequently were Region 0 or ALL REGION (meaning they were not specific to US/Canadian DVD players).. Oh and don't forget the all popular drop shipping where the ad said (or you found out later) they came from another warehouse located in (you guessed it) somewhere in Asia. Ah for the good old days....

MYTH #1: If it uses a stock photo it's problably a fake! EbaYer's then began putting pictures of "the actual item" in their ads. Stating or implying that the others with stock photos were not real US releases. While there is some truth to this it's NOT a good way to spot the fakes.

REALITY #1: Hundreds of legitimate sellers don't have the time to take individual pictures of each item. I used to load complete listing information about each DVD but in order to keep my business growing I can't sit and photograph every copy of every DVD or video game I purchase.

SOLUTION: Look for a statement in the ad that indicates that the DVD was purchased in the US from legitimate stores that sell the products. Check the sellers FEEDBACK by clicking on the number in Parenthases (3000). Look at not only the number of negatives but scroll thru them (if there are more than a few) to see what the complaints are about. Slow shipments and poor quality and downright accusations of fraud should be enough to tell you to stay away.

MYTH #2: If it comes from a US Seller it's OK!  Used to be that a foreign seller (Asian, not European primarily) meant high probability of a knock off and a US seller was ok.

REALITY #2: Unfortunately as the quality of the copies improved Asian Pirates began marketing to US sellers on EbaY. I've received dozens of offers to sell me as many copies of OOP films (CRITERION and DISNEY as well as recent blockbuster hits) as I want for less than $5 each. Many sellers now supply themselves that way.

SOLUTION: IF a seller has dozens of copies of HTF/OOP movies listed (current and past 30 days) that sell for less ASK them where they purchased them. Many buyers purchase multiple copies when a movie first comes out and wait for the price to rise (hopefully, but not always... ask me about SINBAD and Shark Tales and oh you get the idea...). Or we find them over time at second hand stores and buy them for resale. ASK us and we'll gladly tell you where we got them. IF a seller hedges or doesn't answer consider going somewhere else.

MYTH #3: If it's Region 1, has the same cover and no Asian subtitles, it's OK! Wish that was still true but it's not.

REALITY #3: PIrates have learned how to duplicate Region 1 coding and good photocopiers are easy to buy. Burning the actual DVD released by the manufacturer has become the rule not the exception. It still holds true that a cover that is different from the stock photo is a good indicator of a FAKE. Disney and Criterion NEVER and most major studios usually don't authorize multiple cover shots (except for things like the UNRATED, Collector's Edition, etc.) that differ from general US release.

SOLUTION: Always check for discrepancies and run like H*** if an ad says "may vary from cover pictured". BUT be aware that DISNEY and many other companies now manufacture their DVD's in MEXICO. but they have never authorized Asian distributors so if an ad says it's a legitimate release from ASIA, They are LYING! (or at the very least deluded)! IF you have proof that I'm wrong post it where it can be verified but don't quote heresay to dispute this statement.

MYTH #4: ASIAN copies NEVER have inserts so if it's missing it's insert it's a fake!

REALITY #4: This is true IF the item is brand new! HOWEVER, if I find a USED copy of a US release and it doesn't have it's insert it doesn't mean it's a fake, just the the previous owner was careless and lost or ruined it. For collector's it may make it less valuable than one that has everything but it doesn't mean it's any less genuine.

SOLUTION: Check to see if most or all of a seller's items are missing inserts or says it "MAY" not be present. (There's never any doubt whether something is there or not, so who are they kidding). I have a few that don't have one and I say so but most have what they came with when originally released.

MYTH #5: Ebay sellers can buy large quantities of Recent release (or DISNEY or CRITERION) DVD's and sell them NEW for less than $10.

REALITY: NO way in HE**. The only cheap new copies come from BOOTLEGGERS. In six years the only time I've found prices close to those were a Hastings store closing when I got a lot for 60-70% off retail. That was still more than $5 per title. IF the price half the retail for a NEW first run IT's A FAKE!

SOLUTION: Look for SECURITY Seals and in some cases Company LOGO's stamped on the wrap. Almost all Disney have BUENA VISTA stamps. Some of the other Labels stamp their logos (wish they all did). 

In summary, a legitimate US/Canadian DVD will have:

1. Region 1 coding, EXCEPT in the case of older release US movies. Some Anime releases in the US and of course many of the MARTIAL ARTS releases that are filmed/produced in Japan & Hong Kong. HOWEVER Region 1 isn't a guarantee of legitimacy

2. Subtitles common to most US releases (SPANISH & FRENCH being the most common) and NEVER Asian! The exceptions of course are Japanese ANIME and Asian produced Martial Arts films.

3. The same cover art as the Stock photo. Variations or "DIFFERENT FROM" are almost 100% fakes.

4. PRICE! Any US release of 1st RUN, DISNEY or CRITERION DVD's are NEVER cheap. Major chains pay more than $10 (or more) per DVD. Why would you think someone on ebaY could do better than major chains?

5. Security Seals or Company LOGO stamps! Buena Vista for DISNEY, white product seals with company stock number/TITLE/etc. on the top and sometimes along the side/bottom are still good indicators. Remember Asian copies are cutting corners.

6. Guarantee of legitimacy from the Seller?!?  If it doesn't say US release in either the body of the ad or in the Returns Policy, email to ask before bidding. CHECK the seller's FEEDBACK for negatives that report that's the problem. This latter has become questionable. Another ebaYer emailed that they had bought a supply of DVD's guaranteed US copies they found to be fake. The lack of inserts in NEW dvd's is still a dead giveaway as is LOW PRICES so OPEN at least one copy to see if you buy a lot.

7. FINALLY, always check the sellers FEEDBACK! If they are less than 98% find out why and bid with care IF AT ALL! Email the seller first if you have any concerns. WE DON"T MIND questions (the exception is when we state in the ad or under FAQ's (frequently asked questions) the answer to your question, so PLEASE read the ad through.)

New sellers may be legitimate but having no track record, read the ad extra carefully.

USE PayPal if and/or a credit card. Both provide backup in the case you're purchase is of questionable quality. PAYPAL and Credit Card companies will respond to fraud cases. FILE COMPLAINTS with them and EBAY. Don't feel stupid or embarrassed! GET MAD and report these creeps!

Thanks for listening and happy buying!

Jim Copley, Ames (jimnsusan)