There are 6 simple steps to avoid getting burned by buying fake copies or imported DVDs.

STEP 1: THE COUNTRY THE ITEMS ARE BEING SOLD FROM:

The MOST COMMON fake and import lots on ebay consist of large amounts of NEW RELEASES and DISNEY DVDs (usually 25 or 50 at a time).  These are almost ALWAYS sold from Indonesia, China, and other countries in that general part of the world.  I would estimate that you have a 99% chance or receiving fake or imported DVDs if you buy any DVD lots from these countries.

STEP 2: HIGH SHIPPING COSTS

Many sellers are aware that ebayers have become wise to buying DVDs from out of the country - so they will put their location as being in the US - and often they ARE in fact in the United States; but they get their inventory from out of the country!  When you see someone trying to charge $50 to ship you a lot of 50 DVDs there is a reason - because they had to first ship them into the USA and then reship them to the winner and therefore charge crazy shipping costs to cover the double shipping required on the ebay lot!

STEP 3: SELLER FEEDBACK

If the seller has burned people in the past with selling DVDs, it is most likely going to be shown in his or her feedback - it would always be a good idea to look at some of the feedback he has received - specifically try to see the other DVDs he/she did receive positive feedback - and more importantly, find out what the seller received NEGATIVE feedback for!  This will only take a few seconds, but could save you a TON of hassle!

STEP 4: REGION CODE (REGION 1 MEANS IT PLAYS IN USA AND CANADA DVD PLAYERS)

Sellers can enter the region code for the DVDs they are selling - if the seller leaves this blank or enters the region as REGION 0 (or REGION FREE) you can bet they are selling imports or bootlegs!  Sellers that sell the original thing will ALWAYS enter the region code and they want everyone to know that they are selling the real deal.  Since the imports and bootlegs are not region 1, the CANNOT advertise this and will often leave the region code completely out of the auction.

One last thing about region codes - if it does say anything other then Region 1 - BUY AT YOUR OWN RISK - USA DVD Players are formatted to read REGION 1 DVDS!  The REGION 0 or REGION FREE DVDs will SOMETIMES play in US DVD players - but you'll most likely have some kind of chinese subtitles stuck on the screen at all times!

STEP 5: THE FAMOUS "TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE" ARGUMENT

If you thik the deal is too good to be true (like 50 brand new Disney DVDs for $100 - or 25 new releases for $75) - then chances are it is too good to be true!  You'll get a bunch of cheap stuff that may not even work!

STEP 6: NO PICTURE IN THE AUCTION!

Yes, i have saved the best and most obvious for last - just about every seller knows that adding a picture of the exact item for sale will make it more likely to sell for more - UNLESS they do not actually want the buyer to see the items!  Bootleg and import DVD lots will almost NEVER show a picture of the actual item - they usually show a stock photo of a SINGLE DVD and just write All the titles in the description.

HOPE THIS HELPS EVERYONE OUT THERE AND KEEPS US ALL FROM GETTING BURNED ON BUYING A BUNCH OF JUNK DVDS!