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Looking for a deal on a Sopranos box set?  Ya might want to steer clear from the "imports".  Many sellers claim "It is just like the American versions, except a few Chinese characters on the box".  WRONG.

There are MANY differences between American and import box sets. Here are a few differences......... Imports are usually encoded with higher compression making the video poorer quality.  This might not mean much to someone watching a 20" tv, but DEFINATELY noticable on larger screens.  American versions of The Sopranos have a NICE, elaborate, fold-out case, while the imports are generally cheap cardboard boxes with inclosed discs in flimsy plastic sleeves that do more to harm the disc than protect it.  SOME imports (imports come from MANY Asian and European countries) have foriegn languages "hard coded", meaning they are ALWAYS on the screen with no options to remove.  Other imports must have the foriegn language removed before each playing via remote.  Foriegn sets often lack "extras" that the American versions have, and in some cases reported, even have chapters out of place!  Imports often have less discs than American sets.

My experience with eBay has been that many sellers will try to dance around the "import" word, and try to pass off sets as American, or try to fool you into thinking they "are the same".  Obvious signs of imports are "Region 0", "will play on all players", "subtitles can be removed", and of course the obvious.......seller in Asia.  American sets are "Region 1", they have no subtitles that have to be removed before playing.  Keep in mind that some boxsets offered from the U.K. are either "Region 2" or "Pal" format.  Depending on what you paid for your player, it MIGHT play PAL......most mid priced American sold players do not.  NTSC is American format.

Both sellers and buyers will say "Imports are a bargain for non-collectors".   Not so.......check listings.  Imports sell for almost as much (sometimes more) compared with the real deal.  I look for "Used" sets by individual sellers, and try to find the terms "viewed once" or "Mint condition".  I have purchased the full line (1-5) of Sopranos box sets for $12 - $18 a season (minus shipping, $6 being the top I'll pay).  Every set I have received used has arrived in immaculate condition.  I WAS burned once being fooled into buying an import.

I will personally pass on "first time sellers" and sellers who use "stock" photos, or are vague answering questions..........an example being when I asked a seller if a set was import, and was told "It's the same as you would buy in a store".......he neglected to finish the statement with what country the store was in.  Get STRAIGHT answers, and if you need to know anything about the set, ASK.

Pay attention to format.  Many sellers won't list the format...if not ask.  It kinda ruins your set if you have all widescreen, except one that is fullscreen, or vice-versa.

Don't be in a rush to finish your collection of seasons.  I spent a month gathering mine, and saw used seasons final bids range anywhere from $12 - $55 on any given day.  Don't see what you want for the price you want to pay?  Kick back and watch a few days.........prices will roll and fluctuate. 

Below are some pictures I've taken from actual sets I purchased on eBay.  I know the quality is not to hot......but neither is my digital camera.  The "Import" is just basically a cheap cardboard box, slapped together with gobs of hot glue.  The plastic sleeves are made from cotton fiber and stiff scratchy plastic.  Although "new" and shrink wrapped, 2 of the discs showed minor scratching from sliding out of the sleeves during shipping.  Picture quality was noticeably lower, discs 3 and 4 "hung" in several places, making them unwatchable.  There is NO support inside the box....discs just flop around.

IMPORT SEASON 4 SHOWN BELOW

The Non-Import I purchased has a nice metallic looking outer case,  fold out inner case that has nice pictures, episode information, and holds each disc firmly in place.  This was bought on eBay from a seller who said "Store bought, NON-Import, watched once".  There are NO visible scratches on any discs, and looks new.

NON IMPORT STORE BOUGHT SEASON 4 SHOWN BELOW

12-29-07 UPDATE:

A quick added note on Sopranos collecting - Although I do the majority of my set collecting on eBay, I have to say that great deals can also be found elsewhere.  This past Christmas season, Amazon had a big dvd boxset sale that lasted 3 days, EVERY season of the Sopranos was offered NEW for $25 or less (I picked up season 6.2). Check around holidays for best sales, or sign up to be email notified of sales.  They also offer used sets everyday from 3rd party sellers that often are quite low, and fluxuate from day to day like eBay. An added plus about Amazon is that all items have a fixed low shipping charge (usually under $3), and free shipping for anything over $25.

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