(Another) Ebay Vent - from a buyer

[HeatherBelle614]

I purchased a lot of 4 Disney DVDs (Toy Story 1, Toy Story 2, Pinnochio, and The Incredibles) for $36.00 in "like new" condition.

I received them yesterday, and what a joke. The cases are definitely NOT Disney cases. Each movie is supposed to be the double disc edition, so you avid Disney movie collectors (like us) know what Disney cases for double disks look like - the insert is under the tabs on the left when you open the case, there's the little thing in the middle that flings back and forth holding one disc, and the second disc behind that in the back of the case. The cases we received are cheaply made with the disks on either side (once you open) and the insert just thrown in - it's just floating around, not under any tabs.

So, that was my first clue to check these DVDs out further as the listing mentioned nothing about the cases not being original.

The inserts and coverwork have NO WHERE near the printing quality of Disney DVDs; they're blurred and on completely different types of paper than what normally comes with a Disney DVD.

I have no idea if the movies are actually legit either, but the printing on them doesn't look as nicely done as it does on all of our other Disney DVDs. (I compared several last night.)

Plus, The Incredibles didn't even have its "insert," and the spine of Toy Story is completely cracked up the middle, causing the outside "artwork" to already rip.

I sent a message to the seller calling them out on all of the above, and will await a response. I've never asked for a refund from an Ebay transaction, but feel I have the right in this matter. (And, if the seller wants these items back, I do not feel that I need to pay to return them.) What do you all think??

The ad specifically stated "like new" Disney DVDs; everything looks "like new" but is DEFINITELY NOT original items from Disney.

I went back through some of the older ratings for this seller, and there is one here and there about the movies being fakes (after I weeded through hundreds of positive comments.) I'm thinking these other buyers just don't collect these DVDs like we do, so they don't realize any of this. (And, not to mention that I work in the legal industry, and know that even copying a cover or insert for a DVD is illegal.)

Erg; ok, thanks for listening to me vent. I'll wait to see what this seller says before I decide our next steps in handling this.

 

[AmandaLee]

What is the sellers return policy? Even if they have none listed, if you file a SNAD (significantly not as described) via paypal or ebay, they will pretty much be forced into accepting the return. You will have to pay for return shipping, but you should get your original shipping you paid back. I understand you are upset, but if you purchased something from any other online retailer (except perhaps zappos and a few others) you would have to pay that cost as well. MAKE SURE you use Delivery Confirmation when you ship back....you need to put that number into the complaint/dispute in order for them to side with you, otherwise the seller could claim non-receipt and you'd be out the item and the money.

Do they have a lot of Disney movies for sale? if they have a bunch, they could very well be knowingly sending out fakes...that case I wouldn't waste a lot of time waiting for them to respond, i'd start the dispute process asap.

i've been buying and selling on ebay since 1999 (gosh). I've been at both ends of transactions that didnt go as planned (even one seller calling my house screaming at me because I questioned her shipping practices- charging for priority mail and then shipping media mail for a fraction of the cost).

good luck!

In the future, run the sellers name through www.toolhaus.org they can weed out just the negatives/neutrals and can give you an idea of the sellers practices. Many 'powersellers' have so many transactions the negs can be buried in a matter of a few days

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Thanks for the advice!

Yes, they have lot after lot of Disney dvds, so it is looking even more like they're copying these discs and selling them as authentic. Beyond aggravating! What really makes me mad, like I said, is that other people are getting ripped off and don't even realize it. Plus, buying (beyond the obvious of selling) a ripped DVD is illegal. Granted, I know the chances of my home being raided for these four fake DVDs is slim to none, I don't like the idea that I have something fradulant that I was told was real.

 

[bettymae1121]

Thanks for the advice!

Yes, they have lot after lot of Disney dvds, so it is looking even more like they're copying these discs and selling them as authentic. Beyond aggravating! What really makes me mad, like I said, is that other people are getting ripped off and don't even realize it. Plus, buying (beyond the obvious of selling) a ripped DVD is illegal. Granted, I know the chances of my home being raided for these four fake DVDs is slim to none, I don't like the idea that I have something fradulant that I was told was real.

I'm no ebay expert, but I would imagine that they'd take a dim veiw of people selling illegally copied media on their site. In addition to disputing the transaction, I'd also see if there is a department of ebay you could report this too. In fact I wouldn't ship back the dvd's until I heard back from that department (if they have one) incase they want to see the dvd's for themselves.

 

[AmandaLee]

Yup..it's rotton and yet they continue to get away with it. I think there is an option for selecting that you feel the item isn't authentic...i don't know if that does anything, but it is a choice on the section.

you could also contact local police in the sellers area or file a complaint with the USPS for shipping counterfit goods. It may not do much, but at least you will feel better that you tried.

 

[Gigi22]

If you truly feel that the DVDs are illegal, shouldn't Ebay be notified?

 

[AmandaLee]

If you truly feel that the DVDs are illegal, shouldn't Ebay be notified?

eBay has a really good rep for not really "caring". She would be better served to contact the sellers local PD and filing a complaint with the PostMaster General. She could also contact the seller's state attorney generals office dept of consumer protection. Those would be better options then waiting for eBay to do something. They should still be notified, however...

this is ebay's official policy:

Items that are suspected of being counterfeit are covered by the eBay Buyer Protection Policy, subject to these additional terms:

Sellers and buyers must work together in good faith during the resolution process to satisfy buyer concerns that an item may not be authentic. For example, sellers should provide the buyer with appropriate documentation or other assurances, if such information is available.

Where the seller is not able to satisfy the buyer's concerns that the item is not authentic, sellers agree that the buyer may return the item, and buyers agree to return the item to the seller (except as outlined below). Costs of return shipping may be paid by the buyer or eBay, in our sole discretion, unless otherwise agreed upon by the buyer and seller. Due to the unresolved dispute regarding the authenticity of the item, sellers must not later list, advertise, or offer for sale the item on any eBay site or service around the world (including our subsidiaries, joint ventures, and other members of the eBay corporate family).

Buyers are not obligated to provide third-party confirmation that an item is counterfeit to open a claim. However, in some cases, a buyer may have written confirmation that the item is counterfeit from a reliable third party (such as the manufacturer or law enforcement). In those cases, buyers agree to cooperate with eBay to ensure the proper disposal of the counterfeit item. For example, buyers may be asked to certify that the item has been destroyed or send the item to the rights owner or other appropriate third party for disposal. Any costs associated with this destruction or disposal may be paid by eBay, in our sole discretion.

Covered claims that meet the above conditions and are not excluded from Buyer Protection may be considered as criteria, infringement, or a violation by the seller of our prohibited and infringing items policy. As a result, eBay may impose sanctions on the seller, up to and including suspension of the seller's account.


I like the "may impose" part...

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I had the exact same thing happen, except I ordered 14 total movies from the same seller. They were advertised as brand new and sealed but they were only covered in cellophane and did not have the DVD sticker that's on top of all Disney DVDs. Additionally, something was off about the cover art -- it was fuzzy and the colors were off. I contacted the seller, told him I wanted a full refund because they were obvious bootlegs. He answered and said he'd not had any other complaints but would refund the $$ if I returned them and I did. I'm going to PM you the sellers name to see if it's the same one.

 

[richmond282]

I had this happen a year or so ago with a lot of 4 Disney movies. I notified ebay that these were illegally copied movies. Ebay forced the seller to refund me my money including shipping. I did not have to return the merchandise (even thoguh the seller BEGGED me to). I threw the movies away. I certainly didn't want the seller to sell them to someone else which is what she intended to do I'm sure. Ebay reprimanded the seller. I think they et 1 reprimand and them they are shut down. Of course, they can just open a new account with a new name, but still they have to start over on their customer rating.

I would report it to ebay. Don't wait for the seller to notify you. This seller will continue to do this unless you report it.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Thank you all for the advice. I'm going to spend my lunch at work figuring out how to file my complaint. (Never had to do this, and I've used Ebay for years.)

Oddly enough, this seller's list address is about 45 minutes from us, so if Ebay doesn't seem to do anything about it, then I'm definitely local to head to the PD.

 

[Earstou]

Also report the seller to Disney.

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Oh, I'm so sorry this happened to you

The one time I bought a Disney DVD from ebay this happened to me, it was only 1 DVD thankfully. I contacted the seller and notified him that I felt the DVD was not authentic and I had no interest in owning a counterfeit DVD. Immediately, and I mean immediately, before the seller even responded back to me the seller provided an immediate refund. I told him I did not feel I should have to send back this item and he said just keep it since it wasn't worth it to him to "resell" it This particular seller didn't want any problems from me so that's why I assume his response was quick.

I would not have returned it anyways because my Dh said it is illegal to knowingly send counterfeit items through the USPS and I would have fought the seller and ebay had they insisted I return the item.

I hope you get things worked out!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Oh, I'm so sorry this happened to you

The one time I bought a Disney DVD from ebay this happened to me, it was only 1 DVD thankfully. I contacted the seller and notified him that I felt the DVD was not authentic and I had no interest in owning a counterfeit DVD. Immediately, and I mean immediately, before the seller even responded back to me the seller provided an immediate refund. I told him I did not feel I should have to send back this item and he said just keep it since it wasn't worth it to him to "resell" it This particular seller didn't want any problems from me so that's why I assume his response was quick.

I would not have returned it anyways because my Dh said it is illegal to knowingly send counterfeit items through the USPS and I would have fought the seller and ebay had they insisted I return the item.

I hope you get things worked out!

Still no word from my seller yet.

And yes, your DH is correct. I have no intentions of sending these back. I work in a law office and am in the process of applying to law school; I'm pretty sure if I got in trouble for something like that, the law schools I'm applying to would frown upon it.

Like I said above though, the seller is within 45 minutes from us, so I'll be more than happy to drop them off at his/her local PD if he/she would like to pick them up there.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

In addition to notifying eBay, there is an email address of tips@disneyantipiracy.com to which you can send the information. They will do their own investigation. They will never let you know the results of the investigation, but also they will never let the investigatee learn what was their source of information.

And this will get the wrath of The Walt Disney Company on the counterfeiters.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

In addition to notifying eBay, there is an email address of tips@disneyantipiracy.com to which you can send the information. They will do their own investigation. They will never let you know the results of the investigation, but also they will never let the investigatee learn what was their source of information.

And this will get the wrath of The Walt Disney Company on the counterfeiters.

Fantastic information; thanks!!!

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Still no word from my seller yet.

And yes, your DH is correct. I have no intentions of sending these back. I work in a law office and am in the process of applying to law school; I'm pretty sure if I got in trouble for something like that, the law schools I'm applying to would frown upon it.

Like I said above though, the seller is within 45 minutes from us, so I'll be more than happy to drop them off at his/her local PD if he/she would like to pick them up there.

LOL at that last part

I can't believe the seller hasn't contacted you back yet Let us know if it gets resolved.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Ok, the seller refunded me the $$ with no questions asked; he did say that I could send them back, and he'd even send me a SASE, but I told him that I'm not sending something counterfeit through the mail as it's illegal. No response to that.

I really want to turn this person in, but my concern is that they may figure out who reported it since I did make it a point to call him out. My only problem with that is that we live less than 45 minutes away from this seller and I've worked in the legal industry for a while (including at a local court house) and have a bachelors degree in the legal industry (starting law school soon), so I know how those horror stories can go. And, literally, this person is making thousands off of this ebay store he has, so I'm sure he wouldn't just shrug and take it lightly.

Opinions, anyone?

 

[AmandaLee]

He refunded you right away because he didn't want you to get eBay or paypal involved. I'd still report the item to ebay (at the bottom of the auction page there is a link to "report" this item, and it can kick the listing off), contact USPS Postmaster General (website has a form to fill out) and contact the email address to Disney.

If you feel you've being threatened in anyway, contact the local police.

Or you could accept the return, distroy the DVD's, leave neg. feedback and do nothing else. It is really up to you at this point.

The seller may be upset if his livelyhood is threatened....

 

[Redwitch]

I had a similar problem with a Disney DVD. After much prodding on my part, the seller admitted to buying the items on Dhgate.com. If you look into this site it is loaded with questionable merchandise. However, I imagine you could make a pretty penny reselling the items until you get booted off eBay. Try Google-ing "Dhgate.com scam" to see what I mean.

 

[dawson5]

for possible verification you should be able to use something like Nero. they have a disc information tool. It should tell you the disc company and it might say something about copyright protection.

This is a pic of an older version:

If you look (I know it's tiny and a bit blurred) but you will see the Verbatim under manufacturer. I am pretty sure commercially produced discs won't say something like that. Nero you can download and use for free for like two weeks. Just for verification, pretty sure there are free ones out there but right now I cannot think of them.