Dear Fellow eBay Members:

Unfortunately, eBay has become a "SAFE HAVEN" for dishonest people who wish to sell illegal copies (pirated bootlegs) of rare, out-of-print (oop) videos and DVDs to trusting and unsuspecting buyers. (I'm certain that this is also the case for rare CDs and computer software as well.) In addition to being ILLEGAL, copies are always poor quality compared to factory originals; some are copies of copies of copies; some are copies of programs that have been taped from TV.

I'm hoping that the following clues will help you to detect a potential bootleg before you bid on, or purchase, one. (Through the years, I've been tricked by many of these unethical sellers myself, and the list below is a reflection of knowledge attained through my own personal experience.)

(If you find this guide to be helpful, please give it a vote at the bottom. Thank you!)

• CLUE #1 ~ A listing that states: "Tape and case are in excellent like new conditon. Picture and sound are perfect. This movie is flawless in condition and quality.  It was never a rental." OR "comes in an ex-rental case with artwork." (Or something similar.) Notice that these descriptions completely AVOID stating that it is a factory original? Perhaps an image in the listing might even fool you because it is a photocopy of a cover in a case with a photocopied videocassette label.

• CLUE #2 ~ Seller chooses to keep the identity of the bidder/buyer PRIVATE. I suspect that the reason for doing this is so that other eBay members aren't able to contact the bidders/buyers to warn them that they are bidding on (or have purchased) a bootleg/copy. ALSO, always beware of sellers who choose to keep their personal feedback PRIVATE. They may be hiding some telling comments from buyers.

• CLUE #3 ~ Some sellers state "video comes in a rental case (or clamshell case) with artwork" or "video comes in an attractive clear collectors case with color artwork insert" or a similar variation of this wording. This is more-than-likely a copy of a video, with photocopied artwork.

• CLUE #4 ~ Some sellers state "video only ... comes in a plain sleeve" OR "video is an ex-rental with rental stickers and comes in a plain white sleeve" OR "ex-rental no box". If the listing doesn't also state that it is a genuine factory-original, please click on the ASK SELLER A QUESTION link in the listing and e-mail the seller to inquire about the authenticity of the listed item.

• CLUE #5 ~ Some sellers state "my collection has been acquired through many sources: flea markets, other eBay sellers, collectors, conventions, etc." This is more-than-likely a copy. Why doesn't the seller take the time to state the condition of THIS particular video/dvd, rather than group all their wares into a generic description?

• CLUE #6 ~ Some sellers will rate the quality of the video/audio on a scale of 1-10 ... a definite clue that the item is more-than-likely a copy.

• CLUE #7 ~ Some sellers will list MULTIPLE COPIES of extremely rare videos/dvds, or list the exact same rare videos/dvds over and over and over and over again (they make hundreds of homemade copies of the rarest of items to sell).

• CLUE #8 ~ A listing might not have any description AT ALL ... only a STOCK PHOTO of the item. Please click on the ASK SELLER A QUESTION link in the listing and e-mail the seller to inquire about the authenticity of the listed item. If you don't receive a response from the seller, then the item's authenticity is questionable.

• CLUE #9 ~ A very low price on a very rare video/dvd. A seller who makes hundreds/thousands of copies of a rare movie at a cost of $1 or $2 per copy can afford to sell their counterfeit copies for a very low price. Honest and trusted sellers who offer only legitimate videos/dvds spend an enormous amount of time and money in their search for honest-to-goodness, highly-sought-after, authentic rarities (just the same as rare book/coin/stamp etc. dealers.)

• CLUE #10 ~ Some sellers state that they are the "copyright holder" for a particular video/dvd, while others will state that the video/dvd is in the "public domain". Please click on the ASK SELLER A QUESTION link in the listing and ask for proof that they are the copyright holder or that the movie is in the public domain, or for information on how they acquired the copyright for the product.  If you don't receive a response from the seller, then the item's authenticity is questionable.

WHAT TO DO?

If a listing for a rare video/dvd doesn't state that the item is a commercially-released, factory-produced, studio-released original (or provide you with all the information you need in order to make an informed purchase), then please click on the ASK SELLER A QUESTION link in the listing and e-mail the seller to inquire about the authenticity of the listed item. If you don't receive a response from the seller, then the item's authenticity is questionable. If you DO receive a response from the seller, stating that the item is guaranteed to be authentic, keep the e-mail for proof, just in case you do receive a copy.

A HEARTY RECOMMENDATION:

If you DO receive a bootleg/pirated copy from a seller, please report it to PayPal and eBay ... if you paid for your item via PayPal, you will be reimbursed. The more reports that PayPal and eBay receive about unscrupulous sellers, the more likely it is that eBay will rid itself of dishonest sellers and become a bootleg-free community.

HOW TO REPORT RECEIVING A BOOTLEG/COPY:

1. Click on your MY eBAY button/link
2. Click on the DISPUTE CONSOLE link which is down the left-hand side of your My eBay page
3. Click on the REPORT AN ITEM NOT RECEIVED OR NOT AS DESCRIBED link and then follow through with all the steps

HOW TO REPORT A LISTING WHICH YOU SUSPECT IS A BOOTLEG/COPY

(I know that it seems like a lot of steps to take but after you've done it once, you can bookmark it and never have to repeat the same steps again!!)

1. Click on the HELP button/link
2. On the left hand side click on CONTACT US
3. Click in the option for LISTING VIOLATIONS
4. Under Step 1: Select a subtopic choose FRAUDULENT LISTINGS (illegal sellers demands, you didn't receive item, etc.)
5. Under Step 2: choose You suspect that a listing is fraudulent you didn't bid
6. Click on CONTINUE
7. Click on E-MAIL US
8. A form will then appear where you enter up to 10 suspected item number separated by commas, as well as a spot to ENTER YOUR QUESTION/CONCERN

I thank you for taking the time to read this guide and hope that it might have helped in some small way. If you have any recommendations, please e-mail me with them and, with your permission, I'll add them to this guide.

BOOTLEGS: HOW TO SPOT THEM

(If you find this guide to be helpful, please give it a vote below. Thank you very kindly!)