Ebay advice - Friends Boxset

[GordyR]

Right guys my mums birthday is fast approaching so I was on the lookout for a pressie for her. I won an Ebay auction on for the Friends complete series 1-10 boxset on 36 DVD's. Firstly the item description stated clearly that is was "an Asian collectors edition" which had chinese characters on the front. That didn't bother me since it was going for such a good price and it also stated it has the original american soundtracks with english/chinese subtitles that I could turn off. No biggie.

Anyway, the postie arrived this morning with the parcel. However on the back of the box it says "Series 10, episodes 1-10" as shown below.

This obviously has me concerned. On the side of the box however it states 36 DVD's and the box itself looks about the right size for the complete set. Is this just a case of a mistake on the packaging? Considering it is of Asian origin that wouldn't surprise me but I would just like to be sure. The box is sealed so I don't want to open it up to have a look.

So what do you think? Nothing to worry about?

Here's a pic of the front of the box set and yes those are my toes at the bottom of the pic

 

[GordyR]

Email the guy you got it from?

Sorry I should have said, I have emailed him. He hasn't got back to me yet though. I'm sure it's all fine and is just a case of poor english translation, just wondered what you guys thought.

 

[GordyR]

I'll put money on it being a bootleg.

MB

Hmm that thought hadn't crossed my mind to be honest. The box itself is very high quality, it looks fine but then I have little to no experience of "knock off" versions. Just how good are they these days?

It stated on the auction that these are company sealed DVD's. 100% gaurantee of quality, not copies from TV etc but I guess that doesn't mean a thing.

 

[GordyR]

What is the seller's feedback like - if he has been selling bootlegs then someone will probably have mentioned it in feedback even if they left a positive. I would personally never buy anything that I knew in advance would be an Asian version etc as I would strongly suspect a dodgy copy.

He has 100% positive feedback, no mention at all of dodgy copies. I have never purchased anything like this before so I guess I am a little naive as far as bootleg's are concerned.

Here is the link...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9106413652&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

I'm considering just opening it up and checking it out now. To be honest i'm starting to think you guys are right and it's a pirate copy. I feel like an idiot.

 

[GordyR]

I'm guessing the quality won't be too bad, but they'll still be compressed to death (to fit onto 1 dvd).

What was the blurb in the item description?

They aren't compressed to fit on one DVD. The boxset contains 36 DVD's according to the packaging, so if they are copies I would asume the quality will be perfect. But that isn't the point.

 

[GordyR]

Being a boot doesn't mean it will be a rubbish copy, I get a bit anal about these things, much of the anime stuff on Ebay is boots but I prefer orginals, as long as Mum is happy then it doesn't matter. If its just a case of taking the plastic off to check the discs out then I would do it and give them a try, you'll be gift wrapping it anyway and you don't want to give her a duff prezzie

MB

Aye you're right MB, it was relatively cheap for what it is so I can't be too dissapointed. If the quality is fine then i'll still go ahead and give them to my mum, she would never know the difference in a million years anyway.

Still... I feel like a bit of a muppet to be honest. I was so enthused by the price and the fact that I knew my mum would love the present that I really didn't pay much attention to the details of the sellers account or indeed the description of the item. Lesson learned I guess.

 

[GordyR]

LOL well i've opened them up.... 100% bootlegs. On the inside sleeve this it what it gives as the description for series 10.

"In an exciting supernatural thriller, Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfieffer play a seemingly happily married couple who uncover a terrible secret.... etc... etc..."

You get the idea. I have tried out a couple of the DVD's and the picture/sound quality is absolutely perfect. They are definately factory produced, the CD labelling is also super high quality. They certainly did a good job, if it wasn't for the mistakes on the packaging I wouldn't be any the wiser.

Anyway, sure I could probably send them back for a refend but in all honesty I know my mum couldn't care less whether they were bootlegs or not so I think i'll still go ahead and give them to her.

We live and learn. Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[GordyR]

Yeah it's up to you of course Gordy but you could get a refund either from the seller or from ebay (though that is a pain and you don't get the first £15 I believe) - you IMHO should report the auction to ebay to help protect other buyers (he has another two listed as we speak).

Yeah DD i'll definately be reporting it to Ebay regardless.

If I send the item back though then I doubt I would have the money refunded and the real deal in my hands before my mums Birthday. I'm gonna have to think on this.

 

[GordyR]

Ooops - I may have just asked the seller if the other DVDs are genuine Warner Home Video products.

Clumsy ickle ole me.

I like your style sir.

 

[GordyR]

You can kind of tell that they are copies from the way he has worded the auction, including authentic soundtracks, clear picture quality etc.

But hey you live and learn

Indeed mate. I feel very stupid now.