DVDizzy Forum

I know this may seem odd and all, but here goes:

The other day I was in a store I frequently go to to get a good deal on used CDs (not so much DVDs, except for the occaison OOP DAC or a season set). I decided to look at the childrens DVDs to see if they had any more OOP Disney DVDs (as you may know I got SB w/ a slipcover in like new condition there a few weeks ago). I saw two used copies of Beauty and the Beast there for $27, with slipcovers and the stickers that say "Limited time only!" or something like that on them. I was considering buying it (my copy is in HORRIBLE condition), but then I saw something odd on the slipcovers. On the side of the spine that would be facing outward on a shelf, everything looked normal. On the other spine (you know how slipcover have two?) , nothing was printed! There was no title or anything! My question is - was this DVD a bootleg? Or was every copy of BatB printed that way? It WAS Disney's first DVD with a slipcover, so that's why I thought maybe it was that way...

The other side is supposed to be blank, My official copy that I bought brand new from Wal-Mart when it came out is the same way.

I got my copy from Gamestop with the slipcover intact and the one side was blank as well.

Okay, now I am considering getting myself a copy, if they haven't been snatched up already!

So I finally ordered Sleeping Beauty Special Edition thru amazon marketplace, wanting a NEW edition. I ended up buying a fairly cheap one (for a new edition) at $40 US from one of their sellers...

It arrives today and I'm pretty sure, and pissed off, that I got a bootleg. Does anyone knwo how to tell for sure?

The actual DVDs play beautifully but that's not the point--while it's enclosed in a slipcase that looks oddly authentic the actual clamshell doesn't--the label is printed on bent cardboard and not the thinner glossy paper of my other DVDs, the booklet looks kinda reproduced on a printer with faded colours, as does the labelling on the DVDs themselves (although they are clearly DVDs and not DVD-Rs).

Is there anyway this ISN'T bootleg? some strange edition, in NTSC from a diffeerent country or something? Ughhhh so frustrated

E

I'm really sorry to say, but it sounds like you might have gotten a bootleg... Here's a couple of ways to know for sure:

1- Do they have any serial numbers/barcodes on the undersides of the disks? This is almost a sure way to distinguish boots from authentic copies, because for what ever reason, pirates can't seem to put the serial numbers/bc's on the bellies of the disks.

2- Can the disks play on the computer? Computers have a decoder that can detect if the disks have copyright issues.

3- Do the disks have the writing/typed message going around the disk art on the very edge?

There are likely other ways to tell, but I haven't pulled out my SB set in a while, so I'd have to refresh my memory. But if the insert is a very thick cardboard material, chances are really good that you have a boot. (As you guessed...)

Hope I was of some help!

-BB

You are--I'm pretty certain I do. So frustrating after waiting all this time.

I contacted them and hope I get a full refund so I can try ordering a copy from somewhere else... I hate to say this as a Disney supporter but what's extra frustrating is I wouldn't have minded if it had cost 10 bucks or something... but close to 50 Canadian with Shipping? UGH

E

Last weekend I ordered Pinocchio from an Amazon seller and was sent a bootleg, I explained the situation to the seller who claimed to have bought it through wholesale and didn't know it was a bootleg and I was given A full refund.

That's encouraging--this seller was very polite and helpful before so I hope it's a similar error.

OK this is weird--I inspected the discs--they do have the print on the inside of the spindle on the playing side (if that makes sense) it's a bunch of digits/barcodes and writing but it also says TECHNICLOR backwards (the processing plant?)

E

EricMontreal22 wrote: OK this is weird--I inspected the discs--they do have the print on the inside of the spindle on the playing side (if that makes sense) it's a bunch of digits/barcodes and writing but it also says TECHNICLOR backwards (the processing plant?)

E

Ok, I just pulled out my copy of SB (which I can guarantee is authentic because I bought it new at a store complete with the Buena Vista seal. Heres my barcode # for Disk 1: (208556) I6751 X79024.2 (and in smaller print) 02.
My disk also has Technicolor on it, but not backwards, or spelled like that. Mine has the correct spelling, and isn't in all caps. Is the font on the serial #'s big or small? Because mine is fairly small though that aspect may vary from disk to disk.

-BB

haha techniclor was my mispelling :$ When I get home I'll put them out and type all ti says

My SB also has Technicolor written on the back of the disc.

Besides the booklet, do you have any other inserts? The original came with 2 other inserts (contests/offers) if I remember. Usually, bootlegs don't have these inserts.

What did your bootleg DVD look like? Maybe you should send it back and ask for a BETTER one. Have you thought of that?

Well the seller was very polite, she said that they had encountered this problem before and gave me the full refund, even for shipping. Now I wanna try to get a legit copy but am worried other Amazon sellers will assume they have legit copies as well and I'll just get another bootleg...

E

I bought Pocahontas II from an Amazon seller and was sent a bootleg. There were a few give aways like it came in a clear keep case and on the disc itself the alternate language tracks were all various Asian languages. I immediately contacted the seller who also claimed he didn't know it was a bootleg and got it wholesale. He gave me a full refund and told me to keep the bootleg. I no longer buy Disney DVDs from sellers unless they are factory sealed.

Too bad you got a bootleg, BUT remember Sleeping Beauty is scheduled for re-release in October 2008. So if you can wait just a little bit over a year, you'll be able to buy a new copy that is guarenteed authentic and much cheaper.

Yeah the bootleg itself PLAYS fantastically and looks great (the disc contents I mean) it's just the idea of the thing that irks me. But... as bad as this is (and I didn't do it on purpose) I may just hold on to it and not pay 50 bucks to risk another copy and wait till next year...

Here's the disc art:



Here's the back (the middle is brightened to show letters):




It seems that my Fantasia and Special Features disc are golden in color. This one is straight silver. It makes me wonder if it's fake. Also the font on "Disney DVD" logo looks suspicious. The cover on the disc looks authentic, it even has the fifth color silver ink on the title.

I still think I got scammed, but what do you all think?

TAG

I'd say fake, looking at the Disney DVD logo.

I have my "Fantasia 2000" DVD right here- the underside is silver. The only thing that looks suspicious to me is the "V" in "Disney DVD"- on mine, the bottom of the V is more flat than the one in the picture (the one pictured has more of a point at the bottom of the V).