Please answer my question about the Little Mermaid dvd

All topics relating to Disney-branded content.
User avatar
Mermaid Kelly
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1291
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:50 pm
Location: Under the sea........under the sea

Please answer my question about the Little Mermaid dvd

Post by Mermaid Kelly »

I had won one off of ebay, and sadly, I think I recieved a bootleg! :cry:
I AM SOOO MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :evil:
I wanted this dvd more than ANYTHING and look what happens to me!
It plays ok, but I know it's fake because:
-the artwork on the disc is of Ariel, I think it's supposed to be of Sebastian
-The case is lighter than other Disney dvd cases
-The artwork on the side (spine) of the case has the picture of Ariel a little upways from the bottom, I think it's supposed to be right on the bottom.

:evil: Now I don't know what to do because if I go to bid on another one it might be fake too!
Image Image
Image
User avatar
2099net
Signature Collection
Posts: 9421
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2003 1:00 pm
Location: UK
Contact:

Post by 2099net »

The DVD shows Ariel on the right, with Sabastian on the left. Flounder is above Sabastian.

As for the spine, there is a gap of about 1cm above the number at the bottom before the Arial image.
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
Maerj
Collector's Edition
Posts: 2748
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2003 11:31 pm
Location: Ephrata, PA
Contact:

Post by Maerj »

Did it come opened or unopened? Does it contain an insert?

Is there a serial number located at the end of the copyright info that is printed near the outside edge on top of the disc itself? The serial number on mine is E3499 and if yours is real it should be similar. Under the rating info on the disc it says:

Running Time:
Approx. 83 minutes
Color/Stereo
Stock #18787

The disc should be a gold, dual layered disc. On the bottom of it you should see a serial number: C3.2 151331-03. Hope this helps!
User avatar
Mermaid Kelly
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1291
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:50 pm
Location: Under the sea........under the sea

Post by Mermaid Kelly »

Thanks, the info proved that mine is fake. My disc has the same picture as the cover, and it's not gold. Now I have no clue what to do. I think Ishould give bad feedback to the ebay guy, but any idea what to do about getting another one? I don't want another fake one! Well I guess I have two choices...since it plays fine, I can keep the one I have and eventually buy the platinum, or I can try to get another one. I don't know, anyone have a suggestion?
oh yea and to answer your first question, it has an insert...a fake insert :cry:
Image Image
Image
Swiss
Gold Classic Collection
Posts: 354
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2003 2:32 am

Post by Swiss »

Can you provide a scan?

About whether to wait, that's up to you. If you paid a relatively cheap price for it, you could always retain the non-authentic copy just for viewing purposes, and eventually aspire to the authentic Platinum Edition.

In terms of eBay, bootlegs are not tolerated, however eBay is extremely difficult to contact. Many of there emails send you auto-responses with tips on what to do. Leaving negative feedback is always the last resort, you should contact the seller and advised them on your disatisfaction with the DVD. Allow them sufficient time (ideally 3-5 business days) to resolve it, with a refund/exchange, etc.
Tangela

Post by Tangela »

Mermaid Kelly wrote:Thanks, the info proved that mine is fake. My disc has the same picture as the cover, and it's not gold. Now I have no clue what to do. I think Ishould give bad feedback to the ebay guy, but any idea what to do about getting another one? I don't want another fake one! Well I guess I have two choices...since it plays fine, I can keep the one I have and eventually buy the platinum, or I can try to get another one. I don't know, anyone have a suggestion?
oh yea and to answer your first question, it has an insert...a fake insert :cry:
Well, you should try to get your money back by sending the guy an e-mail or something and then ask your parents to help you go against whoever sold it to you. Then, I would suggest you would buy the DVD from somewhere that does not involve individual sellers... I'll help you look for something...

:)

Or, you could get it amazon, one from an individual seller, I'm afraid, since they're out of stock, but I always get good things from Amazon sellers...
Maerj
Collector's Edition
Posts: 2748
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2003 11:31 pm
Location: Ephrata, PA
Contact:

Post by Maerj »

Kelly,

Is it a good quality bootleg? There are many out there that are just as good as the original copies. If the quality is good enough for you and it didn't cost you too much, I'd just keep it. The only way to know that you are buying the real deal is to buy one that has never been opened and still has all the appropriate stickers and packaging. If you are afraid of them changing the film in the future for the Platinum Edition, you might just want to keep it.

A lot of the bootlegs are so close to the real ones that there are a lot of ebay sellers who don't even realize that they are fakes. I've dealt with some sellers like that. So, let them know that it is, but try to do it in a nice way.

Also, Amazon sellers are no better than ebay, in fact I had two bad experiences with "zShop" sellers and one I lost some money on.
User avatar
indianajdp
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1813
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2003 7:10 pm
Location: Central Hoosierland

Post by indianajdp »

MK--

Can you provide a link to the auction you were high-bidder on?

I want to read all the fine print to see if there's any tip-off in there somewhere. I'd hold off on "Negative Feedback" for a bit until you make 100% certain that you were mislead or lied to.
" There's no Dumbass Vaccine " - Jimmy Buffett
User avatar
Commodore Barbosa
Limited Issue
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2003 1:10 pm

Post by Commodore Barbosa »

There is more than one R1 version of this disk out there, I actually have 2 different versions, and both of them are legitimate R1 Limited Issue, U.S. bought releases. Both were bought brand new, one was bought and Blockbuster Video, the other at The Disney Store (though I don't know which is which anymore).

Both of boxes are identical in every way, pictures, words, numbers, it's all the same on front, back, and side, same goes for the inserts and the Mail-In Coupon form.

But the individual disks are different in a couple of ways. One of them is exactly how Maerj described theirs.

The other is the same except for the "C3.2" number. On this particular disk it is C3.2 151332-02, and it's not printed on the underside of this disk, but on the front instead.

Basically one disk has art printed all the way to the hole in the middle (much like I'm assuming Maerj's disk looks like), and one has art that stops about a quarter inch from the hole in the middle.

Here is a link to pictures of the 2 disks, click on the pic to see a larger version:

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/animat ... ks&.view=t

If anyone's interested, I'm actually looking to get rid of one of my copies of LM, but I'd much rather trade. I'd really like to get a copy of the Tarzan SE 2 disk set.
Smarty-pants
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2003 12:23 pm
Location: Home of the Pro-Football Hall Of Fame

Re: Please answer my question about the Little Mermaid dvd

Post by Smarty-pants »

Mermaid Kelly wrote:I had won one off of ebay, and sadly, I think I recieved a bootleg! :cry:
I AM SOOO MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :evil:
I wanted this dvd more than ANYTHING and look what happens to me!
It plays ok, but I know it's fake because:
-the artwork on the disc is of Ariel, I think it's supposed to be of Sebastian
-The case is lighter than other Disney dvd cases
-The artwork on the side (spine) of the case has the picture of Ariel a little upways from the bottom, I think it's supposed to be right on the bottom.

:evil: Now I don't know what to do because if I go to bid on another one it might be fake too!
Sorry for your bad luck! I can only offer my experience and advice.
I consider myself a virtual expert in spotting bootlegs and avoiding them when I'm trying to obtain an authentic copy, however, i was duped about 6 months ago when trying to buy a certain dvd. It was... The Little Mermaid! I e-mailed the guy of course stating only the facts...
-That it was a bootleg copy
-Rights infringment against Disney
-Commiting mail fraud by pedeling bootlegs through the mail (a federal crime)
-Asked for refund
He tryed to play like "Hey, it's an Asian import" and of course I told him that's bullcrap and no Disney dvds are coded Region 0. I demanded my money back and told him if not, then I would turn it in to the FBI for review and investigation. I said I would NOT mail it back to him making me liable for commiting mail fraud just to have him turn around and illegaly sell it to someone else. Of course I got a full refund. Then, after I got my refund, I left negative feedback stating that I received the product in perfect condition but was didsatisfied becase it was a bootleg. That would at least help warn others after me to keep from making the same mistake. # weeks later I got a copy off Half.com for like $27 shipped.
Good luck,
Dave
User avatar
Mermaid Kelly
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1291
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:50 pm
Location: Under the sea........under the sea

Post by Mermaid Kelly »

I don't have a scanner or digital camera, so I can't show a picture of it, but heres the link to the auction...
http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl ... 41530&rd=1

Also thanks everyone for your support :)
Image Image
Image
STASHONE
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1264
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2003 5:32 pm

Post by STASHONE »

Not much information listed in the auction, did you attempt to contact the seller and inquire about the disc before bidding?
User avatar
indianajdp
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1813
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2003 7:10 pm
Location: Central Hoosierland

Post by indianajdp »

Mermaid Kelly wrote:I don't have a scanner or digital camera, so I can't show a picture of it, but heres the link to the auction...
http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl ... 41530&rd=1

Also thanks everyone for your support :)
Alright MK, he completely misrepresented this DVD.
He says it is a REGION 1, "brand new, sealed" copy.

I would send a polite inquiry via e-mail and say that the DVD you received is not the original and need the situation cleared up. If it doesn't work this way, you'll need to get tough. You have his contact information so there are other steps you can take if forced to. Hopefully you can get a real copy out of him, if not, a refund and lesson learned is good enough, I guess.

Bottom line is he did not ship the item you bid on and that is a total and complete violation of eBay policy. You could (and should) have that account suspended if need be.

One last comment, I would find someone nerarby that has a legit copy. Compare it side-by-side and then compae it aesthetically by viewing it. Not that thare's any doubt in my mind, but you need to be 100% certaion before you start making any accusations.
" There's no Dumbass Vaccine " - Jimmy Buffett
User avatar
indianajdp
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1813
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2003 7:10 pm
Location: Central Hoosierland

Post by indianajdp »

Oh...just discovered something else.
He has had SIX other auctions close selling the EXACT same item.

I would contact every one of those buyers and see if they share your same suspicions. Tag-team him.
" There's no Dumbass Vaccine " - Jimmy Buffett
Tangela

Post by Tangela »

Well, here is a little tip, do not ever buy any Disney DVDs that are "will work on ALL DVD players". If a Disney auction sais that it is most probably a bootleg. Since this one has a Region 1 thing, I don't know what to say...

How do they make bootlegs anyway?
:?
Smarty-pants
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2003 12:23 pm
Location: Home of the Pro-Football Hall Of Fame

Post by Smarty-pants »

Mermaid Kelly wrote:I don't have a scanner or digital camera, so I can't show a picture of it, but heres the link to the auction...
http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl ... 41530&rd=1

Also thanks everyone for your support :)
-Part of the problem is there is hardly any discription of it.
-The seller outright lied by stating that it's region 1, when it's region 0.
-Condition is stated as "never viewed". Who says that?? Normally someone would say "New/never opened", or "used/like new".
-You can always, and you probably always should, ask the seller questions. There is a link you can clck on to send questions to the seller. Ask them...
Is the Little Mermaid dvd authentic regio 1 dvd?... or is it an asian import? Does t come wth the chapter insert/linear notes?
If they come back with an answer like "It's exactly identical to the one you buy in the store", that's not good, they're giving you a vague answer so as not to trap themselves in a lie to avoid prosecution or suspension from eBay. A regular joe would say "Yes, it's region 1. I guarantee it because I bought it at Best Buy 2 years ago".
-Look at their feedback and make sure you read every single one that is negative or neutral and make sure no-one made a complaint that they got a counterfit/bootleg copy.
User avatar
Aladdin
Gold Classic Collection
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2003 12:01 pm
Location: Jasmine's Palace :) Toronto, CANADA

Post by Aladdin »

Mermaid Kelly,

I hate to say this but I am only saying it because I care about you as a member to this GREAT forum....but "I told you so!". :( Don't expect to pay less than $30 bucks for the "real" thing!. You get what you pay for. If you real want the original more than "ANYTHING", please put it on your Christmas list and/or save up some money. $30 bucks will NOT do it!

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... sc&start=0

Please do NOT take people's advice for granted....it's too late for you now but, hopefully others will learn from your mistake.

Just ask indianajdp or anyone else. All others here would be more than willing to give you advice on a possible bootleg, but it's up to YOU to listen to the advice given.

indianajdp hit it right on the nose. This seller has sold like 6 copies....you really think he had that many copies to sell ? It is more likely that all those copies he/she sold are indeed bootlegs, but others have not been as smart as you to figure out that they are actually fakes :) .

I say you complain. If you bought the DVD using a credit card, trying making a complaint to your credit card company and to withhold payment, if possible. Good luck and let us know how it works out.
Love watching my "babies" on my wide-screen :)
User avatar
Commodore Barbosa
Limited Issue
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2003 1:10 pm

Oops...

Post by Commodore Barbosa »

Sorry about the bogus link everyone. if you'd like to check out the different versions of the disk like I talked about above, here's a working link.

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/animat ... maid+Disks
User avatar
The Lizard King
Special Edition
Posts: 539
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2003 3:22 pm

Post by The Lizard King »

Mermaid Kelly wrote:Thanks, the info proved that mine is fake.
Are you 100% sure about this?
Mermaid Kelly wrote:My disc has the same picture as the cover, and it's not gold.
He meant that the DATA side is gold, not the disc art. Look at the DATA side of the disc to see if it has a gold hue to it.
Mermaid Kelly wrote:Now I have no clue what to do. I think Ishould give bad feedback to the ebay guy,
I wouldn't do that until I was 100% sure that it is a bootleg.
Mermaid Kelly wrote:but any idea what to do about getting another one? I don't want another fake one! Well I guess I have two choices...since it plays fine, I can keep the one I have and eventually buy the platinum, or I can try to get another one. I don't know, anyone have a suggestion?
Yes, I DO have a suggestion to test whether your disc is a bootleg, or not.

Download DVD Decrypter, version 3.1.7.0:

http://www.dvddecrypter.com/download.asp

Run the program with your DVD in the DVD-ROM drive of your computer. The program will tell you what region code the disc is. If it is more than Regions 1 and 4, chances are it's a bootleg. The Taiwanese bootleggers NEVER region code their DVDs. You might also wish to decrypt the DVD. If the program tells you that the disc isn unencrypted, then for sure it's a bootleg. The Taiwanese bootleggers also NEVER CSS-encrypt their DVDs.
Mermaid Kelly wrote:oh yea and to answer your first question, it has an insert...a fake insert :cry:
How do you know that it's a fake? ALL Taiwanese bootleg DVDs that I have come across NEVER have an insert at all. Since yours has an insert, there's still hope that it's a legitimate Disney release.

Alternatively, you can send the disc to me, and I will analyze it pretty exhaustively and give you my professional opinion regarding its authenticity. Luke can vouch for my trustworthiness.

Good luck.

TLK 8)
User avatar
karlsen
Special Edition
Posts: 788
Joined: Sat Sep 27, 2003 8:01 pm
Location: Norway

Post by karlsen »

An insert is as easy to make as a fake cover so do not feel comforteble just because it has one of those.

But that does not make this a fake, I do not know enough about that make a judgment on that.
"You hate to repeat yourself. I don't like to make sequels to my pictures. I like to take a new thing and develop something, a new concept." - Walt Disney
Post Reply