More than half of the vhs sellers on Ebay are selling bootlegs - otherwise known as pirated or copies. They buy a brand new sealed movie at top price and then they make copies and resell them as used either stating in a rental box, or showbox, or hardcase or clamshell-
Most movies that come in clamshells and are not stated as rentals are bootleg and not only illegal, but against ebay policy- this is not to be confused with legitimate studio released videos that do come in clamshells ie: Disney and a lot of other Children's videos- always ask if it's in studio issued packaging, as opposed to...
Color copy artwork inserted is another hint- If it's a studio original, where's the original box?
Look for expensive/rare movies shown at an unbelievably low prices- if it's too good to be true it probably is.
Also look at quantities- 20 copies listed in clamshells is a good indicator- if the movies are rare, how did this seller get so many and why are they not in their original cardboard sleeve?
No box at all is suspicious
You need to email these sellers w/questions before you bid, for your own good- no reply? they are avoiding you!! Don't be a victim of these bootleggers- it cost them no more than $2 to make the movie, when the honest sellers pay top dollar for quality collectible merchandise
follow up 6/26/06
Firstly, I want to thank everyone who has emailed me on this subject, and now I think it's time to reveal the names of the worst offenders. UNFORTUNATELY THE NAMES HAD TO BE REMOVED - so video buyers only, (not dvd) - please feel free to email me should you doubt the authenticity of a rare out of print video or seller of videos.
It is time everyone stops getting ripped of and PLEASE stop supporting these bootleggers who are illegally selling their homemade videos as if they were studio released.
SELLERS NOTE: I highly suggest you place all bootleggers on your blocked bidder list, so that they cannot use/purchase your brand new or mint video, to run copies- do not contribute to their illegal activities!
follow up 7/6
As I can no longer list the user names of bootleggers, I have decided to provide you with a list of the most frequently pirated movies, NONE of these are legally on DVD, unless otherwise stated, I am hoping you will do a search on these titles, thus recognizing the same user names over and over, week after week, check their misspelled words, their verbiage etc., and in that way become familiar with these bootleggers: Most of them are usually $9.99 or lower on rare, hard to find, out of print videos, and usually have a close buy it now offer. I will be updating this list a couple of days per week.
A New Leaf vhs
Something for Joey vhs
Full Body Massage vhs
The Promise vhs
On Borrowed Time vhs
Smoky Mountain Christmas vhs
The Secret of Santa Vittoria vhs
My Brilliant Career vhs
Summer Of My German Soldier vhs
It Happened at the Worlds Fair vhs
The Enchanted Cottage vhs
Yellowbeard vhs
Eddie Murphy- Delirious vhs
A Summer Place vhs
Hell to Eternity vhs
Rome Adventure vhs
China Beach Pilot vhs
Honeysuckle Rose vhs
Full of Life vhs
Resurrection Ellen Burstyn vhs
Boys in the Band vhs
Reincarnation of Peter Proud vhs
April Fools vhs
Love Among the ruins
Midnight Lace
Ode to Billie Joe vhs
Cold turkey vhs
The Gathering vhs
Golddiggers of 1935 vhs
A Gathering of Eagles never on DVD
Scavenger Hunt vhs
My Foolish Heart vhs
Back Street vhs
Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean vhs
OUR VINES HAVE TENDER GRAPES vhs
Rad vhs
Thrill of a Romance vhs
Rich Little A Christmas Carol vhs
Night of the Grizzly vhs
Trader Horn vhs
The Oscar vhs
Elvis- The Movie vhs
Susan Slept Here vhs
Phar Lap vhs



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