Do eBay user's run their DVDs and CDs over with a bus?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Mar 2006, 23:29

I've bloody had it up to here with being misled when buying DVDs and CDs on eBay.

Unless I can see an actual photo of the DVD/CD from now on I'm not going to bother and/or it's specifically listed as new and still in the wrapper. Most user's it seems abuse the stock photos.

I'm fed up of having to send DVDs back add to that because of the way Paypal's "Send Money" works they take a slice of it and it's me who ultimately pays (even if it is only 20p) for someone else blatantly lying to me.

I have no problem buying a second hand DVD which is a "little" battered (as long as I know). I have a few but the condition some of these DVDs arrive in is quite astonishing.

It seems most don't care AT ALL about the condition they keep their DVDs and CDs in.

My brother's no better. He recently bought the (rubbish) Joey TV box set. I asked how long he'd had it, thinking he'd say a few months. He said a couple of weeks. What? The case was falling to bits.

I've had a few successful DVD purchases from eBay by most of the time:

1. U2 - How to dismantle an atomic bomb - Bought of eBay as a birthday present. The listing said it was new. I thought great.

It arrived clearly NOT new. It wasn't in to bad shape, no marks/scratches on the CD but the booklet was slightly battered and the sticker was peeling off. The clear plastic cover was obviously not the original as those sticks never re-stick down.

I e-mailed the dude saying it wasn't new and get this he said it was as he had only owned it a couple of weeks (so?) and if it was "brand" new he'd have listed it as such.

New and Brand New mean the same thing idiot.

2. Crash - Listed as new and "I don't sell pirated copies". It arrived a blatant bootleg. It wasn't even a pressed DVD but a DVD-R. In those paper + wrapper cases.

I paid £10 for this! I e-mailed her and she said it's not illegal but is an import. Bollocks!

3. True Romance - I specifically asked is the DVD, cover and case in excellent condition. He replied yes. The DVD arrived a bit battered but get this the outer case was MISSING. How is that excellent case? It was the original digi-pack version.

4. Talk to Her - I again asked is the DVD, cover and case in excellent condition and is it a bootleg. I asked "are there are any marks on the DVD".

It arrived not a bootleg (phew) but the case looked like someone had driven over it, with a huge bar code type sticker, partially ripped off. The cover was slightly torn (very slight I can live with this).

I can live with a dodgy case as I have lots of lovely cases (proper amaray ones) BUT crucially the DVD is completely scratched to bits.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 16 Mar 2006, 23:43

Bummer Brad. Better luck with your next auction then.

Doesn't eBay have a "report dodgy dishonest user" thingy or something like that?

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Mar 2006, 23:46

Face it, Brad: Most people will lie to you if it gets them somewhere.

That said: one time that I did get sent the wrong item the seller refunded me and I didn't even have to send it back. So sometimes mistakes are genuine.

Buy yeah, an awful lot of liars about...

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Mar 2006, 23:47

EvaUnit02 wrote:Doesn't eBay have a "report dodgy dishonest user" thingy or something like that?

You can also leave negative feedback (although wait until they've written yours as if you don't they'll slag you off too).

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 17 Mar 2006, 01:35

I can't be the only one to be have been fleased by eBay users?

What really pisses me off is eBay do nothing to stop bootleg DVDs. I reckon they actually want them as it brings in more revenue. Their T&Cs say no bootlegs but I've seen hundreds of blatant bootlegs. It really wouldn't be hard to crack down on this.

Face it, Brad: Most people will lie to you if it gets them somewhere.

Yeah tell me about it. I wouldn't mind buying a second hand DVD as long as I know what condition it's in first. That's not to much to ask.

They hope you won't bother sending it back because of the hassle. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. So they partially win.

EvaUnit02 wrote:Bummer Brad. Better luck with your next auction then.

I have Ronin SE second hand coming so fingers crossed on that one. I bought it before deciding on this stance.

Doesn't eBay have a "report dodgy dishonest user" thingy or something like that?

Yep but that's really painful. eBay don't actually like getting involved.

You can also leave negative feedback (although wait until they've written yours as if you don't they'll slag you off too).

Exactly hence why I don't. It's a massive flaw in the system.

You can't always wait as they may never leave you feedback and besides they can always add a note to your negative feedback saying you were wrong to leave negative feedback and why.

You then can't reply back again, so they get the last word.

Once you have negative feedback eBay won't withdraw it at all, except in extreme circumstances. It's not worth the risk, even 1 negative feedback really stands out.

Good feedback is great but effectively that's all you've got. The negative feedback system isn't worth the paper it's written on.

I opt for not leaving any feedback which is annoying as whenever I login I get reminded I need to leave feedback.

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 17 Mar 2006, 12:02

I don't use ebay. Saves a lot of hassle.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 17 Mar 2006, 12:47

Jeez Bruce I wouldn't go that far. It's literally DVDs and CDs you have to be careful of (particulary DVDs).

I've bought stacks of bargains on there otherwise. A gorgeous signed Cranberries framed picture for one. It's not a copy, the real deal for £20.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 17 Mar 2006, 14:34

It's in ebay's interest to do nothing as they still get comission on those illicit items (of which there's many, many, many...). The no-bootlegs guideline is merely for show. I think the only reason I haven't been stung by an ebay bootleg is because a) I don't buy that much and b) the items I buy - like magazines - aren't likely to be copies. I've been fairly lucky with DVDs thus far.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 17 Mar 2006, 17:11

You paid 10 quid for Crash!!!!!! jesus ripped off even if it was new! its 5 quid cdwow.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 17 Mar 2006, 17:55

i sell a lot on ebay and admit i use stock photos for the dvds.but i'm always honest with the description of the item.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 17 Mar 2006, 18:37

I pretty much always say MINT Brand New, as all mine are that and noone could ever tell they are not new. I also take loads of photos of the dvd and packaging, most peopleshould I say. I try to keep away from buying stuff on Ebay as people are just ignorant inbred pratts and always seem to say new etc.. when they are just muppets with low standards.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 17 Mar 2006, 18:42

Where did you see Crash for £5 at CD-WOW Romero?
BTW welcome back old bean

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 17 Mar 2006, 19:40

It was over 3 weeks back before my PC went

but try searching for it and use the $ link and its under $10 (well it was 3 weeks back) its the australian edition if that matters

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 17 Mar 2006, 19:47

romerojpg wrote:I pretty much always say MINT Brand New, as all mine are that and noone could ever tell they are not new. I also take loads of photos of the dvd and packaging, most peopleshould I say. I try to keep away from buying stuff on Ebay as people are just ignorant inbred pratts and always seem to say new etc.. when they are just muppets with low standards.

if you are advertising stuff you've watched as brand new then you are advertising falsely.once it's watched the dvd is used,no matter how "mint" it is 8)

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 17 Mar 2006, 20:26

Thats not the case, I am saying they cannot tell they have been watched

as they are perfect, so noone could ever dispute anyway as i dont lie and say exactly how the dvd is, if there is a single fingermark I say so etc..

for me I am not lying as its still mint condition.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 17 Mar 2006, 21:45

romerojpg wrote:Thats not the case, I am saying they cannot tell they have been watched as they are perfect, so noone could ever dispute anyway as i dont lie and say exactly how the dvd is, if there is a single fingermark I say so etc.. for me I am not lying as its still mint condition.

have no doubt your dvds are mint romero,but your description should be "as new" or "nearly new" cause they aren't "brand new"

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 17 Mar 2006, 21:49

'Brand New' means 'Never played'.

'Played but in mint condition' means 'As New or 'Like New'

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 17 Mar 2006, 22:10

I will keep on lying my ass off then

I dont care as I know they are perfect. Brand New does not mean anything anyway, go into a shop and they sell dvds which have been taken out ofv the box, and placed into card cases! they are called new, but shit on me they are not

thats why I avoid shops.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 17 Mar 2006, 22:32

Why not just say "as new" people will still buy them... I think intentionally lying to people giving you money is a low act.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 17 Mar 2006, 22:49

Markgway wrote:'Brand New' means 'Never played'.

'Played but in mint condition' means 'As New or 'Like New'

Correct. But I'd still buy a DVD if it was "As New" as opposed to "Brand new", it wouldnt stop me.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 18 Mar 2006, 00:49

A Low act

its exactly the same, its brand new, no difference at all, thats no low act. People write brand new and sealed and they just wrap them up in cligfilm (I shit you not). Its still sealed I guess

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 18 Mar 2006, 03:25

So two wrongs make a right...?

That's like saying other people lie so I will too.