Anime on Ebay

[Galant]

Anyone ever bought Anime via Ebay?

I just saw The complete 7 DVD series of Gundam Wing for $42, that any good? And which series would it be?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=617&item=6327337596&rd=1

[Nate]

Yes, I have purchased anime on ebay. I bought the box set of the entire season of Sailor Stars (fan-subbed of course). It was very professionally translated and well-done. However, this is not the case with all anime on ebay. I know friends who ended up purchasing badly translated DVDs from Hong Kong or other such countries. I would say find out as much as you can about the company selling it. For example, my box set was produced by Matsushito Studios, so they are apparently reputable. At least in my experience.

[agasfas]

i buy from ebay all the time.
*HINT: It says region one in the top description, it is not region 1. It's a "bootleg." Plus if it's region "0," which it is, it's most likely a bootleg too. Plus the supplier is "FX," so i know it is . Anytime you get a whole series like 26+ eps on 3 dvd's, or 49eps on 7, they are ripped from a dvd and encoded and compressed. So they may be some video pixilation and sound problems. Though some are done really good. I own a couple myself that's the only reason i know. If the price looks to good to be true, it is. But though sometimes it's cheaper . And the reason the shipping is expensive is b/c it's shipped from overseas like hongkong and etc..
Plus i know about this seller. I'm not saying I'm for or against it, just letting you know. Though i buy a some once in awhile b/c they're cheaper. Check this site out, it has a lot of info....
http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/piratefaq.html#dvd
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Though that one box set got good reviews . I always check review before buying http://import-anime.com/index.php?page=view&item_id=2615&PHPSESSID=8d7a235d48c7b00ee8d38b6892b8b709
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[emoanimechild]

yeah I buy from ebay too, I just bought another one piece box set the other day.

[Yojimbo]

Yes I was going to say exactly what agasfas said. I'd say 3/4 of all anime merchandise sold on ebay are bootlegs. FX is the biggest name in anime video bootlegging. I would not reccomend ebay unless you know exactly what you're looking for.

[Kisa]

I do occasionally, but be very careful! There are tons of bootlegs on Ebay and you could get ripped off very easily. I didn't know there was a box set for Gundam Wing yet though...... hmmmmm.......

[Mangafanatic]

If you're looking at a "box set" that boast 58 epsisodes on three disc--- it's bootleged. You can pretty much count on 90% off all ebay DVDs being bootlegged.

If you're really set on buying anime there, I'd send alot of questions to the seller. They very rarely will admit that the product's bootlegged, but there are 2 questions you can ask.

1) Ask if they're region free (If they are *surprise* they're bootlegged)
2) Ask if they're the box set release by [fill in studio name]. The trick to this question is to put the wrong studio name in the bank. For example, Fruits Basket is released by FUNimation. So, if I suspected a product was bootlegger, I might ask : Is this the box set released by Bandai? You can sometimes trick them into revealing they know nothing about the LEGAL release of their product.

[Stephen]

Most the time...Ebay tends to be bootleggs. Somtimes very poorly done ones at that. Your best bet would be to make sure the seller has a disk number...make sure it matches the real deal....and perhaps check his feedback for clues.

[Mithrandir]

Mangafanatic, I have to go on record saying that your point two is positively brilliant. I never thought about that, but if it ever works, that's just too cool!

Well done!

[Kisa]

Hehe shes a smart one alright!
I agree to alos check their feedback and compare with the real DVDs or whatever in stores....

[H. Kenshin]

Hey I have bought anime twice on ebay and that was Roruoni Kenshin and Trigun, then realitives that i have helped buy cowboy bebop. So far they have not been bootleged and are real, my advice is to make sure that the seller is from america and check there scores and then check see if they are part of store if not make sure they picture is not a bootleged and buy it new. Also look and make sure that you look closely to there words because some give you the slip and say its bootleged. Big names are also easier to get real.

[Mangafanatic]

Mangafanatic, I have to go on record saying that your point two is positively brilliant. I never thought about that, but if it ever works, that's just too cool!

Well done!

Gee. . . thanks.

It has worked on more than one occasion.

[Azier the Swordsman]

Ask if they're the box set release by [fill in studio name]. The trick to this question is to put the wrong studio name in the bank. For example, Fruits Basket is released by FUNimation. So, if I suspected a product was bootlegger, I might ask : Is this the box set released by Bandai? You can sometimes trick them into revealing they know nothing about the LEGAL release of their product.

I'm gonna do this sometime just to make them squirm in their shoes. Good one!

[termyt]

Nice work Osaka, very clever.

*Climbs on soapbox*
I would warn against buying fan subs and bootlegs on eBay. The only one making a profit off of those are the seller, not the actual rights holders. This is stealing - the same as if you took it off the shelf at the store and left with out paying for it.

Fan Subs are provided free of charge and should not be sold. There are many places you can get fan subs for free (or the cost of a VHS tape, etc). They are available on the web, if you can stand the download times, or from your local anime fan club.
*Steps down*

That's all I'll say to try to avoid starting any kind of flame war over copy right issues, which have been discussed ad nausium in other threads.