How to tell a Blu-ray has been resealed?

[Fryman86]

So I got a copy of Phantom Of The Opera on eBay. The auction stated that the disc was sealed and brand new. Well I received it today and it's pretty obvious it has been resealed. The plastic doesn't seem like the normal shrink wrap, but a thicker plastic with a visible seal. Not only that but I can feel that it is in an Eco Case, and the blu was released in 2008. I'm not sure if they would start putting new pressings in an eco case, but I'm pretty sure they didn't have eco cases at that point. The most telling sign is that the movie is by Warner Bros, but this is in a Vortex case, like the ones Disney uses with the blu ray logo inside an oval on the top of the box and generally has a more "squarish" design. Opinions?

[carter71]

I didn't know there were Vortex eco cases. It sounds like it's definitely a reseal and possibly a bootleg. Did the seller post photos? If so, see if it matches those.

[Fryman86]

The only picture on the auction was a retail picture like you would see on Amazon. The art looks legit (but I'm sure there are bootleg websites that offer HD scans of art) and I'm nervous about opening since I'm thinking of filing a claim on eBay, but it feels like a eco case.

[Seymour]

Originally Posted by Fryman86

So I got a copy of Phantom Of The Opera on eBay. The auction stated that the disc was sealed and brand new. Well I received it today and it's pretty obvious it has been resealed. The plastic doesn't seem like the normal shrink wrap, but a thicker plastic with a visible seal. Not only that but I can feel that it is in an Eco Case, and the blu was released in 2008. I'm not sure if they would start putting new pressings in an eco case, but I'm pretty sure they didn't have eco cases at that point. The most telling sign is that the movie is by Warner Bros, but this is in a Vortex case, like the ones Disney uses with the blu ray logo inside an oval on the top of the box and generally has a more "squarish" design. Opinions?

Open it up and look at the disc. The BD case and the way it's sealed don't mean much. If the UPC matches online retailers, and the disc looks legit, you should have no worries.

[Fryman86]

Originally Posted by Seymour

Open it up and look at the disc. The BD case and the way it's sealed don't mean much. If the UPC matches online retailers, and the disc looks legit, you should have no worries.

The case and sealing don't mean much? I don't think Warner Bros. uses those cases and it was sold as being brand new, so yes it does.

[Seymour]

Originally Posted by Fryman86

The case and sealing don't mean much? I don't think Warner Bros. uses those cases and it was sold as being brand new, so yes it does.

Dude, I've gotten Sony releases in Viva cases, and MGM/Lionsgate releases in Vortex cases (all at Best Buy). Like I said, the case and the way it's sealed don't really matter. Frankly, you sound pretty paranoid, when you're talking about what, a $10 BD?

[Fryman86]

Originally Posted by Seymour

Dude, I've gotten Sony releases in Viva cases, and MGM/Lionsgate releases in Vortex cases (all at Best Buy). Like I said, the case and the way it's sealed don't really matter. Frankly, you sound pretty paranoid, when you're talking about what, a $10 BD?

What does the cost have to do with anything? I bought an item that was advertised as new, and if I looked at it and realized something didn't look right, I don't want to give it as a gift, which is what it is intended to be.

[Seymour]

Originally Posted by Fryman86

What does the cost have to do with anything? I bought an item that was advertised as new, and if I looked at it and realized something didn't look right, I don't want to give it as a gift, which is what it is intended to be.

You don't want to open it, fine. What about the UPC, does it match? 085391108108 What about the artwork, does it have curved edges at the corners? If they're curved, and the UPC is the same, you probably don't have to worry.

[Bad Sandwich]

While a WB title in a Vortex does raise an eyebrow--simply because it's the only major studio I can think of offhand for which I've literally never seen a title in anything other than an Elite case--it doesn't scream "bootleg" necessarily. Possible repackage with original artwork placed in new case? Hypothetical scenario - disc was in fact new but original case endured some kind of damage, and artwork/disc were placed in new case and resealed. I've seen in a few times on ebay, although that's definitely something that should have been clarified in the description. Possibility.

[Fryman86]

Originally Posted by Bad Sandwich

While a WB title in a Vortex does raise an eyebrow--simply because it's the only major studio I can think of offhand for which I've literally never seen a title in anything other than an Elite case--it doesn't scream "bootleg" necessarily. Possible repackage with original artwork placed in new case? Hypothetical scenario - disc was in fact new but original case endured some kind of damage, and artwork/disc were placed in new case and resealed. I've seen in a few times on ebay, although that's definitely something that should have been clarified in the description. Possibility.

Thank you. This was the kind of input I was looking for. I don't know why the fact that I paid for something advertised as "new and sealed from the manufacturer" has been ignored even though I brought it up three times.

[shinseiRomeo]

Originally Posted by Fryman86

Thank you. This was the kind of input I was looking for. I don't know why the fact that I paid for something advertised as "new and sealed from the manufacturer" has been ignored even though I brought it up three times.

Try to avoid any BD with the shrink-wrap that has wrinkled edges. The Y fold, which is sealed at the top and bottom, is indicative of factory wrap. Anything else can mean it's been resealed. Best Buy and FYE do this daily.

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by Fryman86

Thank you. This was the kind of input I was looking for. I don't know why the fact that I paid for something advertised as "new and sealed from the manufacturer" has been ignored even though I brought it up three times.

Either way you have to pay for return shipping on eBay so get opening.

[Seymour]

Originally Posted by Fryman86

Thank you. This was the kind of input I was looking for. I don't know why the fact that I paid for something advertised as "new and sealed from the manufacturer" has been ignored even though I brought it up three times.

That was the kind of input you were looking for? I offered like 3 suggestions? Dude offered you a hypothetical situation, you couldn't think that up yourself?

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by shinseiRomeo

Try to avoid any BD with the shrink-wrap that has wrinkled edges. The Y fold, which is sealed at the top and bottom, is indicative of factory wrap. Anything else can mean it's been resealed. Best Buy and FYE do this daily.

I assume you're talking about heat sealed shrinkwrap? While it's true that's the standard resealing method for brick & mortars, there are lots of distributors, especially smaller ones, that factory seal in that way. Just comes down to the plant, usually. I've seen DVDs/BDs from just about every studio/distributor, major and minor, in the heat sealed wrap from time to time, even those that usually use Y fold (acquired from sites like amazon rather than brick & mortars, it's worth adding)

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by Fryman86

Thank you. This was the kind of input I was looking for. I don't know why the fact that I paid for something advertised as "new and sealed from the manufacturer" has been ignored even though I brought it up three times.

BTW for thoroughness' sake, by 'Elite' I also meant Viva's eco equivalent of the Elite (whatever that's called), which is pretty much standard for WB titles at this point

[Fryman86]

Originally Posted by Seymour

That was the kind of input you were looking for? I offered like 3 suggestions? Dude offered you a hypothetical situation, you couldn't think that up yourself?

Yes I was looking for input as to what other people would think given the way I described the disc. You suggested:

Originally Posted by Seymour

Open it up and look at the disc. The BD case and the way it's sealed don't mean much. If the UPC matches online retailers, and the disc looks legit, you should have no worries.

That I open it. I explained it was a gift and was considering a claim with eBay, so I didn't want to do that.

Originally Posted by Seymour

Dude, I've gotten Sony releases in Viva cases, and MGM/Lionsgate releases in Vortex cases (all at Best Buy). Like I said, the case and the way it's sealed don't really matter. Frankly, you sound pretty paranoid, when you're talking about what, a $10 BD?

You suggested that I was paranoid, called me crazy, and made an assumption as to how much I paid for the disc.

Originally Posted by Seymour

You don't want to open it, fine. What about the UPC, does it match? 085391108108 What about the artwork, does it have curved edges at the corners? If they're curved, and the UPC is the same, you probably don't have to worry.

You suggested I check the UPC, when the idea of it as a bootleg was never my main concern, rather that it had previously been opened.

[Seymour]

Then quit yer cryin' and send it back!

[buckeye1]

Originally Posted by Seymour

Then quit yer cryin' and send it back!

I 100% agree.

[Fryman86]

My feelings are hurt...

[lkmg]

You can log a complain to Paypal first.