i saw something weird in Pacific Mall today...

[tinlunlau]

i was shoppin' around pacific mall today, gladly bought a used copy of the chinese edition of "Batman: Child of Dreams" at the bookstore today for $2. (2 volumes....it was a buck for a book). so i went over for a copy of Batman Begins at a bootleg store (hey ...hey...i supported the movie legit too...saw it in the theatre and paid full price for it). anyway, it got weird...i saw a group of cops going in, looking like they're going to raid the place and people are crowding around the store, probably wondering if the store will get raided again. but nothing happened....those cops weren't making arrests, they weren't raiding the place. they were shopping for bootleg dvd's. wish i had a camera along with me at the time but man...it was odd.


btw, star wars episode 3 (legit region 1 dvd) is on sale at cd-dog. bit too expensive. $27.95 plus tax. i'll wait for walmart to sell it for cheap.

[jaigandhi5]

:lol:

If you can't beat them, join them

:lol:

[MizTEcK]

lol :lol: cops are ppl too... and people like saying money :)

[Yukikaze]

who know's maybe they were doing some undercover work. Take back some evidence and then come back with a full force of raids. :lol: So what were the reactions to the store owners when they saw cops? :lol: :lol: :cheesygri

[Anessa]

either the cops are crooked (most likely) and they wanted a cops discount lol :lol:

[emz]

just a quick question on the Pacific mall security guards: how come i've never seen an asian security guard working? or is there one but i just never see him/her? is the reasoning behind it some sort of bias or fear that they'll let "their people" slide?

i've just always found that weird...and amusing, i guess.

[RSD]

why buy bootlegs???? jsut get em yourself

[MizTEcK]

ressistance is futile

[FearSonic]

Quick question: If you're a cop, are you not allowed to have anything bootleg like that?

[Jump]

Yeah I'm guessing they just go and buy them now too or get bribed with free DVDs :lol:

Last time I was there my friends and I spotted a few Police cruisers parked near the entrance but when we were inside, no cops were raiding the place.

[Anessa]

Comes need bootlegs for downtime at the station. How else they going to enjoy those donuts and other tasty pastries?

[christine_sakura]

actually the cops did raid them..every store got shut down for weeks! bagged cartfull of pirated dvds, videotaped the store, took pics and had the security guards surrounding the place. at that time my reaction was..NOOO the CHEAP dvds r gone!!! :( couple weeks later, i go back to the mall the stores r open again with pirated dvds of western movies hehee they never stop. its not the first time they were raided.

[MizTEcK]

actually the cops did raid them..every store got shut down for weeks! bagged cartfull of pirated dvds, videotaped the store, took pics and had the security guards surrounding the place. at that time my reaction was..NOOO the CHEAP dvds r gone!!! :( couple weeks later, i go back to the mall the stores r open again with pirated dvds of western movies hehee they never stop. its not the first time they were raided.
its too profitable to quit, the actual cost for all those dvds cops confiscated is really really tiny. so the shop owners simply go "o *****... ah well"

[emz]

its too profitable to quit, the actual cost for all those dvds cops confiscated is really really tiny. so the shop owners simply go "o *****... ah well"

yeah but aren't they fined or something? shouldn't they be taken to court and what not? (i'm not familiar with laws in canada about piracy but I know in the states its a huge thing - ie. those disclaimers at the beginning of each movie)

[x86asm]

its too profitable to quit, the actual cost for all those dvds cops confiscated is really really tiny. so the shop owners simply go "o *****... ah well"

lol..cost of doing business :lol:

[MizTEcK]

yeah but aren't they fined or something? shouldn't they be taken to court and what not? (i'm not familiar with laws in canada about piracy but I know in the states its a huge thing - ie. those disclaimers at the beginning of each movie)
its COPYRIGHT laws.... they get fined a couple grand... boooooooo hooooooo, that's like 3 days of profit... big deal, especially the fines here in canada... not as severe

[poppa]

yeah but aren't they fined or something? shouldn't they be taken to court and what not? (i'm not familiar with laws in canada about piracy but I know in the states its a huge thing - ie. those disclaimers at the beginning of each movie)

Last raid at Image & Sound, no charges were pressed I believe (Correct me if I'm wrong). Police said they were unaware of piracy laws in Canada and seized all the bootlegs. Which means they got a warning.

[gamovafan]

LOL, it's probably like the prohabition period where bootleggers paid certain policemen not to raid them.

[emz]

its COPYRIGHT laws.... they get fined a couple grand... boooooooo hooooooo, that's like 3 days of profit... big deal, especially the fines here in canada... not as severe

2 grand, that's it? glad I live here and not in the US ;)

however, if the police want to make a point, why dont they raid them every chance they get? ie. everytime they reopen their shop..i mean what else are they gonna sell once they reopen? REAL dvds???

on a side note: my dad bought 4 or 5 dvds (american movies) for $20 from one of those stores (which I warned him against) and turns out only 1 of them works well, 2 are poor quality, and the other 2, there's nothing there. lol. "I told you so!" I'm not sure if that's usually the case with American movies because I know my sister and cousin have purchased several asian dvds from pacific mall and never had any problems

[Anessa]

LOL, it's probably like the prohabition period where bootleggers paid certain policemen not to raid them.

i wouldn't be surprised if a scandal came up where certain cops took kickbacks from Pacific Mall in the coming months or years.

[BeaverLiquor]

they on work to rule...they need to save money since they are not writing tickets now

[Geologic]

btw, star wars episode 3 (legit region 1 dvd) is on sale at cd-dog. bit too expensive. $27.95 plus tax. i'll wait for walmart to sell it for cheap.

I don't know who would actually buy it even if its a legit dvd, its more expensive than it would be when it actually releases Nov 1. If you can't wait I guess (star wars geek.. I mean fanatic).

Now if it was a straight copy of the DVD on bootleg I would buy it!.. :lol:

on a side note: my dad bought 4 or 5 dvds (american movies) for $20 from one of those stores (which I warned him against) and turns out only 1 of them works well, 2 are poor quality, and the other 2, there's nothing there. lol. "I told you so!" I'm not sure if that's usually the case with American movies because I know my sister and cousin have purchased several asian dvds from pacific mall and never had any problems

I think you have to tell the difference. The new releases that just released into the theatre and not available on DVD yet are usually CAM movies that are pretty low quality. You might get lucky with a few of those being copied from VCD but they are still low quality.

I usually just buy the movies that have been released on DVD, they are straight copies of the originals.

[tinlunlau]

actually the cops did raid them..every store got shut down for weeks! bagged cartfull of pirated dvds, videotaped the store, took pics and had the security guards surrounding the place. at that time my reaction was..NOOO the CHEAP dvds r gone!!! :( couple weeks later, i go back to the mall the stores r open again with pirated dvds of western movies hehee they never stop. its not the first time they were raided.


well, not tonight they didn't. these cops came in with uniform, shopped around and left with whatever they bought. i even stopped by again a few minutes later and i see the lady in the store laughing about how they were just shopping. and the store was still open.

[PSiBeR]

just a quick question on the Pacific mall security guards: how come i've never seen an asian security guard working? or is there one but i just never see him/her? is the reasoning behind it some sort of bias or fear that they'll let "their people" slide?

i've just always found that weird...and amusing, i guess.

actually everytime I go to PMALL I always spot asian security guards, theres a female one I always see and a couple male ones. They don't look like they're "fit" enough to be security guards... but if sh1t does go down, do u think they will take part in it?? probably not.

Just walk'n around pretending they securing place and getting their chedda :cheesygri

oh yea about those western dvd's... never get fooled into them just because the covers all nice and fit in a dvd case.

they will either not work properly or produce very poor quality.

you're better downloading it yourself.

[Big Steve]

the reason why they do that without any arrest is to show people that are on STRIKE now, even they saw bootleg DVD in front of them, they ain't gonna to do anything.........lol :cheesygri

[Azxster]

You retards, York Region isn't on strike.

[WiZZLa]

Cops normally buy movies from there. It's been seen before, so this is nothing new.

ressistance is futile
so is the spell checker!

[felix]

LOL, it's probably like the prohabition period where bootleggers paid certain policemen not to raid them.
Or maybe they get under the table money like in Asia? :)

[MizTEcK]

Cops normally buy movies from there. It's been seen before, so this is nothing new.


so is the spell checker!

blame Ryan for not integrating ms word into the bulletin script :D

[tinlunlau]

haha~! i was with Big Steve when it happened.

[sxz]

The funny thing is, a good amount of those DVDs are basically empty discs. I remember my friend buying a bunch of DVDs from Pacific Mall and after returning to Ottawa, he tried them all and about 3/4 of them were fakes. :lol:

[GateGuardian]

Actually, I used to know a "friend of a friend", who was a customs officer and had all the pornos that was ever confiscated at the border, so his basement is like a huge library ......

[Anessa]

Actually, I used to know a "friend of a friend", who was a customs officer and had all the pornos that was ever confiscated at the border, so his basement is like a huge library ......

Yeah it would be cool to see all the confiscated weapons and pornos...those lucky customs pricks :mad:

[nfnx]

cops are people too, when they are off on break they go and get some dvds. no big deal.

as for security guards, yah there are atleast 2 asians.

[Piccolo]

i was shoppin' around pacific mall today, gladly bought a used copy of the chinese edition of "Batman: Child of Dreams" at the bookstore today for $2. (2 volumes....it was a buck for a book). so i went over for a copy of Batman Begins at a bootleg store (hey ...hey...i supported the movie legit too...saw it in the theatre and paid full price for it). anyway, it got weird...i saw a group of cops going in, looking like they're going to raid the place and people are crowding around the store, probably wondering if the store will get raided again. but nothing happened....those cops weren't making arrests, they weren't raiding the place. they were shopping for bootleg dvd's. wish i had a camera along with me at the time but man...it was odd.


btw, star wars episode 3 (legit region 1 dvd) is on sale at cd-dog. bit too expensive. $27.95 plus tax. i'll wait for walmart to sell it for cheap.

Call me naive, but I honestly don't believe that cops were buying bootleg DVD in UNIFORM (??). That's just really dumb. Unless it was for some police business.

[tinlunlau]

Call me naive, but I honestly don't believe that cops were buying bootleg DVD in UNIFORM (??). That's just really dumb. Unless it was for some police business.


then, explain why the lady in the store said they bought dvd's in her store.

[elephant]

These DVDs are getting ridiculous. Its one thing to copy a movie when its ALREADY on DVD, thats sort of expected. LIke back then, you lend your friend a CD, you basically expect them to dub the songs they like on their casette tape. Now, we have computers that can burn DVD, so same idea.

But, these DVDs at Pac Mall are now the SAME movie that is being played at the theatre. That to me is a bit overboard. At least let them make the money in the theatre then copy the DVDs.

Also, on City TV, they once did a show on this, and said most of these stores help support Organized crime. Which I can believe too.

Now with that idea, I certainly don't want to help organized crime. They provide weapons to kids/adults, stealing cars, etc.....

So I've bascially stopped buying any fake DVDs. Most of their quality is horrible anyways.

[Pete00]

just a quick question on the Pacific mall security guards: how come i've never seen an asian security guard working? or is there one but i just never see him/her? is the reasoning behind it some sort of bias or fear that they'll let "their people" slide?

i've just always found that weird...and amusing, i guess.

There are a couple asian security guards working there

[keanefan]

what's the point of buying cheap quality dvds?

just go to movie theatre, bring food from home, and watch 3 movies in one day for one price ticket.

usually- you can tell by the first 15 minutes, if you are interested in the movie. if you don't like the movie- switch to another movie.

[elephant]

what's the point of buying cheap quality dvds?

just go to movie theatre, bring food from home, and watch 3 movies in one day for one price ticket.

usually- you can tell by the first 15 minutes, if you are interested in the movie. if you don't like the movie- switch to another movie.


Good point, but if you have >4 friends, its cheaper to own that fake DVD for $4-5, watch it at home on a nice LCD or Plasma tv.

Stats are saying with the nice TV home theatre systems in USA now, ppl are all staying home in their nice system, no more stupid ppl laughing at the wrong times, sticky floors, or rude people that have their stupid cell phones ring in the middle of the movie.

[Anessa]

Good point, but if you have >4 friends, its cheaper to own that fake DVD for $4-5, watch it at home on a nice LCD or Plasma tv.

Stats are saying with the nice TV home theatre systems in USA now, ppl are all staying home in their nice system, no more stupid ppl laughing at the wrong times, sticky floors, or rude people that have their stupid cell phones ring in the middle of the movie.

and no 12-15 bucks being charged for admission! That's been me and my movies for the longest time...getting a fake and staying home. Plus my couches beat any movie theatres hands down. Got a nice Sharp LCD and surround sound so perfect home theatre goin on :cheesygri

[wanted]

Is it illegal in Canada to buy fake DVDs?

Sell and produce I beleive.

[divx]

what's the point of buying cheap quality dvds?

just go to movie theatre, bring food from home, and watch 3 movies in one day for one price ticket.

usually- you can tell by the first 15 minutes, if you are interested in the movie. if you don't like the movie- switch to another movie.
which movie threater allows you to bring food from home?

[Anessa]

and what movie theatre will allow you to eat prime rib roast during the movie? :cheesygri...oh and you can't pause and rewind in a movie theatre.

[tinlunlau]

and what movie theatre will allow you to eat prime rib roast during the movie? :cheesygri...oh and you can't pause and rewind in a movie theatre.

well, there are a few in hong kong...
they let you watch the latest movies in a living room setting, complete with champagne and so forth. i read about it in a magazine once.

[Flyer]

It gets better. Applegreen's at Market does mods on the PS2. We saw a cop go in the day after the pmall raid to pick up a few fake games and a modded PS2 from Ed. All you hear was, "Great, my son is going to LOve these."

[WiZZLa]

usually- you can tell by the first 15 minutes, if you are interested in the movie. if you don't like the movie- switch to another movie.

15 minutes isn't enough and movie theatres know that. I've seen movies where the first 15 minutes were bad, but the movie became great later on, and movies where the first 15 minutes were great, but by the middle & end, I was ready to walk out. ...and doesn't the 15 minute refund policy including trailers & coming attractions?

[Anessa]

well, there are a few in hong kong...
they let you watch the latest movies in a living room setting, complete with champagne and so forth. i read about it in a magazine once.

ah us Chinese are always the innovators ;).

[Anessa]

It gets better. Applegreen's at Market does mods on the PS2. We saw a cop go in the day after the pmall raid to pick up a few fake games and a modded PS2 from Ed. All you hear was, "Great, my son is going to LOve these."

it's never a bad thing having a cop who buys merchandise from you. at least he might cut you a break on a speeding ticket or something or get them 'taken care of' lol...

[alkapone]

either the cops are crooked (most likely) and they wanted a cops discount lol :lol:

.......and should they get caught......they will COP a plea :razz:

[alkapone]

....when it comes to satellite....a dealer guy I knew...says he had a lot of law enforcement types getting their 'cards' done.

[alkapone]

lol :lol: cops are ppl too... and people like saying money :)


Yes.....they like us...like to save a few coppers :razz:

[Anessa]

....when it comes to satellite....a dealer guy I knew...says he had a lot of law enforcement types getting their 'cards' done.

yeah I heard that even Mounties do their NFL Sunday Ticket...and they're the ones in charge of cracking down on grey market satellites? friggin hypocrites!

[PSiBeR]

It gets better. Applegreen's at Market does mods on the PS2. We saw a cop go in the day after the pmall raid to pick up a few fake games and a modded PS2 from Ed. All you hear was, "Great, my son is going to LOve these."

I always pass by that store @ Market, never knew they did modding, I always thought the place for ppl to chill play games and sh.t

[runamuck]

maybe they were on "break"... err..


i wonder if the sales clear actually sold it to them..thats a tuff position2b in!

[IceMan77]

it's never a bad thing having a cop who buys merchandise from you. at least he might cut you a break on a speeding ticket or something or get them 'taken care of' lol...

ROFL.....

Being "friend of the police" is an absolute must these days. Bootleg DVDs aren't Leaf's tickets, but hey whatever works. :)

[Truth]

Only time i support buying the actual authentic real dvd/video/music cd from a legit store is if the product is a)hard to find, b)so good you need the real version c) you are a fan who needs the real deal so a few years down the road your kids can enjoy reading/looking at the cover art and reading the info plus looking at the Artist's photo's b4 listening or viewing the medium.

Lets say i'm a Prince fan and i really wanted a live dvd set of his, i'd rather save up my hard earned $$$ and buy the real dvd rather then buy the duplicate. Why? Maybe the person who filmed the duplicate was not a pro and there is extra noise in the background or the actual filming sucked. Same thing goes with movies.

I'd rather have the real deal with good quality (still sometimes the real deal offers crappy quality! ;( )

I don't mind having a few bootleg version of movies though, especially if the certain movie is heavily distributed at Hmv or wheverever and cost a bit more then i can afford. Since the supply of the product is high, i don't see too much reason in purchasing the real copy unless i plan to save it for the next generation to come or so.

just my personal ways.

[Txiasaeia]

I don't mind having a few bootleg version of movies though, especially if the certain movie is heavily distributed at Hmv or wheverever and cost a bit more then i can afford. Since the supply of the product is high, i don't see too much reason in purchasing the real copy unless i plan to save it for the next generation to come or so.

just my personal ways.

So who says you need it as soon as it comes out on DVD? Why can't you wait until the price drops & legally purchase it?

[Anessa]

So who says you need it as soon as it comes out on DVD? Why can't you wait until the price drops & legally purchase it?

Let's agree to disagree here. Some people don't want to pay retail aka full price and some people love being legal. There'll always be this divide in this thread.

[Yaowsers]

Most of the cops that actually go to PM and "raid" these stores are only doing it because they are being told to do it. The majority of them couldn't give a rats ass about people selling copied discs. I've said it once and I'll say it again. Cops are involved with illegal activity a lot more than you think.

Get with the times. Money trumps most things in life

[Anessa]

^^ yep look like Bill McCormack's son...taking all those kickbacks and protection monies from clubs and stuff on the Entertainment District. He just got found out by the media then IA came in...other than that the cops wouldn't bust one of their own.

[Txiasaeia]

Some people don't want to pay retail aka full price and some people love being legal.

You don't have to pay full price, and you can be legal too - it requires *patience* until the price of the movie has dropped to a reasonable level. If people are that impatient to see the movie, they can usually rent it for free from a local library. Talking about buying bootleg copies of DVDs isn't exactly kosher, either.

[Anessa]

It never drops to the price of bootlegs until maybe 10 years after the fact. For some people, they wont wait to be legal. I know for some DVDs, I sure as hell wont :cheesygri

[mingming]

You don't have to pay full price, and you can be legal too - it requires *patience* until the price of the movie has dropped to a reasonable level. If people are that impatient to see the movie, they can usually rent it for free from a local library. Talking about buying bootleg copies of DVDs isn't exactly kosher, either.

Where have you seen DVD's at $20 for 5?

[divx]

Where have you seen DVD's at $20 for 5?
you can rent dvd for $1 at shopper's drugmart, that's what i do, rent like 3 at a time.

[morkys]

Maybe the work to rule has gone so far that the police are not only refusing to arrest suspected criminals, but perhaps they have decided to commit crimes themselves by buying bootleg dvd's....lol...hahaha...jk

But seriously, maybe it is for evidence.

BTW...where does York region end and Toronto begin? Are all GTA cops on work to rule? Or just Metro Toronto?

[akito925]

you can rent dvd for $1 at shopper's drugmart, that's what i do, rent like 3 at a time.


you can rent dvds at shoppers druggie mart?? when did this happened??? I was at shoppers last week didn't see anything like that..