I purchased the EKPP Double Edition DVD from Herve Deschamp that documents the Doux de Coly and Gourneyras cave dives by the EKPP in 2002/2003. When I tried viewing the Doux de Coly disc, my DVD player flashed a warning about an improper region code and would not play the disc. Not without some resources, I proceeded to copy the disc and remove the region coding. The copy didn't work either, so I tried to re-author the disc and even tried region coding it for North America. None of my attempts succeeded. After scrapping four blanks, I contacted Herve Deschamp for an exchange or refund. Herve replied by calling me a liar and accusing me of trying to steal his DVD! Figuring I must have caught him on a really bad day, so I proceeded to re-explain the situation, and even went so far as to take an mpeg video of the error. Still Herve continued to call me a thief and a liar, refusing to consider an exchange or refund. This is definately a situation of buyer beware. I now find myself with the unpleasant task of having to warn others of this seriously bad customer experience. The DVD may work fine for you, but if it doesn't, you can probably expect a response like the following.

>>>>>>> JS,
>>>>>>> The double DVD for you is ready and goes in the mail tomorrow morning.
>>>>>>> Hope you enjoy them.
>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>> H

>>>>>> Herve,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Small problemo - you encoded the DVDs with European Region Coding!!!
>>>>>> Region coding is used by the movie industry to prevent distribution of
>>>>>> titles because they have different release dates for north america and
>>>>>> europe. There is no reason to region code your DVDs!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I tried ripping the DVDs and stripping the region code, then tried to
>>>>>> re-author them without region coding, and reven tried to re-code them
>>>>>> with north american region codes. For some reason, it isn't working.
>>>>>> So, I cannot use the DVDs in my DVD player - only on my PC. This is a
>>>>>> problem.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I would suggest you either send me new region-free discs, or I send
>>>>>> these back for a refund. Please let me know which option you prefer.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> js.

>>>>> Only trouble is ... it is not region encoded. I ship it to the US since
>>>>> 2003, I would know....
>>>>> Your condescending email is total BS. You made a copy and want your
>>>>> money back. Nice! So DIR!
>>>>> Neither of your "option" is acceptable. I will remember your name
>>>>> "Morisset". This is a small world, you know.
>>>>> How do you like French customer service, hey?
>>>>> H

>>>> Herve,
>>>>
>>>> I made 4 copies in all (as described in my original e-mail) - none of
>>>> them work in my DVD player. I'm a little astonished that you jumped to
>>>> these conclusions. I have a collection of several hundred DVDs - all
>>>> originals. My claim is legitimate - the DVD does not play in my DVD
>>>> player. To be called a thief because of this is rather insulting. What
>>>> options would you expect me to propose? I tried to fix the region coding
>>>> problem myself, and could not. So, the options were to ask for a new DVD
>>>> or to ship it back. Is there a 3rd option I'm missing? Perhaps you could
>>>> spend a minute and actually think about why this happened. It would be a
>>>> lot more productive than to say I'm trying to steal your DVD. After all,
>>>> it's cost is rather small. It's like if you were accusing me of stealing
>>>> a pack of gum or something.
>>>>
>>>> I have a P&S camera that does MPG video. If I have to, I'll take video
>>>> of me putting the DVD into the player and then the player displaying the
>>>> region coding error. From your rather angry and accusing tone, it seems
>>>> that's what I'll have to do. It's a shame that you would not even
>>>> consider this request as being legitimate.
>>>>
>>>> So, tonight I'll do the little MPG video thing and send you a link to
>>>> the file. I don't think I've come across someone that reacted this way
>>>> when asked about a problem with their product...
>>>>
>>>> Thank you,
>>>> js.

>>> Herve,
>>>
>>> Here's an MPG of me trying to play the DVD.
>>>
>>> [snip!]
>>>
>>> js.

>> Herve,
>>
>> Now that you've had a chance to review and ponder the video for a few
>> hours (see bellow), perhaps you could suggest a plan of action? An
>> apology might be appropriate too.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> js.
>>
>> [snip!]

> ??? I am not doing this for a business and can't stand lyers.
> It's very simple: your DVD player does not play this format and outputs
> a misleading error message.
> You viewed the DVD on your PC. You made a copy (anybody with basic
> English reading skills can
> do it) that you can view on your Sony player. Now that you got it done,
> you want your money back...
> No way. You will not get any other answer from me. You got the treatment
> that you deserved, like it or not.
> H

Herve,

I don't understand why you continue to be so rude - I've been completely
cooperative and have only asked for a refund as one possible scenario.
As you stated, my DVD does not play your disc. I'm glad you've at least
acknowledged this. Is it not reasonable then for me to ask for a disc
that works? And yet you continue to call me a liar and a thief - even
after I showed you that your disc does not play in my DVD player. I fail
to see where I've lied in all this.

I've made four copies of your DVD. I still don't see the problem with
this. All four copies don't work, even after I tried stripping the
region coding and/or choosing a different one. As you said, it's not
difficult. Had the copies worked, I wouldn't have sent you an e-mail,
but they didn't.

It appears your rudeness and dillusions know no bounds. I regret buying
a DVD from someone that has no comprehension of customer service.
Unfortunately this is a case of 'buyer beware'. I'll certainly make sure
others don't make the same mistake.

Please don't bother replying.

Thanks,
js.