I was going with the bootleg theory.  If the 
DVDs were sold as R1 DVDs and were in reality 
bootlegged VCDs, that would constitute seller 
misrepresentation (tantamount to selling a 
fancel as the original).  If someone says in 
their item description "These are region one 
DVDs", it's silly to expect someone to write the 
seller and ask, "Excuse me, are you lying?"  An 
unwillingness to take people at their word would 
place an undue burden on the auction system.

Of course, you should read item descriptions 
carefully in order to cover your own rear.  As 
someone pointed out earlier, there is a BIG 
difference between someone saying "These are 
region one DVDs" and someone saying "These discs 
will play in a region one DVD player".