Due to the popularity of social media platforms like TikTok as well as Xiaohongshu, Pop Mart has been getting more and more popular over the last few years. However, the majority of people are unaware that the Chinese firm actually saw its beginnings 12 years ago that’s about the same time required to birth children and then nurture them until they’re old enough to pass the PSLE.
But it’s never too late to begin with your very own Pop Mart collection. We talked to avid collectors to compile an inventory of items to keep in mind when starting out with your collection, such as ways to know that you’ve purchased an imitation, ways to increase resale prices and the best way to showcase your new collection.
Is it really a Pop Mart? Pop Mart?
Pop Mart’s influence has rapidly expanded beyond Asia because of the power of word of mouth. For China in particular, the company has 288 stores and more than 1,800 figurine vending machines referred to in the industry as “roboshops”. Although Pop Mart is best known for their famous figures, the company also offer dollhouses, ball-jointed toys, and other lifestyle products.
Perhaps you’re thinking, “How are they different from Funko Pop?” Don’t allow Pop Mart enthusiasts hear that question unless you’re in the middle of trouble. In contrast to Funko Pop, Pop Mart figurines weren’t created according to a vaguely cubic design, and they’re regarded as to be a bit more sophisticated.
The company refers to their toys as “art toys”. Although that might sound like a pretentious description, Pop Mart has teamed with independent artists and museums to make highly sought-after models. The designs range from popular Minions up to Mona Lisa. It’s a mystery.
1. Trade or sell your repeats Carousell, Facebook & Telegram
If you’re not lucky enough that you saved the entire nation during your previous life it’s likely that you’ll have a similar experience in your travels with your blind box. However, don’t worry – there’s a vibrant Pop Mart community in Singapore that makes it simple to purchase or sell and trade (BST) your collectibles.
The easiest method to begin starts by joining to the Popmart Figurine Trade/Sell Singapore group on Facebook. This is primarily a group dedicated to buying, selling or trade of Pop Mart Figurines, but as you move along you’ll be able to connect with other collectors.
The prices of all figurines available to auction are clearly displayed which makes it easy to find the most affordable price.
The brave soul can look into getting on Carousell even though certain sellers have difficulty completing transactions but it’s an excellent location for buyers to find to purchase Pop Mart figurines. To ensure your security be sure to look for sellers that have “Carousell Protection” on their listings.
2. Beware of boxes with poor or blurry print
Pop Mart figurines aren’t cheap A chubby 60cm model was valued at $4,000 at the time of our visit to the official Pop Mart Singapore site when we visited in the beginning of September. The typical price is 10 to $20 on the resale marketplace however, coveted models may be sold for much more.
In light of that there’s no reason to be surprised that there’s a thriving market for counterfeit products. If you’re buying only from authorized channels you don’t have to worry about counterfeits. However, those who are entering wholesalers must pay attention to the following ways to avoid being scammed.
In comparison to counterfeits, genuine figurines come with vivid colors with clear and crisp printing. Also blurry or dull printing is a sign that the item is a fake. Fakes can also display errors in printing, such as lacking logos and credits and misspelled words.
Also, keep an eye out for security options such as QR codes or holographic stickers with the Pop Mart logo on them They are an excellent indicator of the quality of the product. Unfortunately, not every series might have these features.
A handful of Taiwanese fans on YouTube have posted tutorials for identifying fakes. One channel pointed out that foil packaging for knockoffs is not equipped with air holes, and another channel pointed out that authentics come with foil packaging that is emblazoned with the logo of The logo from Pop Mart.
It’s a fact that anything that appears cheap and unprofessional is most likely to be fake. The best option is to conduct some research before you buy and read reviews from reputable customers, and then check them against the internet list you’re looking at.
If the price is unusually cheap, then the item may not be genuine.
3. Buy the entire box to avoid repetitions
While a significant portion of the appeal of Akimomo Pop Mart stems from its blind box idea However, there are some who place the desire for completion over the excitement of surprise. People with a lot of money are able to purchase “whole boxes” which are sets that contain every figurine in the series. This way, it’s difficult to obtain duplicates.
Certain series contain hidden designs, often referred to as “chase” figurines. Also, since the full sets don’t include repeated figurines, the likelihood of getting a unique design is much higher than purchasing the boxes on their own.
If you find a hidden design that’s in your box it’ll be in the place of a normal model in the whole box. That means you’ll be in search of the last figurine to make it a complete collection. However, it’s easier and more affordable to find regular models in the resale marketplace rather than purchasing the chase model.
4. Find the top pro-tips from fellow Discord users and Xiaohongshu.
In addition to Facebook and Twitter, you can discover Pop Mart Communities On Reddit along with Discord. The subreddit r/VinylToys can be an excellent starting point, even though it’s not entirely focused on Pop Mart. It’s a great way to communicate with other collectors, who can suggest Discord servers, where you can meet fellow collectors, as well as advice on where to find the perfect figurine.
The company has the officially licensed Pop Mart Xiaohongshu account where they post sneak peeks of new collections and videos of unboxing. It is possible to purchase figurines using the app, but it requires a basic understanding of Chinese since there’s no translation feature available on Xiaohongshu.
There are a myriad of tutorials and life hacks on Xiaohongshu but it takes some time to get the algorithm to recognize the information you’re looking for. To aid the algorithm look up Pop Mart fan accounts and explore the hashtag #popmart. Once the algorithm is able to recognize it, you’re set.
According to a friend who is a fervent participant in Pop Mart, according to a colleague who is deeply into Pop Mart life, the platform hosts figurine collectors who are so fervent that they are able to distinguish figurines that are in blind boxes by their weight. Additionally, other users regularly share their suggestions and tricks for how to acquire the figurine you’ve always wanted.
TikTok is another fantastic option to search for videos that are unboxed. It lets you see how the figurines appear like in person as well as an excellent reference in case you want to verify the authenticity of the figurine that you purchased from a retailer.
Like a lot of collectors on Xiaohongshu There’s an elderly lady on TikTok who is able to determine the character inside blind boxes shake them. Although we won’t be able to be able to absorb her abilities just watching these videos however, they are enjoyable on their own.
5. Avoid opening the foil package if you’re thinking of selling the items
Avoid opening the foil packaging unless you’re certain that you’re going to keep the toy. If you don’t, the value of resales will decrease.
Resellers typically have words like “still within foil” or “BNIF” (brand new in foil) to show how the packaging is in good condition. So , if the authenticity in the packaging made of foil is something that you care about, you now are aware of what to look for.
While some sellers might include phrases like “opened foil for checking” on their websites however, there’s an easier way to determine the exact figurine you’ve taken. Every box is equipped with a sticker that indicates the figurine inside, meaning it’s not necessary to remove the foil packaging to see which one you’ve picked.
A colleague was wise to say, “Some people just like the excitement of opening the package and seeing the item first, without having any idea of the theme.” The packaging should be treated as you would take care of your partner’s heart – with tender care and tenderness.
To ensure that your figurine is sold at an appropriate price, don’t tear the box.
6. Get acrylic display cases that ensure that your baby is dust-free
To ensure that your children are in good shape, you can protect your children by storing the cases in acrylic. They can be bought through websites that sell online, such as Shopee. A 3-tier box is priced about $20 from trusted sellers.
Pro-tip: the sellers on Tmall is similar to Shopee Mall, but for Taobao they are more reliable, as well as their policy on refunds is much more accommodating to customers.
Make sure your figurines are kept out of the sun, or the color will fade quicker than the guy who is in the OG that claims to keep his drink well. If you’re not concerned about maintaining your figurines in good state, you can let them on the street. In the end, your collection should bring more happiness than worry.
7. Create an amount of money
Completionists are forced to finish all of them However, it can be easy to slip into addiction.
An example of this is a Financial Times article details the tale about “an avid collector who purchased 106 KFC meals at once to obtain an Pop Mart toy as part of a campaign. Others used proxies to buy meals for them or removed their meals after purchasing them.”
If you are a “all all or none” type of person, establish some strict limitations for yourself. Set a budget for the month for figurines, and make sure you don’t go over the limit. Remember collecting figurines should be a pastime that makes you happy however, not at the price of your enjoyment of living. It’s not worth the sacrifice of the cost of food and rent to get an extra figurine or two.
Pop Mart collection of tips and tricks
The idea of jumping into a brand new activity can be a bit overwhelming however, it’s not too difficult to begin the process of creating your personal Pop Mart collection. In Singapore there are 18 roboshops and six Pop Mart retail stores at the moment of this article, so it’s not difficult to locate authentic toys.