Due to the popularity of social media platforms like TikTok as well as Xiaohongshu, Pop Mart has gained popularity recently. Most people don’t realize that the Chinese firm actually saw its start in the year 2012 that’s about the same time required to birth children and then nurture 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 some things to remember as you begin your journey and include ways to determine that you’ve purchased an imitation, ways to maximize resale value and ways to display your new collection.
How do you define Pop Mart?
Pop Mart’s influence has rapidly expanded beyond Asia due to word-of-mouth. For China only, 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 dolls and figurines, they offer dollhouses, ball-jointed dolls and other lifestyle products.
Perhaps you’re asking, “How are they different from Funko Pop?” Don’t allow Pop Mart enthusiasts hear that question unless you’re in the middle of trouble. Contrary to Funko Pop, Pop Mart figurines aren’t according to a vaguely cubic model, and are considered slightly more sophisticated.
The company refers to their toys as “art toys”. Although that might sound superficial, Pop Mart has teamed with independent artists and museums to make highly sought-after models. In all, the designs span from popular Minions and the 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 in the past it’s likely that you’ll make the same mistakes in your next journey with a blind box. However, don’t worry – there’s a flourishing Pop Mart community in Singapore and it’s simple to purchase or sell and trade (BST) your toys.
The easiest method for you to start starts by joining to the Popmart Figurine Trade/Sell Singapore group on Facebook. This is primarily a group dedicated to buying, selling as well as trade of Pop Mart Figurines, but as you move along you’ll be able to connect with other fans.
The prices of all figurines available for auction are clearly stated which makes it easy to search for the best price.
If you’re brave, consider hopping into Carousell even though some sellers may find transactions difficult but it’s an excellent location for buyers to find the best Pop Mart figurines. To ensure your security be sure to look for sellers that have “Carousell Protection” on their listings.
2. Avoid boxes that have blurry or dull printing
Pop Mart figurines aren’t cheap A chubby 60cm model was valued at 4500 dollars according to the official Pop Mart Singapore site when we visited in the beginning of September. They’re typically priced between around $10 to $20 on the resale market but a rare model can be sold for much more.
In light of that it’s not a surprise that there’s a huge market for counterfeit products. If you’re buying only from authorized channels there’s no need to fret about counterfeits. However, those who are entering this world of wholesalers need to be aware of these guidelines to avoid being scammed.
In comparison to counterfeits, genuine figurines are packaged in boxes that have vivid colors with clear and crisp printing. Also blurry and dull printing can indicate that the item is not authentic and is a copycat. Fakes could also be afflicted with errors in printing, such as credit and logos that aren’t there, and misspelled words.
Also, keep an eye out for security features like QR codes and holographic labels featuring the logo of Pop Mart They are trustworthy indicators of the quality of the product. Unfortunately, not every series might have these features.
A handful of Taiwanese enthusiasts on YouTube have posted tutorials for identifying fakes. One channel pointed out that foil packaging for knockoffs is not equipped with air holes. Another channel revealed that authentics carry foil packaging that bears the the logo of 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 your own research prior to purchase and read reviews from reputable buyersand check them against the internet list you’re looking at.
If the price appears excessively cheap, then the item may not be genuine.
3. Purchase whole boxes to avoid repetitions
While a significant portion of the appeal of Pop Mart stems from its concept of a blind box Some people put the need for completeness over the excitement of surprise. People with a lot of money are able to purchase “whole boxes” complete sets that include every figurine in the series. This way, it’s difficult to find duplicates.
Certain sets include secrets designs that are often referred to as “chase” figurines. Also, since the full sets don’t include repeated figurines, the chance of obtaining a hidden design is greater than purchasing the boxes on their own.
If you find a hidden design that’s in your box it’ll take the place of a normal model in the whole box. This means that you’ll be in search of the one final regular figurine to make it a complete collection. However, it’s easier and less expensive to purchase regular models on the market for resales rather than purchasing an individual chase figure.
4. Find the best professional -tips from fellow fans on Discord and Xiaohongshu.
In addition to Facebook as well, you can locate Pop Mart groups On Reddit along with Discord. The subreddit r/VinylToys can be an excellent starting point, even though it’s not entirely Pop Mart-centric. It’s a great way to connect with other collectors, who can suggest Discord servers that will allow you to connect with other collectors who are like you and offer advice on where to find the model of your dreams.
The brand also has the officially licensed Pop Mart Xiaohongshu account where they share sneak peeks at new collections and videos of unboxing. You can also buy figurines from the app, however it requires a basic understanding of Chinese since there’s no function for translation for Xiaohongshu.
There are a myriad of tutorials and life hacks on Xiaohongshu however it can take some time to get the algorithm to recognize the type of content you’re looking for. To aid the algorithm look up Pop Mart fan accounts and look up the hashtag #popmart. When the algorithm has it, you’re good to go.
According to a friend who’s absorbed in Akimomo Pop Mart, according to a colleague who is deeply into Pop Mart life, the platform hosts figurine collectors so dedicated that they are able to differentiate figurines that are in blind boxes by their weight. In addition, other users regularly share their suggestions and tricks for how to acquire the figurine you’ve always wanted.
TikTok is another excellent method to locate videos of unboxing. You can see what the figurines appear like in person and is useful for when you’re trying to determine the authenticity of the figurine that you purchased from a retailer.
As with a number of hardcore collectors on Xiaohongshu there’s an elderly lady on TikTok who is able to predict the character inside blind boxes simply through shaking the boxes. Although we won’t be able to be able to absorb her abilities just watching these videos but the videos are amusing on their own.
5. Avoid opening the foil package if you’re thinking of selling the items
Avoid opening the foil packaging until you’re certain that you’re going to keep the toy. If you don’t, the value of resales will drop.
Resellers usually include phrases like “still on foil” or “BNIF” (brand new in foil) to signify how the packaging is in good condition. So , if the authenticity in the packaging made of foil is something you are concerned about, you now know what to look for.
While some sellers might include words like “opened foil to verify” on their websites There’s an easier method of determining the exact figurine you’ve taken. Every box is equipped with a label that identifies the figurine inside, meaning it’s not necessary to remove the foil packaging to determine which model you’ve picked.
A colleague thoughtfully said, “Some people just like the excitement of opening the package and seeing the object first, but not knowing the theme.” The packaging should be treated the way you would give your loved one’s heart with love and tenderness.
To ensure that your figurine is sold at an acceptable price, do not take the box apart.
6. Get acrylic display cases that ensure that your baby is dust-free
To keep your baby in good shape, you can protect your children by storing the cases in acrylic. They can be bought via marketplaces for online shopping like Shopee. A 3-tier box is priced about $20 from trusted sellers.
Pro-tip: the sellers on Tmall It’s similar to Shopee Mall, but for Taobao generally are more reliable with their return policy, which is also more accommodating for customers.
Be sure to keep your figurines away from the sun, or the color will fade quicker than the guy on your OG that claims to keep his drink well. If you’re not concerned about maintaining your figurines in good condition, you are free to put them on the street. In the end, your collection should bring more happiness than worry.
7. Create the funds in a budget
Completionists are forced to finish all of them however it is easy to slip into addiction.
An example of this is a Financial Times article details the incident about “an avid collector who bought 106 KFC meals once to be able to grab an Pop Mart toy as part of a campaign. Some paid proxies to purchase meals for them or put their food away after buying them.”
If you are a “all and nothing” type of person, you should set absolute limitations for yourself. Make a monthly budget for the figurines . Don’t exceed the amount. Remember the collecting of figurines should be a pastime that brings you joy but not at the cost of your quality of living. It’s not worth sacrificing food and rent to buy an extra figurine, or two.
Pop Mart collection tips and tricks
The idea of jumping into a brand new pastime can be daunting It’s not hard to begin with your very own Pop Mart collection. In Singapore there are currently 18 roboshops as well as 6 Pop Mart retail stores at the date of this writing, which means it’s simple to locate authentic toys.
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- March 26, 2025 11:10 pm