With the advent of social media platforms like TikTok or Xiaohongshu, Pop Mart has been getting more and more popular recently. However, the majority of people are unaware that the Chinese business actually had its start in the year 2012 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 enough time to start with your very own Pop Mart collection. We spoke with avid collectors to compile an inventory of items to remember when starting out and include ways to determine whether you’ve bought an imitation, ways to maximize resale value and the best way to showcase your new collection.

How do you define 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”. While Pop Mart is best known for their highly sought-after dolls and figurines, they offer dollhouses, ball-jointed toys, and lifestyle items.

You’re probably thinking, “How are they different from Funko Pop?” Don’t allow Pop Mart enthusiasts hear that question unless they’re seeking trouble. In contrast to Funko Pop, Pop Mart figurines weren’t created according to a vaguely cubic design, and they’re regarded as slightly more sophisticated.

The company refers to their toys as “art toys”. Although that might sound like a pretentious description, Akimomo Pop Mart has teamed with independent artists and museums to make highly sought-after models. The designs span from the mainstream Minions up to Mona Lisa. It’s a mystery.

1. Trade or sell your repeats Carousell, Facebook & Telegram

If you’re lucky enough to have you saved a whole nation in the past there’s a good chance you’ll have a similar experience in your travels with your blind box. However, don’t worry – there’s a flourishing Pop Mart community in Singapore that makes it simple to purchase or sell (BST) your collectibles.

The easiest method to begin would be to sign up for 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 collectors.

Prices of all figurines that are up to auction are clearly displayed which makes it easy to find the best price.

If you’re brave, consider hopping into Carousell even though certain sellers have difficulty completing transactions but it’s an excellent spot for buyers to search the best 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 blurry or dull printing

Pop Mart figurines aren’t cheap The chonky model was listed at around $4,000 at the time of our visit to the official Pop Mart Singapore site when we visited in the beginning of September. They’re typically priced between 10 to $20 on the resale marketplace however, coveted models may be sold for much more.

With this in mind there’s no reason to be surprised that there’s a thriving market for counterfeit products. If you’re buying only from those who are authorized, you don’t have to worry about counterfeit products. However, those who are entering this world of wholesalers must pay attention to the following guidelines to avoid being scammed.

As opposed to fakes figurines come with bright colours with clear and crisp printing. Also blurry and dull printing is a sign that the item is a fake. Fakes can also display errors in printing, such as credit and logos that aren’t there, and misspelled words.

Also, be sure to look for security options such as QR codes and holographic labels with the Pop Mart logo on them These are an excellent indicator of the authenticity of the product. Unfortunately, not all models are equipped with these features.

A handful of Taiwanese fans on YouTube have posted tutorials for identifying fakes. One of them 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 your own research prior to purchase by reading product reviews from trustworthy buyersand check them against the internet listing you’re considering.

If the price is unusually cheap, then the item is not likely to be genuine.

3. Buy the entire box to avoid repetitions

Although a lot of the appeal of Pop Mart comes from its blind box idea Some people put the desire for completion over the excitement of surprise. People with a lot of money can purchase what’s referred to as “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, sometimes referred to “chase” figurines. Since these sets don’t include repeated figurines, the chance of obtaining a hidden design is much higher than purchasing the boxes on their own.

If you find a hidden design inside your entire box it’ll take the place of a normal model in the whole box. That means 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 find regular models on the market for resales rather than purchasing the chase model.

4. Find the best professional -tips from fellow fans on Discord and Xiaohongshu.

In addition to Facebook and Twitter, you can discover Pop Mart Communities On Reddit as well as Discord. The subreddit r/VinylToys is 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 suggestions on how to get the perfect figurine.

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 purchase figurines using the app, but it requires a basic understanding of Chinese since there is no function for translation available on Xiaohongshu.

There are plenty of tutorials and life hacks on Xiaohongshu but it takes 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 explore the hashtag #popmart. Once the algorithm is able to recognize it, you’re set.

According to a friend who’s absorbed in this Pop Mart life, the platform has a large number of collectors who are so fervent that they are able to distinguish figurines contained in blind boxes on the basis of their weight. In addition, other users frequently share suggestions and tricks for how to find the exact figurine you’re looking for.

TikTok is another excellent option to search for videos that are unboxed. You can see what the figurines appear like in the real world as well as useful in case you want to verify the authenticity of a statue that you purchased from a retailer.

Like a lot of collectors on Xiaohongshu There’s an elderly lady on TikTok who is able to predict the contents of blind boxes shake them. While we’re not able to magically take her magic through watching these clips but the videos are enjoyable on their own.

5. Avoid opening the foil package if you’re intending to sell the product

Avoid opening the foil packaging unless you’re certain that you’re going to keep the item. Otherwise, the value for resales will drop.

Resellers typically have words like “still on foil” or “BNIF” (brand new in foil) to signify it is the case that foil remains 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 words like “opened foil for checking” in their listing There’s an easier way to determine which model you’ve picked. Every box is equipped with a label that identifies the figurine inside, meaning you don’t have to remove the foil packaging to determine which model you’ve picked.

However, a coworker thoughtfully said, “Some people just like the excitement of opening it and seeing the object first, without having any idea of the theme.” The packaging should be treated the way you would take care of your partner’s heart with love and tenderness.

To ensure that your figurine will fetch an appropriate price, don’t take the box apart.

6. Purchase acrylic display cases to keep your children free of dust

To keep your baby in good shape, you can protect your children by storing the cases in acrylic. They are available through 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 they are more reliable as well as their policy on refunds is much more accommodating for customers.

Be sure to keep your figurines away from the sun as the paint will wear faster than the guy who is in the OG that claims to be able to handle his drink well. If you’re not concerned about keeping your figurines in top condition, you are free to let them on the street. Your collection should bring you more pleasure than stress.

7. Make the funds in a budget

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 one time to obtain an Pop Mart toy as part of a campaign. Some paid proxies to purchase food for them , or simply removed their meals after purchasing them.”

If you are a “all and nothing” type of person, establish some strict boundaries for yourself. Make a monthly budget to purchase figurines, and make sure you don’t go over the limit. Remember collecting 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 activity can be a bit overwhelming however, it’s not too difficult to begin with your very own Pop Mart collection. In Singapore there are 18 roboshops and six Pop Mart retail stores at the moment of this article, so it’s simple to locate authentic toys.

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