Funko Fakes!

What to look out for when adding to your Funko Pop collection.

Part of the fun of collecting is hunting down that one rare item that’ll make your collection complete! Once found, it’s like the clouds part and a beam of light anoints you. You are glowing. Your feet hover about three inches above the ground. You have completed your mission successfully. Nothing could ruin that moment–except maybe finding out that that elusive item is a fake. It’s sad to say, but when there is money to be made in a specialized market, there are fakes to snuff out. Here, we will give you a few tips on how to avoid bringing home a Funko fake.

Look at the sticker.

Some exclusive Funko Pops have stickers fixed to the front of the clear protective plastic. A quick tip is to turn the box around so you can see through the backside of that sticker. If you can easily read or see through the backside of the sticker, it’s a safe bet you’ve got an authentic Pop in your hands. Fakes may be opaque or white, not meant to see through. So make sure you check out the sticker first.

Look For The Serial Number

No sticker on the front? No problem. The next step is to check the bottom of the box. Funko Pops will have a serial number printed on the bottom of the box somewhere. There’s a couple examples below. It’s not always printed in the same exact spot, but there should definitely be a number printed on the box or on a sticker.

Double Check

While we’re here, it’s not a bad idea to double check the figure in the box against the number on it. Funko Pops have the serial number printed on the figure in a couple of places. First check the bottom of the foot or the base of the stand if the figure has one. It should have the serial number as well as other information there.

The next place to check is at the base or bottom of the head. If there’s no number at either spot, I’d get suspicious.

Last But Not Least

Here’s a few other red flags to look out for. Often counterfeiters get the printing on the box off juuuust enough for it to be noticeable…if you’re looking. Make sure you check out the printing on the box. Are the letters clear or cloudy? Does the font look just a little blurry, or crisp? This could mean the difference between an authentic Pop or a fake. Also, fakes are often discolored. The figures are either too dark or the sheen is not quite right. With enough discernment you should be able to spot a Funko Fake in plenty of time to avoid the inevitable disappointment.

Now, with a little bit of knowledge in your back pocket, you should be ready to get back on the hunt. Good luck, and have fun! Need I mention a great place to start is at Fanboys Marketplace? We have a huge selection of Funko Pops to choose from and so much more! Come on in today and see how we can help you complete whatever your collection is.