Gabe Ginsberg / Contributor / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Editorial Use Getty Images License - Getty Editorial Use Funko Pop! vinyl figures are displayed during ToyCon 2020 at the Eastside Cannery Casino Hotel on March 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada | Getty Editorial Use
Funko Pops are the Beanie Babies of the 2010s, and they're still going strong. These pop culture collectibles draw in loads of people every year, with limited editions scaling new heights on the auction block. We're shedding some light on the Funko Pop craze, and whether you're a longtime collector or just getting into the game, these are some secrets well worth knowing.
5 Quick Tips for Curating a Funko Pop Collection That Steals the Show
Don't fall prey to the Beanie Baby craze; quantity doesn't equate to quality with Funko Pops. Whether you're building a personal collection or curating one to sell yourself, these tips will help you make smart decisions.
Set a Budget in the Beginning
While you can walk away with a nice haul of Funko Pops for under $30, the rarer ones will cost a pretty penny. With something with a lower cost-to-entry like Funko Pops, it's easy to spend a lot upfront. A solid way to start a Funko Pop collection is by giving yourself a monthly, bi-annual, or annual budget. Having a budget in place can ensure that you don't overdo it before you have a feeling for average resell prices, market fluctuations, and your collecting style.
ROBYN BECK / Staff / AFP / Getty Images Editorial Getty Images License - Getty Editorial Use Jen Scott (L) sells Funko Pop Captain Phasma and Chewbacca action figures to costumers Jennyfer Duncan, 28, and her husband Adam Duncan, 30, at Meltdown Comics and Collectibles in Los Angeles on October 30, 2015 | Getty Editorial Use
Learn the Lingo
Collecting often involves buying from resell sites. Maximize your browsing time by learning the common lingo that sellers use in their listings.
You don't want to miss out on a competitive flash deal because you didn't search for the right things. The Funko brand has a handy guide to their basic vocabulary, but some of the special terms to look for include:
- Chase: Chase Funko Pops are variants to the regular vinyl character and are produced as limited editions with as few as 10 releases in some cases.
- Exclusive: Exclusive Funko Pops are made for and sold exclusively through a particular retailer, at a specific location/event, and so on. For example, many Exclusive Funko Pops debut at Comic-Con every year.
- Grail: Grail Funko Pops are highly collectible vinyl characters with substantial price tags.
- Proto/Prototype: Proto Funko Pops are the models created in pre-production, and few of them make it to the resell market.
- Vaulted: Vaulted Funko Pops are vinyl figures that have been retired.
Keep an Eye Out for Limited Editions
Contrary to popular belief, Limited Edition Funko Pops won't always break the bank. Yet, by nature, they come from a smaller production run so have the ability to increase value over time.
Look at the front of a Funko Pop vinyl box for a limited edition sticker or badge in the bottom right corner. For example, one of the most expensive Funko Pops ever sold — a Clockwork Orange figure — includes a sticker at the bottom right that notes it as a "Limited Edition Glow Chase" character.
Funko Pop serial numbers can be confusing. Just remember that the serial numbers on the box only correlate to the characters in that specific series. If you come across two different characters with the same serial number, it's probably not a mistake.
Trust That OOB Listings Aren't Trying to Scam You
As you expand your Funko Pop collection, you'll come across "OOB" listings. These "Out of Box" listings mean that the Funko Pop doesn't come in the original box.
Historically, being out of the box could slash a collectible toy or doll's value, but that isn't the case for Funko Pops. Depending on the character's popularity and design, they can still rack up an impressive price tag. So, don't discount OOB listings at first glance.
Mat Hayward / Contributor / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Editorial Use Getty Images License - Getty Editorial Use Cameron Deuel and Hilary Gray of Funko display the ECCC exclusive Fireman PEZ Pal Funko Pop! during the first ever Funko Emerald City Virtual Con at Funko HQ | Getty Editorial Use
Pay Attention to New Releases
Buying through resellers is an easy place for most collectors to start, but when you're ready to take things to the next level you need to get in on the ground floor. This means paying attention to new releases, whether that's by waiting for drops on the website or heading to events where limited editions have a chance of popping up.
Funko Pop Collecting Is for Anyone & Everyone
Don't let serious collectors intimidate you — anyone can start a Funko Pop collection! With a little monetary investment and some smart decisions, you can get a robust vinyl Funko Pop collection curated today!
