Counterfeit Mystery Minis?

[SaintsRow2008]

I've recently gotten into collecting Mystery Minis, and I'm very interested in buying Abraham Ford and Glenn Rhee from The Walking Dead on eBay, but seeing as how rare they are, anything below 20 dollars seems suspicious to me, which got me thinking -- has anybody here found a bootleg Mystery Mini in the past? I've never heard of that happening before, so I'm curious!

I already know not to buy from listings in China, so I'm probably safe from getting fake Minis either way.

[HowardTheDuck]

The only bootlegs I've ever seen are pops but I'm not about to underestimate what folks out here will do for some coin.

[Geescube]

Steer clear. Theres lots of In Memorium rare scrappers listed selling from China.

Most times if its too good to be true it probably isnt legit

[CaseyJones14]

^This

And the 2 you listed have been known to have plenty of fakes out there.

[SaintsRow2008]

Steer clear. Theres lots of In Memorium rare scrappers listed selling from China.

Most times if its too good to be true it probably isnt legit

^This

And the 2 you listed have been known to have plenty of fakes out there.

Aside from pricing, what are some good indicators a listing is legitimate?

[MyLittleFunkos]

Steer clear. Theres lots of In Memorium rare scrappers listed selling from China.

Most times if its too good to be true it probably isnt legit

^This

And the 2 you listed have been known to have plenty of fakes out there.

Aside from pricing, what are some good indicators a listing is legitimate?

For me, pricing and location are the two biggest indicators. Seldom (and I say seldom because I can't say it never happens) will a person list an older/harder to find/rare mini, or any item for that matter, for less than what it's worth. It seems to be the opposite in most cases. And I won't buy minis from China as I view them as scrappers (pulled out of the factory garbage).

[keyese]

I think someone in a Facebook group posted seeing a fake Gold Bender where someone had just repainted a regular Bender.

[M37R01D]

I've only seen people list repaints off as fakes but not 100% kodi offs

[Nooklin]

There are a few sellers on eBay that I see that sell scrappers from China. Most scrappers primarily come from China, but occasionally someone in the US will buy a bunch and list them. It is best to deal with someone recommended from a Funko group or from on here. There are trading and selling threads on this site that can help. Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for.

[ReggieB78]

I HAVE SEEN FAKE PROTOS FROM CHINA YET THEY HAVE BUYERS IN THE US. THERE IS PROTOS OF ALMOST ALL FUNKO ITEMS BUT LEGIT WAYS OF GETTING IS MAINLY FROM AN EVEN LIKE FUNDAYS, FDO, GEMINI STORE AND A CONTEST IF YOU WON, THEY USUALLY HAVE A NUMBERS OR WORDING UNDER THEIR FOOT . I HAVE SEEN A FEW THAT PEOPLE GOT COA'S WITH THEM, WISH ALL PROTOS HAD COA'S.

AS FAR AS REGULAR OR HARD TO FIND MYSTERY MINIS THERE IS MANY REPAINTING OR PEOPLE THAT KNOW WAYS TO GET THE RAREST ONES EITHER BY A NUMBER ON THE PACKAGE OR THEY CARRY POCKET SCALES.

[Squird]

Start with location, location, location. If you see 'China' probably a scrapper.

Llook at their other sales. If they're listing a huge amount of unboxed Funko product, probably a scrapper.

Look closely at the product itself. If you see paint blemishes or things that look off, probably a scrapper.

Price. Items way below current prices with BIN and free shipping, probably a scrapper.

Scrapper, BTW, is a piece that is flawed or damaged and was meant for the trash heap. Someone pulled it out to sell.

[MzTredecim]

There are a few sellers on eBay that I see that sell scrappers from China. Most scrappers primarily come from China, but occasionally someone in the US will buy a bunch and list them. It is best to deal with someone recommended from a Funko group or from on here. There are trading and selling threads on this site that can help. Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for.

That's nice to know. I've been eyeballing a few lots on eBay but now I'll need to pay more attention. Do the scrappers get numbered on their feet

[Lakers]

If the price is too big of difference in the secondary market, then is not doubt that is not real and your money will be wasted. But they make them look really very close to the real ones.

[mmmrice]

Wow, I didn't even know this was an issue. So from what I've read so far, there aren't counterfeits being made but factory mistakes that are taken from the garbage and resold as legitimate?

[bakivali]

Start with location, location, location. If you see 'China' probably a scrapper.

Llook at their other sales. If they're listing a huge amount of unboxed Funko product, probably a scrapper.

Look closely at the product itself. If you see paint blemishes or things that look off, probably a scrapper.

Price. Items way below current prices with BIN and free shipping, probably a scrapper.

Scrapper, BTW, is a piece that is flawed or damaged and was meant for the trash heap. Someone pulled it out to sell.

Here's a good example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FUNKO-Mystery- ... 2724099428

From China; other items for sale are other loose Funko and toy products; the nose is not colored pink and is missing whisker markings; price is high but still below PPGs. This seller also has an obvious reject one for only $6 in their store, where the flocking looks really rough.

[Squird]

Start with location, location, location. If you see 'China' probably a scrapper.

Llook at their other sales. If they're listing a huge amount of unboxed Funko product, probably a scrapper.

Look closely at the product itself. If you see paint blemishes or things that look off, probably a scrapper.

Price. Items way below current prices with BIN and free shipping, probably a scrapper.

Scrapper, BTW, is a piece that is flawed or damaged and was meant for the trash heap. Someone pulled it out to sell.

Here's a good example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FUNKO-Mystery- ... 2724099428

From China; other items for sale are other loose Funko and toy products; the nose is not colored pink and is missing whisker markings; price is high but still below PPGs. This seller also has an obvious reject one for only $6 in their store, where the flocking looks really rough.

Run away!!!!!

[vtyu221]

Man didnt know this was a thing. would there be other physical indications of fakes such as markings?

[bakivali]

Man didnt know this was a thing. would there be other physical indications of fakes such as markings?

I believe some of the minis have different markings on their feet. For example, regular Bender has a different number stamped than gold Bender. And if someone just repainted a regular one, they might have covered up the stamp.

[Ajo2003]

Sad but seems to be the case in any hobby. Scammers suck!

[bakivali]

Sad but seems to be the case in any hobby. Scammers suck!

Honestly I'm surprised it hasn't been happening more, considering how much some of the really rare minis are going for these days. It might just be they are too hard to replicate efficiently.

[vtyu221]

Man didnt know this was a thing. would there be other physical indications of fakes such as markings?

I believe some of the minis have different markings on their feet. For example, regular Bender has a different number stamped than gold Bender. And if someone just repainted a regular one, they might have covered up the stamp.

Thank you it's a bit difficult cause we'll need to know the markings of the other variants though.

[magicalme]

Steer clear. Theres lots of In Memorium rare scrappers listed selling from China.

Most times if its too good to be true it probably isnt legit

Wow, didn’t know that. No wonder the values have plummeted on this set! Luckily I got them all when the aetbwas first released! One of my faves!

[BerserkerBlack]

I tend to look for location, price, previous listings, multiple listings using the same/stock picture, and feedback. I normally don't run into those issues but when I do its the list I go down

[Kaosu]

Ive never heard about fakes being made of them

[bakivali]

Man didnt know this was a thing. would there be other physical indications of fakes such as markings?

I believe some of the minis have different markings on their feet. For example, regular Bender has a different number stamped than gold Bender. And if someone just repainted a regular one, they might have covered up the stamp.

Thank you it's a bit difficult cause we'll need to know the markings of the other variants though.

Yeah, unless you know someone who has a legit one, or can ask on the boards here or Facebook groups.

[Batz31]

It blows that now you don't get scammed buying minis.

[Mystlurker]

I bought a original Marvel Phoenix mini from ebay, didn't notice it was from China. Was clear it was a scap mini, the spring was all wrong. I got my money back.

[dexiesmom]

I have heard of it. I have some of the older Hello Kitty blind boxes and they are known to be faked a lot.