How'd you get started collecting Funko Pops?

[Westlos420]

How you got started collecting them?
My brother got me started collecting pops

How many you have now?
im not exactly sure but i would say over 200

How much you'd estimate you've spent on them?
uhh its not something i kept tabs on haha

[FunkoFresh253]

started because they looked cool and had a unique consistent look. Started in mid 2011 at my local comic shops. And was very selective and bought only ones I really wanted and thought had a lot of effort in the molds. At one point I had around 200. I got hooked into collecting entire specific genre (movie/show/cartoon), spent more than i could afford and sold off some sets. And now im back to how I started, with careful collecting, and have a modest but solid selection. I'm sure i've spent over $4000 over the last 6 years.

[ETphonehome]

Started when someone gave me a pop as a present.

[bostoncrab]

Started about 2 months ago. I'm a big fan of 'Saw' movie. Didn't realize there's a Billy pop so I managed to get one. Told myself it would be the only one I'm collecting because if i get more it will be non stop.

A couple days later I found out about Vito Corleone pop from 'The Godfather' which is one of my fav movie of all time. I decided to get him. Unfortunately, there was a promotion 'buy 2 get 1 free' at the store so I ended up getting 2 more. And you know the rest.

Now I have almost 40 already.

[JorEl15]

I got started during SLCC 2014 with baymax and toothless for my now ex girlfriend. It quickly snowballed from there into a massive investment/collection.

[Purplemz24]

I started a couple years ago 2012-2013. I had seen them before at store and thought it was cute but kept on walking (first one I walked away from was Two face... Sad day). My birthday was coming up and I said hmmm I'll treat myself today. Was walking around Barnes and Noble and saw a Robin Pop. Picked him up brought him home and as they say, the rest is history. Couple days later a friend bought me a Batgirl and a Catwoman for my birthday. After that I just continously picked up anything else i liked (mainly batman at first)

It's been a long journey but I have loved it every step of the way!

[booboo79]

Summer 2014. My co-worker showed me pics of his collection and I was hooked. Haven't looked back since.

[riceand1]

Was collecting Pokemon Cards until I got tired of buying multiple packs with non-holo, I switched to Pops and never looked back. Atleast with pops, I know what Im getting.

[keyese]

I started very casually a few years ago; bought a Batgirl, a Wonder Woman, some other comic ones. Then my husband and I started getting into them more with the Avengers ones, and started buying a bunch of them. According to PPG (poppriceguide), we have over 1000 items, but most of those are mystery minis and pint size heroes at this point since we are running out of display space I think we're in the thousands for how much we've spent in the past few years, I don't want to even try to find the exact number Overall it's something we enjoy collecting together, it's fun to hunt them and try to find ones we need, and we love the community and meeting other collectors!

[mel]

I started in 2011 when I saw Pops at Fry's Electronics of all places. I bought a Jiminy Cricket and a Cruella DeVil. It's all been downhill since! Jiminy has also sat OOB on my nightstand right next to me as I sleep since then too, always reminding me to do the right thing ahahahaha

[geekypeeples]

Thank you for this post.
I started collecting Funko Pops because of the Comminuty and Pop Life Love I experienced early in my Funko Pop Life g'journey.
I grew up as an orphan and ward of The State of Ohio. In my early teen years I gravitated toward theatre and comic collecting. I found the theatre notion of ensemble coupled with The Tales of The Uncanny X-Men filling a void left in me for strong, non abusive yet engaging examples of struggles and good times while creating family and community.
My favorite X-Men became Strom, Bishop, Nightcrawler, Kitty, and Phoenix (not a bad lineup ) I found myself and inner struggles represented in them. Feeling at the time like an "other" because of race, religion, gender, and conventional family life dynamics. I would escape in my room into X-Men comics and stay after school for rehearsals praying and fearing the cops would come and take me away from my abusive and drug filled biological home life.
I longed to find a way to navigate the boat I rowed in this sea of dysfunction.

Fast forward past my years homeless, in shelters, boys and foster homes to last summer where I played Demetrius at Elm Shakespeare Company in New Haven Connecticut. My fellow ensemble members of the "lovers quarte" got me a Storm Funko Pop as a cast gift. They Knew how much of a geekypeeples I was and how X-Men Comics helped save my life and childhood sanity. They had no idea what a blessing they gave me while bringing both my passions together. I reasearced what the Storm was they gave me and a few months later found my partner and I standing in line at NYCC Toy Tokyo booth marveling at Methalic Green Rangers and GITD Wolfmen. 300+funkos later and I have camped at SDCC and Funko HQ attended Puerto Rico CCon, ECCC, and Chicago trade days all the while making friends and hearing the stories of so many and how they have come to Love This Pop Life Ensemble we are creating across the world. It awakes the scared child in me who wanted to thrive surrounded by loving family and for me Funko Funatics Family can't be beat. We are strong and resonate we wear our pins, patches, vest and, badges while proudly collecting Funkos high up our room walls. We have meet-ups give to charity buy, sell, flip, collect and trade but we are all bonded by this Pop Life an can't help but be changed by it no matter what's brings us to Freddy Funkos door. I am humbled and blessed to be in this community. Be blessed funatics and Keep Lovin this Pop Life Family.

[valorandvellum]

Hello, Jordan and welcome to the boards!

I purchased my first Pop back in 2015 at SDCC. It was kind of a funny story. My friend, Brett (CaseyJones14), told my BFF and I that it was impossible to get into the Funko booth. My BFF and I are both pretty competitive people so once Brett said that, it basically became our mission to hit up the booth and prove him wrong. There were a couple of failed attempts but in the end we did succeed. I was able to get a Rocket holding Groot Pop, an Olaf Pop, and a mossy Groot Dorbz.

According to my PPG, I have over 200 items (though I think it's probably closer to 300 since I'm terrible at updating, haha). I'm not sure how much I've spent, but I know it has to be in the thousands. The most I ever spent on one item was $400 for a DJ Sona Pop. This is the one and only time I ever spent a large sum of money on one item, but I had to have her.

[Jezter]

Hello and welcome, you may find yourself addicted to them eventually, especially if they release a line you really love or means something to you!

I initially started collecting the Wacky Wobblers, because I had decided since CDS and DVDs were kind of dying off, I still wanted to collect...something, and I always dug bobble heads. I only have a small amount, but then one day I was in Hot Topic and came across Sam and Dean Winchester Pops, and KNEW I had to get them. Love the show and I liked the simple style of them, and how much smaller they were compared to the wobblers, and figured they would be semi easy to display, if I were to buy more.

I came home, looked Pops up online and found there were hundreds more, and each new paycheck after that I'd go out and get 2-3. Marvel, DC, horror, various other randoms...and here I am at about 350 and growing. I hit 3 years in July, so I'm averaging a little over a hundred in a year, pretty crazy when you think about it. Haha

As for price, kind of hard to estimate, since I've bought plenty of other Funko items as well, like Dorbz and mystery minis.
I've also found discounted pops, or super nice people from the forum or Instagram either bought me some and decided they didn't want me to pay, or they shipped them to me for cost. It's a scary thought, but I tend to average the price at around $10 per pop, and then guess around what I spent there, but it's an approximate price since stores and Amazon prices vary.

[geekypeeples]

Welcome to the boards, Jordan! That's so cool that you're doing a story on Funko!

My sister got me my first Funko Pops for Christmas a while ago. They were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Metallic SDCC variants. She knew I loved TMNT. From there I got a few pieces from Game of Thrones and other lines here and there. Once I started learning more about exclusives and other licenses that Funko had, I was hooked! I probably have about 900 Pops now? Gosh... how much spent? I haven't paid more than retail so it'd have to be at least 900 x the average of $11 so at LEAST $9900 over 4 years. And that's not factoring in the 6" or Pop! Rides!

Looking forward to seeing the article!

I heart you Mr. J. and am.so thankful Pop Life brought us together line/trade day buddy.

[cheekylyssa]

Ooo..this is a difficult question. Was racking my brain trying to think which was my first and I have no idea. I think I started simply because they were cute and in fandoms I loved (like Star Wars and comic books) back in 2013 - I think I started buying more of them at comic conventions and then I was hooked and it seemed like they were EVERYWHERE I went, which just made me buy more. LOL Plus they started expanding to even more things I love.

It's funny when I think about it - Pops played a big role in our marriage. We would often pick them up for each other during the time we were dating as they were inexpensive and cute and we were both nerds. Or we'd buy them while we were at a con together. We even intended to have them on our wedding cake (Thor and Sif), but our wedding ended up differently than we planned due to family illnesses. During that period, my now-husband would also buy them for me as a "surprise" pick-me-up during a difficult time. Then before we knew it, we had 445 Pops (plus another 20 or so Dorbz and Rock Candy). I don't even want to fathom what I've spent on them.

We also got other people started! My stepkids and brother have their own mini collections.

[cheekylyssa]

Thank you for this post.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.

[JordanAtSyfy]

This is all so helpful, everyone!

As a follow up, could you tell me what about the Funko Pops keeps you collecting? Why'd you decide to build such a big collection of these, versus other toys or collectibles?

[valorandvellum]

This is all so helpful, everyone!

As a follow up, could you tell me what about the Funko Pops keeps you collecting? Why'd you decide to build such a big collection of these, versus other toys or collectibles?

Honestly, a big part of that is this forum and the community. Funko as a company treats its fans (a.k.a. Funatics) very well. As far as I know, no other toy company does that. I've picked up pieces and collectibles from LEGO, Mattel, Kidrobot, etc. None of those other companies throws great parties like Fundays or gives their communities perks and fun prizes in such a personal way. I think these special gestures raise the spirit of Funatics and in turn causes unwavering brand loyalty. Doesn't hurt that Funko is able to snag all of the great licenses and has a great team of designers on staff either

[Chernabog]

Well, long story short, my first pop was Harley Quinn from barnes and noble from forever ago. I didn't really start collecting until after my dad passed away suddenly due to accident and it felt like an escape from all of the things that were going on but I'm glad that I've been collecting for 3 years strong now!

[Whovian916]

Welcome

I got my gf a couple for Christmas just a few characters she liked. And a couple of months later I saw the 66 Batman set and ordered them all, and from there it's history. Now I'm sitting around 250-300 and it doesn't seem to stop. Slowed down a lot but still going forward

[Jenster521]

My very first Funko purchase was at SDCC 2010. My daughter and I had been walking the floor and saw the Funko booth. Not knowing exactly what they had, we immediately saw Maleficent and bought her since she was our favorite Disney villain. She was huge, metallic, and $50! That was the only purchase we made that day. I even felt guilty buying it but who would've thought it was the beginning of a now 7 year collection?! Metallic Maleficent has stayed in her box ever since. It's been great seeing the growth of the company and number of fans throughout the years!

[turgsaysno]

This is all so helpful, everyone!

As a follow up, could you tell me what about the Funko Pops keeps you collecting? Why'd you decide to build such a big collection of these, versus other toys or collectibles?

Price point, availability, and appeal. They're cool looking, to look at, and they're creatively inspired. They're cool to collect for both kids and grown-ups alike. Most of all, they're cool to display - not like most other toy lines.

[jayncoke]

This is all so helpful, everyone!

As a follow up, could you tell me what about the Funko Pops keeps you collecting? Why'd you decide to build such a big collection of these, versus other toys or collectibles?

For me, it's that Funko has gotten plenty of licenses that appeals to my many interests (TV, movies, comics, etc). I do love the designs. I think also the exclusivity and rarity of some also factor into my wanting them. It also helps that there is an active community surrounding it. It definitely makes it much more fun.

[throneofgames]

Started when someone gave me a pop as a present.

And now you're hooked aren't you?!

[geekypeeples]

Thank you for this post.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.

It's my pleasure appreciate you sharing your thoughts and feelings thank you

[throneofgames]

This is all so helpful, everyone!

As a follow up, could you tell me what about the Funko Pops keeps you collecting? Why'd you decide to build such a big collection of these, versus other toys or collectibles?

I have to agree with what others have said - Funko is a very generous company and takes good care of their fans. I've been to numerous Fundays parties and Funko-Sponsored parties and everyone always walks away with something. And that's not to mention the hundreds or weekly giveaways they do via social media!

Some other thoughts - the sense of community, the friends we've made, stories that have been shared, comic con experiences, these all contribute to why I keep collecting and having a blast with this hobby

Finally, I think the idea of being a completionist keeps a lot of people collecting. While this may not be true to everyone, there are many of us (myself included) that have that inner drive to complete a set and keep it complete when new pops are released. I guess for me, this stems back to being a child and collecting comic cards and sports cards and always wanting to have every single one in the collection (even if sometimes that was impossible because of rarity or monetary value).

[imdustin6]

At first I didn't want to....took a few years. Honestly the look of the eyes bugged me at first. It wasn't until I was decorating my classroom that they released some spidey ones at Walgreens. I already had a few pops from some loot crates and it was when the force awakens pops came out that got me hooked once I saw those troopers....then a friend of mine recommended a local FB group and it all just spiraled from there.

[FunkoRAMA]

I started collecting Funko in about 2005, that's when I attended my first SDCC and Fundays, think I was about 14 back then. I had a decent collection of Wacky Wobblers and Spastik Plastik that I was able to start because of my dad. Ever since then I would buy a few Funko items here and there every month. Funko Force came out and it was a step in the right direction, then Pop's! debuted and it was basically the type of collectible vinyl figure I was waiting for (was interested in Mighty Muggs, Kidrobot) that was way easier to store and display. I remember one of my first pops being the Green Lantern SDCC Glow that came in the dome (sorry guys long gone haha, college expenses arrived). Fast forward to now and my collection is over a thousand Pop's deep and still growing, still becoming harder to store and display haha

[ryminsquest]

Started working at Disney Animation in 2013 and wanted stuff for my desk. Went to Burbank Barnes and Noble. They had the general mills set, michael jackson, biggie/tupac, old Disney, etc. Those were the days!

[Tony_Pops]

I've only started collecting about 2 months ago. I didn't even know what Funko pops were, till one day I was searching through Amazon for rock and roll action figures, and I run into the pop for Lemmy from Motorhead, and I was floored, I had to have it, so I do a search for more music related Funko pops, and that led me to see just what a wide variety the brand makes. so my next pops were the set of the HBO series Silicon Valley. then I come to realize that these Funko pops are a big thing with a huge fan base, and there were lots of things to learn about, release dates, and how some pops are exclusive to certain shops/stores, and the pops listed as "chase" are the most valuable. and then there's this forum, with many knowledgeable people. I'm still learning today. it's an awesome hobby. Metallica pops are next on my list

[WildberryPOPtarts33]

I was looking for all things Attack on Titan at a local con, and low and behold I saw some figures or Eren and Mikasa. After I bought them, my friend said that he had a few pops too and that we should look into it more. Down the rabbit hole we went! Never looked back!

[tiger99885]

I started when I signed up for the very first box of Mavel Collecter Corps. My first pop I picked up happened to be Captain America from the Ulton line. My last count is 302 pops and dorbz. I have no real clue how much I have spent on them.

[Brotha_man_davw]

So my friend got me a Glenn pop as a Christmas gift . Glenn is my favorite character from the walking dead and I really liked the detail on it . Then I did some research and I saw they had Star Wars pops from the force awakens and the other movies and Harry Potter pops. I knew it was over . I started googling how and when new Star Wars pops would be released . That's how I found out about funko twitter and IG accounts and that's how I just keep up with colllecting

[Munkyss4]

I started collecting when I saw king leonidas
I was hoping not to collect them, but now I have
Like 200 and something

[cheekylyssa]

This is all so helpful, everyone!

As a follow up, could you tell me what about the Funko Pops keeps you collecting? Why'd you decide to build such a big collection of these, versus other toys or collectibles?

What keeps me collecting is the variety of licenses - it's either something I love right now or something that brings back warm childhood nostalgia fuzzies, especially since my parents couldn't usually afford buying that stuff at the time (like Voltron or She-Ra.) I am also a Barbie collector (mostly vintage and some moderns, usually historical or fantasy) - that collection has flexed up and down (currently very down and not really increasing) and the thing I appreciate about Funko - unlike say, Mattel - is that they are engaged with their fanbase and diehard collectors. They surprise and delight their loyals, and pick our brains for what we'd like to see. As a shopper/collector, a brand that is more engaged with me is a brand I'm more engaged with. (Ugh, I know I went marketing-speak there but I work in marketing, LOL.) Although I've been collecting for a few years, I've only recently become involved in the larger Funatic community and I find the people are awesome and kind and helpful and I think that keeps people in collecting too.

I also think the price point makes it VERY EASY to collect and continue to collect pops. It's pretty easy to drop 9-12 bucks for a Pop vs the $60 and up on most collectible lines. Many of the niche sellers (like Hot Topic or Gamestop) add additional sweeteners by doing buy x, get x type sales or multiples (buy 3 for 25, etc.)

One more marketinghead thought: I think Funko makes excellent use of gamification strategies in terms of exclusives and variants to motivate customer behavior.

Also they're so darned cute!

[Themadpatter]

I started collecting in 2014 I think it was. Can't remember. But the reason I found pops was because I was looking for Renly Baratheon merchandise bc he's my favourite game of thrones character. Thus, I bought him (back when he was £10) and started getting all of GoT then branched out. Have 300 or so I think

[ETphonehome]

Started when someone gave me a pop as a present.

And now you're hooked aren't you?!

Kind of, I started looking at other lines and bought a few more than I expected

[Mauibrah]

My lady and I went to our first ECCC and randomly and saw the commotion at the funko booth. We stood in line, picked up our first figures (the ones we owned previously were gifts) and 6 months later we haven't looked back since.

[SincityFunko]

Thank you for this post.
I started collecting Funko Pops because of the Comminuty and Pop Life Love I experienced early in my Funko Pop Life g'journey.
I grew up as an orphan and ward of The State of Ohio. In my early teen years I gravitated toward theatre and comic collecting. I found the theatre notion of ensemble coupled with The Tales of The Uncanny X-Men filling a void left in me for strong, non abusive yet engaging examples of struggles and good times while creating family and community.
My favorite X-Men became Strom, Bishop, Nightcrawler, Kitty, and Phoenix (not a bad lineup ) I found myself and inner struggles represented in them. Feeling at the time like an "other" because of race, religion, gender, and conventional family life dynamics. I would escape in my room into X-Men comics and stay after school for rehearsals praying and fearing the cops would come and take me away from my abusive and drug filled biological home life.
I longed to find a way to navigate the boat I rowed in this sea of dysfunction.

Fast forward past my years homeless, in shelters, boys and foster homes to last summer where I played Demetrius at Elm Shakespeare Company in New Haven Connecticut. My fellow ensemble members of the "lovers quarte" got me a Storm Funko Pop as a cast gift. They Knew how much of a geekypeeples I was and how X-Men Comics helped save my life and childhood sanity. They had no idea what a blessing they gave me while bringing both my passions together. I reasearced what the Storm was they gave me and a few months later found my partner and I standing in line at NYCC Toy Tokyo booth marveling at Methalic Green Rangers and GITD Wolfmen. 300+funkos later and I have camped at SDCC and Funko HQ attended Puerto Rico CCon, ECCC, and Chicago trade days all the while making friends and hearing the stories of so many and how they have come to Love This Pop Life Ensemble we are creating across the world. It awakes the scared child in me who wanted to thrive surrounded by loving family and for me Funko Funatics Family can't be beat. We are strong and resonate we wear our pins, patches, vest and, badges while proudly collecting Funkos high up our room walls. We have meet-ups give to charity buy, sell, flip, collect and trade but we are all bonded by this Pop Life an can't help but be changed by it no matter what's brings us to Freddy Funkos door. I am humbled and blessed to be in this community. Be blessed funatics and Keep Lovin this Pop Life Family.

Thanks for sharing your awesome story always nice seen you in all over the cons. See you soon buddy

[geekypeeples]

Thank you for this post.
I started collecting Funko Pops because of the Comminuty and Pop Life Love I experienced early in my Funko Pop Life g'journey.
I grew up as an orphan and ward of The State of Ohio. In my early teen years I gravitated toward theatre and comic collecting. I found the theatre notion of ensemble coupled with The Tales of The Uncanny X-Men filling a void left in me for strong, non abusive yet engaging examples of struggles and good times while creating family and community.
My favorite X-Men became Strom, Bishop, Nightcrawler, Kitty, and Phoenix (not a bad lineup ) I found myself and inner struggles represented in them. Feeling at the time like an "other" because of race, religion, gender, and conventional family life dynamics. I would escape in my room into X-Men comics and stay after school for rehearsals praying and fearing the cops would come and take me away from my abusive and drug filled biological home life.
I longed to find a way to navigate the boat I rowed in this sea of dysfunction.

Fast forward past my years homeless, in shelters, boys and foster homes to last summer where I played Demetrius at Elm Shakespeare Company in New Haven Connecticut. My fellow ensemble members of the "lovers quarte" got me a Storm Funko Pop as a cast gift. They Knew how much of a geekypeeples I was and how X-Men Comics helped save my life and childhood sanity. They had no idea what a blessing they gave me while bringing both my passions together. I reasearced what the Storm was they gave me and a few months later found my partner and I standing in line at NYCC Toy Tokyo booth marveling at Methalic Green Rangers and GITD Wolfmen. 300+funkos later and I have camped at SDCC and Funko HQ attended Puerto Rico CCon, ECCC, and Chicago trade days all the while making friends and hearing the stories of so many and how they have come to Love This Pop Life Ensemble we are creating across the world. It awakes the scared child in me who wanted to thrive surrounded by loving family and for me Funko Funatics Family can't be beat. We are strong and resonate we wear our pins, patches, vest and, badges while proudly collecting Funkos high up our room walls. We have meet-ups give to charity buy, sell, flip, collect and trade but we are all bonded by this Pop Life an can't help but be changed by it no matter what's brings us to Freddy Funkos door. I am humbled and blessed to be in this community. Be blessed funatics and Keep Lovin this Pop Life Family.

Thanks for sharing your awesome story always nice seen you in all over the cons. See you soon buddy

Thank you For taking the time to read my post it's much appreciated. Yup see you soon I'm gonna try to hit up Sin City for the Toy Show at Sas Town on the 23rd before NYCC