How to Spot Fake Figures Before You Buy Online
That bargain Funko POP or anime statue can look like the find of the year - right up until it arrives with a blurry box, strange paintwork and a character that is slightly more cursed than collectible. Learning how to spot fake figures is not about taking the fun out of the hunt. It is about protecting your display, your wallet and the excitement of adding a genuine piece of your favourite fandom to the shelf.
Counterfeits exist across the collector world, from vinyl figures and premium statues to Pokémon toys, action figures and blind-box-style collectibles. Some are obvious. Others borrow convincing photos, familiar branding and just enough detail to catch a buyer rushing for a limited release. The good news: a few smart checks can make a huge difference.
How to spot fake figures before you buy
The safest time to identify a fake is before payment has left your account. Start with the listing itself, not the product photos alone. A genuine-looking image does not prove the seller owns genuine stock - it may be a polished promotional image copied from an official release.
Look for a clear product name, the character or franchise, the manufacturer and a sensible description. Licensed figures usually name the brand behind them, such as Funko, Banpresto, Good Smile Company, Hasbro, Mattel, Bandai or another recognised maker. If a listing avoids naming the manufacturer altogether, uses vague wording like “inspired by”, or calls a figure “Funko style” rather than Funko, treat that as a warning.
Price matters too, but not in the way many collectors think. A low price is not automatic proof of a fake. Retailers run promotions, older stock can be reduced, and a common figure may simply be easier to find. The concern is a price that makes no sense for the product: a supposedly rare exclusive for a fraction of its usual value, a current premium statue priced like a keyring, or a newly sold-out release offered in bulk by an unknown seller.
Pause when the deal feels impossibly good. Missing out on a grail is frustrating, but paying for a fake is worse.
Check who is selling it
A trusted seller should be easy to identify. Look for a proper business name, clear contact details, returns information and secure payment options. For marketplaces, check how long the seller has been active, read recent feedback rather than just the overall score, and see whether reviews mention packaging, authenticity or customer service.
Be especially careful when a seller has lots of identical “rare” figures, only uses stock images, or has a catalogue that jumps between unrelated products with no collector knowledge behind it. Genuine specialist retailers tend to understand release dates, variants, condition expectations and the difference between a standard edition and an exclusive.
At FanofThings, official stock, clear customer support and straightforward returns are part of the point. Whether you shop with us or elsewhere, those practical trust signals are worth looking for.
Inspect the box, but do not rely on it alone
Packaging is one of the quickest ways to spot problems, particularly with boxed vinyl figures. Counterfeiters often copy the front artwork well enough at a glance, but the finer details give them away.
Check that logos are sharp and correctly placed. Official licensing marks, manufacturer logos, barcode labels and age ratings should be clean, readable and consistent with the brand’s normal packaging. Fuzzy printing, washed-out colours, uneven borders and spelling mistakes are classic red flags. So are box windows that look unusually thin, cloudy or poorly fitted.
Compare the box to known genuine examples of the exact release. The word exact matters. Packaging can vary by region, production run, retailer exclusive or re-release, so comparing a UK release with an overseas version may lead you to the wrong conclusion. Look at the character name, box number, side-panel art, sticker position and copyright information together rather than judging one detail in isolation.
A box with a tiny crease is not counterfeit proof. Collectors know that transit damage happens. What matters is whether the printing, branding and construction feel wrong, not whether the cardboard is pristine.
Know which stickers and codes should be there
Exclusive stickers attract plenty of attention, and plenty of fake listings. A sticker can be copied or added later, so it should never be the only reason you believe a figure is genuine. Check whether the sticker design matches that release and region, and whether the seller is presenting an ordinary figure as an exclusive just because a sticker has appeared on the window.
Product codes and serial numbers can help, but they are not a magic authenticity test. Some genuine items have different codes depending on the batch or market, while counterfeits may reproduce a real code. Use codes as one clue alongside packaging, provenance and seller reputation.
Look closely at the figure itself
When you can inspect a figure in person, slow down and look at the details a quick photo hides. Genuine licensed collectibles are made in factories too, so a minor paint mark or a slightly uneven line does not automatically mean fake. Quality control can vary, especially on mass-produced items.
The bigger concern is a pattern of poor finish. Watch for rough mould lines, sharp plastic burrs, mismatched limbs, loose joints, sticky surfaces, strong chemical smells or paint that looks thick and messy. Facial details are often revealing: eyes may be off-centre, pupils may be different sizes, and printed features can look soft or oddly placed on counterfeits.
Colour is another useful clue. Compare the figure with official product imagery, while allowing for lighting differences in photos. A fake may use noticeably wrong shades, gloss where there should be a matte finish, or metallic paint where the real release has a flat colour. Character proportions can also be off - a head too narrow, hands too large or accessories that do not sit properly.
For figures with stands, check the fit. Official pieces are designed to balance as intended, even if a dynamic pose needs a support. A figure that will not connect to its base, leans dramatically or has pegs that are clearly the wrong size deserves closer scrutiny.
Be cautious with photos and pre-orders
A genuine seller may use official promotional photos for a pre-order, especially before stock arrives. That is normal when the listing clearly states it is a pre-order, gives an expected release window and explains that final packaging may differ. The risk comes when a seller claims to have a product in hand but only shows manufacturer images.
For a higher-value purchase, ask for clear photographs of the actual item. Request the front, back, base and any relevant labels. A legitimate private seller should not be offended by a polite authenticity question, although they may reasonably protect serial details. Avoid anyone who refuses all photos, sends blurred images repeatedly, or pressures you to pay outside the marketplace’s protected checkout.
Never let panic buying make the decision for you. “Only one left” can be real, but it can also be a tactic. If a listing is genuine, a few minutes spent checking it should not make the opportunity disappear.
Understand the grey areas collectors encounter
Not every unusual figure is fake. Some are genuine imports, older production runs, convention editions, retailer exclusives or items with packaging intended for another market. A box may carry different warning labels or a different sticker from the version you have seen in UK shops. That is why a single discrepancy is rarely enough to make a call.
There are also custom figures, repaired figures and loose figures without their original box. These may be perfectly legitimate as long as they are described honestly. A custom is not the same as an official collectible, and its value should reflect that. If a seller uses the word “custom” only in tiny print while the headline suggests an official rare release, walk away.
For mystery boxes, sealed packaging is part of the experience, but it is still worth buying from a retailer that clearly identifies the brand and product line. A loose, unbranded “mystery figure” may be fun at a low price, yet it should not be represented as an official blind-box release.
What to do if you think you have bought a fake
Keep everything: the listing screenshots, order confirmation, seller messages, packaging and photos of the product. Do not throw away the parcel until the issue is resolved. Contact the seller calmly, explain the specific concerns and ask for a return and refund through the platform or payment method you used.
If the seller becomes evasive, use the buyer protection route available to you. Clear photos comparing the item with official release details are more useful than simply saying it “looks wrong”. If you paid by a protected method, act promptly and keep communications within the platform where possible.
The best collection is not necessarily the biggest or the rarest. It is the one that feels right when you look at it - your favourite characters, genuine details and no lingering doubt about what arrived at your door. Take the extra minute before buying, then make space on the shelf for something worth showing off.