This is a Member Guest Blog Post from PopaTop22. He would probably admit himself that he spends too much time with Funko Pops but that allowed him to formulate opinions on how to get around the ever increasing flood of fakes.

As Funko Pop collecting continues to grow, so does the market for counterfeit figures. While some replicas are easy to spot, others can closely mimic the originals, making it essential for collectors to know what to look for. Here are the top tells of a replica Funko Pop and why using a reputable grading company like PSA is crucial for ensuring authenticity and preserving value.

Top Signs of a Replica Funko Pop

1. Box Quality and Print

Authentic Funko Pop boxes have clean, vibrant printing with no blurring or color inconsistencies. Check for:

• Misspelled words on the packaging.
• Incorrect fonts or logo designs.
• Lower-quality cardboard or uneven folds.

Here are some examples  –

Check out the Pop’s PPG Database Item page to see if one of the volunteers has already added Fake photos and other fake related info!

2. Sticker Authentication

Special edition or exclusive Pops often have stickers on the box (e.g., Comic-Con exclusives). Fake stickers may look off due to poor alignment, color mismatches, or incorrect wording.

3. Paint and Mold Details

Examine the Pop itself:

• Authentic figures have precise paint jobs and clean edges. Replicas often have sloppy or inconsistent paint applications.
• Check for rough or uneven molds, as counterfeits often lack the fine detail of genuine items.

4. Bottom of the Box and Figure

Look for the Funko copyright information and serial numbers:

• Legitimate Pops have crisp, consistent stamps or prints.
• Counterfeits may have missing, misspelled, or low-quality markings.

5. Price Too Good to Be True

If a rare Funko Pop is priced significantly below market value, it’s a red flag. Always cross-check prices with PPG before making a purchase (if Price Points are not recent check also with other sources).

The Role of PSA in Funko Pop Collecting

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is a trusted name in the collectibles industry, providing authentication and grading services for Funko Pops. Here’s why using PSA can elevate your collecting experience:

1. Ensured Authenticity

PSA’s experts meticulously inspect each Funko Pop to confirm its legitimacy, protecting collectors from unwittingly buying replicas.

2. Condition Verification

PSA grades Pops based on box condition, figure integrity, and overall presentation, giving collectors confidence in their purchase.

3. Value Protection

A PSA-graded Funko Pop adds credibility and transparency to its market value. Graded figures are easier to resell and often fetch higher prices due to their certified condition and authenticity.

4. Long-Term Preservation

PSA encapsulates graded Funko Pops in tamper-proof cases, ensuring long-term protection from damage or wear.

Why Authenticity Matters

Counterfeit Funko Pops devalue the collectible market and can leave collectors feeling cheated. By educating yourself on spotting fakes and using a reputable grading company like PSA, you can build a collection that holds its value and reflects your passion for authentic collectibles.

Invest in your collection’s future by ensuring every piece is genuine and graded — it’s a decision you won’t regret.

And if you can help by adding Fake photos to PPG reach out the team here!

The post Spotting a Replica Funko Pop: Tips for Collectors and the Role of PSA in Authenticating Your Collection appeared first on Pop Price Guide.

After eBay’s recent investment in Funko, we (and others) thought that the spate of fake Pop! figures would change on the e-commerce site.

So when we checked earlier today for more Price Points for the 1950’s Elvis, eBay showed 24.  Of them, 20 featured the King in his original packaging.

And all of them (ALL 20 OF THEM!) were fake.  And of the four out-of-box figures, only one was genuine.  Someone even paid $400 for a fake out-of-box Elvis!

That is fake percentage of 96 percent!  New collectors would never even know, as it seems they all come from China and sell for about $30-40.

eBay is really doing the community a disservice.  And I did not even mention all the Fake Stickers eBay earns money on.

This is a problem for all honest collectors, Funko and elsewhere, and needs to be stopped.

What are your thoughts? Have you ever fallen victim to an eBay scam? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Fake Funko Pop! Figures Becoming Increasingly Common on eBay appeared first on Pop Price Guide.

In the world of collecting, the unfortunate truth is that you can never have too much information when it comes to determining an item’s authenticity.

Dr. Applesauce has a keen eye for spotting fakes.

Now the man behind the hit YouTube channel “Collecting with Dr. Applesauce” has asked to join the Pop Price Guide community, in a partnership to help raise awareness of fake items and other Funko-related issues.

The Doc is well-known for his role in the collecting community via his YouTube channel, which boasts 13.6K followers.

In some of his videos, he meticulously breaks the tell-tale signs of spotting scams and fake items — delving into the hidden nuances of fakes, from stamps to differing fonts and much more.

Says Dr. Applesauce:

“In any type of collectible hobby, fakes are a huge, huge issue. That counts for Funko Pop!s. That counts for Hot Toys. That counts for baseball cards. That counts for Hot Wheels. Pretty much anything that has value or that people are going to want to buy and collect and that somebody can make a quick buck off of it, there are going to be fakes.”

As we know, this issue is super important to our PPG’ers. We wanted to bring this content to you, directly within PPG. Thus, the PPG Anti-Fake Coalition was born.

The Coalition’s goal is to disseminate this information within the PPG database to help you make a more-informed decision when it comes to making a safe purchase.

As we’re now able to add an unlimited amount of images to our galleries, we can add specific images from the Doc’s videos on how to spot fake items. Thus, helping you avoid buying a bad Pop! You will also find a link to the complete videos located on specific items in the PPG database.

Added images

We’re looking to add images of fake items on the pages of Pop! figures that are often replicated. An example can be found in the images of Freddy Funko (Pennywise).

https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/catalog_items/freddy-funko-pennywise

External videos

If you’re still unsure about authenticity from looking at its images, scroll to the bottom of its item listing page (below the Related Items and recent eBay/hobbyDB sales) to the External Links option. Here you will find helpful and relevant videos pertaining to that item. To demonstrate, here is Freddy Funko (Pennywise), once again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oI9W4spJEY

Join the PPG Anti-Fake Coalition

We’re looking for Funko enthusiasts with YouTube channels and other related media to join the PPG Anti-Fake Coalition and help us limit fakes while improving buyer protections.

Also, have a good eye or experience when it comes to spotting fakes? We’re always searching for volunteers to join the PPG team to help ensure the accuracy of the site. If interested, reach out to us via the green Contact hobbyDB button located on the right side of every page.

The post Pop Price Guide and Dr. Applesauce Partner to Form PPG Anti-Fake Coalition appeared first on Pop Price Guide.