You've seen them. On TikTok, on your friend's desk, maybe even clutched in the hands of a celebrity at an airport. Those little monsters with the floppy ears, big eyes, and a single, sharp tooth. That's LABUBU, and right now, getting one feels like trying to get a concert ticket for the world's biggest pop star.
I'm not going to lie, it's chaos out there. As someone who runs PopNya and has been in the designer toy game for years, I've seen hype cycles before. But the LABUBU fever is different. The demand is astronomical. So, if you're wondering how to get a LABUBU, you're not alone. The good news is, it's possible. The bad news? It takes a plan. This is my playbook.
The Official Gauntlet: Pop Mart or Bust
First things first: the source. All official LABUBU figures are produced and distributed by Pop Mart. This is your ground zero. If you want a chance at retail price, this is where you start. But it's not as simple as walking into a store.
So, how to get LABUBU from Pop Mart? You have three main battlegrounds: the app, the website, and the physical stores.
1. The Pop Mart App & Website
This is where the digital Hunger Games take place. Pop Mart announces new series drops on their social media, and on launch day, you have literally seconds to buy. I'm not exaggerating. I've seen series like The Monsters Exciting Macarons sell out in under 30 seconds.
If you want to even have a chance, you need to be prepared. Here's how to buy Labubu on Pop Mart like a pro:
- Download the app (`how to get labubu on popmart app` is a common question, just search for "Pop Mart Global" in your app store).
- Create an account before the drop.
- Save your shipping address and payment information. Every second counts.
- Turn on notifications for the app.
- Be logged in and on the product page at least five minutes before the official drop time. Refresh like your life depends on it.
Honestly, even with all that, your chances can be slim. The bots are fast. But this is the best way to get a Labubu on Popmart for its intended price.
2. Physical Pop Mart Stores
"Can you buy Labubus in store?" Yes, and it can sometimes be easier than fighting the online bots. Pop Mart has been expanding its physical locations, and if you live near one, you have a home-field advantage. But they have their own set of rules.
Most stores now have a strict "one case per person" or even "three single boxes per person" rule on launch days to prevent resellers from clearing them out. I've seen lines form hours before opening. It's a whole event. The vibe is actually pretty cool if you're into the community aspect, you meet other collectors, trade tips, and share the pain of not pulling the secret.
A little insider tip: Get to know the staff at your local store. They can sometimes give you a heads-up on when they expect restocks. Don't be annoying about it, but being a friendly regular has its perks. This is one of the only reliable answers to what stores sell real Labubus, the official ones.
This is where things get wild. A standard LABUBU retail price for a single blind box is usually between $15 and $17 USD. A full case of 12 boxes will run you about $180-$200. That's the baseline.
The secondary market is a different universe.
The moment a series sells out on Pop Mart, the prices on resale sites explode. I'm talking $30-$40 for a common, non-secret figure from a hyped series. And the secrets? Forget about it.
Let's talk about a very specific example: the Tan Labubu. You probably know him as "Tycoco" from The Monsters Exciting Macarons series. This little guy in his brown macaron shell became an overnight sensation, partly thanks to Lisa from Blackpink being seen with one. Retail chance? About $17 in a blind box. The day after those photos went viral, I saw Tycoco selling for over $180 on StockX. In three weeks. That is not a typo. From a $17 chance to a $180+ figure. That's the power of hype.
So when you see a LABUBU for $50, your first question shouldn't be "is that a good deal?" but "what was the retail price, and why is it this price now?"
The Wild West: Navigating the Resale Market
So Pop Mart is sold out. Now what? Welcome to the secondary market. This is where you'll spend most of your time hunting. It's also where you're most likely to get ripped off if you're not careful. Here's where to buy authentic LABUBU when the official channels fail you.
1. Reputable Online Retailers
There are a handful of independent designer toy stores (like my own, PopNya) that are a labubu legit store. We work hard to secure official stock to make it available to collectors. Yes, the price might be slightly higher than Pop Mart's retail. Why? Because we have to factor in international shipping, customs fees, and the cost of doing business. The trade-off is that you get a secure transaction, guaranteed authentic products, and you're supporting a small business in the collector community. It's a reliable way to check out LABUBU and secure a figure without the stress of a drop.
2. Marketplaces (StockX, eBay, Mercari)
These platforms are a mixed bag.
- StockX: They have an authentication process, which is a huge plus. You're less likely to get a fake. The downside? The prices are dictated by pure hype and can be astronomical. It's a good place to check the current market value, though.
- eBay & Mercari: It's the wild west. You can find some deals, but you can also find a ton of fakes. You MUST do your homework. Check the seller's rating, read reviews, and scrutinize the photos. If the price seems too good to be true, it is.
3. Social Media (Facebook Groups, Discord, Instagram)
This is the deep end of the pool. There are amazing collector groups on Facebook where people trade and sell at reasonable prices. It's my favorite way to find older series. But it's also where scammers thrive.
My hard-and-fast rules for buying on social media:
- NEVER pay with Zelle, Venmo Friends & Family, or any other method that has no buyer protection. Always use PayPal Goods & Services. If a seller refuses, run. I don't care what their excuse is.
- Ask for tagged photos. That means a picture of the item with a piece of paper that has their username and the current date written on it. This proves they actually have the item.
- Check their profile. If the account was created yesterday and has no friends, it's a scam.
The Authenticity Gauntlet: How to Get a REAL Labubu
The rise in popularity has led to a rise in fakes. And some of them are getting scarily good. Knowing how to get a real LABUBU is a crucial skill. Here's where to find authentic LABUBU and how to spot a dud.
My Personal Fake-Spotting Checklist:
- The Box: Real Pop Mart boxes are high quality. The cardboard is sturdy, the printing is crisp and vibrant. Fakes often have flimsy boxes with slightly blurry text or washed-out colors. The silver foil on a real blind box is shiny and reflective; on fakes, it's often a dull, matte gray.
- The Figure's Smell: This is a weird one, but it's real. Open the foil bag. A real LABUBU has a neutral, vinyl smell. Fakes often have a very strong, sharp chemical odor that's a dead giveaway of cheap plastic.
- The Weight and Feel: A genuine LABUBU has a satisfying heft. It feels solid. Fakes tend to be lighter and feel hollow or made of a cheaper, harder plastic. The finish is also key, most LABUBUs have a beautiful matte finish. Fakes are often overly glossy.
- The Paint Job: Look closely at the teeth. On a real figure, the white paint is sharp and contained within the toothy grin. On fakes, the paint often bleeds onto the "gums" or face.
- The NFC Chip (The Ultimate Tell): This is the game-changer. For newer series like the funny labubu blind box Macarons, Pop Mart has embedded an NFC chip in the collector's card inside the box. Tap the card with your phone (most modern phones can do this). It should automatically open a link to an official Pop Mart verification page. If it doesn't, or if the card doesn't have a chip, you have a problem. Fakers haven't been able to replicate this tech yet. It's the single most definitive way to verify authenticity.
Real Talk: My Honest Verdict
So, what's the best way to get a LABUBU**? Honestly? Patience. The hype around a specific series, like the Macarons or the Fall in Wild Flowers, is intense and fleeting. Paying $100 for a common figure because you have FOMO is a recipe for buyer's remorse. Kasing Lung's designs are incredible, and the thrill of opening a blind box is undeniable. But the collecting journey should be fun, not a source of financial stress.
My advice is this: Don't chase the hype. Chase the figure you love. If you can't get the Macarons right now, don't despair. Pop Mart releases new series constantly. Maybe you'll find you love the Monsters Camping or the new Into the Forest series even more, and they might be easier to find. I've seen so many collectors burn out by trying to get every single hyped item. Collect what speaks to you, not what TikTok tells you to want.
The hunt is part of the experience. It can be frustrating, for sure. But that feeling when you finally track down a figure you've been searching for, or when you open a blind box and pull the one you wanted most? It's magic. Be smart, be safe, and be patient. Your collection will be more meaningful for it.
We only stock what we know is 100% authentic. Happy hunting!
--- Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
