Beware the lafufu: Counterfeit Labubu Dolls Flood Market, NSW Fair Trading Warns
Australian consumers are being warned about the proliferation of counterfeit “Lafufu” dolls,inferior imitations of the wildly popular Labubu collectible toys. NSW Fair Trading issued an alert Tuesday, advising shoppers to exercise caution when purchasing these viral goblin-like dolls, as many online sellers are attempting to pass off fakes or simply not delivering the products at all.
Identifying the Imposter: Spotting a Fake Labubu
The warning,disseminated via NSW Fair Trading’s Facebook account,specifically targets “Lafufu,” the nickname given to these often-scary and poorly made Labubu counterfeits. These fakes have infiltrated the Australian market, preying on unsuspecting collectors eager to acquire the genuine article.
Did You Know? The original Labubu dolls have become highly sought-after collectibles, with some rare editions fetching meaningful prices on the secondary market. christie’s offers a guide to collecting designer toys.
To avoid being duped, collectors should carefully inspect potential purchases. According to NSW Fair Trading, key indicators of a Lafufu include disfigured ears that are spread too far apart and an incorrect number of teeth. Authentic labubu dolls have nine fangs, while counterfeits may have more or fewer, and the fangs themselves might potentially be poorly shaped.
The Allure of Labubu: Why the Hype?
Labubu, a helpful elf-like monster, was conceived in 2015 by Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-based artist residing in belgium. The character originated as one of several monsters illustrated by Lung for a series of three children’s books inspired by Nordic folklore Visit Norway details Norwegian Folklore.
The popularity of Labubu dolls is fueled,in part,by their “blind box” packaging. Buyers are unable to see which specific doll they are purchasing, adding an element of surprise and encouraging repeat purchases in the hopes of acquiring rare colors or special editions. This blind-box strategy is a common tactic in the collectible toy market, contributing to both the excitement and the risk of encountering fakes.
Pro Tip: Research reputable sellers and compare prices before making a purchase. If a deal seems too good to be true,it probably is.
Protecting Yourself from Counterfeiters
NSW fair Trading advises collectors to limit their purchases to legitimate businesses and to be wary of overseas websites offering Labubu dolls at “suspiciously low prices.” Consumers who encounter scam stores are encouraged to report them via the Fair Trading website.
While some Lafufu dolls exhibit minor imperfections, others are drastically different from the originals. Some have heads that can be detached from their furry bear suits, while others feature fully upside-down faces. Ironically, some of these especially egregious fakes have become sought after in their own right, adding another layer of complexity to the Labubu collecting phenomenon.
Labubu’s Rise to Fame
The Labubu craze highlights the growing popularity of designer toys and art collectibles. In some instances, Labubu artwork has sold for notable sums. Such as, a Labubu acrylic painting on canvas recently fetched 1.4 million yuan (approximately $200,000 USD) at auction, setting a new record for the artist zhihu reports on Labubu art sales.
| Feature | Authentic Labubu | Counterfeit Lafufu |
|---|---|---|
| Ears | properly shaped and positioned | Disfigured and spread far apart |
| Teeth (Fangs) | Nine fangs | more or fewer than nine fangs, poorly shaped |
| Source | Legitimate businesses | Overseas websites with suspiciously low prices |
are you a Labubu collector? What steps do you take to ensure you’re buying authentic merchandise? Share your tips in the comments below!
Have you ever been tricked into buying a counterfeit collectible? what was your experience?
The Enduring Appeal of collectible Toys
The market for collectible toys has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by factors such as nostalgia, the thrill of the hunt, and the desire to own unique and limited-edition items. Designer toys, in particular, have blurred the lines between art and play, attracting a diverse range of collectors from around the world.
The blind box format, popularized by companies like Pop Mart (which distributes Labubu), has further fueled this trend by creating a sense of anticipation and encouraging repeat purchases. However, the popularity of these toys has also attracted counterfeiters, who seek to capitalize on the demand by producing inferior imitations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Labubu Dolls
- What is a Labubu doll?
- Labubu is a viral collectible doll resembling an elf-like monster, created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung in 2015. It gained popularity through blind box packaging, where the specific doll inside is unknown until purchased.
- What is a Lafufu doll?
- Lafufu is the nickname given to counterfeit Labubu dolls. These fake versions often have disfigured features and are of lower quality than the authentic Labubu dolls.
- How can I identify a counterfeit Labubu (Lafufu)?
- According to NSW Fair Trading, look for disfigured ears spread far apart and check the number of teeth. authentic Labubu dolls have nine fangs, while Lafufu dolls may have more or fewer, and the teeth may be poorly shaped.
- Why are Labubu dolls so popular?
- Labubu’s popularity stems from its unique design, the excitement of blind box packaging, and the rarity of certain colors and special editions, which drives collectors to purchase more in search of specific dolls. Some find Labubu’s imperfect appearance endearing.
- Where can I safely purchase Labubu dolls?
- NSW Fair Trading advises purchasing Labubu dolls from legitimate businesses and avoiding overseas websites offering them at suspiciously low prices. Reporting scam stores to the Fair Trading website is also recommended.
- Who created the Labubu character?
- The Labubu character was created in 2015 by Kasing Lung, a Belgium-based artist from Hong Kong. Labubu was featured in three children’s books based on Nordic folklore.
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