The hype around Labubu by Pop Mart is at its peak, and it did not go unnoticed. Last week, Nando, Founder of Snrkickz, was personally approached by RTL4 EDITIENL with the question if we wanted to share our story about the rise of fake Labubus in the Netherlands. In particular: how do you recognize if a Labubu is real or just a cheap counterfeit version?
Labubus from the black market and tourist shops
RTL4 came by with some striking examples they had bought in tourist shops in the center of Amsterdam at the market. The prices were already off from the start: €7.50 to €10 each, while an official Labubu often costs around €30 to €40. It was up to us to explain the differences between real and fake!
What turned out? Even the RTL4 team was divided. Half thought the figures were real, the other half immediately saw them as fakes. That is exactly why we wanted to explain in the broadcast what you really need to look out for.
How to recognize a fake Labubu in 4 steps
During the episode, we shared four simple but effective checkpoints to quickly determine if a Labubu is real:
The ears
On an original Labubu, the ears always point slightly towards each other and are neatly and evenly shaped. Fake examples often have floppy or crooked ears that are placed far apart.
The head and texture
An important difference lies in the material. Fake Labubus often have a soft, sponge-like head. Original Pop Mart figures are firm and retain their shape, with clear contours.
The feet
Real Labubus have movable feet and can stand upright independently. In imitations, the feet are often fixed or uneven in length, causing them to fall over or stand crooked.
The rotating head
The head of an authentic Labubu rotates smoothly, but not too loosely. Fake figures have a jerky or extremely stiff pivot point if they rotate at all.
A special moment for us
On Thursday evening, July 24, during the RTL4 broadcast around 6:15 PM, Snrkickz was the main topic of the episode. We discussed not only how to recognize a real Labubu, but also how big the market has become and why these kinds of popular collectibles are especially vulnerable to fake versions.
The broadcast generated many reactions, from viewers who also thought they had a real Labubu, to fans asking where they can safely buy an original. We are happy to continue giving these kinds of tips, and it also builds more trust for people who want to buy a Labubu.
Why this topic is important
The rise of counterfeit products affects not only collectors but also trust in the market. And that trust is the foundation for fair trade. By sharing our expertise in national media like RTL4, we hope to help both new and experienced Labubu fans with honest information and tips.
Do you want to see the episode?
Then check out this link to the EditieNL RTL4 episode about Labubu vs Lafufu on their Instagram channel!