It’s serious business in the toy market.
A distinctive Labubu recently fetched an impressive $10,500 on eBay, setting a new record for the priciest “virus ugly toy” sold on the platform.
This unique grey-brown doll sports Vans streetwear, including sweatshirts from popular skate brands and sneakers adorned with blue and orange hats that proclaim “Monsters.”
This 15-inch Lovebu, quite the collector’s item, was first introduced in 2023 as part of Pop Mart’s popular blind boxes, a collaboration with the shoe brand.
Initially, it retailed for $85, leading to a staggering resale value of 125 times that amount.
Lovebu has emerged as a sought-after product in secondary markets, and some think there could be real investment potential, as noted by experts and cited in Forbes. They believe a limited supply can drive up value.
Lori Baderam, a collectible appraiser with her own show on the History Channel, remarked, “Their unique look and general appeal suggest they could be significant market collectibles in the long run.”
Meanwhile, Alex Fung from Goldin Auctions thinks that early versions of Labubu are the ones to watch for value retention.
Typically, Pop Mart markets Love Bass in “blind boxes” priced between $20 and $40, where the mystery of what you’ll get only adds to the excitement.
However, there’s a special “secret” Lovebu, which is a limited edition and might be the rarest item you could find in a box—potentially just one out of 72 or 144.
For instance, the pink “secret” version of the “Catch Me If You Like Me” doll, released in early 2024, was recently sold on eBay for $2,000.
The Labubus typically sell out quickly during their weekly releases. You can look for restocks on Fridays at 10 AM in stores, and online at 9 PM on Thursdays.
Fans have even been known to line up before dawn for release dates—if you haven’t seen the social media posts about it, it’s quite the spectacle.
The quirky, toothy character was initially crafted by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung a decade ago. He partnered with the Chinese company Pop Mart in 2019 to transform these designs into collectible luxury toys. Remarkably, CEO Wang Ning saw his fortune soar from $2 billion last year to an astounding $22 billion during this toy phenomenon.
