BBB reports Labubu Toy Craze brings out Scammers

Remember Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch dolls, and if you’re really old, Barbie Dolls when they first came out in the late 1950s?

Oh, and troll dolls..but I digress..

And remember, how as kids, most of us HAD to have that new toy?

Well, now there’s a new toy craze –  Lububu.

They are the latest craze in toys, and they are creating a frenzy both for kids and their parents who are trying to buy them.

The limited availability and collectibility of these toys, often found in blind boxes where the specific design is unknown until opened, have fueled further excitement and demand.

Chinese Retailer, Pop Mart, is the official retailer for Labubu dolls and other “The Monsters” products. They release new items online every Thursday at 9 p.m. and in stores on Fridays at 10 a.m.

Typically, they have a wide range of prices depending on the specific figure, size, and whether it’s a standard or limited edition item. Standard blind box figures typically cost between $27.99 and $89.99, while larger, more elaborate figures like the Mega Labubu Tec 1000% All About Us can cost over $959.90, according to E! Online and Pop Mart. Resale prices, especially for rare or limited editions, can be significantly higher, sometimes reaching hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

So far, the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker reports they’ve had 71 reports and counting from people who thought they were purchasing authentic Labubus, but they turned out to be counterfeit, or they didn’t receive anything at all.

Yes, scammers will even rob children’s joy by fleecing their parents, or anyone who thought they were purchasing the actual coveted toy.

BBB has tips for spotting and avoiding counterfeit products when shopping online:

Shop from reputable retailers. If you’re shopping for toys, you want to ensure you’re getting the right products.

Use caution when clicking on sponsored ads you see online or on social media. It could be a scam

Be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals. Most of the time, it’s a fast way to lose your money and credit card information to a scammer.

Do your own research, read the reviews, and use secure, traceable payment methods.

If you think you’ve been fleeced by a Labubu scammer, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov and to BBB’s ScamTracker site.

You might not get your money back, but you will be helping by warning others.