The hype is real. Honestly, it’s a bit much sometimes. If you’ve been anywhere near a Pop Mart lately or just scrolling through social media, you’ve seen those mischievous, serrated-teeth monsters everywhere. Labubu, the brainchild of artist Kasing Lung, has gone from a niche designer toy to a global obsession. Specifically, the "Have a Seat" vinyl plush series—where the little guys are perched on tiny stools—has become the white whale for many collectors.
But with massive demand comes the scammers. They’re fast.
Getting scammed feels like a punch in the gut. You wait weeks for a package, pay a premium price on the secondary market, and then you open the box only to realize the "fur" feels like a cheap carnival prize. It’s frustrating because the fakes are getting better. They aren't just crude plastic toys anymore; they are sophisticated "super-fakes" designed to trick even seasoned hobbyists. Knowing how to spot fake Labubu Have a Seat units is the only way to protect your wallet and your collection.
Why the Have a Seat Series is a Target
The Have a Seat collection is different from the standard "Exciting Mischief" series. They’re plush, they’re posable, and they come in colors like "Dada," "Zizi," and the ultra-rare "Sisi." Because these were released in limited drops and often sell out in seconds on the official Pop Mart website, the resale market is a chaotic mess of legitimate collectors and predatory resellers.
Most people don't realize that the counterfeiters actually buy the real machines used in toy production, or they recruit former factory workers to replicate the process. It's a massive underground business. That’s why you can’t just look at the toy and say "yeah, looks okay." You have to look at the details that are too expensive for a bootlegger to replicate perfectly.
The Box: Your First Line of Defense
Don't even open the foil bag yet. Start with the box. A genuine Pop Mart box is a masterpiece of precision engineering, even if it’s just cardboard.
Look at the printing quality. On a real Have a Seat box, the colors are vibrant and the lines are crisp. Counterfeits often have a slight "blur" or "ghosting" effect because they’re scanning a real box and reprinting it. If the text looks even a little bit fuzzy under a magnifying glass (or your phone's zoom), it’s a red flag.
👉 See also: Images of Thanksgiving Holiday: What Most People Get Wrong
Check the "Pop Mart" logo. The font should be perfectly weighted. On fakes, the letters might be slightly thinner or thicker than they should be. Also, touch the box. Real boxes use a specific matte finish that feels premium. Fakes often feel waxy or overly glossy.
The Holographic Sticker and QR Code
This is where many people get tripped up. Scammers know you’re looking for the QR code, so they’ve started making fake ones.
- The Scratch-Off: On a real box, there is a scratch-off area revealing a 16-digit code.
- The Scan: When you scan it, it must take you to the official
popmart.comdomain. - The Trick: Scammers create "lookalike" websites like
popmart-verify.comorpop-mart-check.net. They look identical to the real site and will tell you "Product is Authentic." It’s a lie. Always check the URL in your browser’s address bar.
If the QR code has already been scanned 50 times? You’ve got a fake. The system tracks how many times a specific code has been checked to prevent people from copying a single real code onto a thousand fake boxes.
Examining the Plush: Texture and Proportion
Once you get the Labubu out of the bag, the real test begins. Labubu is known for that iconic, messy fur.
In the "Have a Seat" series, the fur should feel soft but slightly textured. It shouldn't feel like "plastic hair." If you rub the fur and it feels "squeaky" or excessively oily, it’s likely synthetic fiber used in cheap stuffed animals. Real Labubus use a specific blend of polyester that holds its shape.
The Face and Teeth
The face is where the "soul" of the toy lives. Labubu’s teeth are his most famous feature. On a genuine Have a Seat plush:
✨ Don't miss: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessing Over Maybelline SuperStay Skin Tint
- The Teeth: They should be clean, ivory-white, and perfectly molded. In fakes, the paint on the teeth often bleeds into the "gum" area, or the teeth look jagged and unevenly spaced.
- The Eyes: Real Labubu eyes have a specific depth. They are glossy and set deep into the plush. Fake ones often look "flat" or are slightly misaligned, giving the character a "derpy" look that Kasing Lung never intended.
- The Blush: Check the cheeks. The pink "blush" on a real Labubu is airbrushed softly. On fakes, it often looks like a solid circle of pink paint or is missing entirely.
The Feet and the "Seat"
It’s called "Have a Seat" for a reason. These Labubus come with a little stool and have specific foot structures.
Flip the Labubu over. Look at the bottom of the feet. On an authentic piece, the "Pop Mart" and "Kasing Lung" branding will be embossed clearly into the vinyl. The edges of the letters will be sharp. On counterfeits, this embossing is often shallow or looks "melted."
The stool itself is a huge giveaway. The official stools are made of a sturdy, high-quality plastic with a consistent color. Fakes often use a lighter, cheaper plastic that might have "flash"—those little bits of extra plastic sticking off the edges from a poor mold. If the stool feels like it could snap in half with a light squeeze, it’s not real.
The "Smell Test" (Seriously)
This sounds weird. I know. But if you’ve opened enough Pop Mart boxes, you know they have a very specific, neutral scent. It’s a "new toy" smell that isn't overpowering.
Counterfeit factories often use cheaper PVC and industrial glues that haven't been properly off-gassed. If you open your Labubu and it smells like a chemical factory or strong gasoline, get it away from your face. That’s a massive sign of a fake, and honestly, those chemicals aren't great for you to be breathing in anyway.
Sourcing Matters: Where You Buy is 90% of the Battle
If you’re buying from a random seller on a marketplace app with zero reviews and the price is $20 for a Labubu that usually goes for $80, you’re buying a fake. Period. No one is "finding a stash in a warehouse" and selling them for 75% off.
🔗 Read more: Coach Bag Animal Print: Why These Wild Patterns Actually Work as Neutrals
Safe bets:
- Official Pop Mart stores (physical and online).
- Verified retailers like Mindzai or Strangecat Toys.
- Known collectors in established Facebook groups with "Vouch" threads.
Danger zones:
- Unverified TikTok shops.
- Random sellers on sites where the profile was created yesterday.
- Listings using "stock photos" instead of photos of the actual item in hand.
Actionable Steps for Your Collection
If you're currently holding a Labubu and feeling suspicious, here is exactly what you need to do right now. Don't just wonder; find out.
Step 1: The Weight Test
If you have a kitchen scale, use it. Authentic Have a Seat Labubus have a very specific weight range (usually around 150-160 grams including the stool, though this can vary slightly by character). Fakes are almost always lighter because they use less dense stuffing and thinner vinyl. Compare your weight to a known authentic one on YouTube unboxing videos.
Step 2: Check the Stitching
Look at the seams where the plush meets the vinyl face. On a real Labubu, the stitching is tight and hidden. If you see loose threads or "gaps" where you can see the stuffing inside, it’s a bootleg. Pop Mart's quality control isn't perfect, but they don't let "open wounds" pass the factory line.
Step 3: The UV Light Trick
Some newer Pop Mart series have UV-reactive elements on the box or the feet. While not universal for every Have a Seat batch, many authentic boxes have hidden symbols that only appear under a blacklight. If you’re a serious collector, a $10 UV flashlight is a solid investment.
Step 4: Join the Community
Groups like "Labubu Collectors Global" or specific Discord servers are filled with people who spend all day looking at these toys. Post high-resolution photos of the feet, the teeth, and the box. The "hive mind" can usually spot a fake in seconds.
Ultimately, the best way to handle how to spot fake Labubu Have a Seat items is to trust your gut. If the deal feels too good to be true, it is. If the fur feels "off," it probably is. Protect your collection by being cynical—because the scammers certainly aren't taking a "seat" when it comes to taking your money.