Why is Labubu hard to get?

Labubu's extreme scarcity stems from a perfect storm of strategic hype, artistic prestige, and ruthless reseller demand—here's why this mischievous creature is so hard to catch:

1. Designer Pedigree & Cult Following

• Art Toy Royalty: Created by Kasing Lung, a superstar artist under Hong Kong's How2Work, Labubu inherits hype from his earlier ultra-rare figures (like Zimomo).
• "Grail" Status: Collectors treat Labubu like the Supreme box logo of art toys—owning one signals insider credibility.

More: What Type of People Like Labubu? Exploring the Fanbase of This Quirky Collectible

2. Brutal Release Strategies

• Micro-Batches: Most drops are limited to 50–500 pieces globally, with zero restocks. Example: The Labubu x SpongeBob collab sold out in 8 seconds.
• Lottery Systems: Brands like POP MART use "blind box luck" mechanics—you might buy 50 figures and still miss the 1/144 Secret Labubu.
• Geolocked Drops: Japan/China get exclusive colorways (e.g., Labubu "Rainbow Snow"), forcing international fans to pay 3x resale.

 More: What Does "Labubu" Mean in English?

3. Reseller Bloodsport

• Bots Dominate: Automated tools snatch 80% of stock instantly. A **2023 Labubu "Devil" resold for $2,800\ast \ast (retail:$120).
• Fake Market: 1 in 3 "authentic" Labubus on eBay/Pandabuy are high-quality counterfeits, scaring off new buyers.

4. Psychological Tricks

• Blind Box Gambling: POP MART’s randomized packaging exploits dopamine addiction (like gacha games).
• Artistic Scarcity: Kasing Lung deliberately underproduces, saying: "I want fans to feel the thrill of the hunt."

More:  Have a seat Labubu fake vs real?

How to Score One (Without Going Broke)

1. Follow Kasing Lung’s IG (@kasinglung) for studio drops (least markup).
2. Use Japanese proxies (e.g., Buyee) to access Mercari Japan listings pre-resale inflation.
3. Avoid "Too Good to Be True" deals—authentic Labubus always have numbered COAs and matte-finish paint