Should You Buy Pokémon Funko Pops? A Collector‘s Analysis

Since debuting in 1996, the Pokémon franchise capturing young minds and ushering monsters into pop culture stardom, with astronomical sales reaching 440 million games to date. But video games and cards no longer singularly fuel this $100 billion juggernaut. Pokémon‘s vast universe of beloved characters also power a collectible craze continuing into 2023.

Enter Funko. This leading pop culture collectible company partners with franchises across entertainment to craft vinyl-sculpted figurines of iconic fictional characters. With funky disproportionate bodies, oversized heads and soulless eyes, Funko Pops exhibit simple cute weirdness.

Propelled by licenses spanning Marvel, Star Wars, Disney, and more, Funko‘s sales mushroomed from $16 million in 2012 to over $1.1 billion by 2022. Riding this collectible wave, Funko also launched Pokémon versions of classic creatures.

But should you actually buy Pokémon Funko Pops? Can money get made collecting these kooky creatures? Let‘s investigate.

Assessing Pokémon Funko Pop Collectability & Value

Funko Pop figurines generally retail around $15. However, over 5000+ Funko products exist currently covering over 1000 licenses. With such variety, values fluctuate wildly.

While many Funkos get produced en masse, some exclusive editions only get released at specific events like San Diego ComicCon in limited supplies. These rare convention exclusives become holy grails for collectors.

As shown above, coveted Funko Pops can sell for over 40X their original retail pricing years later!

For Pokémon, while run-of-the-mill Pikachu or Squirtle Funkos run about $15 easily, rare exclusives associated with iconic creatures like dragons or Eevee evolutions can appreciate exponentially in secondary markets due to scarcity and enduring fan demand.

Who Really Buys Pokémon Funko Pops?

At a base level, Funko Pops appeal to devoted fans.

A subscriber community over 1 million strong exists on /r/FunkoPop on Reddit. Funko collectors also gather in massive Facebook groups like Funko Pop Hunters (600k members). They share hauls, news, wish lists, and trades.

For Pokémon lovers, affording cute desk-sized vinyl versions of beloved monsters offers intrinsict happiness.

However, more sophisticated collectors also get drawn in by profit potential in buying, holding and reselling rare exclusives. The vibrant community and available data aids this strategic play.

Evaluating Profit Potential for Pokémon Funkos

While buying random Pokémon Funkos without considering valuations unlikely leads to economic windfalls, some deliberate strategies exist:

Buy Low, Sell High

Popular marketplacesites like Mercari and eBay provide sales histories and real-time valuation data, aiding buyers in discovering deals.

For example, an authenticated 843 Metallic Charizard Funko Pop purchased second-hand for $200 could easily flip for $1000+ to hardcore collectors given its extreme rarity.

Leverage Trade Communities

By participating in collector trade groups on platforms like Facebook, unmatched inventories get exchanged to obtain desirable rare figures without excessive cash outlays.

Once secured, premium exclusives like special edition Umbreons or Lugias could defray costs when resold elsewhere.

Flipping Limited Edition Con Releases

Attending events like ComicCon offers early purchasing access to limited exclusives before wider market availability. This presents opportunities to acquire hot items in short supply like special Mewtwos or Charizards to flip for multiples of retail pricing online.

Academy Award winner Nicholas Cage, a fellow avid collector himself, once said:

“I do treasure some of the Pop toys. The only way to find some of them is to go onto eBay and be prepared to spend about $800.”

So while casual collectors may enjoy common Funko Pop Pokémons as low-cost decor, pursuing financial gain from reselling requires dedication, effort and know-how. You must in essence "catch ‘em all"…the rarest ones.

Which Pokémon Funkos Could Pay Off?

After analyzing available data and collector communities, these Pokémon Funkos appear particularly strong candidates for upside:

Expert Tips for Collecting Pokémon Funkos

When evaluating collecting Pokémon Funkops purely for enjoyment versus potential profits, utilize these expert tips:

🔹 Stick to reputable seller platforms – Avoid shady sites or sellers to eliminate risk of spending on fake exclusives. Leverage Make an Offer features to bargain hunt.

🔹 Secure unopened LE exclusives – Limited edition rare finds with intact boxes and protective casings uphold condition value critical for premium pricing

🔹 Research market rates – Regularly check comparable eBay final sales figures when buying or selling to make informed decisions on pricing

🔹 Network with trading groups – Connect via collector communities on Reddit, Discord and Facebook to exchange assets rather than buying solely through commercial channels

🔹 Maintain storage hygiene – Keep Funko boxes away from humidity, sunlight or damages to preserve appeal for future transactions

🔹 Sell into temporary hype – Closely monitor fan sites and announcements to identify rising popular characters likely to temporarily inflate values from surges in interest

🔹 Patience pays – Allow years for desired valuation multiples to mature rather than expecting to flip immediately

While collecting common Pokémon Funkos purely for enjoyment needs little consideration beyond budget, successfully generating profits from reselling rare exclusives as assets requires continuous research, strategy and care.

Verdict – Approach Pokémon Funkos with Clear Intent

Building up a vibrant collection of Pokémon Funkos can make a fun and affordable hobby for franchise fans. But regularly procuring rare exclusives on the pathway towards Peteranian-style long-term gains requires significant investments of time, funds and care from day one.

If drawn to Funkos purely for design aesthetic and fandom‘s sake, casually accumulate cute desk or shelf pieces of favorite monsters from whatever affordable deals get discovered.

Conversely, if intent on essentially treating Funkos as alternative assets akin to trading cards or art, pursue only the rarest exclusives tied to the most enduringly popular creatures through events, community exchanges and reputable sellers. Then hold, continually research and monitor for years until valuation multiples satisfy profit-taking thresholds.

Either approach remains valid. Just ensure clarity on motives and willingness for respective efforts from the start.

For most, enjoying cheap, legal likenesses of beloved fictional characters we‘ve each individually bonded with during our youth likely offers greater lasting value overall than speculative financial plays. Yet for some, the thrill of the hunt and potential cashing in also persists all the same. So good luck however you choose to play!