Collectible figures from LEGO, Funko Pop, and Warhammer offer a fun hobby and strong resale value. However, many fake products enter the market through online sellers, flea markets, and untrusted stores. Fake toys can break quickly, look wrong, or involve unsafe materials. Careful checks help buyers protect their money and collection value. The simple steps below help you identify fake items before buying any figure.

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Check the Packaging Quality

Packaging is one of the first signals of authenticity. Real products from LEGO, Funko, and Games Workshop come in strong packaging with clean printing. The text should appear sharp with correct spelling. Colors should look consistent and bright. Plastic windows should feel firm and fit well into the box. If any part of the box looks thin, uneven, or poorly printed, the figure might be fake.

Some fake boxes also include fake stickers or holograms. Compare the box with an official photo from a brand website or trusted retailer. If anything looks misplaced or different, continue with caution.

 

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Look for Accurate Brand Logos

Brands always add their trademarks to protect their identity. LEGO adds the LEGO logo on each stud on authentic bricks. Plain studs or wrong font style are clear warning signs. Funko adds its official logo and branding on the box and sometimes inside the figure. Games Workshop places its branding on the packaging of Warhammer kits and often includes a year near the base of the figure.

Logos should look clean and printed correctly. A stretched or blurry logo usually means fraud. Fake products also print logos in slightly wrong colors, so always look carefully.

 

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Inspect the Material and Build Quality

Authentic products use strong and high quality materials. LEGO figures feel smooth, and pieces connect tightly. Fake LEGO figures feel rough, show extra plastic edges, or disconnect too easily. Joints should move smoothly, not loosely.

Real Funko Pops have a solid feel. The paint covers evenly. Fake Pops often show marks, dents, or strange color changes. The head shape may look different from official designs.

Warhammer models include detailed sculpting with sharp edges. Fakes lose detail in armor, faces, and weapons. Fake Warhammer miniatures bend too easily and look cheaper.

If you have handled many real figures, you will notice the difference quickly.

 

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Check Serial Numbers and Item Codes

Serial codes are one of the strongest ways to confirm real items. Funko Pops include engraved or printed serial numbers under the base or along the neck. The code should match the box. If the code looks scratched off or printed poorly, the item might be fake.

LEGO bricks sometimes include part numbers inside the piece. Warhammer sprues and packaging include manufacturing codes. Take a photo and compare codes with images online from trusted sources. If you cannot find any match, avoid the purchase.

 

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Study the Face and Print Details

Faces and printed details help reveal the truth. LEGO prints eyes, torso designs, and patterns with precision. Fake figures show misaligned eyes or crooked buttons.

Real Funko Pops show smooth paint and round eye shapes. Many fakes have eyes that look bigger, smaller, or uneven. Always check the eyebrows, nose shape, and paint around the mouth. Even small errors make the figure look strange.

Warhammer details include symbols, icons, armor edges, and weapon textures. Fake versions appear soft and lack sharpness. Compare close up photos to official images online to confirm.

 

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Compare Accessories and Included Parts

Official sets always include accurate accessories. LEGO provides correct tools, hats, or capes. Fake figures provide the wrong accessory or change the size of the item. Fake lightsabers, guns, or helmets may look too large or small.

Funko Pops with stands, special stickers, or exclusive items must match official releases. If the sticker looks like it was added later or the box has the wrong version number, it might be fake.

Warhammer models should include correct sprues with full parts. Fakes may include extra plastic or missing pieces. If possible, count the number of parts before buying.

 

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Ask for Extra Images Before Buying Online

Many fakes are sold online, so extra photos can help you confirm authenticity. Ask for photos of the bottom of the figure, the serial code, the face, and the brand markings. If the seller refuses or sends low quality images, avoid them. A real seller has no issue showing the figure clearly.

Request photos in natural light. Fakes often hide mistakes using dark or filtered images.

 

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Check the Price and Seller History

Extremely low prices should make you suspicious. Rare Funko Pops and discontinued LEGO minifigures do not sell for cheap prices. Fake items often cost far less than market value to attract quick buyers.

Seller reputation also matters. Check ratings, reviews, and how long the seller has been active. Confirm that past customers received real items. Trusted sellers share clear descriptions and respond to questions.

 

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Compare with a Known Real Version

If you can see an official version in person or on a brand website, compare them side by side. Small differences appear clearly when you look closely. Look at printing, shape, height, colors, and packaging numbers.

Useful places for comparison include:

• Official LEGO product pages
• Funko App and Funko website product pages
• Games Workshop online store

This simple step protects you from making a mistake.

 

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Trust Verified Stores and Official Retailers

Authorized stores follow brand rules and sell real items. Purchase Warhammer figures from Games Workshop stores and licensed hobby shops. Buy Funko Pops from official retailers with approval from Funko. Purchase LEGO sets from certified retailers. This method reduces your risk and keeps your collection safe.

 

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Final Thoughts

Fake collectibles continue to appear in the market, but careful checks help you avoid a bad deal. Always study packaging, quality, branding, and codes. Look closely at tiny details. Ask for clear photos. Trust sellers with a strong reputation. Collecting should feel fun. The right inspection steps will help you enjoy genuine figures that last long and hold strong value.