Bootleg Information:
How To Spot Them!
So you see a few lots on eBay that have 25 to 100+ figures in it and it looks a bit something like this.
How To Spot Them!
So you see a few lots on eBay that have 25 to 100+ figures in it and it looks a bit something like this.
Your first reaction is to probably think, "Wow, that's a Voltorb, he is one of the rarest figures out there."
You notice it's cheap and you're quick to click "buy it now".
The auction ends, a few weeks later it comes to your house, and more than half of the monsters probably looking nothing like the stock image shown.
Months go by later. You are proud of your collection, you think you have them all, but you eventually see a real Tomy Voltorb.
You notice it's paint job is better, it's more detailed, and the figure has a see-through base.
It looks nothing like the one you purchased.
You quickly look at yours and compare. You discover it is far off from the one pictured. You become deceived.
Hey.. if this has happened to you, keep your chin up and don't give up.
As collectors we've all had to start somewhere and I'm sure most of us have made some silly mistakes.
You didn't know and you trusted that the figures would be legit.
What should you do if you are in this pickle?
If it is appropriate, you should file a complaint via PayPal or eBay with the resolution center.
Let the seller know that you received a bootleg. Maybe they didn't know?
Don't lash out just yet, even the best Tomy collectors sometimes fail to see bootlegs sometimes.
If buying from eBay, avoid anything that has a blurry image, an item in a clear plastic baggy, or lots that contain a good chunk of bootleg figures.
You see a pink Alakazam in a lot. It looks like the real thing, you look at the lot again and it looks like there is a real Golbat with a green base.
STOP.
Don't second guess if it is real, take a look at CQ or my site and compare the pictures to the ones in the lot.
Check for seams, paint-jobs, and color differences. If you have the figure in-hands, feel, smell, study/look at it. You'll know when you're holding a real Tomy figure.
If your gut doesn't feel right before you buy it, chances are it is probably too good to be true.
Before you buy and you are unsure!!
(1) Ask the seller for more pictures if in doubt.
(2) Avoid stock photos!
(2) Ask your friends if they collect these figures or anyone on PKMNCollectors.
(3) Ask us! We're always happy to help out.
--
This is a price guide I created in March 2014 which will eventually become outdated.
Prices are based off of the averages the figure have sold for.
This has only been done for the first 251 monsters.
You notice it's cheap and you're quick to click "buy it now".
The auction ends, a few weeks later it comes to your house, and more than half of the monsters probably looking nothing like the stock image shown.
Months go by later. You are proud of your collection, you think you have them all, but you eventually see a real Tomy Voltorb.
You notice it's paint job is better, it's more detailed, and the figure has a see-through base.
It looks nothing like the one you purchased.
You quickly look at yours and compare. You discover it is far off from the one pictured. You become deceived.
Hey.. if this has happened to you, keep your chin up and don't give up.
As collectors we've all had to start somewhere and I'm sure most of us have made some silly mistakes.
You didn't know and you trusted that the figures would be legit.
What should you do if you are in this pickle?
If it is appropriate, you should file a complaint via PayPal or eBay with the resolution center.
Let the seller know that you received a bootleg. Maybe they didn't know?
Don't lash out just yet, even the best Tomy collectors sometimes fail to see bootlegs sometimes.
If buying from eBay, avoid anything that has a blurry image, an item in a clear plastic baggy, or lots that contain a good chunk of bootleg figures.
You see a pink Alakazam in a lot. It looks like the real thing, you look at the lot again and it looks like there is a real Golbat with a green base.
STOP.
Don't second guess if it is real, take a look at CQ or my site and compare the pictures to the ones in the lot.
Check for seams, paint-jobs, and color differences. If you have the figure in-hands, feel, smell, study/look at it. You'll know when you're holding a real Tomy figure.
If your gut doesn't feel right before you buy it, chances are it is probably too good to be true.
Before you buy and you are unsure!!
(1) Ask the seller for more pictures if in doubt.
(2) Avoid stock photos!
(2) Ask your friends if they collect these figures or anyone on PKMNCollectors.
(3) Ask us! We're always happy to help out.
--
This is a price guide I created in March 2014 which will eventually become outdated.
Prices are based off of the averages the figure have sold for.
This has only been done for the first 251 monsters.
For the first gen, you are looking to pay as high as $180 for some of the figures.
Ditto, Voltorb, Electrode, Cloyster, Nidoqueen, Nidorino, Machoke, Gastly, and Magmar are considered to be some of the rarest figures printed.
Kingdra, Mantine, Porygon 2, Swinub, Magcargo, Corsola, Politoed, Crobat, and Misdreavus are the rarest second gen figures.
As for third & fourth gen, I would have to say it's Electrike, Mightyena, Gardevoir, Misdreavus, Wailord, and Ninjask who can be expensive.
Not many of these figures were printed and it makes for finding some of these toys very challenging.
As for Ditto, Nidoqueen, Nidorino, Gastly, Magmar, Kingdra, Mantine, Swinub, Corsola, and Crobat, PLEASE BEWARE!!
All of these figures have been flooded with fakes. Some even with the Tomy stamping.
Here is a small list of sellers that I would avoid on eBay.
eBay Blacklist:
Toyworld
Krukcards
Emii
Jorge_Itachi
This hobby is not cheap and there are many bootlegs in the market.
Do your research and protect your investment.
Ditto, Voltorb, Electrode, Cloyster, Nidoqueen, Nidorino, Machoke, Gastly, and Magmar are considered to be some of the rarest figures printed.
Kingdra, Mantine, Porygon 2, Swinub, Magcargo, Corsola, Politoed, Crobat, and Misdreavus are the rarest second gen figures.
As for third & fourth gen, I would have to say it's Electrike, Mightyena, Gardevoir, Misdreavus, Wailord, and Ninjask who can be expensive.
Not many of these figures were printed and it makes for finding some of these toys very challenging.
As for Ditto, Nidoqueen, Nidorino, Gastly, Magmar, Kingdra, Mantine, Swinub, Corsola, and Crobat, PLEASE BEWARE!!
All of these figures have been flooded with fakes. Some even with the Tomy stamping.
Here is a small list of sellers that I would avoid on eBay.
eBay Blacklist:
Toyworld
Krukcards
Emii
Jorge_Itachi
This hobby is not cheap and there are many bootlegs in the market.
Do your research and protect your investment.