collectible toy market has grown tremendously in recent years, with niche characters and designer toys finding passionate audiences across the globe. Among these, Labubu, a quirky character from the artist Kasing Lung, has become a sensation. Once a cult figure in the world of designer vinyl toys, Labubu has now broken into mainstream culture, especially through blind-box https://labubuco.ca/ releases and limited editions by POP MART. In Canada, Labubu collectors have created a thriving secondary market, where toys are resold for profit, traded among fans, or carefully preserved as long-term collectibles. But as with any booming resale market, questions naturally arise: what’s considered fair, and what crosses the line?
The Rise of Labubu in Canada
Labubu’s popularity in Canada can be traced to the global reach of POP MART and the growing trend of collecting art toys as both hobby and investment. Canadian collectors have embraced Labubu’s mischievous designs, unique collaborations, and limited-edition releases. With flagship POP MART stores opening in Toronto and Vancouver, and more products available online, accessibility has increased. Yet, the demand often outpaces supply, especially for rare series like Labubu Forest Concert or seasonal exclusives. This imbalance has paved the way for a dynamic resale culture, where figures often appear at double or triple their retail price within hours of release.
The Appeal of Reselling
Reselling is not inherently negative. For many collectors, it provides a way to access figures that were otherwise unattainable at retail. Since blind boxes contain random characters, it’s common for people to buy duplicates or end up with designs they don’t personally want. The resale market allows them to swap or sell these figures, giving others a chance to complete their sets. In this sense, reselling helps build community, as collectors connect over trades and negotiate prices to keep their collections balanced.
Additionally, for those who see Labubu as more than toys—viewing them as pieces of art—the resale market legitimizes their financial value. Just as fine art is auctioned for higher prices after an artist gains fame, Labubu’s resale value reflects its cultural impact. For Canadian collectors who treat their pieces as long-term investments, reselling can feel like a natural extension of the art market.
When Resale Becomes Unfair
The problem arises when the market shifts from accessibility to exploitation. Many Canadian fans express frustration at scalpers—individuals who purchase large quantities of figures during releases with the sole intention of reselling them at inflated prices. Unlike casual collectors, scalpers often use bots, networks, or insider connections to secure stock, leaving genuine fans empty-handed.
For example, a figure that retails for around CAD 20–25 can quickly appear on resale platforms for CAD 80–100, sometimes even higher if the character is especially rare. Limited-edition Labubu collaborations with global brands or event exclusives can soar to several hundred dollars, far beyond what many casual fans can afford. This artificial inflation creates barriers to entry, making the hobby feel elitist rather than inclusive.
Such practices also erode trust within the community. Instead of trading or reselling at fair prices, some individuals treat the market as an opportunity for quick profit, disregarding the passion that fuels the culture in the first place.
The Canadian Context
The resale market in Canada has unique characteristics compared to other countries. First, distribution of Labubu figures is still relatively limited compared to markets like China or Southeast Asia, where POP MART has a stronger retail presence. This scarcity means Canadian collectors often rely on online drops, imports, or third-party resellers.
Second, the Canadian dollar’s weaker position against the US dollar and shipping costs can make even retail purchases expensive. When resellers add additional markups, prices can reach prohibitive levels. As a result, many Canadian collectors turn to Facebook groups, Discord communities, and local toy fairs to find fairer deals. In these spaces, there is often an unspoken agreement to keep prices reasonable, reflecting a sense of fairness and solidarity among fans.
Lastly, Canadian laws around consumer rights don’t yet fully extend to collectibles resales, meaning there’s little regulation of pricing practices. The lack of oversight creates a grey area where fairness becomes a matter of community ethics rather than legal enforcement.
Community Standards of Fairness
Within Canada’s Labubu community, fairness is often defined by context. Many collectors agree that selling a figure slightly above retail to cover shipping, taxes, or minor profit is acceptable. For example, a CAD 25 figure resold for CAD 35–40 is generally seen as fair, particularly if it saves a buyer from the hassle of importing or hunting.
Where conflict arises is when prices jump exponentially, without reason beyond scarcity. If a seller lists a CAD 25 blind-box figure at CAD 150 simply because it’s rare, the community often views this as unfair profiteering. The unwritten rules emphasize balance: sellers should consider the figure’s original cost, the rarity, and the financial realities of fellow collectors.
Some Canadian groups even impose pricing guidelines for trades and sales, ensuring no member feels exploited. In these circles, fairness isn’t just about money; it’s about maintaining trust and keeping the hobby welcoming.
The Role of Collectors in Shaping the Market
Ultimately, the power to define fairness lies with collectors themselves. If buyers refuse to pay exorbitant prices, resellers have less incentive to inflate costs. By prioritizing trades, supporting local collectors, and holding each other accountable, the community can resist practices that feel exploitative.
Collectors also play a role in education. Newcomers to the hobby may not realize what a fair price looks like, especially if they only see listings on major resale platforms. Veteran collectors can help by sharing knowledge about original retail values, production quantities, and reasonable price ranges. By setting expectations, the community creates a healthier environment where passion outweighs profit.
Striking a Balance
The Labubu resale market in Canada reflects the tension between art, commerce, and community. On one hand, resale enables accessibility, allowing collectors to fill gaps in their collections and recognize the financial value of their toys. On the other, unchecked profiteering risks turning a creative hobby into a marketplace dominated by scalpers and opportunists.
Fairness, then, is not an absolute measure but a Labubu Bag shared responsibility. It involves respecting the passion of fellow collectors, acknowledging the cultural value of Labubu, and keeping prices within reach for as many fans as possible. The most sustainable path forward lies in transparency, community-driven standards, and a collective rejection of predatory practices.
As Labubu continues to grow in popularity across Canada, the choices collectors make will shape not just the resale market, but the culture of the hobby itself. If fairness remains the guiding principle, the Canadian Labubu scene can thrive as a space of creativity, inclusivity, and shared joy.