Wilko sells Labubu dolls for £50: buyers outraged by the price.

Labubu: dolls from Wilko at high prices

According to The Sun: Wilko has started selling official Labubu dolls, but shoppers are expressing dissatisfaction over their high cost.

The dolls, which come from Hong Kong, are available in stores for £50.

Customers have begun actively expressing their outrage on social media over the price of the dolls with distinctive sharp teeth.

One user wrote on Instagram: 'The prices are terrible.'

Another commenter noted: 'Get lost!'

The third added: 'Outrageous prices.'

Labubu dolls are available for purchase both in Wilko's physical stores and online.

It is worth noting that just last year Wilko returned to the streets of the UK after announcing the closure of all its stores in October 2023.

The Labubu doll was introduced in 2015, but its popularity has significantly increased thanks to celebrity endorsements and its 'adorably hideous' design.

The dolls are particularly popular in Southeast Asia. K-Pop artist Lisa shared an image of a fluffy doll on her Instagram page, further boosting the toy's popularity.

The hashtag Labubu appears over a million times on TikTok.

Where else to buy Labubu

The figures are also available on the Pop Mart platform, but buyers should be very careful as they sell out quickly.

People living near London can visit the new flagship Pop Mart store on Oxford Street, where exclusive doll shipments are often available.

The prices for dolls there are £32, which is significantly cheaper than in Wilko.

Dolls are also available on Amazon at much lower prices, although rare editions can cost over three figures.

You might find it easier to locate toys in second-hand markets such as Vinted or Depop, where quality items are often available for half the price.

If you don't want to buy a doll, you can also rent them.

Toys can be rented for approximately £4 a day on platforms like By Rotation.

Increasing number of counterfeits

Not only have Labubu dolls increased in price, but a large number of counterfeits have also entered the UK market.

Of the 259,000 counterfeit toys that arrived in the UK this year, 90% are Labubu dolls.

Experts value this batch at nearly £3.3 million.

Many of these toys fail safety checks for banned chemicals and can pose serious safety risks to children.

Despite this, an IPO study showed that 92% of customers are aware they are buying counterfeit products, but price is more important to them.

How to avoid buying counterfeits

Many shoppers are unaware they are buying counterfeits, but an IPO study showed that 58% would hesitate to buy if they knew about safety risks.

Customers should refer to verified retailers and official brand websites to avoid purchasing fakes.

Prices that look 'too good to be true' are often a signal that the product is counterfeit.

Additionally, it is important to carefully review the reviews before purchasing, paying attention not only to the first few.

When the toy arrives, it's crucial to check for the UKCA safety mark and contact manufacturer information on the packaging.

The packaging should also look high quality and show no obvious signs of wear.

To confirm the authenticity of the Labubu doll, collectors recommend looking for signs such as packaging brightness, Pop Mart seal on the foot, the number of teeth (nine), and the presence of a QR code.

What to look for when buying toys online

Here are the best tips from the British Toy and Hobby Association for buying toys online:

1. Buy in advance. Don’t leave purchases to the last minute to avoid being left with fewer options to choose from.
2. Check third-party sellers. Look for sellers you know and trust. Be cautious with unfamiliar retailers and research their reviews and location.
3. Choose branded toys. Try to select branded products for the ability to compare them with information on the manufacturer’s website.
4. Choose wisely regarding price. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Check age restrictions. Ensure you are providing toys appropriate for the child’s age.
6. Carefully check reviews. Some may be fake, so read comments closely.
7. Stay with children during unboxing. When your child opens the toy for the first time, stay nearby and check for defects, small parts, access to filling material, as well as removable batteries or magnets.