How Do You Start Collecting Pops? 13 Easy Tips to Start

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Written By Adam
I'm Adam Wright, a collector at the crossroads of sneaker culture and nerd collectibles.My collection is a vibrant mix of rare sneakers and memorabilia from comics, video games, and sci-fi. Each piece tells a story of innovation, design, and fandom.My passion is more than just acquiring items; it's about connecting with the culture and history behind them and fostering a community that shares these interests.

Funko Pops have become a popular collectible item for fans of all ages. These vinyl figures come in various characters and franchises, making them a fun and exciting way to express your fandom. But where do you start when it comes to collecting Pops? Ready? Let’s go!

How do you Start collecting pops:

1. Believe in yourself

The first step in how to start collecting pops is to believe in yourself. Then, don’t be afraid to ask for help, try new things, or fail—failure is the next step after success when you go into a Pop! Collecting journey, it can be hard to know where to start or what type of toy you want to collect.

However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a way for you to find your niche and start collecting Pops!

If you have an idea of what kind of collectible toys you like (maybe something related to comics), this article can help point out different places to get started with your collection.

2. Create a budget

Before you start buying Pops, it’s important to create a budget. You don’t want to buy too many figures and spend more money than you can afford. Try setting aside at least $50 every month for your collection.

For incredible deals on Pops, check out eBay and our Pop Price Guide for inspiration. Of course, the best way to stay within that budget is by knowing what price points are good value and which ones aren’t worth it—and fortunately, we’ve got plenty of guides for that, too!

3. Declutter first

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We all have things we don’t use; sometimes, it’s hard to part with them. But to start collecting pops, you must eliminate the stuff that isn’t important or meaningful in your life.

Because pops are an investment, they’re not cheap—and they shouldn’t be treated like cheap toys because of their value (or lack thereof).

4. Plan what you need

Planning is a crucial part of collecting. It helps you stay on track and avoid impulse buys, which we all know can lead to expensive mistakes.

Planning also makes it easier to focus on what you want because if you don’t have a specific item in mind, then it’s easy to get lost browsing and end up buying something that sounds cool but isn’t something that would fit into your collection.

5. Pick the right display case

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The suitable display case will be big enough to hold your collection, easy to access and clean, sturdy but not too heavy, attractive, and fit the decor of your room.

When deciding how big of a display case you’ll need, think about how many Pops you want to put in it.

If you have a small collection (or are starting), one with glass doors is probably best because it’s easier to see through them than those with solid walls or doors.

These cases also protect your Pops from dust and damage if they’re knocked over or dropped accidentally.

6. Make friends in the community

If you’re new to the hobby and asking yourself, “how to get into funko pop collecting?” well, social media is a great place to connect with other collectors.

You can find local collectors on Facebook or Instagram and join their collectible groups. You can also find people in your area via Reddit, YouTube, Twitter, and hobby forums like the Pops Anonymous Clubhouse (which has an active Discord channel).

7. Make an inventory list

Keep a physical list of what you have and what you want. Making an inventory of your collection is the best way to keep track of your Pops!

You can make a physical list that you can use to mark off the ones you’ve bought or received as gifts or create an online list using any number of inventory apps like Pinterest or Instagram.

8. Track your spending

One of the best ways to get started collecting Pops! is to track how much you spend. Whether you use an app on your phone or a spreadsheet on your computer, tracking your purchases will help you plan for future purchases and stay within your budget.

Use this information as a guide when deciding which Pops! to buy next, so you can stay on track with collecting them all!

9. Set a collection goal

Here’s another tip on how to start collecting funko pops. If you have a budget, it might be helpful to set a goal. If you’re starting, it can be hard to figure out your priorities.

Answer these two questions before you get started:

Should you collect every pop of your favorite character? Or would it make more sense to focus on completing one particular series?

10. Don’t buy based on price or hype

There are a lot of factors that can affect the value of your collection, but you should always go with your gut. Is this item something that you love and want to display?

If so, it’s worth buying (even overpriced). On the other hand, never buy something just because other collectors are collecting it because they’ll continue to pay more.

11. Stick to your budget and stay patient

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Another tip for starting a pop collection is sticking to your budget. It’s important to know how much you can afford and not over that amount, even if it means waiting for a sale or passing on an item that is too expensive.

Only buy something if you have enough money, and don’t spend more!

12. Take chances, but take care of your collection!

A near-perfect Funko can bring you the extra zero if you want to sell it later.

Things change in our lives. You may need extra space for your new baby or money to buy a new car for your family.

It doesn’t hurt to be extra careful in handling your Funko.

13. Enjoy!

Be proud and be happy with your Funko. Enjoy your collection!

Before you go…

Hopefully, these tips have helped you on the topic of how do you start collecting Pops. Whether you’re just starting or looking for new ideas, we’ve covered everything from budgeting to buying to displaying.

Check out my next article: “Are Funko Pops Worth Collecting? 5 Rarest and Most Expensive Funko Pops.”

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