Browsing on eBay, Junior Will Hawes searches for a rare Funko Pop he’s wanted to collect for years. He comes across a Bruce the Shark from Finding Nemo Funko Pop listed at the lowest price he’s seen across multiple platforms, Hawes buys it without a second thought.
“I started collecting Funko Pops because I thought they looked cool to have,” Hawes said. “There’s a lot too so there’s always some from something that you enjoy.”
Funko Pops are action figures that have a signature unique look. Founded as a bobble head company in 1998, the action figures have transformed into a global brand which portrays many likenesses, from fictional characters to modern-day icons.
“My favorite one would have to be Treasure Skeleton from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’ It’s very detailed and unique,” Hawes said.
In order to add to his collection, Hawes searches for certain Funko Pops on online resale websites. Normally, his go-to website for rare Funkos is eBay. Using this website, he’s collected a substantial number of figurines.
“I’ve been collecting them for four years, and I’ve collected around 150 Funko Pops total. I’ve sold many though so I don’t have as much anymore,” Hawes said. “Every year I get around 15 of them. A couple years ago I would probably get around 35 to 40 a year but I would sell most of them. Right now I have around 100 and most are stored away. I’m not sure what I want to do with most of them.”
Of the hundreds that Hawes has collected, he has sold many online as well. According to Hawes, he has earned thousands of dollars more than he has spent.
“I do resell them as just a side thing. I would say I’ve made around $2,000 profit,” Hawes said. “I sell them online on eBay too. The people who buy them could be collectors or just people who like the particular one.”
Hawes usually sets out to find more sought after figures for cheap. Sometimes he keeps them in his collection, or if he has little-to-no interest in keeping them, he will sell them for potential profit. He tries to keep the value of them as high as he can, so he tends to keep the most expensive ones he’s planning to sell in the box still so their value doesn’t depreciate.
“I search for ones that are liked by many. It could be from a particular show or movie that many people enjoy that makes them want something from the show or movie,” Hawes said. “When I get them I usually keep them in the box because that keeps their value. Some I do have out though because they aren’t as expensive and I won’t be selling them.”
Hawes sees this hobby as a learning experience.
“Collecting funko pops has taught me how to smartly budget,” Hawes. “Getting a lot can add up and cost a lot so I now only choose ones I think are valuable and can be resold for more.”
The Funko Pop finally arrives at his house. He carefully takes it out of the package and adds it to the perfect spot in his collection.
