Latest news with #collectors
The Verge
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
The frenzied, gamified chase for Labubus
On Thursday night, I toggled endlessly between a TikTok Live stream and a shopping app in anticipation of 9:30PM. For 30 minutes, I hunted for an available listing; many expletives were uttered. I exhibited bot behavior and got iced out of the app multiple times. I tapped so many times my thumbs got sore. This is Labubu drop night. Something that's lost in the Labubu mania is that actually buying one from the source is, in one word, maddening. There are, of course, countless fake options ('Lafufus') that some collectors have come to embrace. But if you want a guaranteed real one, you have to go to the source. Pop Mart, the Chinese toy company that sells Labubu products, has created a series of Sisyphean tasks to subject shoppers to, a humiliation ritual with the chance of getting a little figurine at the end. Unlike many other rare, trendy, or collectible items, the barrier to entry for Labubus is not the cost of the item ($27.99) — it's everything you need to learn how to do before you buy them. I spent about a day researching how to actually purchase a legit Labubu from Pop Mart. It's not a straightforward shopping experience of simply clicking 'check out' faster than everyone else. Pop Mart has created a digital frenzy that somewhat resembles what shopping in-person on Black Friday is like: interactive illustrations show display cases stocked with up to six boxes of Labubus. Seconds after they hit the site, all of the boxes are grayed out, meaning someone has at least temporarily claimed them. If you haven't secured a Labubu, you must scroll through a seemingly endless list of display cases, looking for the rare box up for grabs; more often, though, you must tap constantly, looking for a gray box with a timer that is about to expire, at which point it will be released and available again. You have to play what is essentially a mobile game to even get a chance to buy a Labubu. The complexity and finickiness of the Pop Mart app mean that there is no shortage of content with tips, hints, and hacks for securing a Labubu. Some influencers have racked up millions of views almost exclusively making videos about how to score popular Pop Mart products. Some of the tips I studied ended up helping me: when I tapped too many times and was blocked by the app, turning Wi-Fi on and off did indeed fix the problem. But other suggestions from collectors were impossible to follow. Some fans swear by camping out on Pop Mart's hourslong TikTok live streams, waiting for the host to randomly list Labubus for sale on the platform's shopping page; the auctioneer-style monologues were simply too much for me to listen to. After about 30 minutes of uninterrupted two-handed tapping, close encounters, and error messages, I finally spammed a gray box right at the moment it was released. The mystery Labubu was mine. I 'shook' the virtual box, which gave me a hint as to what color character was inside: it was not orange or green (I didn't have a color preference, but other shoppers might at this point abandon a box that Pop Mart says does not contain their color of choice). After checkout, I opted to reveal which Labubu I had purchased — it was the blue one, named 'Hope.' It's not entirely surprising that Labubus have taken off like this: the more you are forced to look at them, the cuter they become (maybe). They're not the first so-called blind box toy to gain a cult following, and there's a somewhat dark comparison to be made between Labubus and gambling — for serious collectors, the thrill is in the reveal, the chance that you hit the rare color that Pop Mart says is in one out of 72 boxes. It's addictive, plain and simple. But the longer I spent on Labubu forums or on the Pop Mart site, the more I understood that the toy at the end is almost beside the point: legit Labubus represent the time and effort that came before the unboxing, along with the pure luck of what's inside. A friend who has scored dozens of Labubus for their network told me flipping the dolls isn't even worth it unless it's an unopened box or a rare color — the margins are too low to make real money. The pervasiveness of Lafufus no doubt helps to push prices down. The real value of Labubus is in the ridiculous hoops you have to jump through to get a shot at something collectible. According to Google Trends, search volume for 'Labubu' is as high as it's been. The TikTok livestreams will drone on, the bots will be deployed nightly, and the viral unboxings will pull in views. The hype will die down only when it's no longer torture to buy one, when the little guys (who are actually canonically girls) are just a toy, not a stand-in for your effort. When that will happen is anyone's guess; my Labubu is scheduled to ship out in September.
Wall Street Journal
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
In New York, Group Shows Send Mixed Messages
New York The summer group show is an art-world mainstay. As collectors abandon their urban abodes for far-flung vacation homes, gallerists take advantage of the seasonal slowdown to stage exhibitions that offer a hiatus from the hard-nosed seriousness of the other months, a breezy annual break that's as welcome as a zephyr on a sweltering July day. So it's somewhat bold when a gallery tackles a meaty subject, and a pair of shows do just that, opting to investigate political power at a time when many folks have switched their phones to do-not-disturb as they sun on the beach.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rare $2 coloured coins Aussies can find in their change: ‘Keep an eye out'
Aussies who pay with cash have the chance to find two rare $2 coloured coins. The Royal Australian Mint has teamed up with Rugby Australia to release two Wallabies and Wallaroos coins. Designed by the Mint's Adam Ball, the $2 coins feature the team's official logo and colours, with a stadium beneath and two athletes above. The obverse features the portrait of King Charles. From today, Aussies across the country can receive the special coins in their change when paying with cash at participating Rebel Sports stores. RELATED Rare $2 coin worth 10 times more due to this detail: 'Lucky to find' Aussie tradie loses $110,000 house deposit due to small detail $105,000 superannuation warning over growing 'mini-retirement' trend Royal Australian Mint acting CEO Emily Martin said the coin release was a nod to 150 years of Rugby Union history with the Wallabies test series against the British and Irish Lions, and the lead up to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England. 'Whether you're a die-hard rugby supporter or a collector, this is your chance to own a piece of sporting history,' she said. Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said the coins symbolised two key events and were a 'true collector's item' given the Lions only visit every 12 years and the Women's Rugby World Cup is held every four years. 'It's a significant year for Rugby in Australia and these coins honour each team as they compete in pinnacle events at the highest level on the global stage,' he said. Waugh encouraged Aussies to 'keep an eye out for a coin at their local Rebel Sport store'. How can I get the coins? The $2 coloured coins can exclusively be found in your change when paying with cash at participating Rebel stores. They are available from today for a limited time until stocks last. A two-coin collector set is also available for purchase, which features a slightly different design for the coloured inner circle. This set is available to purchase through Rebel online and through the Mint's call centre, shop and eShop. It is available from 8:30am on Thursday, July 17, for $17.99. Warning as coins listed for 10 times more Some sellers on eBay have pre-emptively listed the $2 coins that will go into circulation for $49.45 for the pair. The Mint has recommended only purchasing through its authorised channels. "There is no guarantee on quality or authenticity of products purchased from unauthorised sellers," the Royal Australian Mint spokesperson previously told Yahoo Finance. "Any listings prior to the official release date are considered illegitimate."Sign in to access your portfolio
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Science
- Washington Post
Largest piece of Mars on Earth fetches $5.3 million at auction, but young dinosaur steals the show
The largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth was sold for just over $5 million at an auction of rare geological and archaeological objects in New York on Wednesday. But a rare young dinosaur skeleton stole the show when it fetched more than $30 million in a bidding frenzy.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hidden gems and big names: the NFL Rookie Cards to watch in 2025
With preseason football kicking off at the end of this month, it's the perfect time for collectors to start placing their bets on the best player investments for the upcoming season. The recent release of 2025 Score Football has given us an early look at how the hobby values some of these players. With only their college performances to guide us, (and Yahoo Fantasy projections) investing wisely now could yield big profits later. It's not just about obvious names like Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, though, hidden gems often emerge from rookie classes. (Note: All card prices mentioned are recent sales on 2025 Score ungraded base autos sold on eBay.) From clear favorites to sleeper picks, here are rookies worth watching as the season starts: Category 1: The Obvious Chases Cam Ward is the #1 overall pick and likely the biggest chase this season. While the Tennessee Titans' situation isn't perfect, Ward's talent and presence as a quarterback make him a solid choice to chase for collectors. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: N/A Travis Hunter is perhaps the most intriguing rookie entering the market. His rare ability to make big plays on both offense and defense, paired with Brian Thomas Jr. and Trevor Lawrence, makes Hunter one of the most exciting cards this preseason. His base ungraded autos recently sold for around $94, a strong price considering the recent release of 2025 Score Football. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$94 (Buy on eBay) Ashton Jeanty is considered the best running back in the class. He put up mind-boggling numbers at Boise State and has the ability to put up massive games in Las Vegas. His base ungraded autos recently sold for around $150, marking him as the highest valued rookie from Score 2025 at this time. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$150 (Buy on eBay) Shedeur Sanders enters a crowded quarterback room with the Cleveland Browns. Although the depth chart is filled, the lack of elite arms ahead of him could open a door. If, and it's a big IF, Sanders can bring his unique style to the NFL level and impress early, there's no doubt he will become a hot card in the market. His situation carries high volatility, there is still no guarantee he will make the team, making him a boom-or-bust investment. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$100 (Buy on eBay) Category 2: Solid Investments with Upside Tetairoa McMillan was the first wide receiver off the board, landing with the Carolina Panthers. If Bryce Young lives up to his #1 overall pick hype and McMillan becomes his go-to receiver, this could be a solid investment. McMillan's size and comparisons to Drake London should interest collectors. Don't expect his prices to remain this low for long. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$33 (Buy on eBay) Jaxson Dart enters a tenuous situation in New York. He's a young quarterback, drafted higher than expected, coming into a huge market. With Malik Nabers waiting as a young star on the team, this pairing makes for an attractive prospect. If things go well, and New York embraces him, Dart's card value could surpass even Cam Ward's. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~ N/A Tyler Warren, a Penn State tight end known for his impressive college career, the ability to run the ball, and athleticism for his size, is another player to watch. As he looks to follow the example of Brock Bowers' incredible rookie success last year, Warren could be a valuable pickup. While his quarterback situation might limit immediate impact, evolving tight end roles mean he could surprise collectors this season. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$35 (Buy on eBay) Category 3: Mid-Tier Players to Watch Cam Skattebo, drafted in the 4th round by the New York Giants, impressed during the College Football Playoffs. Though no longer an unknown sleeper, his autos are already going for over $50, indicating there is serious hype for him in NYC. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$50 (Buy on eBay) Kaleb Johnson will be part of the Steelers' competitive running back committee and could carve out a nice role on this solid team. Should he be able to prove himself early, he has the potential to make a serious impact in meaningful games this season. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$35 (Buy on eBay) Matthew Golden, joins a trigger happy Jordan Love in Green Bay this season. He's fast and has the opportunity to operate as Jordan Love's top target this season, should he be able to prove himself. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$45 (Buy on eBay) Category 4: Sleepers to Stash Now Elic Ayomanor, a 4th round pick to the Tennessee Titans, could quietly become a nice target for Cam Ward. The Titans are looking to surround their #1 overall pick with weapons, and Ayomanor's great career at Stanford suggests he could make an impact. His autos can be found for as little as $10, making him one of the more affordable options on this list. Meanwhile, Xavier Restrepo, who was the all-time leader in receiving yards for Miami and Cam Ward's number one target there, has autos trading around $13–$15. Just as Burrow and Jamar Chase continued their success in Cincinnati, look for Ward to take care of his guy early on. Might as well take a shot on one of these guys becoming Cam Ward's preferred target and see if you can hit big. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$10 (Buy on eBay) (Ayomanor) Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~ $15 (Buy on eBay) (Restrepo) Tre Harris, moving to the Los Angeles Chargers, could be interesting. He was the number one receiver for Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss, and with Justin Herbert always looking for a second option, Harris could alleviate pressure from other targets. His autos recently sold for just $7.50, making him a cheap investment with potential upside. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$7.50 (Buy on eBay) Omarion Hampton, coming off an incredible career at UNC that saw him rush for over 3,000 yards. A dynamic and strong runner will be inserted into the backfield with Justin Herbert going into his sixth season. There is competition with Najee Harris who has never lived up to his initial hype coming out of college. I would expect Harbaugh to give Hampton a good crack at it, and there is precedence for strong running backs in this offense after J.K. Dobbins' season last year. Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$25 (Buy on eBay) Who is your chase this season? Let us know on Mantel.
