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- Avoid overpriced items, fakes, and mystery boxes unless they're from official booths.
- Plushies, exclusives, and artist alley treasures are where the real value lies.
- Plan ahead, compare prices, and don’t let convention FOMO burn your wallet.
3 Things You Should and Should NOT Buy at Anime Conventions!
If you've ever walked into an anime convention and felt your wallet tremble, you're not alone. With mountains of merch, flashing lights, and booths yelling “EXCLUSIVE!”, it's all too easy to overspend—or worse, regret your haul entirely. But fear not, fellow otaku! Whether you’re a con veteran or a first-timer armed with a weekend badge and a dream, here are three things you should absolutely buy—and three you should seriously avoid.
❌ What You Should NOT Buy
1. 🚫 Fake Figures and Bootlegs
They still pop up at some cons, even the big ones. Bootlegs can look nearly identical to legit merch, but the quality (and value) is way off. Learn to spot logos like Good Smile Company for Nendoroids or check official box art for Funko Pops. If it seems too cheap or “off,” it probably is. And if you spot a fake? Kindly inform the vendor—or better yet, con staff. Let’s keep the fake stuff out of our fandom.
2. 💸 Overpriced Merch (Especially Figures)
Three items you’ll often see overvalued:
- Nendoroids
- Funko Pops
- FREEing Figures (especially 1/4 scale bunnies)
Vendors know these sell fast, so they sometimes hike up prices way beyond retail. Research market value before the con (AmiAmi, eBay sold listings, MyFigureCollection), and don’t be afraid to pass or haggle politely. Just don’t get caught paying $600 for a figure you could get online for $400.
3. 🎲 Mystery Boxes (Unless Official)
They look fun. They're flashy. They're usually a waste of money. Most mystery boxes are packed with unwanted merch vendors couldn’t sell individually. Sure, a lucky few pull something great—but most walk away with cheap filler. If you must try your luck, only do so at official booths like Good Smile’s gachapon-style games, where you’re guaranteed something worthwhile.
✅ What You SHOULD Buy
1. 🧸 Rare & Imported Plushies
Plush lovers, rejoice. Anime cons are the place to find rare Japanese plushies that never hit mainstream U.S. shelves. From giant Nesoberi to keychain-sized cuties, you’ll find unique designs that even online shops like Entertainment Earth don’t stock. Saw a massive Hatsune Miku plush for $700? Sounds steep—until you realize it sells online for $1,200. Be ready to dig through the mound, because treasure’s in there.
2. 🌟 Convention-Only Exclusives
Some vendors and publishers offer con-only merch that won’t ever go up online. Limited-edition figures, clothing, accessories, or collab items—once they sell out, they’re gone. Be sure to check the official con website and booth announcements ahead of time. Last year at Anime NYC, one attendee snagged the final Aniplex exclusive blanket—a true unicorn find.
3. 🎨 Artist Alley Gold
This is the real con MVP. Artist Alley is bursting with original fan art, custom pins, stickers, keychains, and even handmade figures or plushies. Skip the flashy megabooths and wander into the small, unassuming ones—you’ll find incredible work and support independent creators directly.
Bonus: You’ll often chat with the artist themselves. Instant good vibes and even commissions!
Be Smart, Score Big
Anime conventions are a whirlwind of excitement, neon signs, and impulse buys. But with a little planning (and this list in hand), you’ll sidestep buyer’s remorse and walk out with some seriously epic loot. Avoid the traps, hunt for the hidden gems, and don’t forget to hit up the Artist Alley. Your future self—and your display shelf—will thank you.
So, con-goers, ready to level up your haul game? Stay tuned for more convention hacks, haul breakdowns, and anime fandom deep dives right here at Land of Geek Magazine!
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