The Price Spike on Release Day
When a popular Labubu series releases, secondary market prices spike within hours. Resellers who managed to buy at retail immediately list at 2–3x markup. This initial spike is driven by supply scarcity — most stock is gone before the first day ends.
The first 1–2 weeks after release are the worst time to buy on the secondary market. Supply is low, and sellers have maximum pricing power. Unless you genuinely can't wait, patience pays.
When Prices Typically Settle
For most non-exclusive editions, prices begin to normalize 3–6 weeks after release as more figures enter the secondary market from collectors who pulled duplicates or common figures they don't want. By 8–12 weeks, common figures often trade near or slightly above retail.
The exception: if a series becomes a cultural moment (celebrity endorsement, viral social media moment), the price doesn't settle — it continues to climb. In that case, earlier is better. Most releases don't become viral moments, so patience is usually rewarded.
Secret Rare Figures: Different Pattern
Secret rare prices behave differently from common editions. They spike on release and stay elevated because supply is genuinely limited — there's one per case, and most end up in collector hands rather than back on the market.
Secret rare prices tend to stabilize rather than decline. If you want a specific secret rare, waiting rarely results in significant savings. Buying within the first month (after the initial spike subsides) is usually as good as waiting longer.
Seasonal and Holiday Editions
Seasonal editions (Lunar New Year, holiday, Valentine's) often see a secondary price drop after the associated holiday passes. Once the cultural moment has passed, demand softens and sellers reduce prices.
Conversely, as the holiday approaches again the following year, prices for prior-year seasonal editions often tick up — collectors who missed the previous edition buy to complete their annual series. If you collect seasonal figures, buying in the off-season between associated holidays often gives the best price.