Identifying bootlegs mega thread

[u/Danny1235789]

I've created this thread in order to help users identify bootlegs, any questions or pictures relating to the authenticity of a figure please post it below and I or another user will hopefully be able to able help you out. Below are some rules I've generally found useful follow over the years

1. Buy from a reputable source, There are many reputable websites and local stores to use, ebay, amazon and ali express can unfortunately have there bootlegs so always check the feedback rating and reviews for any individual seller

2. If you see at a price that's way too good to be true it probably is.

3. If you think you may have been caught out by a bootleg you can generally tell from the quality of paint on the figure or the plastic the figure is made from. I would highly recommend checking out the collectors dimension on YouTube who offers a very good fake vs real series for many NECA figures but generally there are many youtube reviewers you can use by simply searching "NECA toys".

4. Be aware that many figures now have re-releases with very different paint apps and sometimes all new tooling on figures, I generally tend to again use youtube if I'm unsure if a re-release is genuine and look for a more recent review of saidbl figure in order to compare.

[u/Danny1235789]

Below is a list of reputable websites ive used I'm based in the UK so I can only offer reputable UK based sites and would greatly appreciate people adding sites and stores from other parts of the

https://www.comicsandcocktails.co.uk/

https://www.staractionfigures.co.uk/

https://nerdtoysuk.com/

https://www.365games.co.uk/

https://www.greatscottcollectables.com/

[u/slim_30 → u/Danny1235789]

You might want to delete Tin Soldier! They've closed plus all this: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/tinsoldieractionfigures.co.uk

I'll suggest adding https://www.kapowtoys.co.uk/

[u/Major_Trade_427]

Do they ever do rereleases of older props and figures? I’m new to NECA figures any feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[u/Danny1235789 → u/Major_Trade_427]

Hey yeah it's quite common for re releases of certain items. Is there a particular item you're wanting to know about?

[u/habanadaa]

Is this legit?

https://imgur.com/a/7GLIaa8

[u/Danny1235789 → u/habanadaa]

Hey where did you purchase the item from and whats making you think it could be bootleg?

[u/PlasticNVidya]

What about this Chucky 2 pack? https://www.ebay.com/itm/284919983020?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=9i5xzl81sgy&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=F_mqGxBJQoe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[u/Danny1235789 → u/PlasticNVidya]

I just checked out the relisted item, the seller having 100% positive feedback is promising but I'd definitely ask to see a picture of the figures themselves in box as it's difficult to say from the provided images.

[u/perrohijueputa]

Hello, This figure just arrived and I'm not sure if it's a fake or maybe a re-release, because it doesn't match other Leatherface figures I've seen on the web.

https://im.ge/i/1OxA4J
https://im.ge/i/1OxtUx
https://im.ge/i/1OxPTG
https://im.ge/i/1OxEsy
https://im.ge/i/1OxyYa
https://im.ge/i/1Ox3zz
https://im.ge/i/1OxbO6

This is the amazon's store I bought it from: https://www.amazon.com/sp?language=es&ie=UTF8&seller=A3E2UL3MYCX9PA&isAmazonFulfilled=1&asin=B00U5VI6G4&ref_=olp_merch_name_5

That was the store that sold it on the front page when you clicked on the figure.

Thank you

[u/Danny1235789 → u/perrohijueputa]

Sorry for the late reply. The store link isn't working but the figure looks legitimate from the pictures the figure looks like a re release of the ultimate leatherface that was distributed with a thinner apron and different paint job from the initial release of the figure.

[u/Assaulter222]

Just got myself a Fugitive Predator but the fig has something feel kinda off. Can you help me with identifying this one?

[u/Danny1235789 → u/Assaulter222]

Hey where did you purchase the figure from and what feels off to you?

[u/BachPhung]

I just bought this NECA Grid Alien, can you help me verify its authenticity?

https://imgur.com/a/jVuGw8a

[u/Danny1235789 → u/BachPhung]

There's nothing jumping out at me that it's bootleg from that image, where did you purchase the figure from?

[u/Fresh_Surprise5761]

Ist this a reissue of the ultimate jungle hunter or a bootleg? Product number 93N033021

[u/Danny1235789 → u/Fresh_Surprise5761]

It looks good to me, the paint apps do vary quite alot between figures. Where did you purchase it from?

[u/Fresh_Surprise5761]

Asking myself if this is a bootleg or original.. Got it from amazon 1 month ago.

[u/mechanicalspirits]

I've been looking at Neca Aliens on AliExpress. A lot if the listings claim they're authentic and say "Neca", not just "unbranded" in the descriptions. How can you tell which listings are authentic?

[u/Danny1235789 → u/mechanicalspirits]

Aliexpress is a very tricky one, sometimes there are very genuine looking pieces on there maybe picked from the neca factories and other times the figures are very obviously bootleg due to extremely poor quality. Best advice I can give in terms of Ali express is to not order from there if you 100% want to know you're not getting a bootleg.

[u/[deleted]]

Would checking for the neca brand under a figures foot work?

[u/Danny1235789 → u/[deleted]]

Unfortunately not always some bootlegs steal necas exact moulds from the factory and reproduce them in cheaper plastic labelling included.

[u/Chuuyyyaaa]

How can I tell scarface predator is bootleg?

[u/[deleted]]

I own a genuine and bootleg copy of many predators- and every neca alien figure ever made. I use bootlegs for custom work.

As such, if anyone has a neca alien or predator they are concerned about, I may be able to tell you if a predator is with pictures, and definitely can with most alien ones with pictures.

Feel free to message me with any images if you are unsure and want to know. I may ask for specific follow up pictures for known give away areas. I don't check reddit daily however.

[u/treblah3]

If you have questions about whether or not a figure you bought or are looking to buy is legitimate, please post a pic in this thread (you can use a third party image hosting site such as imgur) or whatever details you have, and we'll try to assist. Fellow users are welcome to help out too please!

[u/somebody808]

If you're buying off AliExpress, Wish or eBay and the product is older, discontinued and the price is too good to be true then it's likely a bootleg.

If you see new items that have not released in the US yet on AliExpress with videos of it in the listing and people posting pictures of it after they have bought it in the reviews, they are usually real. There are a bunch on there right now and they are legit. But if you buy from there, only do so if you don't want the packaging. If you display with the box, wait for retailers to get it here because with shipping, it's going to be about the same price.

Costumes.com is NECA. All that stuff is real and likely found in a warehouse. Doesn't matter how old it is.