Is this Zoroark plush legit?

[toastypk]

Hey, it's a long time since I've posted here. I'm a Pokemon plush collector, not of any one, two, or three particular guys, but (usually) one or so of many different favorites. There's a question I've wanted to ask here about someone I'm trying to obtain.

I've liked Zoroark a lot for a long time, and for years, I really wanted to get that Tomy

Comments

[teamcapumon]

I'm personally leaning towards bootleg, but I'm not overly familiar with this plush. What you said about the fur could be an indicator, but I think the one you're inquiring about is simply piled - a loved plush that has changed texture with play (and possibly been washed or thrown in the drier before based on the level of piling). However, comparing some of the stitches, colors, and textures, I think yours looks more like the bootleg ones I found on aliexpress. (I believe they're bootlegs, although they could be factory rejects.)

Here's another example of the official one, that has slightly higher-res pictures:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/pokemon-plush-zoroark-tomy-takara-12-1899672976

And here's a picture of the bootleg from Aliexpress:
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/S29203e03ef844def991c43717e02486cg/TOMY-33cm-Pokemon-Zoroark-Plush-Toy-Cute-Anime-Character-Zoroark-Stuffed-Doll-Animation-Peripherals-Children-s.jpg_Q90.jpg_.webpIn particular, look at the red fabric of the hair and some of the shapes of the plush, as well as

[mayziken]

As has already been mentioned; it seems like the plush you're looking at is a bootleg.

Comparing the two, the real Tomy looks overall is slightly more 'blue' in colors, particularly on the darkest areas. It seems more like a very dark blue on the official version, whereas it's black on the bootleg. Another thing to look out for is that the bootleg overall lacks the attention to detail and patterning of the official (for example, the real plush has a nice bump above the eyes that curves down into the snout, but the bootleg has more of a flat line). The elbow/arm ruffs are also totally different shapes and lengths compared to the real thing (they are much shorter and less detailed).

The tush tag also seems odd to me--I think they're using the wrong typeface/font for Tomy tush tags.

I think the biggest giveaway to me though is the difference in fabric colors. The body should be a much cooler grey and the darkest areas should have a tinge of blue. Aged/loved plush and photographs can make those looks different, but not different enough to

[lugiaxawesomee]

Definitely a bootleg, I own both versions of this plushie and the bootleg uses black fur instead of a dark blue fur. The tag of the official one also is made of a shiny fabric with a light blue logo. Hope that helps!!

[toastypk]

Hey everyone, thanks for your input. I ignored this item and found another one which seemed to fit the bill more based on what everyone has said, and I bought it!

However, I had a new weird feeling about something.

This new item I bought, I just noticed there are two other auctions for what looks like the exact same thing, using the exact same photos, different usernames, just with different prices. What's going on here? It just seems weird and suspicious, but may be something innocuous.

Sorry to link straight to ebay pages but I have to demonstrate what I mean

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204176934581

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165822850678

The photos of the one I bought are more in line with the descriptions you all gave, like the dark blue fur instead of the black. But why are there two more listings for the same thing with the same photos? Have I stepped into something?

[skydramon]

So the two different eBay sellers with the same exact photos is a phenomena known as drop shipping.

Drop shipping is where a seller sets up a listing for a product that they do not actually have in stock yet. For example, the Zoroark plush you just purchased was originally listed on Mercari Japan for 7300 yen, as seen here: https://jp.mercari.com/item/m35381043286

The seller takes the photos from this listing and uses it for their eBay listing. So once you placed your order, the eBay seller uses part of your payment amount to purchase the item from aforementioned website, and once they will receive the item, they will then ship it to you.

It's a fast growing trend of individuals who make a profit by keeping the difference between the wholesale and retail price, and it costs you extra money. 7300 yen is roughly $53.40 right now, and if you had used a Japanese middleman service like Buyee or WakuWakuMono to purchase this item for you at the 7300 yen listed price

[toastypk]

Wow, that's real informative and interesting, thanks! Sounds like something that might be a TEENSY bit iffy but technically not wrong. As someone who's never used a Japanese buying website, I guess something like this would be my only option, and I guess I'm ok to do it this once.

And for what it's worth, what I ended up paying was for a third listing, which I didn't post here, the two I showed were the "copy" listings. I got it down to a much less crazy $110, which was more in the ballpark of what I was willing to spend. Not like the $160+ in the other listings.