Knock-off figures - general discussion

[triceratops83]

In my opinion, it is worth it to hunt down an original rather than going for a recast. Recasts are such horrible quality.  I have owned a recast once in the past (back when I was first starting out and didn't understand what recasting actually was) and the quality is like night and day.

I bet if you asked the original artist, 99% of them would not want their work cast without their consent, even if the kit is out of production. I believe it is important to respect that right.

Thanks for that, Tyrantqueen. I have always sought the originals myself, but to be perfectly honest, I was momentarily tempted. The question is, how are they allowed to operate so openly? I see a lot of copies of Dinoland, Horizon and even Sideshow in some cases on Ebay, and Ebay is loaded with Rules and Conditions. So is this illegal, or what?

[tyrantqueen]

Sideshow? Are you sure?

You can report them to eBay but I'm not sure it makes a difference. Even if one auction gets taken down, they'll just sprout back up again like weeds  

[triceratops83]

Sideshow? Are you sure?

I've seen a copy of the V-rex vs Kong statue from somewhere in Asia, presented as a resin model, painted poorly and in different colours. I'll try and find it, if I do I'll post a link.

I did find this though. This is the Mexican Seller I was talking about. First time I've seen this though.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-Dinos-set-16-Dinosaur-Model-Resin-Kit-Statue-Figure-Unpainted-Unassembled-/111571303067?pt=Collectibles_Animation_Art&hash=item19fa2afa9b

Someone might wanna get a hold of Mr Krentz.

Found it.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KING-KONG-VS-V-REX-T-REX-STATUE-DINOSAUR-REPLICA-MOVIE-SHOW-DECO-RESIN-KIT-NEW-/121336264390?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item1c403476c6

[Dinomike]

...Hmm I didn't consider that before.  It could be that, or they just thought up a name, who knows. All I do know is it's aggrivating, I've had friend who hand make beautiful plushies and now their designs too are being stolen and sold.

http://tinyurl.com/papoallosaurusripoff Another Papo Ripoff

And another Jurassic Park toy ripoff
http://tinyurl.com/JPripoff

I do find the witings on the package most amusing! 'Best gift!', 'simulation model'. Oh well...! 

[triceratops83]

I do find the witings on the package most amusing! 'Best gift!', 'simulation model'. Oh well...!

And the listing quotes "No bad smell, environmental plastic, harmless"

[DinoLord]

The way I see it someone who is willing to recast retired kits is probably just as willing to recast in-production ones or is already doing so.

[triceratops83]

The way I see it someone who is willing to recast retired kits is probably just as willing to recast in-production ones or is already doing so.

Clearly, if they're already copying Krentz's Antediluvian line. I feel bad for even bringing it up - these people are obviously crooks.

Huh, someone bought it already.

[Alexxitator]

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Jurassic-Park-Carnivorous-Dinosaurs-Toy-Allosaurus-Mouth-can-open-Classic-Toys-For-Boys-Animal-Model-Top/32297666216.html

I just now noticed a whole new range of Papo knockoffs on Ali. This time it's no LivingStone or anything.
For reference; the "original" line of duplicates mentioned earlier...

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Jurassic-Park-Carnivorous-Dinosaurs-Toy-Tyrannosaurus-rex-Size-25CM-Classic-Toys-For-Boys-Collection-Animal-Model/32220126646.html

Is this actually a Rebor? I have my doubts since they do not use that name but Yifan instead..
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Brand-model-toy-box-Jurassic-Park-Tyrannosaurus-Rex-action-figure-Refinement-pvc-model-decoration-Boy-Girl/32289338032.html

[SBell]

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Jurassic-Park-Carnivorous-Dinosaurs-Toy-Allosaurus-Mouth-can-open-Classic-Toys-For-Boys-Animal-Model-Top/32297666216.html

I just now noticed a whole new range of Papo knockoffs on Ali. This time it's no LivingStone or anything.
For reference; the "original" line of duplicates mentioned earlier...

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Jurassic-Park-Carnivorous-Dinosaurs-Toy-Tyrannosaurus-rex-Size-25CM-Classic-Toys-For-Boys-Collection-Animal-Model/32220126646.html

Is this actually a Rebor? I have my doubts since they do not use that name but Yifan instead..
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Brand-model-toy-box-Jurassic-Park-Tyrannosaurus-Rex-action-figure-Refinement-pvc-model-decoration-Boy-Girl/32289338032.html

That site has so many knock-off or suspect figures on it. Including Colorata, Safari, CollectA, Play Visions, Bandai and others. Many of them are discontinued models. Prices are all over the place, but I wouldn't trust any

[TJ_Terrorsaur]

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Jurassic-Park-Carnivorous-Dinosaurs-Toy-Allosaurus-Mouth-can-open-Classic-Toys-For-Boys-Animal-Model-Top/32297666216.html

I just now noticed a whole new range of Papo knockoffs on Ali. This time it's no LivingStone or anything.
For reference; the "original" line of duplicates mentioned earlier...

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Jurassic-Park-Carnivorous-Dinosaurs-Toy-Tyrannosaurus-rex-Size-25CM-Classic-Toys-For-Boys-Collection-Animal-Model/32220126646.html

Is this actually a Rebor? I have my doubts since they do not use that name but Yifan instead..
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Brand-model-toy-box-Jurassic-Park-Tyrannosaurus-Rex-action-figure-Refinement-pvc-model-decoration-Boy-Girl/32289338032.html

The last one does look like the Rebor King T-Rex.

[CityRaptor]

Atleast by those pictures.

[tyrantqueen]

It is true that aliexpress has lots of KO sellers. But there are some genuine sellers on there. If you're a Transformers collector you may be familiar with Uncle Billy. He is a Chinese seller who sells genuine products (he does have some KOs in his store, but they are labelled as such) I have bought genuine toys from him with no problems.

So maybe that Tyrannosaurus is being sold by the Chinese distributor? Their stuff is being manufactured in China, if I recall. If not, it may be an idea to contact Rebor about this, if someone is knocking off their products.

Also, I find it humourous that the pirates have ripped off a running Papo Tyrannosaurus and painted it brown. Guess they must have heard about the fan demand for that figure.

[sauroid]

they made the lower teeth longer too, to appeal to collectors outside china.

[Rathalosaurus]

Look at this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/201354780579?rmvSB=true

[HunterKiller]

Has anyone here purchased those oversized Safari Knockoffs? I'm kinda interested in picking up the Miragaia and Brachiosaurus. How are they? If just being in the same room as them is enough to give my kid lead poisoning then i'm staying away. But its really hard to resist because I see them all the time in the cheapo stores.

[Dinomike]

Can you spot the fakes?

[Dinomike]

Some oversized "Safaris" there. I ended up getting the Velociraptor in the pic though:)

[Sim]

Are the fakes just the 'WS' Stegosaurus and 'Carnegie' Brachiosaurus?  I thought the Miragaia might be too because of the paintjob on the face, but the rest of it looks pretty good and its tag looks like a genuine Safari tag.  It's quite surreal seeing some knock-offs among so many Safari/Carnegie figures in an official Safari section.  I can see at least 4 different Tyrannosaurus and 3 different Velociraptor figures in the photo.  Which Velociraptor did you get, Dinomike?  That Microraptor seems to be having fun riding on the Brachiosaurus!  Where was the photo taken?

[Dinomike]

@Sim: I got the latest feathered Carnegie one. The Miragaia was a fake too. The store was a toy store in Riga in Latvia. Don't remember the name.

[Sim]

Oh!  If this picture: http://michell-vall.deviantart.com/art/bootleg-Safari-Carnegie-miragaia-501622095 is of the same knock-off Miragaia, then getting closer leaves no doubt that it's a knock-off!