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A Malaysian collector has expressed regret after spending nearly RM200,000 on designer toys such as Labubu and Bearbrick, warning others not to fall into the same trap
In an anonymous submission shared on the Facebook page 李大叔, the man said what started as a small interest slowly turned into an unhealthy obsession driven by comparison and the fear of missing out (FOMO).
"I used to be a very proud 'collector'. Now I just want to say one thing: Don't fall into this trap so easily," he advised.
He said he initially bought a few pieces of the collectable designer toys because he found them cute and aesthetically pleasing
"I saw friends collecting Bearbrick and Labubu. They looked cute and very well designed. Buying one or two to display at home made me feel like I had good taste," he said.
However, things changed after he joined online collector groups.
He said members would frequently share photos of new purchases, limited editions, and discussions about potential price increases.
"Slowly, I started to feel something: If I didn't keep up, I would lose out," he reflected.
What began as purchases costing hundreds or thousands of ringgit eventually escalated into tens of thousands
"After a while, it was no longer about 'liking' them," he said candidly, adding that it soon became about comparison.
"If others had it, I wanted it too. If it was limited edition, I felt I had to get it."
By the time he realised what was happening, he had already spent close to RM200,000.
He said realisation hit one day while he was sitting in his living room looking at his collection, when he realised the money could have been used for more practical purposes
"If I hadn't bought all these, that RM200k could have bought a Mercedes or BMW in cash, or been used as a down payment for a condo.
"But now? What did I actually get? A pile of toys that I can't eat, can't use, and can't easily convert back to cash."
He said he faced a harsh reality when he tried to sell the items and realised that "nobody wants them".
"The ones I rushed to buy at high prices before? Now the market is cold. Prices have dropped. Some can't even be sold at their original price," he said.
Now, he feels stuck with items that are difficult to sell, too painful to look at, yet too wasteful to throw away.
Ultimately, he said his biggest regret is not the money itself, but the decisions he made
"Now I finally understand: Not every 'limited edition' will increase in value. And not every 'collection' is an investment.
"Many times, you think you are investing. But actually, you are just helping someone else clear their inventory."
He advised those who are just starting out or who feel they may be getting addicted to pause and reconsider their priorities.
He added that many people may believe they are building valuable collections, but in reality, they may simply be paying for fleeting trends.
