How to spot a fake Beanie Boo, and why we only sell genuine Ty

Counterfeit Beanie Boos are real, they are out there, they are common on some overseas marketplaces, and if you have ever seen one next to the real thing, the difference is stark, and a little sad. Wonky eyes, thin fur, crooked stitching, and a heart tag that looks like it was printed in a hurry, because it was.

We wish we didn't have to write about this, but we do. Buyer beware!

If you are buying from a marketplace listing, here is what we recommend that you check. The eyes on a genuine Boo are glossy, deep and evenly set, and fakes rarely get them right. The heart tag should be a rich red with crisp gold trim, a proper Ty logo, and the character's name, birthday and poem inside. Check the seams and fabric, since genuine Ty plush is dense and soft where fakes tend to feel sparse. And be suspicious of prices that seem too good, or of "rare" Boos from sellers with thousands of identical items.

Or skip the detective work.

Everything we sell here at www.beanieboosaustralia.com comes direct from Ty Inc. through their authorised Australian distributor. There is one supply chain between the Ty factory and our shelves, and it is the official one. We do not buy job lots, we do not source from marketplaces, and we never sell secondhand stock. Every single item is brand new, with the tags in the condition a collector hopes for.

This is one of the quiet advantages of buying from an authorised local retailer at RRP. The price on the popular characters is fair, and the authenticity question simply never comes up.

If you are ever unsure about a Boo you bought elsewhere, bring your questions along. We are always happy to talk plush forensics.