Most people think that you can only purchase Hot Toys from one or two worldwide distributors and then on the secondary market such as eBay. They think that most other online stores are fake. This is true to an extent; however, there are many online stores that have been in business for over 20 years selling high-end collectibles.
The best online stores that you can purchase Hot Toys collectibles from are Sideshow Collectibles, Alter Ego Comics, Big Bad Toy Store, Timewalker Toys, Underground Figures, Popcultcha (AU), Toy Square (CA), Toys Buying Agent (HK), Toys Wonderland (HK). Some of these stores also have a physical location where you can walk in and make purchases.
We are going to take a look at the nine best online stores, with some of them also have a physical brick ad mortar store, so that you will be able to find the special figure you are looking for safely.
Where to purchase Hot Toys overview
You have to be wary when purchasing your sought-after high-end collectibles from just anywhere. Not only people but retailers as well may not have a problem selling you fake or ripped off merchandise. Mostly due to the fact that Hot Toys collectibles are rare and expensive.
Hence, you need to know where to purchase your collectibles from. These are the trusted stores that we suggest you purchase your special collectible from. We did not include eBay in here because that is a secondary market, and we only considered retailers for this article.
Sideshow Collectibles
Founded in 1993, this company is not only a Hot Toys official distributor, but they also make their own high-end collectibles, statues, and high-end pieces (such as art). They sell and distribute Hot Toys worldwide to North and South America, Europe, and parts of Asia. They are a trusted and reputable source, and you can check them out here.
Alter Ego Comics
With over 300 positive reviews on their Facebook page, a physical store that you can actually walk into, and staff that actually work there and earn a living, Alter Ego Comics is one of those sole proprietary owned small-town American businesses that sell and deliver high-end collectibles.
They boast about having the best rewards program ever as well as having support where you can speak to an actual person. You can check them out here.
Big Bad Toy Store
Not familiar to many people, the Big Bad Toy Store is also a reputable online store that has been around since 1999. That’s right, and most people don’t even know they exist. They started off with an incredible 12 000 square foot warehouse, which turned into 52 000 square feet over the years. If you go to their website, you can read their entire history, which the owner and founder Joe Boblit wrote. Check them out here.
Timewalker Toys
Timewalker Toys is an actual physical store based in Kansas City in The United States. Much like Alter Ego Comics, they are a relatively small business with an online store that you can order and preorder from.
Founded in 2003 by Steven and Margaret Allen, the store deals mainly with 1/6 scale collectibles. They ship worldwide and care bout their customers so much that they offer free shipping, billing alerts, and bundles. Check them out here.
Underground Figures
Established in 1999, this online collectible toy store is based in West Warwick, in the United States. They will ship worldwide, and they even have a returns policy. Even though not recognized in terms of fashionable like some of the other stores, this online store sometimes offers excellent deals and is safe. Check them out here.
Popcultcha (AU)
Popcultcha is a massive store similar in regards to Sideshow Collectibles, except they are based in Australia. Don’t let that bring you dismay because they ship worldwide. This store was established in 1993, and the online store was only established in 2011 but has grown to be one of the most gigantic online toy stores there is.
You can pick up almost anything toy-related at this online store, including great Hot Toys collectibles. Check them out here.
Toy Square (CA)
This is our only Canadian based company, which is situated in Markham, Ontario. They have a physical store as well as an online store and are also an official authorized dealer of Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectible figures. Furthermore, this site sometimes has great deals on Hot Toys that you can seem to find anywhere else. Check them out here.
Toys Buying Agent (HK)
This site is not necessarily just a store, but a site/company that helps you find the collectibles you want and then is as well an online store. They will help you source any collectible you may want and charge you a service fee for doing so. Relatively new, this online store only came about in 2020. However, you do get what you pay for, and there is a support team to help you with anything you may need. Check them out here.
Toys Wonderland (HK)
Toys Wonderland is a Hong Kong-based online store that is partnered with YouTube toy influencers such as Justin’s Collection and Terence Tee. Without going into too much detail, they are a perfectly legitimate business, and you should feel safe purchasing your collectibles from here.
You can check out my other article, Is Toys Wonderland A Legitimate Company, where I go over this company with a fine-tooth comb.
Conclusion
Most people just think of the big names when it comes to retailers and distributors for purchasing Hot Toys. As we discovered, there are actually quite a few businesses that have been around for many years (most of them over two decades).
Some of these toy stores have physical (brick and mortar) shops that you can walk into, and then they all have an online store that ships worldwide.
Many online stores are illegal and will either try to steal your personal information or sell you fake merchandise. However, these stores are all reputable, and you can rest assured you will find that special figure you are looking for from one of them.
