Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it, and apparently, half a dozen rare Funko toys are now worth two diesel-powered Cadillac Escalade SUVs.
According to a recent report from Kotaku, Funko toy collector Junot Ignacio traded six Freddy Venom Pop bobbleheads for a pair of brand-new 2023 Cadillac Escalades, causing quite a stir in the collectibles community.
Per the report, the Freddy Venom figurines are among the most desirable items in the Pop Funko collectible community. A total of 24 units were produced as part of an exclusive event back in 2019, and apparently, Ignacio sought about collecting as many as he could get his hands on, eventually owning 18 figurines.
Naturally, this allowed Ignacio to heavily influence prices for the rare toys, selling some for upwards of $30,000, or 600 percent over the toys’ peak price prior to Ignacio cornering the market. Ignacio, who operates a limo service, also exchanged the toys for luxury cars, trading just a few units for a new GMC Yukon in December of 2022.
The Funko Freddy Venom Pop figurine (image courtesy of Frank Giaramita via Instagram, @grailmonster)
Now, Ignacio has traded six of the toys for two diesel-powered Cadillac Escalade SUVs, posting a photo of the deal to social media. Naturally, the move prompted mixed reactions from the collectible community, with some praising the trade, and others deriding it as detrimental to the toy collecting hobby.
For those who may be unaware, the fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade is available with two engine options, including the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, rated at 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, which is rated at 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. MSRP for diesel-powered Cadillac Escalade models start at $82,790 for Luxury 2WD configurations.
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Under the body panels, the Cadillac Escalade rides on the GM T1 platform, while production takes place at the GM Arlington plant.
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Comments
Now I know why my father used to tell me not to destroy my toys when I was a kid… It’s the same thing with model trains some American flyer S gauge are worth bucks now my father was once quoted for his S gauge collection $15,000 dollars that’s not counting all the HO scale trains brand new in the boxes just used to test them. I would trade it all on a new car… But then it’s a tough decision.
6 pieces of plastic for two escalades?!?! I understand trading that for an ultra rare car but seriously?!?? I would rather buy a 65 Chevelle and spend the remaining money to supercharge it. Society is seriously messed up right now
Dr K
What a trade,,,!!!!!!
Hi Dan B, I also own a livery service. I run a Chevy Tahoe and a Escalade. I’m happy for this guy. Being a owner operator and the driver, you are correct. The Escalade rides and has a lot more Luxury than the Tahoe. I have customers that don’t even know what Suv they are in at 3am unti they say Mark we’re is the switch for the heated cooled rear seats. When they realize they are in the Tahoe 🤦🏻. Good luck to him.
May as well offload them now in case people decide to no longer collect them and they plummet in value. Rather clever of the guy to corner the market on the rare ones and then use it to influence the price, but there’s no inherent worth in a Funko Pop. Anyone accepting these might end up regretting it.
Dan, i get it. They are just boxes with a badge. I have a 73 Coupe Deville, now that’s a Caddy. Have a great day.
Everything Limo Mark is made to sell sell sell nowadays… There are no more unique models it’s a shame.