Plaza Japan vs Sanrio

This is the brand's own store rather than a fan shop or a marketplace, and the operator behind it is Sanrio, Inc. For a collector that settles the authenticity question before price matters, because the goods come from the company that owns the characters themselves.

Blind boxes are the cheapest way in, and the entry point quoted for them is $6. Vinyl figures, plush and statues each carry their own price, and sale pricing appears on parts of the range, so a figure that looks cheap this week may not be next week. Check the item page before budgeting for a run of blind boxes.

Standard shipping is free on orders over $50, and the site states that for US orders. The store delivers to the United States, Mexico and Canada, plus US military bases and US territories, so a buyer in another country will need a forwarder or a local seller. Check the threshold before checkout, since it changes the arithmetic on a small order.

Returns are accepted for current merchandise in its original condition and original packaging within 30 days of receipt, unless otherwise noted. An unopened piece in its box qualifies, while a used or repackaged one does not, so the window helps when the item goes back as it arrived. Some lines carry their own notes, so read the item page before a large order goes out.