Why Can't I Buy From Pop Mart? The Shocking Truth Behind App Failures That's Devastating Collectors

Is Pop Mart's Broken App Killing the Joy of Collecting? The Frustrating Reality Every Fan Faces

Pop Mart collectors are facing a crisis that's testing their patience and loyalty. The company's mobile app has become a source of constant frustration, turning what should be exciting toy purchases into hours-long battles with broken technology.

The App-Only Disaster That's Breaking Hearts

I've been watching this situation unfold, and it's honestly heartbreaking to see dedicated collectors struggle with something so basic. Pop Mart made a decision that seemed logical on paper - force everyone to use their mobile app instead of the old URL tricks people used to rely on. But this transition has created chaos for fans trying to buy limited-edition Labubu figures and other coveted items.

The reality is harsh. Collectors are spending entire nights with items sitting in their shopping carts, unable to complete purchases despite having money ready to spend. One frustrated fan perfectly captured the mood: "I have had an entire box set (as well as singles) in my cart for the past couple nights and it has been NOTHING but errors. It's so frustrating because I'm like JUST TAKE MY MONEY!!!"

Technical Problems That Keep Getting Worse

The app's problems aren't small glitches - they're major system failures that happen at the worst possible times. When popular drops like the BIE series or Hacipupu collaborations go live, the app essentially breaks down. Here's what collectors are dealing with:

Common Error Messages:

• "Network error" loops that never resolve
• "Orders placed too frequently" warnings for first-time buyers
• "Unable to process" notifications during checkout
• Complete app crashes during high-traffic periods

Real User Experiences:

• Spending an hour clicking the pay button across multiple devices just to buy one box
• Losing entire sets worth hundreds of dollars when the app times out
• Getting locked out of accounts for "suspicious activity" when trying to complete legitimate purchases

The technical issues have become so severe that some users report trying four different payment cards, all with sufficient funds, only to receive "payment error" or "payment risk" messages every time. Others describe getting "Error 500" messages that make purchasing impossible, even when items show as available.

Privacy Concerns Add Insult to Injury

Beyond the basic functionality problems, there are serious privacy issues that should alarm any user. Customers have reported logging into their accounts only to see completely different users' personal information - phone numbers, email addresses, and shipping addresses. This isn't just inconvenient; it's a major security breach that puts everyone's personal data at risk.

The company's customer service response has been equally disappointing. Instead of fixing the underlying problems, support representatives typically suggest creating new accounts to bypass errors. This "solution" doesn't address the root cause and actually makes the purchase limit system meaningless.

The Bot Problem Makes Everything Worse

While Pop Mart claims they switched to app-only ordering and "silent drops" to combat bots, the reality is different. Human customers are still competing with automated purchasing scripts that scalpers use to buy products and resell them at double the original price. The company's anti-bot measures have failed to stop these automated buyers while making life miserable for legitimate collectors.

Financial Impact on Loyal Customers

The problems extend beyond technical glitches into real financial issues. American customers are paying excessive tariff-related price increases despite recent tariff reductions, and Canadian customers are incorrectly charged U.S. tariffs. These billing errors add unnecessary costs to an already frustrating experience.

Some customers report being charged for orders that never shipped, with customer service refusing refunds. Others describe packages being sent to wrong addresses with no resolution from support teams.

What Collectors Are Saying

The frustration in the community is palpable. Long-time fans are questioning their loyalty to a brand that seems to have forgotten about customer experience. Comments like "It's gotten so bad since they moved everything to the app. I used to be able to get actual full sets now I'm lucky if I even get one" reflect a widespread sentiment.

Many collectors have developed workarounds that shouldn't be necessary - repeatedly clicking checkout buttons for hours, using multiple devices, or creating new accounts to bypass system errors. These aren't solutions; they're desperate measures that highlight how broken the system has become.

The Bigger Picture

Pop Mart has built a global fanbase and strong reputation in the collectible toy market. The company has expanded to over 300 retail stores and 2,000+ locations across 23+ countries. But technical failures are threatening to damage relationships with the very customers who made this growth possible.

A petition demanding fixes has gained significant traction, with supporters calling for basic improvements like working checkout systems, clear purchase limits, and proper anti-bot technology. The fact that customers feel compelled to organize petitions just to buy products shows how serious this situation has become.

Moving Forward

The solution isn't complicated. Pop Mart needs to prioritize basic functionality over fancy features. Customers want reliable checkout processes, accurate billing, and responsive customer service. They want to give the company their money - they just need a system that works.

Until these fundamental issues are addressed, collectors will continue to face the impossible choice between supporting a brand they love and dealing with a purchasing system that seems designed to frustrate them at every turn.