UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

This first auction, VINTAGE MUSCLE MEN LOT OF 30 RARE W/ PURPLE + RED, BLUE, is initially very exciting.

It features a decent sized lot of 30 figures with clear pictures, a fair starting price, and reasonable shipping. The best part of the lot is probably the additional types of figures included. Aside from the probably 23 Flesh M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, there appear to be three MUSCLEMANIA figures, two counterfeit or possibly Salmon colored M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, a #154 M.U.S.C.L.E. board game figure, and a Flesh-like Weird Ball Wrestler. It’s a pretty nice lot.

Some collectors may consider the extensive, formulaic auction description to be a red flag. Those types of descriptions could usually be summarized by the phrase, “Sorry, absolutely no returns – for any reason!”

Of course, some collectors don’t worry about things like that. They may still see the auction as a very attractive opportunity. However, there is some repeated negative feedback for the seller (thr213) that is considered terrible for many, many of collectors. Several of the negative feedbacks refer to the items smelling like cigarette smoke.

One occasion of an item smelling like smoke may be attributable to a smoking postal worker, but several instances is much harder to dispute. Even more difficult can be removing the cigarette smoke smell from figures.

Because this negative aspect of the auction is not immediately noticeable to collectors, there still may be a fair number of bidders interested. The final price of the first auction will be $18.50.

The second auction, GIANT M.U.S.C.L.E. FIGURE COLLECTION!!!!, features 269 M.U.S.C.L.E. figures.

A large lot of M.U.S.C.L.E. figures always attracts lots of bidders. It usually ends up with a final price of at least $100, and many times considerably higher than that. What makes this auction especially interesting is the Salmon #153 included in the lot.

Only a few short days ago a Salmon #153 sold for $120. This means that not only will collectors be bidding on this lot, but the frustrated losers of the previous Salmon #153 auction, and the re-sellers with #153 dollar signs in their eyes.

Overall the lot seems to be in acceptable condition. However, the pictures are not very representative of the condition of the figures nor do they clearly showcase the figures included. The auction description does not offer much clarity either, simply stating:

HUGE collection of 269 M.U.S.C.L.E. figures of all colors from flesh, dark orange, bright orange, red, pink, light blue, dark blue, purple, and bright green.

Some of the figures have minor play marks, but are otherwise in EXCELLENT condition!

Maybe the most disconcerting aspect of the auction is that the seller, nicholson562, does not have any feedback as a seller – and appear to have only used eBay a handful of times as a buyer.

Given that the auction’s price is already at $117 it makes it very difficult to predict just how high the final price could climb. The inclusion of the Salmon #153 on the heels of an outrageously high priced auction only adds to the difficulty. The final price of this auction will be $244.50.

The last auction, Kinnikuman Kinkeshi Custom MUSCLE Poppy Claw & Shoe!, is a not really a M.U.S.C.L.E. item – but seems to be attracting more and more attention from M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors.

The seller, er0k26 (also known as 1 Shot Toys), has been producing some of his own custom M.U.S.C.L.E. figures lately. His “The Brothers Blue” figures had been pointed out in the June 5th Epilogue.

This time he has created a cast of a rather unusual set of figures. They are referred to as Popy Chibis and the two figures are actually a pair. The “Claw” fits perfectly into the shoe. It is interesting to see the auction start at $0.99, because it really does help to gauge the interest in these figures. The original pairs have been selling for $30~$40 and sometimes more.

It is also interesting to see these figures cast by another person. Just recently Wolf Voigt sent the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. some figures, which included these sculpts.

The final price is very difficult to predict. Custom M.U.S.C.L.E. figures often range from a few dollars to $20 in auction settings. The most important part of this auction could be the reaction of collectors to the very attract orangish-red. Does it make collectors say, “OMFG?!”

Follow-Up: The first auction did not sell – which means the predicted price was $18.50 more than the final auction price. It appears the potential smell of smoke was too much of a deterrent.

The second auction sold for $218.15, which is $26.35 less than the predicted price of $244.50.

There was not a final price prediction made for the 3rd auction. However, the figure sold for $17.35.