The impact of the Purple #153 and the Nestle Quik can appear to still be casting a shadow over M.U.S.C.L.E. auctions. Sellers are still seeing dollars signs. Need proof? How about this, this, this, and this.
Thankfully there are still plenty of decent, but not terribly noteworthy, auctions too – like these, or this one, or even this auction. But this week two auctions stand out.
The first auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. MEN VINTAGE LOT 321 TOTAL FIGURES INCLUDING RARE/SUPER RARE, is interesting because of its scale and ridiculous claims. Not only are there over 300 figures, but there is also a board game and figure set. The seller also made the wise choice of having a $0.99 and plenty of pictures.
But that is also what is so weird. The auction title states “Super Rare” and the auction description says:
There are also a few rare and super rare figures located here. I have included as many pictures as I could to highlight their great condition and help you identify the valuable ones. Can you find them?
With an otherwise great auction why even attempt this weak sales tactic? It hurts the seller’s credibility. For this particular auction, that’s bad. Someone else has already asked a question about the condition of the figures. The seller states that they are “are almost in pristine condition. Only two are dirty.”
Clicking through all of the pictures it does appear that some, more than two, are a bit dirty and far from “pristine.” Because of the silly “Super Rare” stuff, it forces an informed buyer to question this seller’s honesty.
Regardless, collectors will not be able to resist a lot of this size. The final price of the first auction will be $159.50.
The second auction, M.U.S.C.L.E MEN COLOR Set 1-233 +non Poster Figure VARY CLEAN! VINTAGE 80s TOYS, is vary, vary interesting!
Vary often collectors get hung up on minor details. This auction’s reserve price, Buy-It-Now price, and the seller’s overall pricing strategies are vary puzzling. The Buy-It-Now price for the 234 Color figure set is $245, which is $1.05 per figure. Given that none of the figures are particularly desirable individually this auction will only appeal to the small number of potential buyers looking to buy a Color set immediately. And with the BIN at $245 it seems unlikely that the Reserve price is much lower.
If he employed his $0.99 starting bid, like he did for his two 4-pack auctions, he would probably end up much closer to his Reserve price – whatever that may be. Unless the Reserve price is significantly lower than the BIN price this auction will not sell. However, the final bidding will end around $106.50.
