The second part of the first auction is the custom figures. These two figures should appeal to just about any M.U.S.C.L.E. collector. But do these two semminly sepearte parts help each other? Surprisingly, yes. The AshuraShine sells for $20 and a custom #153 likely for far less than that. However buyers like instant gratification and bidding on and winning the auction is more exciting than sending Sanjeev an email. Plus any bidder is going to think, “Well, that Class A has to be worth something.”
They could assign a value of $5 to $100 or more – based on little more than their gut feeling. Plus M.U.S.C.L.E. prices have been very high recently, which means the MRT is likely to play out.
The final price of the first auction will be $96.50.
The second auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. / MUSCLE FIGURES STILL IN ORIGIONAL PACKAGING WITH SATAN CROSS, is probably already on the radars of most M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors. And because of that there won’t be an entire retread of all of the issues associated with this seller’s auctions. Check out this thread on LRG if you want to catch-up on all the backstory.
Instead this auction and this seller should be used as a classic example of how to lose money on a M.U.S.C.L.E. auction. Here are a few simple rules that will help to maximize your final sale price:
1. Type intelligibly. If you have something worthwhile to sell, then your first impression is created by your auction description. Use spellcheck, turn off caps lock, and just slow down. Sellers can buy a lot of goodwill by making a good first impression.
2. Take lots of good pictures. If the pictures are of high enough quality then unintelligible typing can be overcome.
3. Keep it simple. Don’t purport rarity, guess on dates, or try to convince buyers of anything. Be honest and then clearly answer questions. As a seller if you have something good, then the informed buyers will do all the work.
A final price will not be offered for this item. The seller’s previous Satan Cross 4-pack sold for $91 and he has claimed that he has more of them – logically the price should come down. Logically.
The third auction, M.U.S.C.L.E Men RARE Blue Green lot of 5 Kinnikuman Kenkeshi Mexican Bootlegs, is quite interesting. There appears to be three of the laziest bootleg figures ever. Bootlegs that are too minor to be considered true Frankenstein-like Amalgam figures and are part of the tiny subset known as Tweaks.
Three of the figures appear to be tweaked #111 figures. The arms have simply been pushed down from their original outstretched position.
A $9.99 opening bid and $7 for shipping willing certainly alienate casual counterfeit collectors. However hardcore collectors will very likely snap up this unique lot.
The final price of the third auction will be $12.25.
