M.U.S.C.L.E. is not popular enough to demand several dollars per figure. Maybe in the future, but new collectors need figures at $0.50 to $1 tops in large lots. M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting needs to be painless, easy, and made as attractive as possible. Because stagnation or decline in collectors doesn’t help the hobby of M.U.S.C.L.E. toys and collecting.
But even when things are bad – it’s still pretty good to be a M.U.S.C.L.E. collector. There will always be a gem or a little mystery. This week both of those things stick out.
The first auction, musclemania weirdball m.u.s.c.l.e. men lot, is a great lot for any little figure collector – nice diversity and a very low opening bid. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors have the chance to pick-up a few figures and maybe some customizing fodder. MUSCLEMANIA, a tiny sub-group of M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors, also have the chance to add 11 figures to their collection.
A fun, accessible auction like this is what makes it impossible to stop looking at eBay.
The other thing that make eBay fun is when a little mystery pops up. And the three auctions below certainly have some question marks. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors are very familiar with the different types of bootleg and counterfeit M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. There has also been identified brands and identified pretenders.
That is why the three figures below are so interesting. The seller claims they are “hard plastic mexican bootleg” figures. The first two figure could be argued to be badly damaged, faded figures. But the third figure has a unique color, no visible trademark, and an uncharacteristic amount of flashing around the head.
The seller certainly has some degree of mini-figure knowledge. Take a look at their other auction: M.U.S.C.L.E Monster in my pocket OMFG, SLUG Zombies Keshi Vending Machine lot.
Are these three figures authentic vintage, Mexican counterfeit figures? Maybe.
Are they two faded figures and a practice casting? Maybe.
Hopefully the winner of the auctions shares what they discover. No matter the outcome, it is currently a fun little mystery. Share your thoughts by voting and posting in the Comments below.
#1 by John Mitchel on April 2, 2014 - 11:37 pm
It’s a good post. I find the problem with any hobby is price gouging, greedy folks. I have a small lot of MUSCLEs en route from eBay and have a firm eye on another set.
The price fluctuation is weird to me and I’ve only been at this a month. It’s got a learning curve. I guess if I am ever dying for a particular figure I’ll shell out $3 individually, but it would be a very rare case for me.
#2 by allsportdvd on April 3, 2014 - 12:04 am
I am the #134 king (in my opinion at least) and I have a Mexican bootleg of the figure in another color. Should I win this auction I will give you a comparison between the 2 figures in terms of size, material etc
#3 by iosqxz on April 4, 2014 - 4:14 am
While I generally agree that high priced singles can negatively impact the attractiveness of the hobby to new collectors, I sometimes wonder if people consider what a large influx of collectors to the newly attractive M.U.S.C.L.E. marketplace would ultimately portend: lower supply and higher demand resulting in, yes, higher prices.