This week features two very different, but very interesting auctions.
The first auction, Muscle Men Complete Set 236 + Extras 2x Satan’s Cross Bagged Numbered 392 Total, is as “classic” of a M.U.S.C.L.E. auction as possible. It is a very large lot of figures, mostly Flesh, with Satan Cross, and a fair starting bid. If it wasn’t for the organization and calling special attention to Satan Cross this could be an auction from over 10 years ago.
The first auction is great, but one thing stops it from being perfect. Below is a sentence from the auction description:
This lot is well worth over a $1000.00 if sold individually or in smaller lots, don’t miss out on this nice collection of figures.
Sellers love to overvalue their items. Sellers love to make outlandish claims. This is arguably one of the most outlandish overvaluing of a M.U.S.C.L.E. auction in recent memory. Suggesting that the lot is worth “well over $1000” is so unfathomable it deserves further exploration.
Most experienced collectors would agree that in very large lots the price per figure actually starts to drop. But a fair rough estimate would be:
- 2 Satan Cross figures – $50 each ($100)
- 390 Flesh & Color Figures – $0.50 to $0.75 each ($195 to $292.50)
A reasonable estimate on that lot could be from $295 to $392.50. How does one get to the suggested $1,000 price tag? It would have to look something like this:
- 2 Satan Cross figures – $150 each ($300)
- 390 Flesh & Color Figures – $2 each ($780)
Those crazy prices take you to $1,080. Not exactly “well worth over a $1000.”
The first auction is a great lot of figures. It will have plenty of bidders and the final price will be a fair amount of money. But the seller has also provided one of the most laughable sentences in an auction description ever.
The second auction, Weird Ball Flyweight Wrestlers-1986 Mel Appel Talbot Toys-Madball M.U.S.C.L.E., clearly isn’t a M.U.S.C.L.E. auction. But Weird Ball figures have been mentioned several times before.
In fact, the last carded Weird Ball figures sold for $41.55. Admittedly it did not appear to be in as good of condition. As of writing Auction Watch #148 there are approximately 4 days left in the second auction and the price is already $66.
How much higher will the price climb on the second auction? Even in slightly better condition the price tag is about 59% higher than the last documented example. It becomes very hard to believe it could climb much higher – but stranger things happen.
Final Results of the Auctions:
Final Price: $320
Final Price: $66
