I wanted to try something this week. I continue to see terrible lots with terrible opening bids. But maybe it’s just my impression – maybe it’s not based on hard data? So this week I’ll point out any gems, but I want to break the more mundane auctions into per-figure price groups (based on opening bid price). All of the auctions below are figures only.
Let’s see what the data shows us.
– $0.15 per figure (40 figures).
– $0.17 per figure (6 figures).
– $0.31 per figure (32 figures).
– $0.37 per figure (19 figures).
– $0.45 per figure (33 figures).
– $0.47 per figure (30 figures).
– $0.48 per figure (31 figures).
– $0.58 per figure (12 figures).
– $0.76 per figure (33 figures).
– $0.80 per figure (5 figures).
– $0.81 per figure (16 figures).
– $0.83 per figure (42 figures).
– $0.86 per figure (7 figures).
– $0.95 per figure (21 figures).
– $0.98 per figure (41 figures).
– $1.00 per figure (10 figures).
– $1.09 per figure (11 figures).
– $1.20 per figure (5 figures).
– $1.20 per figure (5 figures).
– $1.25 per figure (8 figures).
– $1.32 per figure (34 figures).
– $1.33 per figure (9 figures).
– $1.36 per figure (11 figures).
– $1.40 per figure (10 figures).
– $1.43 per figure (7 figures).
– $1.50 per figure (6 figures).
– $1.88 per figure (2 figures).
– $2.00 per figure (5 figures).
– $2.17 per figure (6 figures).
– $2.38 per figure (2 figures).
– $4.99 per figure (1 figure).
Ok, enough. I made it through about 400 auctions and I hit the wall. I couldn’t document anymore. No man should ever do that. But what does the data tell us?
It tells us that the current average per-figure opening bid price is $1.11. It tells us that 7 of the auctions had per-figure opening bids under $0.50 and 8 of the auctions had per-figure opening bids $0.51 to $1. It also shows that 14 of the auctions had per-figure opening bids over $1.
I am the first to admit, this is not a statistically valid sample. However, it is informative. I didn’t cherry pick these auctions. I just went through roughly 400 auctions (the first two pages of my search) and didn’t double dip (I didn’t count if one seller had five auctions for $5.99 – just once).
The per-figure price is troubling to me. It’s just too high as a starting bid for routine M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. None of these auctions had anything special. M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting is such a tiny niche hobby. Having uninformed, external sellers negatively influence our hobby does not create excitement or passion. I would argue it helps to extinguish it. And those types of auctions make up at least half of what we’re seeing. And maybe I’m just pessimistic, but I’d say 76% of the auctions (auctions with starting bids of $0.50 or higher) we are seeing have a negative impact on our hobby.
And let me be clear, the negative impact does not relate to growth. Our hobby will forever be a niche. The negativity relates to the actual M.U.S.C.L.E figures being stagnant. As collectors we need these figures moving around. We need artists to end up with one and get inspired. We need customizers cutting them up. We need collectors having fun with them – having 180 #180’s on their wall. We don’t need these figures in bags, sitting on shelves, waiting for a sucker to bid.
– “I HAVE YET TO SEE ANOTHER ONE OF THESE IN ALL OF MY TRAVELS.” That’s fucking sad. That guy should get out of his house.
– Class B lot or 12 Colored figures. Your call.
– Didn’t include this one in the math because it has a lot of different types of figures.
– Save on shipping and just throw that ring away.
– Wow. A damaged #153 for only $8.99.
Seriously, this is the most I have enjoyed a Transformers movie/show/video since I was a child watching the original cartoon.
