Auction Watch #177


It feels good when the interesting M.U.S.C.L.E. auctions are also things collectors may want to buy. It feels like those are the best Auction Watch articles. (Write-ups? Posts? I don’t like any of those words.)

The first auction, LOT 0F 5 VINTAGE M.U.S.C.L.E MEN RUBBER FIGURES RARE, is a lot of five Color figures – oh, and it has a Green #168.

Yes, this figure is a Class A figure. And with a $9.99 opening bid it is certainly going to attract bidders. But I have a special place in my heart for this figure. I have a broken #168 in my collection. For a long-time I assumed I would buy a nicer figure. Now that broken figure is one of my favorites. It is a tangible reminder of really having fun collecting and feeling like I was getting close to the set.

Of course, my feelings have changed – but that is a happy memory. It also makes me think, “Do I really need the figure for that memory?” The answer is no.

Regardless of my feelings about the Green #168, I will be very interested to see the final price of this auction. I have a feeling lots of people will be going for it. Or not. Who knows.

The second auction, M.U.S.C.L.E Men Mega Match Game Muscle 1986 Board Game Mattel, is one that feels like it is on the razor’s edge of being a good deal. The BIN is $19.99 for a game in bad shape (the Sharpie on the beautiful cover), but it has a full set of figures.

$20 doesn’t seem like the worst deal ever for the ring figures. But it doesn’t feel great either. If the box didn’t have that terrible Sharpie on the cover (which is the best part to display), then I would encourage people to snap up this auction.

This might be the first time I encourage people to make an offer. The seller has to be a bit flexible. The cover is ruined, but it does have the full set of figures. I’d offer $15.

The third auction, WOW MUSCLE M.U.S.C.L.E.132 great condition Anime Manga, isn’t a bad lot of figures. It looks to have a pretty decent mix. I think some might be counterfeit figures, which is a big positive for me.

The lot starts at $25 for 132 figures. That’s a starting bid of $0.19 per figure. That is a pretty good deal yesterday, today, or tomorrow – especially considering inflation. (Wink.)

Maybe the best part of the third auction is the auction description. You can call me an egomaniac, but I think the seller did some UofM reading.

The fourth auction, Muscle M.U.S.C.L.E. Men lot of two 4 packs MOC each with claw Unpunched, is perfect. The auction is for two #153 4-packs from lhssenior. He has it starting at $0.99 and has provided a perfectly clear picture. For a #153 collector it’s just about all you could ask for in an auction.

Personally, I am not a #153 super fan but I understand that people love it.

The reason I am so enthralled with this auction is that the seller is letting the market decide on a clearly popular item. The seller could have started it at $100, but starting at $0.99 is going to bring the seller so much more attention. And I believe it will ultimately drive up the price.

The other part I love is the 4-packs show some wear. The seller has not delusionally decided a price. He is leaving it up to the buyers. And, again, I believe that will help him in the end. The gaming aspect of eBay will ensure some overspending safety bids are placed.

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