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Auction Watch #181


Taking a look at what is on eBay has always been my preferred move when I’m getting back into the M.U.S.C.L.E. hobby. I think that tactic made much more sense several years ago. Regardless, it is familiar – even if what I see no longer feels familiar.

1st Auction: Flesh #23

2nd Auction: Dark Blue #19

The first two auctions (Flesh #23 and Dark Blue #19) should just be one auction. I love MUSCLEMANIA figures, but there are only seven people that like MUSCLEMANIA. Only three of those seven people actively collect the figures.

I even need the Flesh #23 for my collection, but spending $2.99 (plus $2.54 shipping) for one Stretchy figure seems absurd. I might consider it for a Firm figure, but never the Stretchy figures. The Stretchy figures are just not as nice as the Firm ones.

There is not a narcissistic version of the following statement, “Did UofM cause auctions like these?”

I can’t remember a single instance of one individual MUSCLEMANIA figure being sold before I started posting about MUSCLEMANIA. There had only been MUSCLEMANIA lots.

3rd Auction: Red #153

The third auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. vintage action figure #153: ‘Sunigator Shotai’ or ‘The Claw’ Red, keeps the UofM theme going. First things first, forget that the person used my picture. I would have liked some credit, but I actually take it as a badge of honor.

Here’s the real thing that caught my attention with this auction. Who would spend $50 on a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure you’ve never seen?

Do people simply trust the “Perfect condition” description?

One could take an optimistic view; that everything will work out fine. I think that would be easier for me to do if $50 wasn’t involved. Actually, it would only be possible for me if money wasn’t involved.

Since we’re already looking at a Red #153 – let’s continue. The last auction, Vtg 1980s Mattel M.U.S.C.L.E. Red Claw Rare Kinnikuman Figure Men Of Muscle NEW, is a Red #153 4-pack.

4th Auction: Red #153 4-Pack

I remember someone recently asking me how much I would pay for a #153 4-pack. I basically said that a 4-pack tends to sell for $15 to $20, plus whatever you are willing to spend on a #153. Even if a buyer was willing to spend about $50 on a Red #153 this auction seems to be priced at least $100 too high.

I don’t believe the 4-pack is worth much more than $20, but I recognize that insanity that surround the #153 figure. Because of the insanity, I could see this 4-pack for selling around $60 or $70. I would never pay that price, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see it.

I am curious what other people think. Factoring the #153 insanity, what would be a fair, reasonable price for this 4-pack?

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This entry was posted on January 12, 2016, 6:00 am and is filed under Auction Watch, UofM News. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

  1. #1 by MiloDaGreat on January 12, 2016 - 8:57 am

    So I just recently found my M.U.S.C.L.E. collection as well as other little rubber guys and was looking them all up online trying to find prices for things – as one would do. I found UofM as a resource in the beginning, but when I didn’t see just a flat out price guide I moved along.

    I found the Class system somewhere else and sorted my M.U.S.C.L.E. figures then started throwing them up on ebay with almost arbitrary prices. Someone contacted me and told me my prices were absurd, I was like, “Sure pal.” (in my head). They directed me back to UofM and I started reading some more.

    NOW I’M ADDICTED TO UOFM! I’ve read maybe 60 auction watches in the last two days. I’ve tried to revise my listings as best I could since then, but they’re still not great. One of them is going to sell as it has an opening bid, which is great because I’ll get to practice packaging them – any tips for that? I was planning on using a bubble-mailer and maybe wrapping them in tissue? Maybe that’s wrong. I don’t know.

    One of the things I’ve found the most rewarding so far was setting up my M.U.S.C.L.E. figures and taking pictures of them. It’s been a blast and I had to stop myself from creating more and more auctions. I know I read somewhere that said setting up your figures won’t increase the likelihood of your sale, but it’s about more than that for me. I’m saying goodbye to my childhood in some way and this is sort of a therapeutic process where I am thanking them for the joy they brought me as a child before I let them go.

    So, for the most part, when I post these guys I’m going to try and start with a reasonable opening bid. After I find out how much shipping these dudes from Canada to the US actually costs I can more appropriately set the shipping cost. The most important part is that I’m going to be having fun doing it. That is, in part, because of your blog.

    Just wanted to let you know I appreciate it and have a lot of fun reading. Thanks!

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  2. #2 by Chad Perry on January 13, 2016 - 9:10 am

    Thanks for the kind words!

    The bubble mailer sounds fine to me. Since it is difficult to damage M.U.S.C.L.E. figures there is not a bad way to ship them. The biggest concern is tracking valuable items and making sure your thing won’t rip open.

    And I think setting the figures up, is 100% about playing with them one last time. Enjoy and have fun!

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  3. #3 by Chad Perry on January 11, 2019 - 12:15 pm

    The 4-pack appears to have sold for $200.

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