UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

Last week I mentioned some Class A auctions and a Purple #153 in my desperation apology post. I thought those were worth mentioning, even if I didn’t have time to talk about them. I’ve got time to talk this week. Listen up.

The first auction, Lot 14 M.U.S.C.L.E. Men Mini PVC Action Figures 1980s Y/S N.T. Bright Colors, was literally the first auction I saw. Without any exaggeration, I can say it instantly made me happy.

What’s not to like about it? It has a $9.99 opening bid and features two Class A figures: (1) Dark Blue #97; and (2) Dark Blue #114. Given those $0.99 opening bid Class A auctions last week and this auction I felt something I haven’t felt in a long time – hope. God knows I’ve bemoaned the current state of M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting. I felt optimistic that we might be coming out of a dark period. Maybe we’re coming out of the bottleneck?

The second auction, M.U.S.C.L.E Y/SN.T Kinnikuman Dark Blue #231 Warsman (D) Figure Class A Wrestler, reminded me that we’re not quite out of it yet. It features a single Class A Dark Blue #232 for $188.65. If you think that’s too much, then don’t forget it’s 20% off it’s normal asking price.

After my optimism took a slight dip I found something that brought me back up. In fact, it made my heart sore. Ok, that’s hyperbole. But it did make me giggle quietly at my desk.

Taken directly from the auction description:

M.U.S.C.L.E. Kinnikuman Dark Blue Warsman (D) Figure #231 in good used condition with some minor wear from play and use as these were all from one Child’s 1980’s collection, Pictures are of actual product that will be shipped. Honest bidders only please, I have sold Many muscles including very rare, high priced muscles and none of my buyers have ever had any problems or concerns( I can give names out with their permission if need be as they are respected collector’s and well known). All my muscles are guaranteed to be original and authentic from the 1980’s made in Canada, and would like to invite the collector sites(you know who you are) to post and discuss some of the figures I’ve sold for hundreds of dollars, why is that they only post negative articles or items that don’t sell? This is to deter you from buying the item’s as they want them for themselves. If you have any questions I am always open and free to talk about any concerns you may have, I am an honest seller and have nothing to hide unlike UofM aka (A’sO the industry) ect.

I don’t even know where to start. Picking on her writing ability would be petty. Pointing out her misinformation would be too pretentious. Acknowledging the complete and total lack of evidence that figures have sold for “hundreds of dollars” would be obvious.

I know I’m not hiding anything. I’ve never had to stop selling my M.U.S.C.L.E. figures as newhobby905 and then switch to make-an-offer (It’s the same person because they are both from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada and both use a singular Auctiva image hosting account.) I’d rather give the seller the platform she deserves.

I’d like her to expose anything I’ve missed or omitted in the eBay Entrepreneur Exchange. The email, through eBay, will be sent today. Since she is “always open and free to talk about any concerns you may have” I expect a timely response. I know all M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors would be interested – it will probably help sales too!

The third auction, Vtg Lot of M.U.S.C.L.E. Muscle Men Rubber Figures lot 11, didn’t make me optimistic or disappointed. It made me a little bit confused.

This seller has several listings of pairs of M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. Each auction a $5 opening bid. For any other combination of Flesh figures this would be a terrible opening bid. However, for a Satan Cross this is an amazing opening bid.

I would also like to point out that the term “Satan Cross” is never used in the listing. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors will always find the gems. Sellers that think they must promote or hype their auctions are sadly mistaken. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors will always uncover the best items.

But my confusion doesn’t come from the listing price, auction title, or even the auction description failing to mention UofM. The confusion comes from SC’s foot. What is it? Mold? Error? Burn mark? Or just some gunk?

My confusion was quickly replaced by my original feeling of optimism. The fourth auction, Class A Muscle Men Figure Dark Blue #71 Neptune Man (A) M.U.S.C.L.E. Kinnikuman, is another $0.99 Class A auction from the Nobleman of $0.99 Class A auctions – sugarpappy.

With the current US/Canadian conversion the $0.99 start is a $0.75 start price in US dollars. Sugarpappy doesn’t have just one Class A figure listed at $0.99 either. He has five additional $0.99 Class A auctions: Red #108, Light Blue #145, Light Blue #157, Green #174, and Green #187.

Sugarpappy’s auctions last week for Dark Blue #75, Salmon #106, Salmon #109, Salmon #167, Green #172, and Green #191 ranged from $10.09 to $41.85 and totaled $170.62. When I see those numbers I not only feel great about the hobby, but I am also overcome with logic. Almost $200 in cash in your hand is so much better than arguing a figure is worth $200 with zero cash in your hand.

Last week saw $0.99 Class A auctions and a Purple #153. I would have guessed that it would be quite some time until we saw that again. But this week has even more deals, $0.99 Class A auctions, and another Purple #153.

The fifth auction, Purple Claw Mattel M.U.S.C.L.E MUSCLE MEN figure, comes almost immediately after last week’s $565.55 sale price. I would expect this figure to sell for a similar amount.

With a Purple #153 the starting bid of $39.99 is just like starting at $0.99. It’s obvious the figure will surpass $0.99 and $39.99 with ease. Based on the bidding from last week’s Purple #153 I’m expecting this figure to end closer to $400. The MRT drove the price up last week. Assuming the MRT, with the same bidders, I will be very surprised if it gets much past $400.

But it’s a Purple #153. Who knows what will happen?

The sixth auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Men Class A Salmon #107, could have made me angry. Admittedly, some days it might frustrate me. It didn’t this time. It made me laugh.

This is not a Salmon #107. I believe it is a Flesh, but it might be Orange with too much flash.

I wonder why a seller with zero feedback wouldn’t take the time to snap a quality picture. If they took the time attempting to discover the Class A status of a Salmon #107, then wouldn’t they spend the time snapping a good picture? Hilarious.

These types of listings are funnier when they aren’t the rule. It used to be easier to laugh at them. At some point these silly listings became the norm. Maybe this will be the point that we can point to when the insanity wave finally crashed.

Probably not. But a handful of good auctions that help collectors, and the hobby, sure make it easier to smile. I’m hopeful that more sellers can have that positive impact on the M.U.S.C.L.E. hobby.