Good. Bad. Hemming and hawing.
The first auction, Vintage 1985 M.U.S.C.L.E. Hard Knockin Rockin Ring Big Lot 49 Men 1980s Toys R, is the good – and probably a bit of a surprise too.
A $60 opening bid isn’t the sexiest opening bid for M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. When you really examine the lot the opening bid becomes more and more fair.
First and foremost, the ring is in great condition. The box isn’t perfect, but it comes with the cardboard insert and there aren’t any stress marks on the clamps. The stickers have a little wear, but I focus on the clamps. The lot appears to include the Muscleman figure from the ring, but I didn’t see the Terri-Bull figure. I don’t think that’s a big deal because the figure is easy to identify and shows up all the time.
The game is in pretty great shape too – plus it has all of the figures. I prefer when the board isn’t covered in stickers so I find this one extra attractive. (Honestly, I find charm in sticker covered boards too.)
After the ring and game there are still 38 figures and a great #141 bootleg.
I think the opening bid may, arguably, be the most perfectly priced opening bid ever. $20 for the ring. $20 for the game. 38 figures at $0.50 each ($19). And a $1 counterfeit figure.
Exactly $60.
I love $0.99 bids, but has there ever been a better opening bid? Can anyone argue with this opening bid?
The second auction, Vintage 1980’s Y/S NT Muscle Men Plastic Rubber Figures – Lot Of 3~ flesh color, is the bad. Maybe bad is the wrong word choice.
How can auctions like this one exist? Three Flesh figures in fair condition (at best). It would be generous to suggest $1.50 is a fair price for the three figures.
The lot has a $14.99 opening bid and a $49 BIN.
I had to take a look at the seller’s other listings. Admittedly I don’t know everything about the stuff they have listed. When I saw things that I was, at least, superficially familiar with the prices seemed serviceable. They weren’t steals nor were they offensively high.
What would cause this seller to select such weird prices?
Could other idiotic sellers be the real problem? If this seller saw other terrible listings, then she might think her listing makes sense. Garbage in; garbage out. Maybe?
The third auction, 44 Vintage 80’s M.U.S.C.L.E Muscle Men Action Figures Lot red peach, had me hemming and hawing.
Full disclosure, I almost clicked the BIN without thinking. My guts screamed, “It’s a Red #68 and Minnesota is close enough to Canada!”
My brain quickly replied, “Stop. It’s Salmon.”
Normally this ends my internal struggle and I move on. Not this time. I kept looking at the auction.
Luck favors the bold. Maybe I should just take a chance and click the BIN?
What would I do with 44 Salmon figures I don’t need?
Two things finally convinced me to accept it is a lot of Salmon figures: (1) the figures in the top left corner are most obviously Salmon; and (2) the seller included “peach” in the auction description. That inclusion was damning. I felt like the seller was covering his ass because they aren’t clearly Red.
I really enjoyed the third auction. I’m bummed that I didn’t find my Red #68, but it was fun moment.
