The first, Vintage 1985 M.U.S.C.L.E Muscle Men Poster, 126 figures & bin Original Y.S.N.T, grabbed my attention because of last week’s SUS. It felt like we hadn’t seen a poster and figures listed in quite some time. And, if we had, it had an opening bid of $499.69.
This auction doesn’t have the best opening bid either, but I’m still very curious about it. The poster lot from Auction Watch #94 had more stuff, had a better poster, and ended at $129.49. That was five years ago and it feels like we see less of these types of auctions. I’m left wondering, “Is there a buyer for this lot?”
The figures seem fine and the empty can is inconsequential. But that poster is in atrocious condition. It is not an upgrade poster. It is only a hungry-desperation poster. It looks to be in such terrible condition I wonder if the person that purchases the lot even cares about it. I’m not suggesting they throw it out, but this thing isn’t getting framed. At best, it might stay folded up and sit on a shelf; maybe under a few displayed M.U.S.C.L.E. items.
I would be shocked if this auction gets two bids. I think the winner is the guy that bids the opening price of $99.
The second auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Muscle Men #189 MITO Kinnikuman SALMON CLASS B (Damaged), is one that really makes me wonder – but not for the reason you probably expect.
I’ve never been uptight about figure condition. Faded. Stained. Broken. Initialed on the feet. I don’t care. I have always wanted to add a figure I don’t have. I know lots of other people feel differently. They care deeply about the condition of the figure.
I think it’s much easier to be flexible about figure condition when the figure is desirable. I think most collectors would be very flexible if they saw a Purple #153 that had been chewed by a dog for $3. But what about a Purple #208 missing an arm? Just about every collector would say the figure has become custom fodder or, a little painful to admit, garbage.
That’s why I find this damaged #189 fascinating. He has a $0.99 BIN. Is it worth it?
My kneejerk reaction, the figure is garbage. But that’s too easy for me to say. I’ve had the figure for years. I’ve seen hundreds of him at this point. I’ve seen the figure fallout of popularity. It’s just too easy for me to say, “garbage.”
What if I was just starting? What if I didn’t have friends on LRG? What if I couldn’t find someone to buy from or trade with for the figure? The only other single figure listing for a Salmon #189 is $34.95. If I don’t have the support network do I buy it damaged for $0.99?
I think the answer is, “Yes.”
If 2002 Chad saw this figure, and needed it, then I think he would buy it. I couldn’t argue with him. I still think it’s better to have a placeholder instead of nothing. The price is probably steep for a figure in that condition, but $0.99 for a figure certainly isn’t the end of the world.
What do you guys think?
If you needed this figure, would you pay $0.99? Why?
#1 by jason76basin on February 23, 2017 - 6:57 am
i would NOT purchase that figure, because my personality is one that in my mind would be this nagging….i need to replace that damaged figure. then, i’d have shelled out money TWICE for the same figure, which i try to not ever do. i apply this to all toy lines i collect, even though my m.u.s.c.l.e. days are long gone. just one dude’s opinion.
#2 by Chad Perry on February 23, 2017 - 1:35 pm
That’s an interesting point.
With the poster would you wait until you saw YOUR poster and then spend more to get it? (Just throwing an example out because I’m curious.)
#3 by jason76basin on February 23, 2017 - 6:44 pm
yes. if i were still collecting, and i wanted a poster for my collection i would wait, until i saw THE poster for my collection.
now, most folks like placeholders, but in the long term, to me, its cheaper to just wait and buy the one you want ONCE instead of buying 2, then selling the placeholder later on(because it’ll probably sell for half what you paid as a placeholder, because others want THE one also)