Auction Watch #212


It’s been quite some time since I made a price prediction as part of Auction Watch. So please allow me to obnoxiously congratulate myself. I fucking nailed the final price of the
Class A Purple #155. Nobody is happier about it than me.

If I have learned one thing in my life, then it is this: If a little bit of something is good, then take it to the absolute extreme and do as much of it as possible until it becomes a serious, embarrassing problem. This time the “something” is predicting prices.

The first auction, Vintage Mattel 1985 M.U.S.C.L.E. Weird Wrestlers 2 Garbage Can 10-Pcks 12 Loose, presents a serious challenge. The lot includes Satan Cross, two 10-packs, and 11 loose Flesh figures.

If I have learned two things in my life, then the second is this: Always, immediately, dive into the deepest, darkest, most treacherous water.

This lot has an opening bid of $75. I’m not surprised it already has one bid (as of writing). I am very surprised it doesn’t have more.

I think the $75 covers the Satan Cross and 11 extra Flesh figures. But does someone actually want two sealed Flesh 10-packs? Are they going to aggressively try and win these? Or are these “extras” in a Satan Cross lot?

If it was a single 10-pack, then I would guess that it would be valued at around $75. Since there are two of them I would guess collectors are going to value them at around $50 each.

Acknowledging the “I MUST have this Satan Cross” factor, I’m guessing that the final price of the first auction will be $195.

The second auction, 1985 unopened m.u.s.c.l.e. men 28 figure #3 set unopened, is also focused on a price. I can’t believe someone would want this for $59.95.

A sealed 28-pack is interesting and it should have mint figures, but what’s the advantage of owning it?

More importantly, why pay $60 for it? A 28-pack in good to great condition probably sells for around $30. Does intact tape double the price?

A sealed 28-pack doesn’t display differently than a opened one. Open 4- and 10-packs are obviously less attractive and displayable than sealed ones – but that’s just not true with 28-packs.

I’m just kind of speechless on this one. Can anybody explain paying $60 for this 28-pack?

The third auction, Lot Of 20 Pink M.U.S.C.L.E. Men, features 20 “so called” M.U.S.C.L.E. figures.

I love auction descriptions. They’re like eating delicious calorie-free french fries or candy or whatever is your junk food preference.

Am I alone on this? It just cracks me up what people decide to include or suggest in auction descriptions.

But the real reason I selected this auction (that’s a lie, the “so called” cracked me up) was to bookend the first auction – to make another prediction. Because this auction ends before the first one (and doesn’t include two 10-packs) I believe it is the more attractive auction for Satan Cross pursuers.

I think the final price of the third auction will be…umm…$89.50.

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  1. #1 by walker26 on May 11, 2017 - 8:47 am

    Value of sealed things can be weird. Someone might want to get it graded. When I bought my factory sealed belt many years ago someone through ebay found me and immediately offered twice what I paid for it. Some put value on stuff never being opened. I don’t see value in something being graded, but many do.

  2. #2 by zero on May 11, 2017 - 8:53 am

    The first Auction is a little tricky as the packs appear to be opened judging by the pics and not sealed. I think the actual price will hover around $80.

  3. #3 by Don on May 11, 2017 - 9:53 am

    Those ten-packs don’t look too sealed, just neatly cut.

  4. #4 by Chad Perry on May 11, 2017 - 11:23 am

    Oh damn, I think you’re right!

  5. #5 by stoffhimel on May 11, 2017 - 4:02 pm

    Im pretty sure that one of the 10 packs has been indeed opened. always check the hinge. if its discolored (in this case white) it has had stress that comes from plastic flex.

  6. #6 by Terry on May 12, 2017 - 12:43 am

    There is no way that 28 pack is sealed either, look closely, figures #2 & #163 are there which are not 28 pack figures

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