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

I didn’t know what to expect as I started the first Auction Watch of 2018. Would eBay be a barren wasteland because sellers were too busy enjoying the holidays? Would eBay be stuffed with sellers desperate to pay off holiday debt? What would I find?

I found the one thing I wasn’t expecting: surprise.

Before I get too far into this week, we should take a look at the results from Auction Watch #234.

I was surprised that the first auction didn’t find a buyer – even if it was priced at what I believed to be a final price. I thought the condition of the ring would be the key selling point. I was wrong.

I was extra wrong because the condition of the ring did not influence the second auction at all. There was only one bidder. I assume they were buying it for the ring figures, but that was a huge waste of money. The surprises are just starting for 2018.

The first auction, VINTAGE MATTEL M.U.S.C.L.E. FIGURES w/ OPENED CARDS, CLAW HAND, surprised me because it could be one of the most bizarre I can remember.

Oh, sure we’ve seen empty 4-packs for sale before. I just can’t remember seeing the empty bubbles and cards paired with 30 figures.

I know I’ve previously lamented about needing to throw some of this stuff away. These cards and bubbles might be some of the easiest to trash. None are in spectacular condition. Or interesting for some odd reason; price tags, variations, or something else.

Maybe a lot of 30 figures starting at $19.99 shouldn’t be in contention for the strangest-anything. Well, if you didn’t think that auction was strange, then I hope we can agree on the next one.

The second auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Men Mega Match Board Game figures 2 sets, loose figs only no game, is a listing of two sets of board game figures. Two full sets of board game figures.

What? What? What?!?!

Who needs and/or wants two sets of these figures? I ask that question without a drop of humor or sarcasm.

The only answer that makes sense is the buyer that needs one set and wants to offset the cost by selling the second set. That would make sense. What is the price of the two sets?

The BIN is $99. What? What? What?!?!

I have always argued that a complete game, with the set of figures, is worth around $25 depending on some other specifics. Sure, a recent dope spent $66.03. But an untouched, still-sealed, game (from Auction Watch #203) sold for $100. This is only the figures for $99 – or $49.50 per set.

Surprising prices seem to be the theme for early 2018. Sellers are coming out of the gate very, very hot.

The third auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Men Purple Claw, Muscle Kinnikuman Class A #153 Sunigator Shotai, comes from the same seller as the previous auction. He still seems overly excited.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m done bitching about prices, but I can’t help acknowledge recent data from the last four sales. When a Purple #153 came from a trusted, reputable seller it got a top price of $1,051.01. A suspicious #153 sold for $676.66 and $430.88 followed a $565.55 sale price. That’s an average sale price of $681.03.

This listing starts at $833 and has a $1,111 BIN price.

That’s pretty surprising to me. Do you know what is more surprising? It is the auction description.

In the auction description it states:

Big ups to The University of M.U.S.C.L.E. Stay cool.

What? What? What?!?!

I have never been accused of being cool. Nor have my ups ever been big.

The fourth auction, 1985 Mattel M.U.S.C.L.E accessory battlin belt window box, both surprised me and shows my shocking level of un-coolness.

The price tag ($159.99 BIN) was the first thing to surprise me. It seemed outrageously high. However, the price tag got stuck in my head. I felt like I had seen it before. I wanted to ignore that thought, but I couldn’t. I had to start searching.

My best guess is Auction Watch #163. I double checked. The Hecks’ price tags are different (11-6 and 8-6). But how weird is that? Two window-box belts with price tags from Hecks.

Circling back to the price, it’s surprisingly high. The last window-box, with a Hecks price tag, sold for $39.50. And a beautiful one couldn’t sell for $59.99. Hell, an AFA 80 graded window-box couldn’t sell for $199.95.

But I’m sure someone will want this one for $159.99.

I mentioned the M.U.S.C.L.E. Fallacy in the 2017 Year in Review. As I was looking at listings I was shocked at how often the label could be applied. However, this week there were two listings I wanted to point out.

There is no explanation to these prices.

“BUT IT IS A CLASS B FIGURE!”

Here’s the last AW to feature Class B figures. There were three of them. With only one bidder they sold for $7.95 – plus seven Flesh figures and three Future Strength figures (which are the figures I believe sold the lot).

Tortle (#204) is a $0.50 figure.

The final auction, RARE Super Food Robots Mini Rubber Figure Set Coke Kelloggs Post MUSCLE Men ++, was my final surprise.

I hate keyword spamming. Keyword spamming would never make me buy something. But sometimes keyword spamming leads to seeing something cool. I thought this was pretty cool.

It felt like the perfect palate cleaning auction.

I don’t need to own it, but I liked looking at it.

This listing also made this listing make a little more sense. I knew a damaged #58 figure wasn’t worth $4.25.