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

Before we get to AW #237 we need to finish Auction Watch #236. I imagine there are disappointed sellers, because none of the belts featured have sold. The two main auctions didn’t sell (and the first is unchanged and still for sale). The two secondary belts that I mentioned didn’t sell either. The other graded belt is also unchanged and still for sale. The other loose, incomplete belt sits unchanged and unsold too.

All of the belts were comically overpriced. It is not a shock they are unsold. It would have been a much bigger story if even one of them had sold. If these sellers don’t change their prices, then I could see these being listed and unsold forever. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors will not pay those prices.

This week a seller on eBay made me think I should reach out to them. They would be an ideal participant for eBay Entrepreneur Exchange. They have multiple M.U.S.C.L.E. listings that make me scratch my head (and even a few Battle Beasts). The seller also has zero feedback. I didn’t know people still joined eBay. The seller is named nicktler.

The first auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. very rare MUSCLE MEN #077 ashuraman no sensei pink colored!, is the auction that piqued my interest. The seller has a Class B Magenta #77 figure. He doesn’t mention Class B, but he does call it “very rare.” It was also the most expensive M.U.S.C.L.E. listing from the seller. It has a $41.99 BIN, with an opening bid of $31.99.

However, it has a Reserve Price. What could it be? There’s only a ten dollar difference between the two prices.

The price of the first listing was secondary to me. I was left with the impression that the seller had done some homework. I don’t agree with the prices, but I imagined the seller having a specific perspective and/or argument.

However, the second auction I saw from this seller confused me. The second auction made me start daydreaming of the seller participating in the eBay Entrepreneur Exchange.

The second auction, Rare 1985 muscle man action figure #046 ABDULLAH light blue color!, is not a Light Blue #46 figure. A Light Blue #46 figure is a Class A figure. How could this figure be mistaken for a Light Blue #46 figure?

This listing is actually a Light Blue #75 figure – which is a Class B figure. Since the seller had a second Class B figure, I figured the price would be the same as the previous Class B figure. I was wrong.

The figure has a $37.99 BIN, with an opening bid of $28.99. Again, it has a Reserve Price but the range is only nine dollars in this listing.

Further confounding me, the seller has an another Light Blue #75 but the title is very different. There is no mention of the figure being “Rare” in the auction title nor the figure number. The auction description is identical in both listings.

What?!?! I have so many questions. I thought other M.U.S.C.L.E. listings might bring me answers, but it only raised more questions.

The third auction, Super rare oarnge 1985 muscle man #046 robin mask used but pristine condition!, is also incorrectly identified.

The listing’s title states that it is a “Super rare” Orange #46 figure. If it was an Orange #46 figure, then it wouldn’t be rare. An Orange #46 would be a Class B figure. The figure also isn’t “oarnge” it is Salmon. A Salmon #46 would also be a Class B figure.

I wonder is the usage of “Super rare” is a coincidence or part of their research?

This figure is actually a Class C Salmon #214 figure. It has a $34.99 BIN and an opening bid of $22.95 with a Reserve Price. Now the range between opening bid and BIN has increased to $12.04.

I am very curious why the seller would price the #77 with a $41.99 BIN and the Salmon #214 with a $34.99 BIN. What drove that seven dollar decision?

The fourth auction, Rare magneta M.U.S.C.L.E. MUSCLE MEN #182 mystery partner in great shape!, adds further mystery. The seller must understand Classes, because this Class C figure is priced much lower than the previous figures.

But the seller is still declaring the figure to be “Rare.” It has an opening bid of $8.99 and a $12.99 BIN. Again, there is a Reserve Price – which hasn’t been met. This listing has a very constricted range of four dollars.

I should stress that I’m not trying to shame this seller. I am legitimately curious. I thought, at this point, I was, perhaps, getting some insight into the seller’s thinking. They had done some research; were trying to break-up the Classes; and tweaked the prices on condition and sculpt attractiveness. Maybe there wasn’t much to discover?

The next listing destroyed any insight I thought I had gained.

The fifth auction, M.U.S.C.L.E MUSCLE MEN Kinnikuman ABDULLAH SALMON CLASS B 075 vintage mattel, unlike the second auction, was correctly identified as a Salmon #75 figure.

The Class B designation was also correct. It was even highlighted, unlike the other Class B figures that were listed.

If the seller was putting a premium on Class B figures, then why did he lower the price of the Class B figure he correctly identified and listed?

The opening bid is $7.99 and has a $10.99 BIN. This range of three dollars is even more confusing because there is also a Reserve Price.

Why does one Class B figure have a $41.99 BIN and another has a $10.99 BIN? I would argue all of these Class B figures are terribly overpriced, but why would one seller have such a broad range of prices?

I would love to know the answer. I doubt I will ever get an answer that makes sense. I may have to accept there will be a M.U.S.C.L.E. Fallacy. That some sellers will declare, “Damn the torpedoes!

And sometimes, the seller, doesn’t know or care. They aren’t bad, they just don’t give a single fuck.

They are just hoping to find a few spare dollars.

This Battle Beast listing might suggest the seller doesn’t give a single fuck.

The figure is obviously missing its rub and accessory. It is also missing an arm.

I have a feeling that the seller found this listing and simply hit Ctrl+C. Quickly followed by Ctrl+V.