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

I am a curious person. I would point to Archeology to validate that claim, but the evidence is all over this site.

I share this because I hate Facebook. I have never enjoyed using it. I have never been on their as “Chad.” I joined because it seemed like this site should be on Facebook.

But I’ve never really gotten a lot of traffic from it. Because it takes zero effort to post to Facebook I kept it “active.” But I started to wonder, “Could I just shut it down? Would it even matter?”

Then there was the Zuckerberg/Facebook/security thing. Again, I didn’t care – but maybe this would shut it down and I could finally be done with it.

Here’s where I started to get curious. Could I replace it with something better?

I like playing around with Instagram. I’ve always thought of it as connected, but unique, from the website. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors would get “content” from both, but not the exact same stuff. So what if I connected them more closely?

That’s what I tried last week. It didn’t make a difference. The traffic went up a little, but not enough for me to fill my own feed with website screenshots and links.

Last week I wondered how I could tweak AOTW. I set-up a poll to get some feedback.

I was saddened that more people didn’t jump on the Chad/AOTW option. I guess you can’t go home again.

The good news is that the handful of people that voted agreed with me. The Fatal Four-Way seems to be the most fun option. So let’s give it a try.

Cast your vote and crown this week’s AOTW. Remember, you are placing your vote for the biggest asshole.

Here are the four combatants:

AOTW #1 $50 for a $1 Figure

AOTW #2 $13.75 for an Empty Can

vs.

AOTW #3 $59.95 for a $1 Figure

AOTW #4 $79.95 for a $5 Figure

– I like his $0.99 listings, but why are two $3.99?
– Were they trying to get into the four-way?
– I won’t spend $40 on two figures I like.
– Wow. Enio is cleaning house.
– “*ATTENTION: ON SALE THIS WEEK ONLY!!! LOWEST PRICE THIS FIGURE WILL EVER BE OFFERED. ONE TIME CHANCE TO GET IT FOR THIS LOW PRICE COMPARED TO OTHER LISTING TIMES. DON’T MISS OUT!!!” For the second time.
– “VERY RARE” and “This figure is a rare factory error.” No and no.
– Someone got lazy after he wrote this one.
– Cool. Three arches.
– If that’s a counterfeit #153, then I wouldn’t mind owning it.
– Kind of cool.
– At this point, isn’t every M.U.S.C.L.E “pre-owned?”
– His dream is your nightmare.
– Not Class B. Not worth $19.90.
– Same.
– Did this price go up?
– Maybe next week could be a seller-focused AOTW face-off?
– Too bad this guy isn’t Salmon. He could join the race.

Speaking of the race, welcome back to your weekly installment of “Damn the torpedoes!”

From: Polystudio.ca

Racer #1 $64.10 $63.39 $64.10 $71.72 $62.19 $59.43 $61.50 $55.28 $53.62 $69.10 $60.81 $62.19 $69.10 and ‘Make Offer’

vs.

Racer #2 $29.95 $24.95 $49.95 $69.95 $99.95 $29.95 $19.95 $19.95 and ‘Make Offer’ $14.95 and ‘Make Offer’ $14.95 and ‘Make Offer’

After 981 days and over 219 days both racers are sitting tight at their assigned prices – but with a “Make Offer” option.

Discounts come and go. And BIN’s come and go. But, apparently, stupidly stubborn Salmon #167 listings will never die. Unless they change their price. I’ve talked plenty about what I consider a sane approach to selling M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. I won’t repeat it.

Here’s my 100% serious question, “Is over 200 days of selling worth $5?”

Racer #1 will NEVER sell at her price. Nor do I believe they will ever set a more reasonable price. But Racer #2 is closer to the documented $10 auction. Why hold tight at $15? What’s the point? Five dollars? Hubris? Not wanting to quit the race?

I can’t believe R. Lee Ermey died this week. He played a very weird role in my life.

When I was a kid the movie Platoon, and the beginning of Full Metal Jacket, were my dad’s way of sharing his Vietnam experience. It opened the door for us to talk about his war experience. It was a lot, probably too much, to take in as a kid. But I believe it laid some important groundwork for later. I feel like R. Lee Ermey helped me know my dad. Knowing he’s gone; makes me sad.

I was going to make some joke about Harry Anderson dying. I feel like I’ve been surrounded by death lately, and the gallows humor felt good.

Then the father of one of my seven-year-old’s friend died. A second grade boy lost his dad. He is a sweet kid. I’ve read to that classroom and that kid doesn’t deserve this – no kid does. My heart broke. It is breaking.

Please. Please donate anything to this fund. If you’ve ever enjoyed this website for one second, then please donate. If you hate my pompous guts, then please donate. If you’ve ever spend a dollar on M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, then please donate.

Please.