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

It’s pretty strange that this site every had a Batman v Superman tag. Do you know what I think is even more bizarre?

Zack Snyder is still talking about it. He’s become the Stacy of the DC movie universe. They broke up with you Zach. Move on.

Why are these coming out of the walls? We had some Uniao Festas figures last week. And now we have Dodo figures in a new package.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I love seeing this kind of stuff, but I can’t remember the last time we saw a wave of counterfeit figures like this one. I hope it continues.

I was surprised to see the bag had expanded so significantly. I wonder what was the catalyst? Did they want to clear out stock? Did they think it would sell better? Another M.U.S.C.L.E.-mystery we’ll never discover. I think that should be the official motto of M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting.

“You’ll never own or know it all!”

Let’s take a look at M.U.S.C.L.E. on eBay.
– How bad have this become when he can’t get nominated for AOTW?
– Try harder if you want to get nominated.
– Would you pay $9.99 for this 4-pack?

Wow. I can’t remember when we’ve seen this many Class A figures starting at $0.99. Even better, this is a Class A Purple #1. He’s a sweet figure. I’m indifferent about the Class A Purple #93 figure. I figure only Terri-Bull and Master Set collectors care about that one.

Class A figures starting at $0.99 are imperative to the M.U.S.C.L.E. hobby. True M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors find the good stuff. And they are willing to pay for the good stuff. Sellers don’t need to set high prices.

And the stuff that doesn’t sell for “a lot” isn’t desirable to M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors. It’s very simple.

I’ve been told eBay has changed. Buyers want to use the BIN. That might be true. But when you’re selling to M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors you’re selling to a hyper-specific audience. They don’t expect awesome stuff to be on eBay all the time. That’s why the auction format is so important. It gives M.U.S.C.L.E. buyers a chance to find the listing.

Of course, most people are idiots. That’s why things like AOTW and Torpedoes is so easy to continue.

– I tend to like these, but I’m not crazy about this one.
– Not too bad of a lot.
– I would have put this guy in the AOTW tournament, but the picture would have been too confusing.
– C’mon guy.
– For me, that cigar box is folk art.
– I’m surprised this isn’t higher.
– And over-priced Canadian 10-pack…from the States.
– She gave this auction way too much effort.

The last two weeks have been absolute blowouts.

Whoever wins this week is going to have their hands full with the previous three winners in the AOTW Fatal-Four Way Battle of the Champions. But before we get to the Fatal-Four Way we need to crown this week’s champion. Let’s take a look at the combatants.

The AOTW #1 is terrible however you slice it. I would say that an empty can is worth $5; maybe someone would argue $10. A $10 can would still put $0.50 figures at $3.50 per figure.

AOTW #2 made me double check the #209 figure. I thought it was Class C, but with a $13.75 price tag I was wrong. I was not. She’s trying to sell a faded, $0.50 figure for 185% more than it is worth.

Do you think three Flesh figures are worth $0.50 each? $1 each? Maybe even $2 each because the AOTW #3 has three popular sculpts. She thinks a fair per-figure price is $11.67 ($34.99 BIN). Welcome to the tournament.

Finally, we have the AOTW #4. She has set a $400 BIN for 196 Flesh figures, a reproduction poster, and 4 28-packs. In my book, that works out to $300 for a reproduction poster and empty 4-packs.

Remember to cast your vote and crown this week’s AOTW. Here are the four combatants:

AOTW #1 – $45 10 Figures and a Can

AOTW #2 – $13.75 for $0.50 Figure

vs.

AOTW #3 – $34.99 for $1.50 Figures

AOTW #4 – $400 Over-Priced Lot

Wow. When I look at the previous winners I am dumbfounded. Can these all be real?

They probably are, but it’s hard to believe, when I take a step back, and look at all of them.

Does the M.U.S.C.L.E. hobby really have enough high-priced listings to support this absurdity? I don’t think so. I quickly scanned the recent AW’s and nothing jumped out at me. Is it the idiotic listings that support these other extremely idiotic listings?

I think so. It is much easier to find people endlessly attempting to sell #167 figures for $59.66 or squatting on a $1,995.95 opening bid with no end in sight.

“You’ll never own or know it all!”

That motto really works.