Neither of the posters sold. Not terribly surprising. I thought the opening bids were way too high given the posters’ condition.
But the results of the poll were SUPER interesting to me. I was leaning towards the first poster, but I can understand why people thought it could be the second poster too. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors usually don’t have to deal with condition issues. It takes a lot to damage a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure. Is the poster the most difficult M.U.S.C.L.E. item to objectively rate its condition?
[poll id=”32″]
The SC winner did not score the deal I was hoping to see. Wow.
The winner of the Purple #153 didn’t score a deal either.
The most surprising result could be the lot with the Purple #15 and Red #135 figures. The final price was $271.51. This is the first listing I can remember from the algiglio0/Alex Forbes duo that wasn’t riddled with obvious shenanigans. Amazing how much lower the final price is without shenanigans.
Or their skills have improved and their greed has declined? Maybe it still could have sold for less. Who knows.
Like the posters last week, this week features another pair of identical items.
The first auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Muscle Mega Match Board Game Mattel 1986 100% Complete W/ Stickers, is an unused and complete board game. It has an opening bid of $40.
The second auction, VTG 1983 The M.U.S.C.L.E Mega Match Game By Mattel RARE COMPLETE, is the same thing, but it has an opening bid of $80.
The price difference isn’t what made me take notice of these listings. I don’t think I’ve ever seen two unused games on eBay at the same time. I thought it was pretty cool.
We’ve seen lots of interesting things with board games lately. We saw the used sticker sheet that sold for $17.20 (including shipping). And the last game sold for $78.88. That post had even more discussion about board game prices. Given what we know, I think it is safe to say both games will sell.
Unlike the previous two listings the third auction, Vintage M.U.S.C.L.E. Men Action Figures BATTLING BELT Mattel Bandai 1985 MEXICO, will not sell.
A very strong case can be built that the window-box is the best version of the belt box. Arguing that the full cardboard version is better seems like an impossible task. That means M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors are going to want to add it to there collection.
But not this one.
It has a $95 opening bid. It looks like it has been stored underwater. And before they took the picture they kicked it down the stairs of a 121-story building.
“Why do you have to be so negative?”
Because the last, nearly mint condition window-box, sold for $107.50. That’s why.
The final auction, Vintage M.U.S.C.L.E. Men Action Figure – Opened Mattel Bandai 1985 CONTAINERS, made me do some homework.
I wanted to tear apart the listing. But what did that last empty, $1 10-pack eventually sell for? It, to my amazement, sold for $8. I’ve always felt an empty can is worth, tops, $5. But plus or minus a few bucks is fair.
I can disagree with the seller’s $9-a-can price, but I certainly can’t eviscerate them. Damn it.
Will other M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors be wiling to spend $28 for this lot? Maybe. Somebody paid $8 for one can.
I just can’t imagine collectors bidding more than $28. What do you guys think?
