The upcoming holidays seem to be driving the listing of M.U.S.C.L.E. auctions on eBay. There are currently hundreds to choose from, but the following three were all notable for a variety of reasons.
The first auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Wrestling Figure , has committed what many buyers consider to be a cardinal eBay sin – using a picture that does not show the actual item. This topic has previously been discussed. The auction description seems aware of the transgression:
One rare pink m.u.s.c.l.e.wrestler from the 80’s.
Figure only is being sold – Does not come with background in picture.
Please contact me with any questions. – Thanks – Jeff
What makes the auction so surprising is that the auction clearly uses the picture from Nathan’s M.U.S.C.L.E. Page. This laziness, attempted avoidance of the figure’s condition, and/or the hopefully implied connection to Nathan’s M.U.S.C.L.E. Page will likely revolt and alienate most collectors. The seller’s other similarly listed figures will not sell. Sadly, collectors will not be able to resist the allure of #153, the “Claw.”
Auction 1 - Screen Shot
Auction 1 - Auction Picture
The first auction will sell for $1.99.
The re-use of pictures and Auction Watch #19 has tied the eBay seller woodridge22 to the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. Once again he has posted an attention grabbing auction, Custom M.U.S.C.L.E. men figures T-Shirt 4color3screen L.
The University of M.U.S.C.L.E. is always interested in fan-made M.U.S.C.L.E. clothing (see Fashion 100). However this piece could be considered for Fashion 200 with the $48 price tag for a Hanes brand t-shirt. As a price comparison, the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. purchased the Mishka NYC M.U.S.C.L.E. sweatshirt for $45, two dollars less than this fan-made t-shirt.
Auction 2 - Screen Shot
Auction 2 - Auction Picture
Auction 2 - Auction Picture 2
Auction 2 - Auction Picture 3
The current price will prohibit any purchases. The second auction will remain unsold.
Claw (#153) Madness appears to be gripping the M.U.S.C.L.E. community currently. This auction, 7 Different M.U.S.C.L.E. (153) Claw Figures!!! Mint!!, will help identify if the madness is continuing or increasing. Hopefully it will be a sign that collectors have regained control and once again realize that, aside from the Purple Claw (#153), the Color #153 figures are not rare and certainly do not deserve an inflated premium price.
This is the most difficult auction price to predict. If buyers are caught up in the frenzy, similar to the previous #153 auction, then the price could be near $100. If buyers are only moderately caught up in the frenzy, similar to only a few months ago when a lone Dark Blue #153 sold for $5, then the price could be near $35. The auction may end somewhere in-between.
Auction 3 - Screen Shot
Auction 3 - Auction Picture
The third auction will have a final price of $55.
Follow-Up: All three auctions have ended. The allure of #153 brought in bidders, and the first auction sold for $3.01. That’s a difference of $1.10 from the predicted final price.
1st Auction - Final Auction Screen
Possibly the most surprising auction was the second auction. This t-shirt ended up selling at the Buy-It-Now price of $48.
2nd Auction - Final Screen Shot
The third auction had a final price of $112.50. That is $57.50 higher than the predicted price. It appears that the bidders in this auction valued the figures similarly to the figures from this auction.
3rd Auction - Final Screen Shot
#1 by jphat79 on December 8, 2009 - 2:52 pm
I probably should be a little nicer, sounds like he made an honest mistake… oh well, i’m too east coast for cali.
Dear jphat79,
You know I had not thought of that. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I will change the description.
Again Thank you for letting me know. Jeff
– bigjdcomp Did this answer your question? If not, let the seller know.
________________________________________
From: jphat79
To: bigjdcomp
Subject: You’ve received a question about your eBay item, M.U.S.C.L.E. Wrestling Figure “Satan Cross”
Sent Date: Dec-08-09 09:58:04 PST
Dear bigjdcomp,
You really shouldn’t steal pictures for your auctions. The buyers aren’t going to be happy when they see that they don’t have a mint figure… oh & it’s a dick thing to do too!
– jphat79
#2 by Kevin on December 9, 2009 - 10:11 am
I feel like you’re underestimating the value of some of these items; it’s almost like denial from a collector’s standpoint. While the Claw may not be rare in terms of how many were produced, the demand for it is higher than other figures. I don’t think $5 for the blue Claw means fans were “moderately caught up in the frenzy.” I think that was actually a fair price, and would have expected it to have easily gone for a bit more. For one thing, I don’t think the colored MUSCLES are just as numerous as the flesh MUSCLES. There were many colors available at the same time, compared to when there were only flesh figures, so that would suggest much lower numbers produced for each individual color. While Sherrie’s auction for the colored Claws might have gotten a bit out of hand, I think you’re behind the times if you expect a single colored Claw to sell on eBay for a couple bucks. Once again, I get the feeling your standpoint is that you don’t want the prices to go up, although recent auctions suggest that mayble the value of certain figures has increased a bit.
#3 by Chad Perry on December 9, 2009 - 10:41 am
The prices of M.U.S.C.L.E. figures certainly rise and fall. Yet over the last, almost, 10 years the price for single figures has stayed in the $1 range. M.U.S.C.L.E. figure #153 certainly deserves and garners far more attention than any other figure – which logically makes it a figure people are willing to pay more to own. However, it is not necessary to pay inflated prices. Historically, M.U.S.C.L.E. prices increase when there is an influx of new collectors. This is likely the same explanation.
I personally do not care if prices go up or down. M.U.S.C.L.E. prices continuously rise and fall. This is one of the heights. In several months the shock around low prices will be the topic of conversation.
Within the last few months Color figures were selling for $0.50 and $0.23 per figure.
#4 by jphat79 on December 9, 2009 - 1:32 pm
I don’t think he’s underestimating or behind on the times, I just don’t think he’s the best at predicting auction prices. If you look at the track record, predicting final price varies greatly from what the auction sold for. No offense Chad, I just want to point out that you’re not biased, you’re just not the best at predicting final bids. I predict it to be in line with Sherrie’s auction with the raised hype, christmas timeframe, market stabilizing and the fact that it’s every effin claw!!
PS – The guy with the 4 feedback is really pissin me off, so if you read this- you don’t have to have the highest bid the entire auction, if you want to win the damn thing, be at a computer when it ends!!!!!
#5 by Chad Perry on December 9, 2009 - 3:09 pm
I will certainly admit it is not a perfect science. It could even be argued that by highlighting the auction the final value is impacted. However, the real goal is simply to highlight interesting auctions, share a point of view, and have a little fun.
Maybe at the end of the year I could review the accuracy of the predictions and create something like the “Auction Watch Prediction Index.”
#6 by Nalla on December 10, 2009 - 5:45 pm
I have 4 boxes of Muscle men, sets 1-4 in the original boxes, all men included. Besides ebay where can i sell them? how much should i ask for them?
#7 by jphat79 on December 10, 2009 - 6:33 pm
I think it would be fun to make a survey or poll with a couple of different options for us to vote on what everyone thinks the auctions will end up at. like the ones where you can see the results after you vote.
#8 by Chad Perry on December 11, 2009 - 9:25 am
LittleRubberGuys.com would be the best place to sell them outside of eBay. As for their worth – impossible to say without seeing their condition. As a general rule, I would expect them to sell for $15~$25 each.
#9 by Kevin on December 11, 2009 - 7:51 pm
One thing I always hope for is that if there’s an auction I’m really interested in, that it doesn’t get spotlighted here so everybody find out about it. 😀
#10 by musclemaniac on December 18, 2009 - 10:47 pm
I have to agree with Kevin here. And how can you say this auction will end at this price, and this one will end at this other price. Does the owner of this site have a crystal ball or something? Maybe not, the predictions are a bit off.
#11 by Chad Perry on December 19, 2009 - 5:46 pm
Musclemaniac – hopefully you read the above comment.
For everyone concerned about the accuracy of the Auction Watch predictions, please check the UofM hompage on Monday, December 21st. There will be an Auction Watch review.