The results from last week’s polls really surprised me – especially the $1 Non-Poster results. I expected (well, more votes) an extreme either way. Either people would fully agree with me or fully disagree. I was not expecting the relative even split.
We see so many terrible sellers on eBay. It is easily the worst it has ever been. The sellers seem to find some information and then completely misuse it. It surprises me that (as of writing) three people thought sellers would accurately identify their Non-Poster figure.
Speaking of terrible sellers and surprises, the winner of the first AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way eviscerated the competition. My gut-feeling was that AOTW Winner #4 would win, but I never expected a complete blow-out. AOTW Winner #2 didn’t even get a single vote. Does that say more about Winner #4 or Winner #2?
Based on the strength of that victory, the AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winner #1 could position itself as one of the all-time greats. Will she be strong enough to become an ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Winner? If so, then she’ll have to face-off against another champion.
Since we’re on the topic of that past champion, where is the price this week?
Two weeks ago it had dropped down to $160. Last week the price was $149. This week it has dropped to $145.
I could meditate on this idea. One hundred-forty-five dollars FOR AN EMPTY BOX! Let that rattle around your head.
The question for me is, “Will the price go back up?”
I looked back at our final Damn the Torpedoes that showcased multiple prices. Both of those absurdly priced figures raised and lowered their prices. If past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, then it seems pretty safe to assume we’ll see the price climb up again – at some point.
If we see this as a behavioral trend in the selling of M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, then why does it happen? Simple answers might be “greed” or “the seller is an asshole.” While one, or both, could be true, I suspect the behavior is much more complex than a simple explanation. As of writing, I have two leading explanations: (1) Dunning–Kruger effect; and (2) social dominance orientation. I’m not suggesting these are mutually exclusive. I think everything I’ve mentioned from greed to SDO come together in a stew of human behavior.
The Dunning–Kruger effect basically says that a person of low ability overestimates their ability – and feels really confident about it. In this example (selling a M.U.S.C.L.E. item) the sellers believe they are correct at setting the price. At times angry at the suggestion they are incorrect (e.g., these titles). But others (M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors/buyers), feel they are incorrect – a feeling that is validated by all the listings mentioned remaining unsold.
If I was reading my write-up, then I might suggest SDO doesn’t really fit. However, I couldn’t argue the fact that a person wants to be in-group dominate. I think we have seen lots of this behavior. Many of the absurd listings we see come from people that appear to want to be the-important-seller with the important items. The lowly, stupid M.U.S.C.L.E collector must come to me, and only me, for this amazing item. Even more damning, in my opinion, SDO is negatively correlated with empathy, tolerance, commonality, and altruism.
I mean, c’mon – what more do I need to say about that last part? (If you happen to be new to the site, then let me know – I’ll layout a bunch of gross stuff from gross sellers.)
“Oh, you’re just so perfect!”
I imagine someone thought that; good defensive reaction. I am far from perfect. I still need to mail these fucking figures. But I hope my flaws and imperfections don’t hurt other people. I try, and don’t always succeed, to bring positive things into the world and M.U.S.C.L.E. community. Actively pissing in this tiny little M.U.S.C.L.E. pond is the last thing I want to do. I like trying to figure out why some people enjoy using our tiny little pond as their toilet.
Speaking of toilets, let’s see what shit eBay is collecting.
– Not a world-beater, but it is starting at $1.
– I don’t care, but I know somebody will care.
– He won’t care either – but for much different reasons.
– Perfect lot to start at $0.99. Well done.
– I’m telling you “Rare=Shit” is a scientific fact.
– “Some Rarities.” At best you could say, “Includes SC.”
– SC
– Seriously dude? He’s been holding out for that $24.97 for quite some time. I’m almost tempted to buy it at this point and deduct it from my taxes. It’s clearly a charitable donation.
– This is why he is the King of Class A auctions.
Let’s wrap-up this week with out AOTW Fatal-Four Way. First up is AOTW #1 with his $120 BIN for 36 figures. If you’re going to gouge buyers with a price tag of $3.33 per figure, then you could offer free shipping. Nope. You’ve got to pay for shipping too. Plus there’s a fucking C.U.T.I.E. in there (so $3.43 per figure). The AOTW #2 has four figures with a $21.45 BIN. At $5.36 per figure do they include free shipping? Hell no.
The AOTW #3 is a special kind of asshole. They are in Canada, selling a 10-pack with a $273.21 BIN (plus shipping).
“But maybe there’s a Class A figure in there!”
Nope. That’s not a Canadian 10-pack. It isn’t bilingual. You’d have as much luck finding a Class A figure in a 10-pack from Delaware.
Finally, the AOTW #4 has two Flesh #165 figures with a $13.95 BIN. That’s $6.98 per figure. However, you get free shipping.
Cast your vote and crown this week’s AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner. Here are the four combatants:
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Remember to cast your vote and crown this week’s AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner:
[poll id=”62″]
