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

I saw this post on Instagram this week, and I couldn’t have disagreed more. However, I think there are two separate complaints to address. First, there is the ignorance complaint. There should never be a complaint when people are trying to learn more. Making ALL the M.U.S.C.L.E. information available was a huge driving force behind this website. I think, especially in the collecting world, knowledge tends to be misused to take advantage of the uninformed.

“But that was Star Wars, everyone should know that at this point!”

We never know the back story. Head injury. Watched Star Wars for the first time. Wanted to see if it was fake. Who knows? I just can’t see the downside of learning.

The second complaint is not buying it for $5. I think many people go to flea markets for entertainment not necessarily shopping. Ignoring that assumption, the “retail” shopping experience is changing. As collectors, we should know this better than most. We have seen toy stores dying off the last few years – from KB to Toys R Us. Why did they die? Online was easier. No pressure. No grumpy, unhelpful workers. It shows up on your doorstep with minimal effort.

Speaking of minimal effort, let’s see what people are trying to sell on eBay.
– 57 figures starting at $0.99.
– 46 figures starting at $0.99.
– These are going to melt together before they get to a reasonable price.
– “I’m a big fan of the MUSCLE toy line, but I’ve never seen these before.” One of those things has to be false.
– I bet the price is based on the Purple #180.
– Should have started at $0.99.

Damn. eBay blows these days.

Unless you like seeing the same people listing the same over-priced shit. Then it’s pretty freaking awesome.

Maybe M.U.S.C.L.E. sellers just want to be contestants in the AOTW battles? That’s probably it. Sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one.

Think about it – what is more likely? All the sellers on eBay have gone crazy trying to sell over-priced M.U.S.C.L.E. figures or sellers want to get featured in an AOTW match-up. The latter makes much more sense. 😉

There’s been a development with the AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winner #2. Did you notice?

If you’re seeing this for the first time, then I imagine you had similar reaction, “This can’t be real. Even if someone bought it, they’re going to be so pissed when it turns out to be a keshi.”

I want to enter the winner of the listing in the next AOTW. Look at this. Wh- Wh- WHAT?!?!

I guess eBay sellers are simply waiting for these types of buyers? I don’t know. It just seems unbelievable. The buyer needed to know about this figure – but not know the difference between keshi and M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. That doesn’t seem possible probable.

Last week the $400 Flesh #124 destroyed the competition. We also got a little bit of seller insight from AW #283. If she’s correct, then putting together a Flesh poster set will cost about $93,200 in a couple years. Sure.

The AOTW #1 features a mixed lot of 111 figures. It has a $499.99 opening bid. Let that sink in. Opening bid. I hope the bidding doesn’t go to much higher, because the per-figure price is already $4.50.

The AOTW #2 made my list for its $299.99 BIN. I would argue, if you care about graded items, that any sealed 10-pack is going to grade very, very high. And who cares that it has a #153 in it? You certainly can’t see it in the double-coffin. Well, it turns out someone did. He’ll be contestant number two in next week’s AOTW Buyer’s Edition.

The AOTW #3 caught my attention with its $123.97 BIN for 21 figures. That is $5.90 per-figure, plus shipping.

The terrible BIN lots continued with AOTW #4. This seller thought a $89.99 BIN was the right price for a lot of 27 Flesh figures. Among these assholes their lot is a steal at $3.33 per-figure.

Cast your vote and crown this week’s AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner. Here are the four combatants:

AOTW #1 – $499.99 Opening Bid

AOTW #2 – $299.99 BIN

vs.

AOTW #3 – 21 Figures with $123.97 BIN

AOTW #4 – 27 Figures with $89.99 BIN

Remember to cast your vote and crown this week’s AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner:

[poll id=”70″]

Since discovering that our ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winner #1 is still trying to sell her empty box, I like to check in each week.

Eight weeks ago it had dropped down to $160. Seven weeks ago the price was $149. She sat firm for a period at $145. Two weeks ago it dropped to $139 and continues to hold steady.

This is the level-of-asshole it takes to be an ULTIMATE champion. Amazing. She’s one of the greats.

I wanted to wrap-up with something for myself. In the last SUS I was treated to a little memory I had forgotten. This is for 2024.

My oldest was studying for a history test. It was as we drove to baseball practice and back home. He created a little song to help him remember one specific part. My youngest, who practices with his brother’s team, was in the car playing on the phone. As we walked in the youngest started singing the song. My wife asked, rather confused, “What are you singing?”

Without missing a beat, “My brother’s homework.”