Last week I jumped right into eBay. Let’s do it again.
– If I needed either MUSCLEMANIA figure, then I might consider it.
– I’d also consider this if I need more counterfeit figures. I don’t.
– The shipping is too high. And give us better poster pictures if you want to sell it.
Geez, not a great eBay week. The number of shitty, repetitive M.U.S.C.L.E. listings is staggering. It would be easy to slide into a complaining M.U.S.C.L.E. rant. I’m going to go the opposite way with two little stories.
First, I’m working with some other M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors on a write-up for the website. The topic is a bummer, but it’s nice interacting with collectors as passionate as me. That truthfully doesn’t happen often and I’m enjoying it. I think it’s going to make the write-up better too. Not just because additional eyes will see it before posting, but because I’m enjoying it.
The second story has nothing to do with M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. I just need an audience to share an embarrassing story – which I assume you’ll like hearing.
The story requires a little set-up. I’m not a great sleeper. I get things stuck in my mind and it is difficult to let go. It’s rarely trivial stuff. It’s usually work-related or a topic I’m interested in (e.g. this article sent me down a rabbit hole). Over the years, Archeology thoughts has even kept me thinking. Plus, I’m a night owl. Not a great combo. One of the things that greatly helps is finding a sleep routine.
Currently my routine, after putting everyone else to bed, is to play some VR (which the boys got for Christmas). It weirdly engages my brain but also makes me tired. It’s weird. Anyways, I was playing a game called Robo Recall. (Seriously, I don’t know why this helps me sleep.)
We have decent space to play in the family room. But the VR requires you to draw a boundary so you don’t get hurt moving around. I lightly hit the wall once, so I tend to give myself extra space near that one wall. Last night I was drawing the boundary and thought, “I’m really wasting a lot of space. I think I can get closer to the wall.” Idiot.
I don’t even know what I was doing in the game, but I hit the wall with my hand. Not like a full speed punch, but fast enough that it really hurt. In some pain and embarrassed (even alone) I kept playing and then went to bed.
This morning I woke up and my little finger is swollen. It hurts to move. I’m not telling anyone (besides you guys). My family would never stop making fun of me. I need to pitch batting practice for two hours Sunday and it hurts to close my entire hand.
But at least I got a good night’s sleep.
Last week we had our second easy win in a row. The three Flesh M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, with the $100 BIN, shut-out the competition. Will there be another blowout this week? You decide.
The AOTW #1 earned their spot for two main reasons. The first reason is the “Pick” format of the listing. I HATE when people do this on eBay. I can’t explain why I hate it so much, but I do. Maybe it’s just the utter stupidity. The second reason is the price – $30 BIN for 10 figures. Three dollars per figure for stupid Flesh figures?!?!
The AOTW #2 was another easy choice. It features three cans and one Flesh figure. What’s the opening bid? $75. That’s right. Let that sink in. At best, cans demand $5. So are they selling the Flesh #153 for $60?
The AOTW #3 is a painted #153 figure with a $50 opening bid. If it was these painted figures I’d probably think it was still a little over-priced, but I’d be thinking about it. This painted figure looks like I did it. (Of course, I wouldn’t have picked such a minstrel color palette.)
Finally, there is the AOTW #4. Normally I don’t pick a seller (although we did have a seller AOTW once), but I had to highlight her. She has 36 Flesh figures with prices ranging from $1.75 to $24.99. What sealed the deal was when I saw a figure for $1.75 and the next highest price was $1.76.
Cast your vote and crown the next 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=”97″]
There was sadness when our ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winner #1 was no longer selling her empty box.
We thought this was the fine image of our old friend.
It was painful to consider our journey was over. We watched as she started at $250. Unable to sell it, dropped down to $160. The drops continued: $149, $145, $139, $135, $125 and finally $120…for a beat-up, empty box.
When she did stop, we knew there was a zero-percent chance it actually sold. It is an empty box. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors see crazy things, but this sale was simply impossible. Plus, there is no feedback posted by either party.
We now have irrefutable evidence the box did not sell. It has been relisted with a $150 BIN.
Oh dear lord. Some other dope has “bought” the box and there is feedback from the buyer this time. Interesting that the seller didn’t leave feedback.
I think there is zero percent chance this belt has actually sold. It will be relisted. Pay attention sellers, this winner perfectly demonstrate the level-of-asshole it takes to be an ULTIMATE champion. She truly is the ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winner #1.
Our inaugural champion has a very worthy companion.
The initial listing for the $3 figure was for $1500. The entire story was covered in AW #284. Apparently, there’s still a little more to add. The figure is STILL for sale with a $100 BIN.
This seller probably could be a repeat winner with their other listings.
An original SHA, with the head spur still attached, in the original Flesh color was sold for about $185. This seller is attempting to sell a yellow, headless version for $1,000. That is the level of commitment needed to become the 2nd ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Winner.
Sadly, it looks like our second champion has paused their grifting efforts. I do not see the figure for sale, nor do I see any feedback.
