A trusted seller, starting his auctions at $0.99, is the best way to measure the actual state of M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting. As I said in the last AW, the Red #85 was my wildcard. I was surprised, but pleased, to see his final price. The Purple #199 didn’t really surprise me, but the Red #112 shocked me. I didn’t expect the price to climb that high.
The seller of the Purple #60 is the only person surprised it is unsold. They are going to be surprised again when it remains unsold at $20. How did I not make that person Asshole of the Week?
I don’t want Auction Watch just to be the Class A tracker, but there’s not much else to highlight on eBay today. I expect that to change, and the first listing helps support that expectation.
The first listing, Purple Claw M.U.S.C.L.E. #153 Kinnikuman Muscle Men, is a hopefully Purple #153 figure. I do believe it is an authentic Purple figure, but I’m much less confident it will sell.
Given the global economy, I think we’re going to see lots of people listing all kinds of collectibles. But if people are selling, are there going to be enough people buying?
Does anybody need to spend $850 on the BIN? No. To me, that means the buying population has shrunk – even for a Purple #153 figure.
Forget everything globally. The last Purple #153 sale price, documented on this site, was $426.67.
The second listing, Vtg 1980s Mattel M.U.S.C.L.E. Man Figure #112 Salmon Color Muscle Men Kinnikuman, is a Class A Salmon #112 figure. It has an opening bid of about $3.50.
The last Class A #112 sold for $28 (see above), but it was the Red version. This time we have the Salmon version. The last Salmon #112 sold for $102.21.
I can’t see it approaching $100 again, but who knows? I’m just happy to see a Class A listing without an insane BIN or opening bid.
The minifigure marketplace will likely go one of two ways in the coming days/weeks. We’ll either see a flood (relative to M.U.S.C.L.E.) of product or things will stay the same. Either way, I’m not expecting to see a lot of notable sales.
Of course, I hope I’m 100% wrong. I hope were buying, selling, and trading M.U.S.C.L.E. figures better than before. Because, frankly, the old way wasn’t that great either.
#1 by Matt on March 27, 2020 - 10:13 am
Howdy,
That’s my purple claw for sale. It’s real. When I found out it was “the holy grail” of sorts a couple years back, my mind was blown. Back then I started the auction price too high and you wrote me off as crazy, but I based the price off the last sale. Same methodology this time around – one just sold for $600 Buy It Now and doesn’t say a best offer was accepted.
When there were no takers in 2018, I shrugged and put it back where it’s been sitting. I am not going to risk my 20 year ebay account integrity selling a fake version of a plastic toy. I don’t know how else to prove it, but I did add a picture with a bunch of other figures for color comparison at the request of an ebay member.
I’ve had that thing since they were new, and it was by far my favorite one. Not knowing the purple color meant anything, it’s obviously incredible and crazy and weird in ways the other figures don’t approach, color notwithstanding. Though I am also partial to #224.
#2 by Scott on March 27, 2020 - 1:49 pm
Matt, more interesting than that, the first one I saw sold for $666 dollars. That was a buy it now..no best offer accepted. Not sure how long ago a few months. I am watching your listing. Good luck
#3 by Scott on March 27, 2020 - 2:02 pm
Hello, just a bit surprised I was nominated asshole of the week. Was never really surprised that the purple Mito #60 never sold at the $450 BIN. Actually admitted to having it priced too high. YOU will however be surprised to see that it did sell for $20. One bidder. Can’t really enjoy the sale given your comment, but am relishing the title of asshole of the week. Scott
#4 by Chad Perry on March 27, 2020 - 2:26 pm
It was almost seven months ago.
#5 by Chad Perry on March 27, 2020 - 2:31 pm
The Asshole of the Week title is a time honored tradition. It is bestowed upon worthy combatants. You can’t just claim the title on your own.
Now you don’t get to enjoy that either.
#6 by Scott on March 27, 2020 - 2:34 pm
Chad, thank you for the time frame correction. In dog years I was real close. Scott
#7 by Scott on March 27, 2020 - 2:37 pm
Well shit! Now I am almost sorry I listed #60 at all….almost
#8 by Andrew Papesh on June 1, 2020 - 4:38 pm
Hi,
The red Zebra Man Class A was a lucky bid of mine and now it’s part of my collection. I ca’t believe I got it for such a low price, but everyone was paying attention to the seller’s other class A’s apparently.
-Andy