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

Last week two Class A listings were highlighted. The first was the popular Purple #153 figure. It had an opening bid of $633. It didn’t receive a single bid. The seller decided the only sane thing to do was raise the price to $725 and try again. I can’t make this stuff up.

The second listing sold for almost $16. Much less than I was expecting, but right in the $20 Class A sweet spot. After Master Set Fools have their Class A figure, the price for a Class A figure seems to settle into the $20 range.

Let’s take a look at some live listings.

The first listing, 1980s M.U.S.C.L.E. MUSCLE MEN KINNIKUMAN 3 FIGURE TOY LOT – ANNOUNCER MINI RARE, is the perfect way to sell this odd little lot. It is starting at $0.99.

It features a Salmon #162 (Class C), a Tweak, and a Mongolian Man (D) keshi from Part 25.

I did a little digging, the last figure can be purchased for about five or six bucks. And the last, recorded, Tweak sold (as part of a four figure lot) for $3.25.

This is the perfect lot to start at $0.99 because – who knows what it will go for? Maybe the better question, “Who is interested in this lot?”

I don’t mean that as a negative question. It’s just an odd mix of figures. The actual M.U.S.C.L.E. figure is the least interesting part of the lot.

It has been awhile since I guessed a final price, but this seems like a fun one to guess. I think the final price will be $3.05. I don’t think any buyer (with shipping) will want to pay more than $8 total for the lot.

The second lot, M.U.S.C.L.E. Lot of 24 – Colors. was selected for two reasons: (1) it started at $0.99; and (2) it seemed like a good check-in lot.

The last 119 lot of M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, tracked on this site, sold for $130 (or $1.09 per figure). Will this lot sell for more? Or less?

I don’t know. But I do know, for observations purposes, that I like the size of the lot. In general, buyers will spend a little more on a larger lot. I think 20 Figures, or about that number, is better for getting a sense of the current per-figure prices.

Is it perfect science? No, there are lots of little problems. But we don’t see very many $0.99 opening bids or auctions. This one is worth watching as a data point.

The funniest part is if the lot sells for an unusually high amount. Sellers would instantly say, “See! M.U.S.C.L.E. prices are rising! My prices are super fair!”

They wouldn’t apply the same logic if the lot sold for $3.25. That makes me smile.

The third listing, M.U.S.C.L.E. Muscle Men 1980’s Lot of 3 Different Class B Colored Guys!, was also selected for two reasons: (1) I keep seeing it; and (2) the stupid price.

Look, a $16 opening bid is a dumb price. We’ve seen plenty of absurd Class B listings (like this one or that one). There is nothing terribly interesting in pointing out another stupid one.

Instead, I have a question, “What is a fair price?”

Don’t talk broadly; take these three figures from the listing. What would be a fair price?

Twenty years of collecting makes me want to instantly say, “Three dollars.” But that probably wouldn’t be good enough for an insurance company. They don’t sell at $8, so it has to be lower than that – right?

I think the best, documentable, Class B data point might come from Sydot on LittleRUbberGuys.com. He is selling a lot of 24 Class B figures for $35 (including shipping).

That works out to about $1.46 per-figure.

It leaves me almost speechless. I think it seems like a perfect price.

The only potential argument against that price would be if you believed Class B doesn’t exist. Or if it doesn’t sell.

I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t sell.

The final auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. #41 Purple Beauty Rhodes Class A Figure Jet/Gun/Rocket Pack, is going to result in a very disappointed seller. The seller, foolbus1986, previously listed their other Class A figure with a $450 BIN.

Not wanting to be “damned,” Scott might think a $0.99 opening bid is better. And it is!

However, the last several Auction Watches have featured plenty of Class A listings. And many have sold for $20 or less. This might be the lowest we have seen.

“Dude, why are you always so negative?”

Well, aside from the recent Class A sales, I have further proof that Purple #41 isn’t in high demand. Not only did it not sell with a $29.92 BIN, but it sold for $2.47 in a lot of three Class A figures.

A M.U.S.C.L.E. prospector might disagree (they would be wrong, but whatever) and buy the figure. If that happens, then I have a question for collectors.

Which lot will sell for more? The second listing (24 figures) or the fourth listing (Purple #41)?

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