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

As I sit down to write this Epilogue, I know it will basically be a follow-up to last week’s Epilogue. Aside from a new AOTW match-up, will there be anything else?

Let’s start with the Red #139. It sold for a whopping $540.62. The last, documented, time one came up for sale it sold for $571.29. Just reread that rap. I don’t have much to add, except this: Red #139 only has to show up one or two more times.

I figure if he pops up one or two more times, then he’s going to be like most of the other Class A figures from this seller.
– Dark Blue #47 – One Bidder, Sold for $10.67
– Dark Blue #86 – Unsold
– Dark Blue #92 and Green #185 – Unsold
– Dark Blue #97 – One Bidder, Sold for $10.67
– Purple #109 – Unsold
– Green #166 – Four Bidders, Sold for $94.96

There is one thing I want to loop back to with the Red #139. Did anybody suspect shill bidding?

At first glance, I didn’t suspect anything. But the other lackluster Class A sales made me curious.

Seeing a no longer registered user as the second bidder seems a bit suspicious. I pointed out my bid too.

With only a limited number of Master Set Fools it doesn’t seem unreasonable to think we could identify most, if not all, of the bidders?

There is a zero percent chance that some random bidder was willing to pay $333 for this lot of four M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. Only the zealots placed bids on this lot. I hope my fellow zealots will raise their hands.

Because which M.U.S.C.L.E. scenario is more likely?

1. Shill bidding to artificially raise the price and/or mess with potential buyers.
2. There is a completely unknown Master Set Fool.

Ok, let’s see if there’s anything worth mentioning on eBay.
– I was going to make this guys an AOTW, but didn’t want to check if I’ve already done it.
– This might be the best M.U.S.C.L.E. lot on eBay.
– What in the holy hell? How does this have a bid?
– Wow. This is an old school listing!
– This made me laugh because of this. Somebody was excited when they paid $315 for six regular figures. That’s the most M.U.S.C.L.E. thing about those figures.
– What is more bizarre: (1) the shilling; or (2) the actual bidder?

Let’s get to Asshole of the Week. Last week was shockingly close. Look at the results:

[poll id=”102″]

Do you know what I’ve learned from close AOTW match-ups? Those winners don’t often advance any further. We’ll see if that trend holds true. In the meantime we have four new worthy combatants.

The AOTW #1 was such an easy pick for me. The biggest reason is the $600 BIN. I thought $400 was stupid. Ten years ago people wouldn’t spend more than $80. So often I forget that we’ve basically seen 650% inflation since 2009, which completely justifies the price.

The AOTW #2 comes from the same seller. It is hilarious and I swear I didn’t know. I hate these types of listings. Just list the stupid lot and be done. It showcases stupidity and greed. The worst part is you can only select one era and size.

The AOTW #3 has a beater 4-pack for $99.99. (I’m ignoring the asinine 12% sale.) I like when packages have stickers. They offer a tiny piece of provenance. But these are ruined and the 4-pack is in terrible shape. I wouldn’t pay $5 for this thing.

Finally, the AOTW #4 is offering ten pieces of shit for $20. Look at that lot, there isn’t just M.U.S.C.L.E. figures (that wouldn’t make it better). You could get ten $0.25 pencil toppers. I hate these types of auctions too.

Cast your vote and crown the next AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner. Here are the four combatants:

AOTW #1 – $600 Flesh Set

AOTW #2 – Stupid and Greedy

vs.

AOTW #3 – Beater 4-Pack with $99.99 BIN

AOTW #4 – 10 Pieces of Shit for $20

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

[poll id=”103″]

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.