In the last AW I said I had two leading theories to explain recent sales. Something seemed different than the routine ebb and flow and occasional assholes. I thought the LB #36 might help identify if we are seeing: (1) prospecting increasing; or (2) collectors starting the ultimately quixotic task of becoming a Master Set Fool.
I think it is the latter. I think the (2515)-guy, from the last AW, might be the new (2523)-guy. Whether I am right or wrong, I don’t love seeing a LB #36 selling for $88.
The results of the LB #36 may not have been exactly what I wanted, but I thought the MUSCLEMANIA lot was extra interesting. I was interested if anybody cares about a pedestrian MUSCLEMANIA lot. Take a look at the bidders. Two normal bidders, but the winner was a zero-feedback guy. Really?!?! Somebody that has never purchased a single thing on eBay said, “This is the very first thing I want to buy.”
Weird. That was not expected.
That wasn’t the only unexpected thing this week. I pointed out this red flag, $299.99, poster and tube in the previous Epilogue. Days later, we’re seeing another poster and tube.
The first listing, Vintage 1985 Mattel M.U.S.C.L.E. Men Figure Wall Poster – Size 23″ x 35″, is the second poster and tube that has been listed recently.
And the seller has zero feedback.
Incredible coincidence or total scam. That’s all I can think based on the available data.
As M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors, we don’t see too many poster and tube combos show up on eBay – but we do see them. The last two documented examples sold for $82.50 and, before that, $51. Why are they suddenly $299.99 and $66 (as of writing)?
I don’t envy M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors. Both of these poster and tube listings raise red flags for me. But these kind of oddities and inexplicable behavior are the norm. I can’t imagine chasing M.U.S.C.L.E. items in this environment. I wouldn’t do it.
A week from now, I hope I feel silly for raising any level of concern. A week from now, I expect the previous sentence will be incredibly funny.
