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M.U.S.C.L.E. on eBay...R.I.P.


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#1 dixiebull

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 09:20 AM

Jesus what happened with eBay and M.U.S.C.L.E. figures...I haven't checked in awhile. Looked today; 77 auctions, 2,426 Buy it now's?! So much for finding good deals there.

 

 

Is this the beginning of the end? Has Ma and Pa Resale fully discovered these and a few bad eggs set the price to a point where collecting is only viable on sites like this one?

 

Maybe this has been coming for sometime, and this is old news, but I swear just a year ago I could still score pretty decent auctions and not have to pay more than .50 cents a figure, and get some needed figs for my collection. So many BIN's is bad enough, but to make matters worse, the majority I saw was single figure BIN's with 5 dollar price tags, or large lots of 100+ figures with 150-300 dollar price tags. 

 

 

2017 bad economy summer madness, or something more?

 


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#2 kayfabe1985

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 09:34 AM

I feel you; Chad had something about this on UofMuscle a couple of weeks back. I don't know what a viable solution could be or if the answer is just not buying from ebay period. I live abroad and besides LRG; ebay was my other source for Muscles. Sometimes its easier to buy from ebay when you are looking for those last few figures or something mega specific but if buying on ebay contributes to the bubble and outrages prices....I decided to take a break from ebay and have not bought any Muscle figures in a bit (I would consider buying collectibles like Mattel catalogs am missing or rare Muscle related things like Nestle figures/tubes etc). I think maybe the Super7 line has peeked the interest of casual collectors and thus the secret is out etc but who knows...it could just be the timing and all will go back to normal soon.


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#3 plasticfiend

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 09:38 AM

Deals can still be found ... probably closer to 60 cents per fig for lots.  But they require digging and sorting.  But yeah - they are few and far between.

 

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#4 dixiebull

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 10:15 AM

I guess this is dated info then, if it was posted up on UofM. Should have known Veers would be on top of it. It just really shocked me. Less than a year ago there were still plenty of auctions to be found. The ratio now is insane. I've gotten most of what I was hoping to have muscle wise, still have a few hundred figures to go I'd say, as I'm hoping to have a complete class C & B color set, but one of the main reasons I enjoyed random auctions so much was for the non muscle mini's that would end up in the lots. It was a great way to build your collection, AND get unique KO figures or other oddities. Guess those days are over..at least for now. 


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#5 plasticfiend

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 10:53 AM

You should really check out the recent "Sunday Paper" articles on UoM!!

 

Jesse (OneTallPonderosa on LRG) has been doing a great monthly sales analysis from Ebay sales.  Complete with the average sale price of individual figures as a whole, and some of the more popular sculpts (like a claw).

 

I always feel like what we see for sale - isn't always representative of what actually sells.

 

Jesse's analysis is pretty informative.  And I know he puts a lot of time and effort to it.  Check it out!

 

http://blog.uofmuscl...sunday-paper-7/

 

http://blog.uofmuscl...sunday-paper-6/

 

http://blog.uofmuscl...sunday-paper-5/

 

There doesn't appear to be one for July yet - but I know Jesse has been swamped at work of late.  Big shout out to Jesse for the analysis in the first place... but also to Veers for giving the forum and platform for the analysis to be shown via Sunday Paper.

 

PF

 


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#6 Toymattic

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 11:28 AM

I think eBay listings are down in general.  It seems like every year the fees are higher, postage increases and eBay's rules get worse and worse for sellers which is driving sellers away in droves.

 

They really need to realize that they'll never compete with Amazon.


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#7 AFCMan

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 11:30 AM

Hmm,,,,seems to me that some bright, knowledgeable entrepreneur needs to create their own 'eBay' style buying/selling application...

 

ToyBay sounds good!!


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#8 dixiebull

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 11:49 AM

Thanks for the links PF, I must have missed this. Big props to OneTallPonderosa for taking the time to continue this. Good info to have!

 

I think the one aspect that is surprising me more than anything else is the insane difference in auctions vs BIN. It has become severely one sided now...I understand the possible reasons for this; Paranoia from the possibility of a lack of bidders, combined with a few unrealistic people trying to set the bar way too high...but still. I can attest from my own experiences that eBay is slow in the summer. Most casual buyers seem to have other things to do with their money during this time...family trips, etc. So maybe auctions will pick back up in the fall/winter. 

 

I hope so. I honestly believe that if this trend continues, it will only hurt the hobby. 


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#9 kayfabe1985

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 12:07 PM

I love the discourse and dialogue! this is one of the reasons why I would much rather buy/trade figures from fellow LRG collectors.


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#10 Guest_General Veers_*

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 01:34 PM

Be sure to read my nearly weekly rant on this subject each week in the Epilogue and Auction Watch.


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#11 Draznar

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 01:51 PM

People are starting to remember the MUSCLE more since the Super7, in my opinion. People are also getting stupid about what they're willing to pay. I just got into a little war about it on Facebook a few weeks back because some dude was ranting and raving about how rare and valuable MUSCLE figures were.

He used the recent Purple Claw ebay auction as "proof" of how valuable they are.


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#12 Ericnilla

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 04:04 PM

The muscle Community has been continuing to grow since 2000 when I first started collecting the figures. And since I joined this forum 10 years ago it's been growing a lot faster, I hear people say oh don't worry there will be a lull and it will die down but it really hasn't and like Draznar said now that super7 has been doing muscle figures they're being more widely promoted to more people that wouldn't necessarily see A muscle figure to get that Nostalgia feeling. And it's not just muscle figures really it's rubber figure collectors as well, there are so many more people now collecting little rubber figures of all types then there were 10 years ago. So most people that might get brought in with neclos or Monster my pocket or random other Japanese keshi lines eventually will collect muscle as well, if not already.

Edited by Ericnilla, 08 August 2017 - 04:06 PM.

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#13 OneTallPonderosa

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Posted 09 August 2017 - 08:19 PM

Unfortunately I don't think that the inflating prices, single figure auctions, and large quantity of buy-it-nows can solely be blamed on sellers. Don't get me wrong, I despise the idea of $8 single flesh figure auctions, but when people continue to pay (in my opinion) ridiculous prices, the sellers have absolutely no reason to quit.  And really, for some people just trying to make some extra cash or actually selling for a living I can't hold it against them too much.  These are, after all, totally unnecessary items, and not the same as jacking up the price of some life-saving drug by 10x or gouging someone on rent. 

 

All that being said, I much prefer when 250 figure auctions go at auction for $60, or when people put up nicely priced BINs. Deals still pop up routinely for the hungry sharks in the water, but not in great numbers. Here are a few recent ones that had decent prices.

 

http://www.ebay.com/...twAAOSw~epZfgwX

 

0.77 each with some nice figures isn't so bad. 

 

http://www.ebay.com/...=p2047675.l2557

 

123 flesh at around 0.60 each

 

And thanks for the shout out PF.  I was remiss in my data gathering lately but finally have the July data ready to go.  :D 


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#14 Rxchrisg

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Posted 11 August 2017 - 06:10 AM

I only use BIN on eBay,I've never bid on an auction. That being said,I've never bought muscles on there. I need a sunshine and a claw but at those prices forget it. I did get some super7s so sorry if I'm part of the problem.
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#15 RedMoaiMan

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Posted 11 August 2017 - 05:29 PM

I recently got a good deal on King Of Tons for 99 cents and 3 dollars and some change shipping. Good deals can be still had, but are getting harder to come by. That being said, the sellers I've bought from lately have been honest and good to deal with. 


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#16 Rubberhammer

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Posted 12 August 2017 - 06:01 AM

I recently got a good deal on King Of Tons for 99 cents and 3 dollars and some change shipping.


You gave nearly five dollars to obtain a single figure.
I do not see that as a good deal.
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#17 ironmask

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Posted 12 August 2017 - 07:06 AM

but when people continue to pay (in my opinion) ridiculous prices, the sellers have absolutely no reason to quit. 


I have been screaming this from the rooftops. How can this community be mad about the resell vultures, when we line up and bicker amongst each other for scraps? We, as a community, decided a long time ago that we were willing to poach the hobby dry to protect the value of the collections held by a few non contributing members of the community.
It's nuts, but until people are willing to sit a few auctions out, these vultures are going to keep preying on your need to have this shit NOW.

It's way easier than its being made out to be.
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#18 RedMoaiMan

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Posted 12 August 2017 - 11:27 PM

You gave nearly five dollars to obtain a single figure.
I do not see that as a good deal.

Well, I guess it's all relative. A good deal to one person may be a bad deal for another. But to be fair, where are you gonna find 1985/86 era (when they first came out) prices on M.U.S.C.L.E. figs? Now I'll admit I'm not an "expert" in this field compared to some people here, but if you can answer that question I'll appreciate it. Not trying to be a smart ass, I'd genuinely love to know. :huh:  


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#19 ironmask

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Posted 13 August 2017 - 07:03 AM

Well, I guess it's all relative. A good deal to one person may be a bad deal for another.


False. A common MUSCLE figure for $5 is a bad deal, regardless of who you are. That's generally why those single figure BIN don't move, but the larger lots do.
But yeah, ask questions. Learn the hobby, so you don't A. Get took, or B. Accidentally wind up contributing to the issues outlined above.
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#20 mannakat

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Posted 13 August 2017 - 08:58 AM

Have been lucky enough to find some figs semi-locally at a few comic conventions and even snagged a bag full of common flesh figures at 1.99 for the bag when antiquing last month. Same for a bag full of Battle Beasts that included a complete mint condition blue Jaded Jaguar in the mix for the same price per bag.

 

Around here finding things like that is like winning the lottery at times. But the local conventions have been helping a lot, as hit or miss as they are. Only use ebay for big lots of crap, or random crap, that will never turn up in these parts. With any luck don't think I'll be getting MUSCLE figs on there for a long time.


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#21 Rubberhammer

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Posted 13 August 2017 - 11:55 AM

But to be fair, where are you gonna find 1985/86 era (when they first came out) prices on M.U.S.C.L.E. figs? Now I'll admit I'm not an "expert" in this field compared to some people here, but if you can answer that question I'll appreciate it.

No one is saying that you are ever going to find prices comparable to what was paid in the mid-eighties. I remember buying them for a quarter a 4-pack at one point back then.
What I was saying is that paying nearly five dollars to obtain a single, common fig is not a good deal, and does not help the hobby at all. Read the post that OneTallPonderosa made just before you made your comment. Examples of buyers obtaining figs at far less than $5 each.
This board is full of information like this, and if you can not find it, just ask. There are plenty of people here who will help you out.
The main thing that I would stress is patience, man. Wanting to have a figure in hand immediately is what fuels a lot of overpriced purchases.
You are pretty active on the board. Just post a needs list, and keep doing what you have been doing. You will be surprised by the amount of help other members will provide, if you just give them a bit of time.

Edited by Rubberhammer, 13 August 2017 - 11:56 AM.

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#22 RedMoaiMan

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Posted 13 August 2017 - 04:51 PM

OK guys :thanks: for your input and advice.


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#23 Rxchrisg

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Posted 14 August 2017 - 09:05 AM

One thing you have to remember when you see a "good price" like .99 for a figure but the shipping is like 3 or 4 bucks,the scalper is jacking up the shipping to hide the "real" price he's charging you. eBay chargers sellers a portion of the selling price but not the shipping price,so they get around it by selling stuff for a buck with huge "shipping" charges.
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#24 BaltanII

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Posted 14 August 2017 - 11:10 AM

That's been incorrect for a few years now. Of course eBay certainly didn't want to lose out on easy money, and noticed when sellers kept that trick up for so long, so sellers have to pay the same percentage on shipping costs that they do for the item itself in final value fees.


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#25 Bones

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Posted 14 August 2017 - 12:22 PM

A lot of 190 flesh with a Satan cross just sold for 77 cents a fig
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