Here’s a feature I’ve added to the blog called eBay Listing Fails that showcases some of the most face palming, groan worthy eBay seller mess-ups of Superman and sort-of Superman merchandise. I’ll add more to the top of the list as time goes by. Each entry gets a Non-Award for most bumbling attempt at at cobbling together an item for sale. Some are just people who fail to do their homework before listing, and others are downright unscrupulous.
I know that a few of these may seem trivial to some people but, when you’ve seen these types of posts over and over and over again like I have, I can’t help but feel that enough is enough. My overall objective is to hopefully help other new Superman collectors identify common seller mistakes, misleads, and mischief that occur way more than they should. Buyers beware!
- Now, I’m well aware that I’ve mentioned something similar to this before, but I thought this deserved its own Non-Award. This is a topic that has troubled me for decades.
Too many times, individuals and companies use variations on the Superman symbol for their own company or a movement. This “Constitutional Open Carry” coin has been seen online recently and has found its way to eBay through multiple sellers. To be clear, what I’m about to say has no reflection on any individual who believes that way. However, it has everything to do with using a graphic design that is blatantly mimicking Superman’s symbol. As I mentioned in an earlier “eBay Fails” post, please stop using Superman’s symbol, image, or otherwise for anything other than Superman. Even if you think it’s different enough, you are wrongfully trying to capitalize on a pre-existing brand. DESIGN YOUR OWN LOGO!
Wrong. 
• The image above is assembled from multiple listings by the same seller.
I’ve noticed a sad and shameful trend in the last decade or so where sellers purposefully disassemble perfectly wonderful toys and sell them separately as parts. This allows the seller to sneakily price the individual parts higher than they should be which, in total, would make the finished toy more expensive than if someone were to buy it intact. In this case, this poor 1984 Kenner Super Powers Supermobile has been ruthlessly dismembered.
I’m giving this one a wrong for each listing.
• This seller claims this is an “Animated Superman 8×10 color photo”. It happens often, even in conversations, where people will mistype or misspeak and say either “Batman” or “Spider-Man” when they really mean “Superman” or vice versa. It’s unfortunate, though, that Batman fans who are searching for just this type of merchandise won’t see it.
Unfortunate.
• Here is a listing for a “Superman~Spideman Picture 10″ x7″”.
Mr. Superman no here.
Wrong.
• I would agree that a 1984 Kenner Super Powers Superman figure (with or without a cape) is a cool thing to have. However, I don’t get this listing at all.
This one is titled “Original SuperMan”, whatever that means. Ordinarily, a figure like this, which is loose and is capeless, can fetch around $12 to $25. Why, then, is this seller listing this one for a starting bid of $7,000 with a whopping Buy It Now price of $10,000? They’re even asking $50 to ship it!
Insanely overpriced.
• Every time I go through eBay to see if I can find bizarre listings I think that one day I’m going to run out of new oddities to write about. Nope! Not today!
Here’s a listing for a 3×5-inch index card signed by, as the listing says, “Richard Dunner” who is apparently of “Superman” fame. I’m assuming they are thinking of “Richard Donner” who directed Superman: The Movie… and this isn’t him. Please do yourself a favor and save your $149.99 plus $5 for shipping.
Wrong.
• Sigh. This happens way too often. Here is a listing for a “Superman #1, 1939 Comic” that has a Buy It Now asking price of $90,000. The seller considers the comic in “good” condition and that there is “very minimal damage to the cover including scuff marks, but no holes or tears” when it is clearly not true. However, this is not the major problem.
This is actually a Superman #1 Treasury Edition reprint from 1979 that is missing its outer cardstock cover and it measures 10 x 13.5 inches. Without its outer cover, and in such poor condition, it’s probably worth less than $2.00.
Although there are people who are possibly just unaware, there are unscrupulous sellers out there who have intentionally tried to sell this as the real thing. Some have, sadly, suckered unsuspecting people out of their money. Please, folks… don’t fall for this. If you are unsure about a listing, please ask someone in the know. It could save you from a world of hurt.
2 wrongs found.
• A listing for two bags of “Flying Superman” promo marbles. Granted, nowhere does the listing say that this is “official”, but an unsuspecting buyer can be easily suckered by this bootleg product. The seller also has a Burger King version of this and many others up at the same time. Make no mistake about it, neither Warner Bros. nor Burger King used these as a “promo”. The amateurish stretched logos on both of the listing’s products speak volumes. Please don’t fall for these deceptive listings.
Wrong.
• Here is a listing for a “Superman Gene Habear Autographed Photo”. So my question is, “who is Gene Habear?” Oh, I guess they meant “Gene Hackman“ who played Lex Luthor in Superman: The Movie, Superman II, and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. Wait a minute… this is a photo of Mr. Hackman from the French Connection. Whoops!
2 wrongs found.
• I realize that this eBay listing is from China and this is probably the result of an ESL thing happening, but this has to be one of the most outrageous word replacements I’ve ever encountered. I’m assuming the person who listed this meant to say “Shirt Rip Superman” or “Transformation Superman” or anything else but what was used.
Wrong.
• An amazing listing for Superman #11 from 1941 with a starting bid of $20 and a great Buy It Now deal of $100! It’s listed as “ungraded” yet the title curiously includes an assumed grading of 3.5. But, wait… that’s not the issue. The photos are of a USPS stamp! But wait… it gets worse. When you read the actual listing, it says, “It features the first character appearance of Superman (Clark Kent) and includes Stan Lee as the writer/artist.” It also claims, “This commercial comic belongs to the superhero genre and is part of the Avengers superhero team.” How many wrongs can there be in one listing? But, you know… if it benefits charity and all, I guess it’s okay to be misleading.
An unbelievable 5 wrongs found in one listing.
• This has been circling eBay for quite some time as a Henry Cavill 1/6 head sculpt that barely resembles him. Now, it’s being mindlessly listed as a Kirk Alyn sculpt. I really think these listers are just throwing names at head sculpts they’re having a tough time selling and seeing what bites. Terrible.
Wrong.
• This so-called “Original Dime Store Package” of Superman II trading cards is claimed by the seller to be “from Kentucky, I do not know any other history” and the description lists the cards as “Near Mint or Better”. DON’T FALL FOR THIS! First, Superman II trading cards never came packaged like this. Second, if you look carefully, the cards clearly have battered edges indicating that they were loose throughout most of their lives. Third, the cello bag that the cards are in do not match the width of the card that it’s stapled to. Fourth, for being as “original” as they say it is, the staples look amazingly clean! Fifth, and this is a big one, the logo on the card that is stapled to the cello bag is a screen grab from the 1950s Adventures of Superman television series title card (the color years). Bottom line: this is either a seller that got duped into believing that these are legitimate or it’s an unscrupulous seller trying to sucker someone out of their money. I highly suspect it’s the latter.
At least three wrongs in one post.
• This one is a little understandable since they look so much alike, but this is NOT a 1984 Kenner Super Powers Superman figure. This is a Toy Biz Superman figure from 1989. I see many, many eBay posts like these and often the figures are being sold for higher prices than they should be. There are a few ways to tell them apart. If anyone has difficulty with this, I’ll be happy to help.
Wrong.
• Okay, I know this is a bootleg figure from China, but after over 80 years of the character’s existence it should be known that it’s “Superman” and not “Super Man“.
Wrong.
• Groan! Where do I begin? Firstly, stop using Superman to promote organizations or movements that have nothing to do with Superman. Secondly, stop using the fantastic Superman art of José Luis García-López (or any artist, for that matter) for anything other than Superman.
Terrible.
• Say what you will, but I feel that these types of horrible bootleg products that drag Superman’s good name through the mud by showing him making obscene gestures are just downright vulgar and unappreciated. Find a character who best represents your terrible way of thinking like Deadpool.
Unforgivable.
• One of a couple of listings, this is a listing for a Christopher Reeve Superman 2 Signed Print Poster. After you scroll down to the description of this listing, you discover that the autograph is a reprint. On top of that, you only get the print… not the frame. Yes, the seller does say the word “print” in the heading, but last I checked, eBay requires you to mention these as “reprints” in the title too as to not deceive the prospective buyer. Intentional or otherwise, these slight misleads can cause an unsuspecting buyer a whole bunch of grief.
Groan.
• Uhhhh… NOPE! This figure is almost twenty years too late to be a 1984 Kenner Super Powers figure.
Wrong.
• This mind-blowing “Hulk Superman Batman Combination 3 in 1” figure takes the proverbial cake. Although these figures (one of two listings) are probably bootlegs from China, not doing the homework to list the character properly as Composite Superman is beyond facepalm worthy. Homework, homework, homework!
Wrong.
• Adding the name “Superman” to such an obviously generic product in hopes that it will generate hits to searches. I see this unforgivable mislead a lot and it really frustrates me.
Misleading.
• Adding a ball chain to a re-cast and painted Schleich figurine is bad enough, but saying that Superman is a Marvel Comics property?
Wrong.
• Wonderful figure! You’d think, however, after more than 40 years since the release of Superman: The Movie that people would get the name right. His name is Christopher REEVE and, no, he’s not related to George REEVES. The ‘S’ belongs on his chest.
Wrong.
• I know that Superman has been seen wearing a black outfit a lot lately… but this is ridiculous!
Wrong.
The lessons here are: learn about what you’re selling, take the time to check your listing for errors, don’t mislead the public if you are intentionally trying to do so, and please don’t create merchandise that disrespects the character in anyway.
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