3 strikes and you're out...

[msjanket]

Collecting some old Jonsereds recently, I got stung three times. Yeah, every one of those saws was overstated in condition and each had major flaws not mentioned, like "good oiling".
Ask if the sellers of saws actually used the saw themself....none of my sellers used any of these saws and were guessing wildly feeling that if they looked good, they obviously oiled well...
Buyer beware but do remember to ask if THEY actually used the saws or took them in trade for some canning jars...

Mike

 

[bama]

Were the top and bottom ends good? Oilers aren't that bad to replace(with used). If you got a good enough deal, you still came out ahead.

 

[59Billy]

You just have to understand the special vocabulary of ebay saw ads:

• Good running: If you're good, you might be able to get it running.
• Parts saw: I saw some parts on the garage floor and stuck them in a box.
• Probably just needs a carb kit: might as well rebuild the carb while you're waiting for the new cylinder kit, ignition module, and clutch to come in.
• I don't know anything about this saw: It's beyond repair.
• Many usable parts: the box it ships in is pretty sturdy.
• Don't need this big a saw any more: somebody told me I should have taken the muffler off before grinding out the baffle.
• Many extras: I'll toss in the JB weld that's left from the crankcase repair.
• Professionally maintained: I have to have my dealer change chains for me.

 

[Butch(OH)]

You just have to understand the special vocabulary of ebay saw ads:

• Good running: If you're good, you might be able to get it running.
• Parts saw: I saw some parts on the garage floor and stuck them in a box.
• Probably just needs a carb kit: might as well rebuild the carb while you're waiting for the new cylinder kit, ignition module, and clutch to come in.
• I don't know anything about this saw: It's beyond repair.
• Many usable parts: the box it ships in is pretty sturdy.
• Don't need this big a saw any more: somebody told me I should have taken the muffler off before grinding out the baffle.
• Many extras: I'll toss in the JB weld that's left from the crankcase repair.
• Professionally maintained: I have to have my dealer change chains for me.

'bout right.

Would only add that any add that has L@@K, W@W or RARE or has more then one ! mark in it I would avoid like plague.

 

[Lakeside53]

You just have to understand the special vocabulary of ebay saw ads:

• Good running: If you're good, you might be able to get it running.
• Parts saw: I saw some parts on the garage floor and stuck them in a box.
• Probably just needs a carb kit: might as well rebuild the carb while you're waiting for the new cylinder kit, ignition module, and clutch to come in.
• I don't know anything about this saw: It's beyond repair.
• Many usable parts: the box it ships in is pretty sturdy.
• Don't need this big a saw any more: somebody told me I should have taken the muffler off before grinding out the baffle.
• Many extras: I'll toss in the JB weld that's left from the crankcase repair.
• Professionally maintained: I have to have my dealer change chains for me.

but so true...

 

[turnkey4099]

I was wondering about the "good running" - possibly "I can run faster than you can catch me"

Harry K

 

[dtnodya]

You just have to understand the special vocabulary of ebay saw ads:

• Good running: If you're good, you might be able to get it running.
• Parts saw: I saw some parts on the garage floor and stuck them in a box.
• Probably just needs a carb kit: might as well rebuild the carb while you're waiting for the new cylinder kit, ignition module, and clutch to come in.
• I don't know anything about this saw: It's beyond repair.
• Many usable parts: the box it ships in is pretty sturdy.
• Don't need this big a saw any more: somebody told me I should have taken the muffler off before grinding out the baffle.
• Many extras: I'll toss in the JB weld that's left from the crankcase repair.
• Professionally maintained: I have to have my dealer change chains for me.

hahahahahah.. That tripped me out.

Sometimes you get lucky on ebay though ... I got a good John Deere 55SV but it was advertised as "has good compression and spark" .. Well, it didn't have spark but had a new plug in (wtf?) .. I took it apart and it was extremely nasty on the inside but after I got done cleaning, it ran/runs like a champ.

Couple more:

"blah blah chainsaw with NEW 20 inch bar!!!!!!!" = Just go buy a bar and save yourself a trip to the dump.

"fires off" = good possibility that it will catch on fire - or - when you pull the rope dealy, it makes sounds.

 

[Timberhauler]

I've been looking for a super mac 250 or 125 for a while now.I've seen a few pass through on e-bay,but I'm very skeptical of buying something like that from there.

 

[Tzed250]

Hmmm...

I have bought 3 McCullochs off of ebay. The PM700 was almost like new, The SP125C had some issues but was a good saw for the money, and I just got a Mac110 that was billed as "might need points" that was obviosly in a flood and a total write-off except for a few parts. Ebay is still somewhat of a crapshoot.

 

[59Billy]

Ebay is still somewhat of a crapshoot.

No question about that -- lots of people find good deals. I think the biggest trick is to know ehn to stop bidding.

 

[KMB]

No question about that -- lots of people find good deals. I think the biggest trick is to know ehn to stop bidding.

Yep. Exercise self-control .

Kevin

 

[olyman]

along the lines of tz250--got a 450 oly off fleabay--said didnt run--but turned over--you wouldnt believe the gas tank!!!!!!!!!!! after two flushes with carb cleaner--and one with new gas--then new line and filter--and carb kit--it hauls the mail--the rest was fine!!!! and other than time--total cost with ship and buy about 75 clams--and looks like new!!!! me thinks was just left neglected for quite a while--

 

[outona limb]

I haven't done too bad, so far I have bought a stihl 08s, 041 two 075,s poulan micro, echo 280e and various (parts). All saws were said to be in good running condition, Too bad one 075 was a 051 the other 075 had a bum recoil and run like crap, The poulan was DOA and was thrown out, 041 had every screw rattled loose or missing which caused the gas line to break off the carb. On the other hand the little echo runs good but the bent bar cuts like hell, 08s has no complaints. All is well in my camp now, a little tinkering a lot of cursing and a few dollars is all it took too truly have good running condition saws............................

 

[GLM]

You just have to understand the special vocabulary of ebay saw ads:

• Good running: If you're good, you might be able to get it running.
• Parts saw: I saw some parts on the garage floor and stuck them in a box.
• Probably just needs a carb kit: might as well rebuild the carb while you're waiting for the new cylinder kit, ignition module, and clutch to come in.
• I don't know anything about this saw: It's beyond repair.
• Many usable parts: the box it ships in is pretty sturdy.
• Don't need this big a saw any more: somebody told me I should have taken the muffler off before grinding out the baffle.
• Many extras: I'll toss in the JB weld that's left from the crankcase repair.
• Professionally maintained: I have to have my dealer change chains for me.

Laugh of the year on this one, your killing me

 

[bobc]

Collecting some old Jonsereds recently, I got stung three times. Yeah, every one of those saws was overstated in condition and each had major flaws not mentioned, like "good oiling".
Ask if the sellers of saws actually used the saw themself....none of my sellers used any of these saws and were guessing wildly feeling that if they looked good, they obviously oiled well...
Buyer beware but do remember to ask if THEY actually used the saws or took them in trade for some canning jars...

Mike

You dident happen to end up with a good jug and cylinder for a 490 did you?

 

[stonykill]

I've been looking for a super mac 250 or 125 for a while now.I've seen a few pass through on e-bay,but I'm very skeptical of buying something like that from there.

I have picked up all my macs on ebay. My 1-53 is near mint, got it for $50 including shipping or there abouts. My 10-10 was around the same price. The smaller macs I have were all sold as parts saws. I refused to bid higher than $30 including shipping, just in case. All turned out to be good saws. I picked up a pioneer holiday $1.25 plus $15 shipping. I cleaned it up, gassed it , sharpened the chain, and use it all the time.

I have been burned on ebay. I bought an 056 a year ago or so. POS. I spent a lot of money to get it right, then sold it off to buy 2 huskys to better suit my needs.

With e bay, if its a homeowner, bid low. If you win it you get lucky. If the seller has a category called chainsaws, there is a good chance they actually sell a lot of them and know something about them. Thats how I go about it anyway.

 

[stonykill]

I forgot about the time I bought my 1-46 project saw. It was listed as a running saw. The seller claimed he just cut a cord of wood with it. It was listed as having a 20 inch bar. The pic showed it as an engraved mac bar. I bid on the saw just for the bar for my 1-53. Well I got the saw, 18 inch bar, just like the bar I already have. The started was held on with one stripped phillips screw, no muffler at all, and like I said an 18 inch bar. The guy immediately emails me to leave him feedback. I sent him a letter telling him how it was nothing like how it was described, and there was no way he had it running as the starter couldn't even be pulled over. I heard every whiny excuse in the book. At least I only bid $20 on it, shipping was another $20 I think. Its made a fun project saw. Thats when I started bidding even lower on home owner saws. If I win it fine, but I expect it to be crap and am surprised if its not.