Thumbs up for Craigslist
I have bought and sold a bit on Craigslist and have liked it a lot. As always, buyer beware, and other cautions should be adhered to.
Three weeks ago someone advertised a Stihl 044 for $350. Seller stated that it was in excellent condition, hardly used, etc. I contacted him and he said he had bought it for two yard trees that he removed five years ago and hadn't used it since except to start it regularly; had receipt and manual, had paid about $500 for it 5 years ago. I eagerly and almost immediately went to look at it. It was a 440 with a 16" bar on it, looked almost new except a rusting muffler (you know how those get). It turns out he studied timbersports at the local community college, and so he said when he needed a chainsaw for those trees he knew he wanted a Stihl. I had him run it for me (sounded good to me - and probably to all the neighbors in the residential neighborhood). The bar really did look like it was just slightly used (2 trees worth). I got it for $325 with two extra chains ( I doubt he had sharpened any of them but just kept changing chains.)
The receipt showed that he paid $535 plus tax, 5 years ago. I know that today this saw is $700 plus tax.
I already have a 440 that I bought used off this site, but now I have a pair!
I cut with it a couple weeks ago and boy does it scream through hardwood with that 16" bar.
Another Craigslist winner!
MarkG