Ebay craziness: a review of the night that was

[serial killer]

I watched quite a few interesting things go at auction on ebay tonight and figured that I would compile them into a thread for anyone who's interested. All of these auctions are over; I don't want to ruin it for anyone who was bidding on any of this stuff. Also, I personally did not sell or bid on any of this stuff. I'm just kind of tracking some trends.

To start with, some very very nice and very very expensive older saws.

This Homelite Zip went for $306.51
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=150314858883

Like the seller said, you will never find a nicer one. But for that kind of money you could probably get 10 half-decent ones.


This Homelite SXL Old Blue went for $340
http://cgi.ebay.com/Homelite-OLD-BL...286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:13|39:1|240:1318

Again, a very nice saw but outrageously expensive. But the Old Blue (what was that, some kind of special edition?) seems to be harder to find than the Zips and even working red ones are kind of pricey. I was surprised that the two Homelites didn't come from the same seller.

And finally, an 090 sold for a whopping $1835!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130274240228

Arboristsite actually got mentioned in the questions section of the listing, and I bet that more than a few of you guys were watching this one. Another very nice saw, but way out of my price range. The seller asserted that his saw had a 66mm piston as opposed to other wimpier 090s that have a 58mm. I don't see anything about that on the Chainsaw Collectors Corner, so I dunno what to believe.


And now for the weird stuff.

A couple new Stihl products sold for pretty dang close to full retail.

A 361 with 20" bar for $566.45
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=150315281798
No packaging, tools, or manual. Seems a little weird for a brand new saw. Typically it seems like the new Stihls go high when the seller will ship overseas or when paypal has a 10% of coupon going, but neither of those were happening in this case. I wouldn't sacrifice my warranty and my cute little carb screwdriver for a savings that basically amounts to sales tax, but to each his own I guess.

A 16" bar and chain for $52.55
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370127033322
It depends on your dealer I guess, but it seems like by the time you pay shipping this probably cost more than you would pay locally. And it had 10 bidders! Craziness.

And last but not least, some Canadian hillbilly took a 45cc Powerking from Taiwan and modified the heck out of it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120348791098

According to him, "I ported the intake, exhaust, and transfer ports (this saw has open transfer ports). Then I significantly lightened the piston taking 10% of the weight off. Also I took out the timing key and advanced the ignition timing far as I could. Also removed head gasket for improved throttle response and higher compression. Then I port matched the muffler to the exhaust port on the cylinder and took the guts out it and cut a hole between the muffler bolts so the exhaust flows straight through." And for his efforts he got $51. Oops. He seems like he would fit right in here though. If you click on the link to the auction you can see a video of it run. It doesn't seem all that bad, but man, there's only so much you can polish a turd.

So there you have it. If you've got any brand new Stihl stuff or really nice classic saws, it seems like a good time to sell. I figure those things are probably going for Christmas presents. Of course, it's probably some guy buying a Christmas present for himself, but who isn't guilty of that?

 

[epicklein22]

Really nice post here. I really like that powerking. I bet someone here would have paid that just for the sh!ts and g!ggles factor.

I wish I had sold my 075 this week but the dealer was out of 404 chain.

 

[fishercat]

darn!!!!!!!!!!!`

i guess i shouldn't have put that $500 buy it now on my 361.no wonder it sold in 3 h ours after posting.

 

[Booshcat]

I think people may be hurting for cash and looking around the basement.....

 

[Jacob J.]

And last but not least, some Canadian hillbilly took a 45cc Powerking from Taiwan and modified the heck out of it.

It doesn't seem all that bad, but man, there's only so much you can polish a turd.

You should have seen a Husky 365 he sold last year that was rattle-canned all sorts of crazy colors and had a handmade air filter cover.

It looked trick, I guess.

 

[serial killer]

You should have seen a Husky 365 he sold last year that was rattle-canned all sorts of crazy colors and had a handmade air filter cover.

It looked trick, I guess.

I've seen him sell a 394/395 Frankensaw that was kinda half put together and missing a few important pieces. I think he's had a few more of those Powerkings too. At least he stopped doing his test videos in front of his junk boat and car boneyard.

 

[XJWoody]

Something to keep an eye on if you
1: have a Live.com account (aka "hotmail")
2: have a Ebay & PayPal account.

Microsoft is doing a rebate deal: Search for something using the Live Search engine. If there is a hit for it on eBay, it'll usually be the very top link - follow the link in there.

If you find it with Live Search, use the Buy It Now, and pay with PayPal, they will rebate __% cash back to your PP account in 60 days. It's been sitting at 8%, but has been as high as 30% @ the end of November.

A couple weeks ago I used the 30% cashback to grab a new Leupold VXIII scope for $170 less than Cabelas price... I was going to get a lesser grade, either a Rifleman or VXI, but the deal on the better glass was hard to pass up. I can wait 60 days for the kickback.

I have my eye on a couple things in there now... I'm just waiting to see if the rebate deal gets any better than 8% before I open the wallet. I suspect it will, and I am trying to be patient.

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

I see clean used MS290's on there all the time going for 275$+ and throw in shipping they're within 50$ of new.
After selling a large number of parts and a few saws I've realized there must be a large amount of bad dealers out there.
I'll list a part for 4.99$ it'll retails for 20$ and it will end up selling for 10$ plus 7.50$ shipping.

 

[oneoldbanjo]

I have been watching eBay to get a new 36" bar and chain.....and every one listed has been selling for more (with shipping) than the price of a new set at my dealer.

 

[polexie]

Would like to have a 090, BUT 1835 DOLLARS!!!!!!!:jawdrop:

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

Would like to have a 090, BUT 1835 DOLLARS!!!!!!!:jawdrop:

That 1800$ could get you a brand new MS660 and a MS441. It would buy you two MS460's, or get you three MS361's.

 

[bump_r]

That 1800$ could get you a brand new MS660 and a MS441. It would buy you two MS460's, or get you three MS361's.

... or a big tricked out... nametag!

 

[Wet1]

I was watching that 090 and very interested until it hit $1425... that was even a little more money I was willing to spend on it. I'm surprised it fetched over $1800.

 

[jmemmert]

I've seen a used ms290 go for over $425.

The seller put rare in the title

 

[Nailgunner]

I told you, Ebay is going mental at the moment. it's the same here. There's no bargains to be had.

 

[buicken]

i just spent 5$ on a new muffler i needed, shipping was 5 bucks too.

 

[fourfivefour]

serial killer, nice thread!

I've been watching several saws on Ebay too. With much amazement, I cant believe what people pay for a blown up or broken saw let alone a clean classic.
There's a saw on there now that I really want, (don't need) and I know it's going to take $200. more to get it running, (if I win it). The bidding is already out of hand on it that I may have to pass. ........454

 

[buzz sawyer]

Check this one out - Wright B520. Makes me like mine more even if it doesn't cut fast.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=370127214939&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=024

 

[Brmorgan]

I was watching that 090 too. It seemed way overpriced, but then again just the bar and chains must be worth $400-$500, and the saw itself was in almost showroom condition. I was watching this 090 last week:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=290280816481

It went for an absolute bargain, and even came with a Mini-Mill attached to it, though I can't imagine wanting to use an 090 on a Mini-Mill. Looked to be in excellent shape too, though not as good as the other one.

That PowerKing saw though... It doesn't seem to cut much faster than my non-tricked-out 50 does. It's probably worth the 50 bucks, but who knows how long it would last. I don't put much faith in those knockoff saws. And for Pete's sake, why do people put blurry pictures up on their auctions? They're the most important part of the auction listing. As soon as I see a bunch of blurry shots I hurry away from the auction. If someone can't even post some decent pictures, it makes it hard for me to trust them or the product they're selling.

 

[bullseye13]

And for Pete's sake, why do people put blurry pictures up on their auctions? They're the most important part of the auction listing. As soon as I see a bunch of blurry shots I hurry away from the auction.

The auctions where there are some blurry pics are where the deals are at. Just not with chainsaws. Im so pissed with scum sellers on the bay sellin chainsaw and parts....*sigh

There have been some good sellers that ocasionally put up a blurry pic, and a little luck you can get a deal. You just need to be able to trust the written description.