Andy, irregardless or who is right/wrong in this whole issue. I can tell you I really don't know who is but look at it from a neutral perspective, you throw what was initailly posted, the statement of condition of saw, the saw as it was delivered, the photographic evidence as this post provided, what would a reasonable juror believe after a presentation of the evidence.
Brad, says he didn't see the broke fins....I'll accept that, but what would a jury do based on what has transpired. Brad had stepped up and is taking the saw back, maybe the jury would find lienency in their heart. The bashing is part of what happens when you call people out in an open forum. It's great that your loyal to Brad, it's hard to find people that way these days.
But you also have to look at it objectively and consider what the perponderance of evidence as it has been laid out looks like, I think Brad would be the first to say it doesn't look good at face value, and I do respect him for having that attitude. I think it's a very unfortunate incident, wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy (well maybe......but he's not a chainsaw guy by no means too hard of work), but do think there's a lesson that's invaluable to everyone who reads the post. I'll bet your azz people go out of their way to describe and accurately portray their equipment listed on trading post, transactions will be done privately and in a non-dramatic fashion. If it ends up being a contribution to the site to improve what's going on, in the end it's bad it happen to Brad, but a contribution in the end.