Sedanman -- For the record, I'm not the one who suggested taking an E-Bay-purchased saw in to my local dealer and asking him to send in a warranty card. I wouldn't do that because I like Mr. Spann (my local dealer), I've bought from him before, I'll buy from him again I'm sure, and I respect him as a local business man. I think you've confused me with a few others on here who have suggested buying a saw on-line and rubbing it in to the local dealer. I've got to live here and at least buy accecessories from him, so I wouldn't do anything to disrespect him.
To add the latest information, the E-Bay Stihl seller I've been negotiating with says that HE will send in the warranty card and then I would be able to get warranty service at any local dealer. If I went in to a local dealer here in Alabama with a saw still under warranty and told him I bought it from a dealer in New Jersey, he wouldn't have any idea whether I'd purchased it on-line or not. All that being said, I still don't think in the end I'll try to purchase a new one from E-Bay.