It looks new to me. There is no way to know if it has been gassed. Most shops fuel and check saws before they leave the dealership, so I doubt that line. Those stickers on the front are gone the first time it is used and the case gets scuffed on the oil tank very quickly. Regardless, he is asking nearly full retail and if he paid $1800, someone stuck it to him and it really doesn't matter unless you are looking to put the saw away as a collector saw.