Scored a couple of husqvarna "Junk" saws,

[weimedog]

So another board member and I went to a local "Box" store that had five "Customer return" saws out with various stated issues and lower prices.

One was just a Husqvarna 235 Demo saw; They wanted $150
A Blown up 350...: they wanted $200
A new Husqvarna 440e with "No Spark" and probably little or no time...;They wanted $200
Another new Husqvarna 440e that wouldn't start..; They wanted $200
A Husqvarna 455 Rancher with a toasted clutch...; They wanted $275

That was the description given to us so we looked them over.

The other board member Offered $100 each for the entire lot, $500 total.

Manager emphatically declined...so the bickering and bartering began.
Not that either myself or the other person (Another board member) particularly needed more saws...and the manager flately stated he could get $150 for each saw...And I thought.."Is that so" and offered $150 each for the two new Husqvarna 440e's and $150 for the Husqvarna 455 Rancher with "wasted" clutch as well...$450 for the three saws.

He bit, cash was paid; we left with three saws and a receipt in hand.

The "other" board member and I then went to lunch and I could tell he was not pleased..and I finally got it out of him he wanted that 350 rat saw!

I told him, I had go go by instinct..and I didn't like the Husqvarna 235 in any condition, and didn't like the "over heated" look of that Husqvarna 350....he still was not comfortable. or pleased with the situation. He wanted another project saw, and he likes his Husqvarna 350's.

So impatience what it is; as soon as we got to the Subway parcking lot; we pulled the plug on the "no Spark" and..It had spark. Now the feeding frenzy mentality began to take hold...

Back to his place of work.. and we couldn't help our selves. All three saws came out of the car and...

All three started and ran just fine.

We we split up the deal and I took one of the Husqvarna 440e's and the Husqvarna 455 and he took the absolutely brand new, no time; Husqvarna 440e.

Back home....

First the 455 Rancher; I touched up the "burr" of the chain that JAMMED it in the bar and wouldn't let it go! And it ran just fine. After I put 1/2 hour of run time on the husqvarna 455, my conclusion: Wonderful saw, little beefy for the power; but nice saw just the same.. Especially for $150 bucks! Runs really well. Maybe a touch lean on top...but I can FIX that.

Then the 440e.....I can't tell you what their issue was. It fired right up and ran really well. I upped the idle and leaned out the low speed a bit so it wouldn't stall..after FIVE minutes of idle.... Its a little screamer!. Again a touch lean on top end but no sign of "No Spark, Won't Run". Again a nice little saw, especially for $150 bucks. The bar and chain have vitually no wear. Obviuously neither did the entire saw. It looks box new. AND they both had virtually new chains and BAR guards.

SO...HOW does this happen? Didn't these people even try and figure out what the deal was with these saws? What does this say about their ability to advise or help a customer with saw issues? A customer complains, they take in the saw and give them their money back? I'm not complaining, but this didn't seem right.

DON'T even ask what store this was or where! Never know what will appear out front next time and I want to be there first!

 

[AOD]

I thought most "box" stores sent returned stuff like that back to the distributor. I've never seen any returns for sale.

 

[parrisw]

My guess is the dumb homeowner, didn't turn the switch on?? I've seen dumber things.

 

[weimedog]

The "Box" Store down the hill from me has them repaired at a local shop and sells them along side the new saws for a reduced price as refurbished saws with no warrantee. Good deals for someone I guess, not for me. Also this is a totally different store but the point being This was not the first time I've seen saws like this. Just this was the first time I was interested enough to ask about them.

 

[willsaw4beer]

$150 is still more than I'd want to pay for those saws. I guess if you need them it's one thing.

 

[weimedog]

$150 is still more than I'd want to pay for those saws. I guess if you need them it's one thing.

Which is the sentement of the "other" board member who was with me and wanted that 350.

Me? They will be run on this farm untill they melt by the kids and wife. AND it fills the hole I was going to fill with either an Echo or a Dolmar..for now.. for 1/2 the price.

Also I have to be honest, the first impression these saws have given me is...very nice. After all the trashing they get here I think my expectation was for them to be something less...but they seem to be very capable saws. We will both see and report as this year progresses. I think in particular the 455 has the potential to be a really nice all around saw.

 

[willsaw4beer]

Which is the sentement of the "other" board member who was with me and wanted that 350.

Me? They will be run on this farm untill they melt by the kids and wife. AND it fills the hole I was going to fill with either an Echo or a Dolmar..for now.. for 1/2 the price.

Also I have to be honest, the first impression these saws have given me is...very nice. After all the trashing they get here I think my expectation was for them to be something less...but they seem to be very capable saws. We will both see and report as this year progresses. I think in particular the 455 has the potential to be a really nice all around saw.

Yeah you'll easily get $150 worth of use out of 'em for sure.

 

[ZerCool]

Hum, I wonder if that's the box store down the hill from me, between the big orange box store and the big blue box store? Had the saws cabled together in the foyer? I eyeballed the used saws out there Saturday, but I'm in enough trouble at home as is.

 

[dingeryote]

Which is the sentement of the "other" board member who was with me and wanted that 350.

Me? They will be run on this farm untill they melt by the kids and wife. AND it fills the hole I was going to fill with either an Echo or a Dolmar..for now.. for 1/2 the price.

Also I have to be honest, the first impression these saws have given me is...very nice. After all the trashing they get here I think my expectation was for them to be something less...but they seem to be very capable saws. We will both see and report as this year progresses. I think in particular the 455 has the potential to be a really nice all around saw.

Weimedog,

One of the gents at our local Husky shop previously worked for TSC and clued me in.

Here's the deal.

Joe Homeowner needs to use a saw for a couple days and dosn't have a saw. Cost to rent would be about the same as a new Saw.
Joe Homeowner wont need the saw after it is used.

So Joe goes to the Box store, buys a saw, uses it to cut up the Tree that is blocking his Satellite signal, and then takes it back to the Box store saying it's not running right. Box store manager figures time/Labor/shipping in his head for sending saw back to Husky and realizes it's a wash or close for what the store has in it in the first place, the other option is irritating a customer who will complain to the Box Store HQ.

Joe Homeowner gets a refund, or a new saw in the box that can be dumped on Fleabay, and gets out of the cost of buying or renting.
Store Manager dumps the saws and recovers some of the loss.

Best time to snag such saws, generators, trash pumps,Salamander heaters etc. is right after a bad storm.

Some people need a good azzwhoopin' for such dishonest acts, but they are within the law, and the Box stores not having a trained OPE tech on hand to service what they sell, is costing themselves.

Good to hear ya snagged a few good ones!!

Agreed on running them untill they puke.
Beats a bow saw and lots of cussing!

The 455 is a PIG for the power, but they cut OK.
I beat the snot outta mine and it keeps up fine.
Best part is for 150 bucks ya wont feel guilty having it bangin' around in the truck, or when some knothead straight gasses it.

Stay safe!!
Dingeryote

 

[weimedog]

Hum, I wonder if that's the box store down the hill from me, between the big orange box store and the big blue box store? Had the saws cabled together in the foyer? I eyeballed the used saws out there Saturday, but I'm in enough trouble at home as is.

If there are a few less in that foyer...then its the one. If it IS...keep it to ourselves as this may happen again! We can talk at the GTG.


Whats interesting to me is that these "Junk" saws aren't Junk. Both are really nice saws. Yea you can compare and pick apart from a "enthusiast" or "pro" point of view. But the bottom line is if the average guy buys one, they are going to be very pleased with the quiet, smooth, performance these saws deliver. It is possible they are more efficient from a fuel perspective..I don't have the time on them to know. (One day) Time will tell and I have a lot of work in the woods to do...but my first impression is a good one.

AND, thinking from the managers perspective of that box store, he wins in the end. Why? They don't make a lot per saw. They are loss leaders for bar oil and supplies. Since this store has a lot of what my type of person uses, now we go THERE instead of other places...because of the possibility of more hobby saws. He wins. I dump thousands there where before it was going somewhere else...and in my case thats real You managers out there might evaluate turning those disshonest customer turn in's into Farm/CAD magnets.

 

[supercut469]

You lucky dog! I would love to score those saws for $150 a piece!

My local big box store also sells off returned saws, only problem is they only deal in Poulans and they charge basically brand new price minus ten or twenty bucks! Once in a blue moon they have a Echo return for sale but they charge such top dollar for them it's basically like buying brand new.

That was a good point you made - the box store should be employing a small engine mechanic who could say to Joe Homeowner "Very sorry to hear you're having trouble with your new saw sir, let's go out back with my little jug of 50:1 and see if we can't get her working proper for you!" Would take care of any azzhole who would dare buy and return a saw rather than rent and those who actually were having user problems could learn how to use their saw properly.

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

good deal...that was easy enough, some people really dont know how to operate a saw...how sad...but good for you.

 

[landyboy]

Good result. `Big box stores` must be similar to what we would call a D.I.Y store. People here dont generally run saws and the only ones stocked are cheap Mc C`s and Ryobi`s. Huskys and Stihls are only available through specialist outlets.
They are good for the honest customer though. Take something back like a mower and the dont want to even look at it:`Just leave it there and pick another or would you prefer a refund?`They dont sell the returns though.

 

[ZerCool]

Swung through the foyer today - yep, those were the ones. You stole that 455.

Half tempted to go offer 'em $50 for the 235.

 

[rube2112]

So another board member and I went to a local "Box" store that had five "Customer return" saws out with various stated issues and lower prices.

One was just a Husqvarna 235 Demo saw; They wanted $150
A Blown up 350...: they wanted $200
A new Husqvarna 440e with "No Spark" and probably little or no time...;They wanted $200
Another new Husqvarna 440e that wouldn't start..; They wanted $200
A Husqvarna 455 Rancher with a toasted clutch...; They wanted $275

That was the description given to us so we looked them over.

The other board member Offered $100 each for the entire lot, $500 total.

Manager emphatically declined...so the bickering and bartering began.
Not that either myself or the other person (Another board member) particularly needed more saws...and the manager flately stated he could get $150 for each saw...And I thought.."Is that so" and offered $150 each for the two new Husqvarna 440e's and $150 for the Husqvarna 455 Rancher with "wasted" clutch as well...$450 for the three saws.

He bit, cash was paid; we left with three saws and a receipt in hand.

The "other" board member and I then went to lunch and I could tell he was not pleased..and I finally got it out of him he wanted that 350 rat saw!

I told him, I had go go by instinct..and I didn't like the Husqvarna 235 in any condition, and didn't like the "over heated" look of that Husqvarna 350....he still was not comfortable. or pleased with the situation. He wanted another project saw, and he likes his Husqvarna 350's.

So impatience what it is; as soon as we got to the Subway parcking lot; we pulled the plug on the "no Spark" and..It had spark. Now the feeding frenzy mentality began to take hold...

Back to his place of work.. and we couldn't help our selves. All three saws came out of the car and...

All three started and ran just fine.

We we split up the deal and I took one of the Husqvarna 440e's and the Husqvarna 455 and he took the absolutely brand new, no time; Husqvarna 440e.

Back home....

First the 455 Rancher; I touched up the "burr" of the chain that JAMMED it in the bar and wouldn't let it go! And it ran just fine. After I put 1/2 hour of run time on the husqvarna 455, my conclusion: Wonderful saw, little beefy for the power; but nice saw just the same.. Especially for $150 bucks! Runs really well. Maybe a touch lean on top...but I can FIX that.

Then the 440e.....I can't tell you what their issue was. It fired right up and ran really well. I upped the idle and leaned out the low speed a bit so it wouldn't stall..after FIVE minutes of idle.... Its a little screamer!. Again a touch lean on top end but no sign of "No Spark, Won't Run". Again a nice little saw, especially for $150 bucks. The bar and chain have vitually no wear. Obviuously neither did the entire saw. It looks box new. AND they both had virtually new chains and BAR guards.

SO...HOW does this happen? Didn't these people even try and figure out what the deal was with these saws? What does this say about their ability to advise or help a customer with saw issues? A customer complains, they take in the saw and give them their money back? I'm not complaining, but this didn't seem right.

DON'T even ask what store this was or where! Never know what will appear out front next time and I want to be there first!

Some of those places really push their extended warranty for X amount of dollars and it says replacement guarantee. I bet thats how it happens. Robb

 

[tbuggle]

Some of those places really push their extended warranty for X amount of dollars and it says replacement guarantee. I bet thats how it happens. Robb

seems like a good way to lose money. what am i missing here?

 

[rube2112]

You lucky dog! I would love to score those saws for $150 a piece!

My local big box store also sells off returned saws, only problem is they only deal in Poulans and they charge basically brand new price minus ten or twenty bucks! Once in a blue moon they have a Echo return for sale but they charge such top dollar for them it's basically like buying brand new.

That was a good point you made - the box store should be employing a small engine mechanic who could say to Joe Homeowner "Very sorry to hear you're having trouble with your new saw sir, let's go out back with my little jug of 50:1 and see if we can't get her working proper for you!" Would take care of any azzhole who would dare buy and return a saw rather than rent and those who actually were having user problems could learn how to use their saw properly.

Its way cheaper to give the dishonest guy his money back than it is to hire a shop tech. Box stores ruin outdoor power equipment sales. Robb

 

[weimedog]

Swung through the foyer today - yep, those were the ones. You stole that 455.

Half tempted to go offer 'em $50 for the 235.

He might take $200 for the pair. Nothing less is certain..maybe even $250. I may test that theory after these first two are "digested" in this household. The 235 would be used and the 350 could be traded to that "other" member because I think he would rather have a buildable 350 than a running 440e...just a guess. And that 440e would be used as well at this farm.

 

[willsaw4beer]

He might take $200 for the pair. Nothing less is certain..maybe even $250. I may test that theory after these first two are "digested" in this household. The 235 would be used and the 350 could be traded to that "other" member because I think he would rather have a buildable 350 than a running 440e...just a guess. And that 440e would be used as well at this farm.

The 350 might be worth that but I'd think you ought to just get a Poulan instead of the 235.