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Repair/Purchase Scam

#1

R

Resqguy

I took my riding mower into a local repair (and used equipment dealer) to fix a (brand new) bad oil seal. I had just fixed a governor problem, but was just tired of working on it. The repair guy made no secret that he wanted me to trade mine in on one of his repaired used mowers. I told him just to replace the seal and get back to me. I went by today and he said that the leak was fixed (it was) but the governor was broken. I know that is a lie because I just fixed it - he probably just bent the spring to make it run fast.

BTW, my old crank seal did not leak before I replaced it with a new Briggs one.

The guy wants $250 for the seal repair, which I think is fair. Alternatively, he wants $600 and my unit for a rebuilt riding mower. Mine is a 46" this one is a 48". They are about the same year but mine has been stored indoors. Mine will need a new battery in the spring, but has new mandrels, blades, carb, and belts.

I'm wondering if anyone has run into this scam before? Did you trade? There aren't any other reputable mower repair places in my area. The last place did an oil change and left the filter loose to leak oil all over my garage floor.

My gut is telling me to pay the $250 and take my mower home, but I would still have to adjust the spring and replace the battery next year.

The other unit is a 48" with 3 blades, my 46" has two. The 48 also has the fuel filler by the real wheel where mine if under engine hood.

Thoughts?

Husqvarna 46" with Briggs INTEK 22.


#2

StarTech

StarTech

Well I had a new customer a couple years ago that a local Hustler dealer tried ripping off on a repair. They told the customer they needed a new $3000 engine. So the customer came to me for a second opinion. It turned to be a $300 where the head gasket had to replaced. Note the engine was going through lots of oil but had plenty of power.

BTW crank seals are not that hard to replace, unless, it has a stuck on electric PTO clutch and the tech doesn't know what they are doing.


#3

R

Resqguy

I'm assuming the seal replacement would require that the motor be removed. Not too bad but I wasn't in the mood to go through all that again.


#4

StarTech

StarTech

Well most times it don't though the engine oil is usually drained.


#5

R

Resqguy

Most of the oil had already leaked out.


#6

F

Forest#2

You asked

Thoughts?

After someone leaves a bad taste in my mouth I do not return for a 2nd taste test.


#7

StarTech

StarTech

I have a policy of

strike one forgive,
strike two shame on you,
and strike three shame on me.

I seldom make it to strike three.


#8

Tiger Small Engine

Tiger Small Engine

Resqguy said:
I took my riding mower into a local repair (and used equipment dealer) to fix a (brand new) bad oil seal. I had just fixed a governor problem, but was just tired of working on it. The repair guy made no secret that he wanted me to trade mine in on one of his repaired used mowers. I told him just to replace the seal and get back to me. I went by today and he said that the leak was fixed (it was) but the governor was broken. I know that is a lie because I just fixed it - he probably just bent the spring to make it run fast.

BTW, my old crank seal did not leak before I replaced it with a new Briggs one.

The guy wants $250 for the seal repair, which I think is fair. Alternatively, he wants $600 and my unit for a rebuilt riding mower. Mine is a 46" this one is a 48". They are about the same year but mine has been stored indoors. Mine will need a new battery in the spring, but has new mandrels, blades, carb, and belts.

I'm wondering if anyone has run into this scam before? Did you trade? There aren't any other reputable mower repair places in my area. The last place did an oil change and left the filter loose to leak oil all over my garage floor.

My gut is telling me to pay the $250 and take my mower home, but I would still have to adjust the spring and replace the battery next year.

The other unit is a 48" with 3 blades, my 46" has two. The 48 also has the fuel filler by the real wheel where mine if under engine hood.

Thoughts?

Husqvarna 46" with Briggs INTEK 22.
Click to expand...
I don’t think so much that this is a “scam” as the guy is simply trying to turn a larger profit. He is offering a product, assuming it runs and mows right and everything is working, and taking your mower as part of the transaction. It is also hard to determine the fairness of cost without seeing the mowers in person for the shape they are in.


#9

R

Resqguy

Tiger Small Engine said:
I don’t think so much that this is a “scam” as the guy is simply trying to turn a larger profit. He is offering a product, assuming it runs and mows right and everything is working, and taking your mower as part of the transaction. It is also hard to determine the fairness of cost without seeing the mowers in person for the shape they are in.
Click to expand...
That is exactly the problem. The guy didn't even look at my mower to get an estimate of it's value. Profit seems to be his only concern. My satisfaction or ability to have a working mower didn't seem to enter his mind.


#10

A

Auto Doc's

I don't think it was a scam but rather trying to save more misery and put you on a known working machine that he had for sale.

I frequently buy, refurbish and sell a few mowers when I can. Others are just parted out because they are beyond economic repair.

I let customers test mow and let them decide if it is a machine they want. No false warranty promises. I just sell them a good working machine that I have fully tested.

Most people hate to hassle with getting cash these days, so I accept a PayPal transfer instead. No checks.

The customers I deal with cannot usually not afford an overpriced new mower.

The used rider and push mower market has crashed in recent years due to shady people trying to sell rundown none maintained junk. It makes it hard for legitimate repair people.


#11

H

hlw49

Whether the engine has to be removed to replace the seal or not depends on the on the mower. Some of the John deere mowers you have to remove the engines. Had a customer bring in one of their zero turns and I thought no problem. Boy, was I wrong there was just enough room in the frame for the crank shaft to stick through. After taking the engine off and looking at the problem the bottom bushing in the oil pan had worked its way down and ruined the seal. Had to replace the oil pan to fix the problem. Will not do one of those again. They can take it to John Deere to get it fixed. People buy the Deere mower and then don't want to take it back to the dealer and pay their high labor prices to get it fixed.


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