I've notticed that kind of thing too. The local saw and garden equipment shop was real generious the first time I visited with my 5-year oll son. The best of the bunch was a Koirtz 56 cc out of a chain saw. It had multiple rings. Ran great. Some of the other engines could not be salvaged. Two had scored jugs.

Can a jug be honed?

The second time I went they wanted $100 for junk saws and back pack blowers. I think he had it in his head that I was reselling the engines.

This shop has ripped off my father a couple of times. He would bring in something for repair and was told the saw, or whatever, could not be repaired. They kept the item. He would then get a "hard sell" to buy a new item. The last one was a pressure washer. I told him to go get it back and I would look at it. I had it running fine in about 10-minuets.

I feel for the small shop owner. It must be tough to make a living on items that you can buy at COSTCO or Sam's Club for half the price. Yes, it is true that a Huskie or Stihl saw is better. Only a small percentage of the population appreciates why it is better. They just want to cut some garden tree limbs or whatever on a limited basis. A professional logger would know the difference and pay for it. He is a rare. It is too bad our society has changed but it has. I would never go into business with a one-of small saw shop. 90% of folks are going to find a simmilar item a huge discount elsewhere. I can't see how you would make a living servicing this kind of thing. Maybe they are getting frustrated or jaded?